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Bob Cusack reports on why some democrats are distancing themselves from the President and why Romney should visit Israel
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Let's bring in -- to -- now managing editor of the hill as you very well no one of our very favorite political publications good to -- -- It -- Athens -- let me kick you off on this big gay marriage -- debate as that so what would be talking about.
I I guess some Democrats.
Feeling a little vulnerable about it.
He had the the democratic senators all on most of them that are up for reelection in tough campaigns.
Do not agree with the president on this issue and that would include senator Bob Casey.
Democrat Pennsylvania up for reelection.
He's favored to win but Claire McCaskill.
I Democrat from Missouri.
In a tough reelection fight these Democrats including -- and Joseph -- Democrat from West Virginia.
Distancing themselves.
From the president on this issue they don't think it's a winner.
For them in their reelection campaigns.
That that the exception to this to this that trend is is shared brown.
Democrat from Ohio tough reelection effort he and the president on the -- -- offense on this one.
Any any.
Johnson told Paul that this will this will tip the balance in terms of the senate I mean how we looking right now -- you see it this what are we five months that.
Yeah I think it's real close it is basically said jump ball where you -- you is six months ago you would think the Republicans are favored.
Two win controlled the senate you can make a pretty good argument now that Democrats are gonna hold onto it.
I think lose seats because you have Democrats defending 23 seats Republicans ten.
But so much can change between now and then we're seeing races tightening.
Sherrod Brown's race in Ohio he was out by about double digits that's now -- the single -- so.
This is the stretch run this is going to be very close no one is gonna come close to having sixty.
Seats in the Senate's going to be narrow majority.
And I think you can come down to.
-- race here or there and we saw that you know 2006 when Jim Webb was facing off.
Against George Allen and and we didn't know the day -- the -- -- the wait until all the votes were counted and then Democrats want.
Controlled the senate and Allen lost so we could be in a similar situation Allen running -- for his old -- -- -- of -- Virginia anyway.
And -- -- -- Cain the former head of the DNC.
Another tossup race so a single issues such as gay marriage in that case up all could really make the difference -- so good -- It could it could work on both sides as far as -- I you know you have gay activists who were.
They and they -- present a mama's record but they didn't love it on gay rights and now they're more fired up -- Seymour.
Gay donors saying they're gonna work for the president but on the other hand and it does fire up the -- Republican base and so.
All a little bit a -- can make a difference in a very close senate race -- let's move on a couple of other issues that you reporting on in the hell out today.
Some members of the Republican -- believe that Mitt Romney should take a trip to Israel wants their thinking that well.
This would highlight the fact that the -- -- has not been to Israel.
And when he's being commander in chief -- They say this this should be a no brainer for Romney that it over the next step five months he should go to Israel.
Republicans like Steve King should say well -- don't criticize the president you'll have to do that when you're overseas.
But just but it would be a very good tactical move it would help with relations.
Romney has a very good and decades long relationship.
With Netanyahu cell there's reason to go there to show support for Israel.
But it's it's Democrats say -- they kind of grimaced when asked them.
Well why hasn't president mom and gone to it to Israel and some Democrats say well we we merged -- -- -- hasn't gone -- -- To thirty countries including Ghana in Ireland but not Israel.
This and they say in these kind of boxed in here because if he goes now it would look political self.
This the kind of unpredictability that I think that Romney needs to do where he needs to do something that would put the the Obama campaign.
On its heels because basically an eight debut Romney is a formidable candidate but they don't -- unpredictable.
This would be something that they'll put him on the defense of the -- -- campaign did not.
Return it our request for comment for our story -- high contrasting that would be a high risk trip as well with the ball given the various debates some farm policy.
That you're bound to have to get involved in if you take a trip like that as a candidate.
It has to be very organized you -- I think the EU can't go off script you have to stick to your script if you if you gonna go.
-- suicide Barack Obama in 2008 he went overseas.
To large crowds before he defeated John McCain so.
You write they he can't he would have to avoid missteps but it could be a very successful trip and the Republicans we touch on Capitol Hill say.
He's he should do it and he's got to do it.
Because it would be a good move.
-- -- -- And and another another peace in the hill today all of the -- some accusations.
From some that they White House.
Didn't the world behind the leaks on the on the breaking up of that -- latest bomb plot.
Out of Yemen and it's all about trying to get -- political points I guess.
Yeah and we have that I Democrats and Republicans Democrats.
Senator Dianne Feinstein the chairwoman of the intelligence committee -- -- House Intelligence Committee chairman.
Mike -- saying we need to investigate.
Obviously remembered in -- weeks after they got wind of it so there was a leak.
You know Peter King the chairman of that the house homeland security committee chairman has not said listen he doesn't have the evidence stick to prove it's -- -- politically based sleek but that's what members of congress do especially committee chairman they want to look into it collecting information find out.
Who did this but it's a slippery slope is -- against a First Amendment issues say I gonna subpoena the report -- the broke the story.
A very delicate one but but clearly.
-- the operative who played a key role in in thwarting.
This bomb attempt -- cannot be used again.
Do it but we don't know for sure all do we -- and forgive me I've not followed it the last few days really closely but we don't know for sure whether these leaks even came from the White House doing.
No we don't know and that that's why.
They're calling to -- collect the information we don't know whether it was from.
The White House or an intelligence agencies or.
Or how of course reporters don't reveal their sources so it's got it it we we don't have a lot of the facts but but these.
These committee chairmen in both the house -- senate bipartisan basis.
Calling for an investigation to find out more about this because somehow it got out and they want to know why -- I just to run let you go -- Finally the the new lab that from the Obama campaign today attacking.
Mitt Romney's time at Bain Capital painting him as a jobs and lives destroy area.
Is that old news given that we -- it played -- good great deal during the primary campaign or is that a this -- and line of attack in you'll view for the Obama campaign.
Well -- it does feel a little bit old because we've gone through that -- and.
Clearly Romney did not do a good job the first time -- when Newt Gingrich.
Level those accusations at it this is a tricky situation for Democrats because we wrote a story earlier this year that the Democrats have actually attracted more money.
From Bain employees then Republicans so if you gonna make.
-- ability mandolin and into question as well you in return the money that you got from from being employees but they're clearly trying to to define Mitt Romney.
And before he can define himself because he's I think struggle to define himself.
It and then going right for the throw.
Whether this is super effective now I think this will be one of the many things that they throw -- and I don't think this will be a constant theme but the than any use in their arsenal.
Our Bob -- managing editor of the hill thank you very much indeed as always Paul great to see -- thanks Santa I'm go check have the hill dot com -- everything you could possibly.
Need to know about politics there is the website the hill dot com we love it you will too.
