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Special Report Online: 5/9/12

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    Who's leading in Romney VP race?

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Welcome to another edition of special report on line I'm Bret -- sorry it took me a little while a boot up this computer a new computer here but we are up -- round.

If you haven't been here before welcome aboard kind of relaxed environment where you can ask questions or comments.

About panel discussion.

And throughout the thirty minutes or show we will have votes here polls -- you can vote on underneath there you don't see your comment or question in the middle section to worry.

Thousands of viewers typing away we'll get -- -- -- shortly.

Let's bring in our panel -- David Drucker associate politics editor of roll call Juan Williams tells the hill syndicated columnist Charles Krauthammer.

Okay.

Let's me just take it a little tally here what people want to.

They're very happy with they want to VP nominee quirk.

Lot of VP questions.

David -- he thinks leading in the Romney campaign right now.

Parlor game that keeps on giving it to us we don't actually know who's leading what do you say rocky -- is up there.

I say there -- for a while I say Rob Portman is.

A legitimate -- who.

Has a shot.

-- I wouldn't be surprise if he actually really wants -- hand has subtly communicated such.

But -- is keeping this very close to the -- it's early.

They're gonna vet so hard they'll probably find importance.

Great great great grandfather and see if he paid taxes on time.

My feeling on this is that -- mr.

Very correct.

My feeling on this is that -- a lot of us in Washington naturally have been focused on members of congress.

Particularly because there are some good ones whether it's Rob Portman -- -- rubio Paul Ryan.

Some people talked about Kelly the senator from New Hampshire but governors we've seen over the years tend to like other governors and so.

My gut tells me that is particularly given what -- Romney has talked about this that there's a good chance he goes with a governor either current or former.

I mean Bob McDonald couldn't get the non I think my dark horse personally and this is I know nothing except what I you know I think I'm Smart.

Then Bobby -- all you have a southern governor -- a health care policy wonk got a good record.

As a conservative governor of a southern state would do a lot for Romney.

The ticket would have a little ethnicity to it.

And it would be a little surprising but if he passed the vetting process I think he fits the bill otherwise but I wouldn't expressing of -- governor.

You know.

What about that governor theory.

-- you've got Mitch Daniels you've got Chris Christie you've got to.

While you get Jeb Bush that who's been talked about yeah Jeb Bush has been picking up steam it at the same time everybody then says of course it's the bush name.

I think Mitch Daniels is very attractive.

Chris Christie has its backers but.

You know Tim Tim -- remain -- become hotter in recent days as Kelly I out of New Hampshire and I think that's because.

Not only is she.

A woman but she's someone who has when she was campaigning with Mitt Romney.

Came across very well I think she outperformed everybody else who's been out -- playing this game about how do you do what's your chemistry like with the candidates.

And -- surprised to on the downside she was appointed attorneys general in New Hampshire.

And it's her first term as senator New Hampshire and you know she was answering questions this weekend about her experience.

And I think said she has more experience -- Barack Obama did when he won the stock phrase for that what I the reason that I think that you hearing more.

Mention of her and she doesn't have a very high profile most people don't know who she is.

Is that when she was out on the -- people like to.

Charles.

Look we all have our preferences -- we're trying to figure -- would Romney would do.

-- the one thing about -- -- he's very risk averse.

And if you look at all the leading names all of them have risks.

With Marco Rubio who's ever was extremely attractive of the questions.

Credit card supportive.

Representative Gutierrez there's some things it may come up in the -- I don't know.

If any of this is any substance he may be averse.

I mean you know of Romney is said he Natalie has and has goes in his closet Romney doesn't have a closet and the good guys have -- -- -- I think you'll want somebody.

For whom there is nothing that could be raised.

And then you get Paul -- northern be a terrific running mate however once you have him on the ticket.

You are wedded to every -- every dot and every every element of it.

Then you know if you go to and I you're right it's she's young she's new she's untested and after the experience last time around in 2008.

You don't want the country wondering can they step in if I had to guess -- -- psychology.

I think he might go to Portland simply because he's reliable.

He's respected he's okay.

It would be like -- to double down on -- And you know the one liability is he was OMB director.

In the late years of the bush administration for about a year year and a -- I think.

Not that long but nonetheless would you want to have anything connected to the bush name.

You know that the half life of toxicity from the bush name -- one term.

By 2016 it'll be okay jet will be running but it still carry some weight negative way and that would be a liability.

But even -- you look at some polls Charles and and he does pretty well up against President Obama are now I personally I think you.

Mean Jeb Bush no -- -- George W when they put the president so up against each other in these polls.

That is true.

You know and -- there's no signs saying you don't -- blame remember me I remembered me and don't get that mayors are actually a theoretical and nostalgia thing uniting you will be quite strongly to any.

Sixty venture to say that I think I wrote a -- saying I thought that Condi Rice.

There's an interest in choice now I got a tremendous amount of response to this idea.

I also got smacked by people the Wall Street Journal who's Brett Steven -- -- really hit me Hardin said.

Yeah -- don't forget she made all these bad decisions and of course -- Not -- but rumsfeld's people -- -- -- are you crazy but.

You know -- an interesting idea and as great as you look at the polls she's actually the number one choice of Republicans which -- that I will have to do -- name recognition name recognition but I think she's just not it.

-- choice and I know she would be do you have figures she's too closely tied to bush record -- -- is in -- he's deceptively doll that guy's slippery and that he's managed to carve out his own -- no matter what he's done.

He won overwhelmingly in Ohio and he went head to head behind deceptively -- Because he connects with people and he knows how to talk their language you want one last thing I think I'm gonna double down on Charles noting.

That Romney is risk averse.

In this way Sarah Palin many Republican professionals think was a disaster and I don't think that.

Romney is gonna wanna go with anybody that they don't think they can handle it and know they know everything about them and how they're gonna function.

In the spotlight once it's announced Linda says I'm good with Mitch Daniels.

Rich says.

Agenda lost out on VP on the responses say the union that one time you'll hear.

Terror and Connecticut says more about the -- were lost and how will Murdoch do in the general election -- -- that's Indiana.

Dick Lugar.

Six term.

Incumbent senator.

Lost and in part David.

You know -- definitely the Tea Party played -- role and they clearly.

Showed their strength in India.

Plugged into an Indiana say -- -- didn't run a great campaign pretty bad can he -- About the worst campaign I have ever seen at least as long as I've been covering national politics.

He didn't live in Indiana -- didn't have a residence although we owns a farm there was a question legally about whether he could vote there.

And he's a really nice man and they like nice people in Indiana but they just felt that he was out of touch with the issues they care most about.

And it I mean I guess I shouldn't be surprised.

You know what people get up there in years and I'm sure people went to him and -- in fact I know for a fact people went to him.

A year ago or before it -- sir if you're going to win you need to do this and it was finally mean I'll do it my way.

And this is a big reason why he ended up out of a job the real test for the Tea Party.

And the activists are going to be any influence things in Nebraska and upcoming Republican primary for senate and Texas and Utah.

And -- although -- say -- Orrin hatch now there's a textbook you wanna know how to keep your job.

You should study that they should write a book and sell it.

And study what he did because he'll probably win the statewide primary Orrin hatch had to win a vote of state convention delegates these people.

I mean -- the same people what they threw out Bob Bennett a couple years ago Warren hatch had the same -- vote on his hands and he's probably gonna survive.

Bill from crooks and Charles says the Lugar a loss is only the Tea Party clearing its throat for November.

You know there's also this feeling don't you agree that that.

Maybe there's a feeling about term limits that people love the term term limits.

They they kinda have this feeling like Washington is broken.

Throw them all out so a six term incumbent is pretty vulnerable in this environment six terms is historic in -- And the man is -- years ago.

I mean I have a lot of admiration for Dick Lugar -- And he's a great guy and then they use a good senator.

I'm and and I don't in any way denigrate the role of the tea parties are now or 2010.

But this is a guy who was -- for the picking of a young.

Energetic opponent and particularly because -- -- it just has been foreign affairs which is always deadly if you're in a tight race that's not what people want to focus.

Going to focus on jobs and among other stuff.

He happens -- hike in the gas tax I mean it was not quite a fair attack on him because that was linked to a rebate in the payroll tax.

But nonetheless he's been out there on some issues which -- unpopular.

So he was sort of right I'm not terribly surprised and he sort of looked older the way he.

You know eighty years old it's not easy to run -- campaign in any state.

So I'm not sure I'd over read this I think you're right David that he you know watch what happens and you just see what happens -- In other states.

All the candidates who were -- lions in the race he was the one who I think had the hardest hill to climb.

You know one some Democrats have talked about this is an opening in Indiana.

I think Larry savage who moved -- from likely are to lean our.

But if Romney's coattails are our big Indiana should be red state and and one would think that senate race probably stays Republican.

Murdoch's not a a new name I mean he's not like somebody just popped around he's gonna in the Republican Party in Indiana for a long time for our troops -- quick thoughts one is you know -- really hadn't had a challenge in the primaries from most of those.

Six times.

So I think it was a new experience form and I don't think he handled it well according to Fox News reporters on the ground it was a terrible campaign.

But the second thing to say about Murdoch is look Murdoch comes into this having opposed the auto bailout.

Murderer comes into this thing that he.

This is not one for bipartisanship.

Or working that he comes -- that he wants to hew to the hard Tea Party line.

And so many issues.

I think that's not a prescription for a winning candidate in Indiana.

I don't think Indians want somebody -- -- a hard right Winger we'll see I can be very wrong but that's not the history of the state.

So -- you know I mean and and that the challenge for the Tea Party I just wrote a piece were -- things that comedy about this.

-- we got the case they got Wisconsin with walker coming up that's a big challenge them because they're big defenders a -- Governor Walker on the collective bargaining issue.

And at the moment they seem resurgent but if you look at the latest NBC.

Wall Street Journal poll it's still the case that only about 25% of the country.

Says good things about the Tea Party.

That's a that's a problem they have to do they have to you if you get the Tea Party endorsement you get activist.

You get money.

And you get a lot of energy.

But if you have to -- to this strong.

One.

Party line it hurts you with independents and conservative Democrats and that's why zapatero and others.

See for example in the Indiana race the potential for a Christine O'Donnell you know -- the woman who.

Murdoch is not that I mean he's he's been around the block in that state for a long time -- you oppose the auto bailout would save jobs and Indiana.

You know you say that you want no part of any kind of talks or -- dealings with.

Other senators.

Who are now but concern over the deficit and debt is something that translates if you don't put the Tea Party label on it.

Perhaps it doesn't have the same polling that others do but the concern about.

If you know the future of kids or grandkids and the fifteen point six trillion dollar debt.

And that's that's Tea Party talking points it was a great talking -- -- anybody but they are.

Important so there there but if you were a Democrat or anybody at this table and you're running against murder.

You don't think you point out that when it comes to jobs this man.

Opposed.

The sustenance.

Key industries in your state.

Think you.

And just match.

We generally speaking.

If you have an old lion who's been running forever in -- state.

You're more likely to win -- and you get somebody diagnosed I mean he's won six times I would say he's got some appeal so it's always a risk when you go to the next generation.

Busy so I'm 2010 it has to do with the seriousness of the Kennedy.

It is and I'm serious candidate like we had.

The Republicans -- in Delaware.

They're not gonna win I'm gonna come close but there were a lot of serious Tea Party candidates.

In Wisconsin Florida elsewhere who did very well.

And I think it depends it's I don't -- the label matters and I think.

If you are a Tea Party and the issue would do when you want to make about big government expensive.

So tax and spend.

National debt ruining America taking us over the hill over the cliff.

The way Europe is going I think it's a strong argument whether you identified with Tea Party or not.

That was -- point he just -- it does not kick him that it should be noted that -- today in an interview this morning made clear I've served under governor Mitch Daniels.

I wanna do what he wants to do and that brand in Indiana.

Can't help -- measurably in this race let me talk -- the other side of the ticket for the presidential race and that is President Obama and vice president Joseph Biden.

What about how all of this continued talk that Biden will not.

Be on the ticket come the fall if the numbers start turning.

Sideways.

That Hillary Clinton has recruited to be on the stage in his.

-- -- hand grenade and we come near you don't know and it's gonna go off this whole thing about gay marriage was from what all the reporting we've heard today.

Was completely a result of these -- because he can't contain themselves.

You know the guys like -- helium balloon he's got a lot in there and he's got to let it out somehow.

And he screws up -- so.

Look I don't think that's enough to drop a guy and you know but I do see if you -- Democrat you -- rather ruthless enemy but they both wanted to switch.

I think I I I could see Biden wanting to be secretary of state he's always considered himself an expert foreign affairs.

I could see Hillary wanted to vice presidency because it would be -- ticket to the presidency.

So if they want to do it and it wouldn't be humiliation for either of them.

And it looks as if it would help you in terms of Lou Election Day.

I could see it being done if they -- -- humiliate the -- -- the other will be a mistake because it would show disloyalty and I think you would -- Obama.

Personally but otherwise I think it's a plausible thing.

Plausible.

You know I guess this club was like fantasy baseball.

And hey you know he can you know what if the nationals had somebody on the other stuff.

We're playing who's brownies gonna -- he had also science -- let's say that I don't know are gone south from President Obama say the economy is still shaky -- -- and the fact is if you look at the hard numbers Brett.

Hillary Clinton's most popular politician 67%.

It's unbelievable actually unbelievable evolution -- -- -- which are going to show.

For Hillary Clinton to be now the most popular politician in America -- if -- the Democrats you wanna truck driver wedge to okay gender gap.

How if it works great but let me just say it also smacks of desperation.

That if you know you're on the other side of the fence you say look at these desperate masters are you know they debate they can't even run with their -- online so we expect that -- I think that's right.

Edwards and I don't know okay but I think he's cleared for take on this.

Apparently there's a difference in rules and on line is that -- So it smacks of desperation without them -- word okay.

I don't think Biden would ever want the demotion and it would only be seen as an emotion it would basically be.

We're losing really bad or we don't think we can win with -- -- here like go over to state do we tell you third cup.

More weeks like this one.

This is -- pretty bad week if you believe all the reporting.

Not only the gay marriage statement that thing coming out on foreign policy.

-- Jewish events and saying that the US was the problem for Iran's nuclear program and then well.

-- an -- I don't disagree with that at all -- -- the question is you would -- be OK -- that I can't foresee any scenario where a guy who ran for president a couple of times.

Would be okay with a demotion.

And I agree with -- it would sort of depend on when they did and how they get -- if they're gonna do something like this.

You do it now while people are still talking about -- likely to win at least in Washington if the polls really go south.

And then you do it.

I think voters as much as they have now come -- you know like Hillary Clinton and fondly remember her husband's presidency would still go like.

You know what else are you gonna do if things don't go well.

One big barriers started going you know none but to -- happening I think is Obama's narcissism.

I think it would be something he would tolerate having to show the country.

That he needs Hillary here -- And that is something particularly -- -- -- history and in 2008.

Particularly a guy who commands the troops who fight on his behalf.

I'm not sure he's a guy who would want an inkling of that he has such high self regard.

Historically high self regard I would say that that might be in the big -- -- he's he can show.

And that she's a big star and he's now gonna need -- to come aboard.

That's sound byte by the way we'll probably get a lot of play styles it does the all right -- and the beauty and we I think we've confirmed this is not -- Gingrich -- and the beauty said asks will.

The socialist revolution in France and Greece.

Be felt here politically.

-- Only to the extent that it destroys.

Any chance of some solution to the financial problem in Europe.

In other words if the austerity program.

It dissolves and that is for -- goes back.

To tax and spend the Greeks have already announced Steve in the moderate parties have announced that -- -- your -- and apparently able to form a coalition.

They're not going -- honor the agreement with the Germans essentially -- -- -- those policies prevail.

And that agreement collapses and they go into the phone and Greece for example.

Has to exit the Euro zone then I think you can see a serious recession.

In Europe and now in effect this economically.

I don't think there's a contagion.

I was socialist left leaning there -- here you get all kinds of reversals in Europe.

Left to right and right -- left I don't think this is a function of ideology that the left is in ascendancy I think is a function of incumbency.

Here in office and a disaster is now a disaster you're allowed to lose office.

One well I think that.

The fact is that people don't like austerity.

And that's been one of the debates here in this country.

When it comes to Republican charges that President Obama is entitlement.

Society guy that -- socialist all that.

The counter argument.

Is being made I think against Paul Ryan the head of the Budget Committee from.

Wisconsin.

When when congressman Ryan puts that -- budget and you see people react negatively.

Including some people who are.

Logical Republican voters older white voters it's about how he would change Medicare.

It's about the idea that there would be -- when the I think it was the agriculture committee last week said that they would.

Go after snap you know supplemental nutrition it's -- call food stamps programs.

-- Democrats were all over because what they do is they say this is what you're gonna get.

If you have.

Our cuts in social spending austerity I got that but don't you think -- that -- to the point where.

The American public says we have to do something.

And Republicans like Paul Ryan at least heard -- Doing something.

-- stuff on the table that's that good a part time you can tear apart or you can talk about it but at least -- -- -- -- But you missed my point.

I think -- people and lots of people in the high percentages often cited by Republicans -- people who would actually get a check from the government every month.

You start cutting those checks or limiting elegy changing eligibility rules.

You'll find there will be a backlash in the United States Margaret Thatcher once said at some point.

You can no longer spend other people's money.

Right but the question -- out of spending other -- money you believe do you believe that.

Grandma whoever who's getting a Social Security check views it as other people's money or that.

Money that she -- into deserves I know but I'm saying to you.

Isn't this the election -- the big issues are debate isn't this the one.

Where the big thing that America finally says guess what we're gonna tackle this thing and we're gonna talk about -- down into the weeds and I guess the this -- this -- that's the big question I do think with with Obama and Romney we're gonna get a big contrast particularly if we stay focused on the economy dad deficit.

And all that if you looked at some of their their opening salvos of the speeches they've delivered and in the way they talked about the economy.

This could be one of the biggest contrast we've seen a long time but I have to agree with want in this regard I have.

Come over Twitter com or email have heard from -- self proclaimed Tea Party activists.

Clearly is not scientific who will tell me.

That.

Washington spending way too much the debt and the deficit has to stop the overspending has to stop there's no reason to touch Medicare Social Security it's my money.

Washington waste so much money spending on things that don't matter that they need to go after that stuff yeah a couple points one is.

Paul Ryan's plan doesn't deal with Social Security number one.

Number two it doesn't lower anybody's payments doesn't touch people's payments.

Now all courts in is deals with the future right and to be an effort to save the programs him as he puts so.

That's what's going to be talked about it on the commercials is that grandma's not gonna get the check but the truth.

It's another thing mr.

back on your heels you're defensive about.

When you're not accurate where I'm accurate I'm telling you what's gonna be sick in a political argument the -- -- and I'm talking about the issue in general and here's the thing it's a message war so if people believe the ad where the Paul Ryan you know.

Look alikes joins -- -- -- -- -- forget it then they win but my point is isn't this election whether armadillos or not isn't it more about the big choices.

-- with -- on this -- look I think is a test of whether Americans are adults.

And clearly -- Obama is running on.

If you do what they want you to lose XYZ.

I'm gonna give you handout on student loans.

I'm and they give you -- hand out free contraception as if anything in the world history.

I'm gonna hand you out here for this.

A special a group and that one and the other side is running -- -- we've been doing this for sixty years they've been doing it in Europe and they are dead their whole economy.

Is on the water and their whole experiment social democratic has imploded and we want to imitate that now.

If we don't stop now we know where we're headed it's not a mystery -- tomorrow and integrates.

So I think it's a great argument to have this is a serious argument are we serious.

Country I'm not sure what the answer -- I was encouraged by 2010 because that was a question 2010.

And the conservative argument one can and win against Indians because -- last time Obama didn't have.

-- I mean he wasn't involved in the race.

Obama is extremely skilled -- he's a deceptively.

Slippery slippery something like it was slipped early this -- actually experience appointment but I mean this guy he's very good.

He wanted to -- as -- came out of nowhere he has a way of appealing small ball here -- there.

And it's a real test came back triumph over the major the Ryan arguments -- running argument movies can go.

I don't know.

If I knew I'd be rich defense.

All right guys thank you as always thanks for watching a special report on line join us every -- of course.

On Fox News Channel for special -- 6 PM eastern.

Until next week we'll see -- control.

Everybody.

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