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Special Report Online: 5/23/12

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    Politics of contraception mandate

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Welcome to another edition of special report on line on Brett -- if you haven't been here before welcome aboard this is a place you can ask question make a comment.

Don't worry if you don't see your question or comment right away in the middle section producers you're putting them in there.

Five seconds.

And we also we'll take some votes throughout this show.

Over the next 29 minutes.

You can see those results right down here below the screen.

Back with Steve AB and Charles and many people say.

This is the eighteen.

That's what they've said.

Charles it's good to have you back finally can stop answering emails.

I'm happy behind -- and I'm alive I'm well yeah.

That's good.

OK we didn't finish and we ran out of time once on this that Catholics or -- make the point that this is.

A big deal it's a big deal because it is really a redefinition of religion.

That narrows in a way that is an assault on the free exercise.

Here's -- problem it says if you're Catholic hospital or charity not engage in religion.

Which is a complete.

Contradiction of how.

Catholic nuns for example in charitable institutions see themselves and ironically it's a contradiction of what Obama himself -- -- the prayer breakfast.

About two months ago he said the reason I do obamacare the reason I care about the poor the reason I wanna look after.

For those who can't is because it comes out -- -- christianity it's my expression.

-- glam as a Christian so he recognizes.

We're at least he did in that the pandering lunch.

That the vocation of side growing the poor and healing the sake.

He's a religious -- vocation.

And -- his own secretary of HHS under his direction issues -- regulation and says.

Could -- Catholic hospitals Catholic Charities which are exercising their understanding.

Of religion are not the religious institutions and -- thus have no protection.

From the state.

As do churches themselves.

If they -- -- to a post stuff that is.

Doctrine -- sort of extremely offensive but to do that religion.

And that that I think is how you strike it religion you shrink.

Its scope and the protection and offers -- everything outside of it.

The state can walk all over that's why I think this is huge and I think that's why the Catholic Church the church was is not a revolutionary institution.

As -- -- on a very broad scale and challenge the administration.

-- the fundamental issue -- is not about contraception.

Abortion or anything of that sort.

It is about the scope of -- religion and in society and the assault on that scope.

I mentioned AB about this lawsuit.

Thirty of them out of the 43.

Institutions involved -- this religious freedom restoration act that was brought forward by Chuck Schumer and the late Ted Kennedy.

Apparently that law was introduced twenty years ago after two native American church members and -- were denied unemployment benefits because.

They've been fired for using pay -- -- in a religious -- That's how that -- started now these lawsuits.

Dozens of them cited this very law as part of the their case against the administration.

I think if people.

Inform themselves about this.

And it's.

And read up on it and learn what the basis of the lawsuit is and the fact that the Catholic Church.

Not only.

Feels that their first amendment rights are being violated -- to express their religion freely that they can no longer minister they feel -- can no longer minister and on Catholics.

To help support -- help the sick.

Because the exemption provided by the administration to these HHS rags is so narrow it is only Catholic to Catholic.

Is everybody.

Persuade of all voters who do not have their minds made up inform themselves about the details of this.

You could be politically moving I don't see that happening I do CD pro choice movement.

Doing its level best to to make this.

Any dialing for dollars opportunity and headlining -- as a contraception.

-- fight the Republicans are picking once again with -- Catholic friends.

So that's why I don't see it as a real galvanizing issue even though.

Charles is right when you -- it is articulated as a religious liberty issue.

It's it's set very compelling argument but it's just -- you were in the the political season talking about Bain Capital and everything else and we saw what happened with Rick Santorum well why not a household.

-- -- second Joseph says insurance mandate is an election non issue strong like religious we're going to vote.

We're not going to vote for Barack Obama anyway next melodies says the media is not covering the Catholic lawsuit -- all should we really be surprised.

Now these route takes him as -- -- easy points race is so you're so you're right I mean -- point picks up on what he was sent him and it.

It is the case that if people studied this I think more people would be outrageous but but of course.

People won't have time to do that because they have lives to live and things to do and the job of the media -- to report on these things in such way that.

Enhances the understanding of the public so that we can make our decisions about.

Who were elected office and for what reasons and there's been a total failure.

Of the national media on the story again not you know in the last three days although that's been the case but going back months.

To discuss this and I remember specifically watching the Sunday shows the first week that that this became you know sort of became a big issue.

And on every show.

The issue was framed as a debate about contraception will it wasn't a debate about contraception it's still much debate about contraception and it's never going to be a debate about contraception but when you have.

You know people in it in the media who framed that way and don't I think it in in some cases don't understand.

The broader and the deeper concerns at play here.

It becomes a challenge for Republicans to make that case and -- says the issues important to me I'm not Catholic yet dot dot dot.

Conversion underway I don't know to be seeing online the -- You -- last three days these -- are filed.

ABC and NBC didn't do a story in the network news show.

New show the -- CBS -- nineteen seconds.

That's big deal and I think.

They didn't explain what happened in -- also.

At the time of the phony compromise when that was agreed to.

They assume then they they presented -- as a real compromise which the church.

Obviously has rejected because it is a ruse -- complete -- but there was a time the first few days of this debate.

When it was about religious liberty remember Rick Warren.

Who is a pastors that it was a from the front of Obama who is he used who gave the invocation at the inauguration is not a Catholic.

And Tim Cain the former head of the DNC.

Running for senate in Virginia and they both came out strongly against the regulation before the phony compromise.

And Rick Warren said even on Medicare they -- -- say I mean I would.

I go to jail over this because it's him a question of the impeachment -- of his liberty so it wasn't that was the issue and then the compromises -- announced.

Very few small Catholic liberal.

-- groups agreed and accepted it.

The -- jumped on -- as a real compromise.

And did that and then the religious.

Liberty issue faded away entirely.

And it's become all about contraception I'm surprised there's not a single Republicans.

Who can make the argument of course it took me about six minutes -- -- can be done.

A minute it's really it is hard to do but it isn't clear an assault on and on religion by narrowing its scope.

And you know if the Republicans can't argue that if you lose this today.

Let's look at -- Romney.

Between the time of the announcement of the regulations and then the time of the announcement of the compromise Mitt Romney spoke on this wants.

And he hasn't again seeing how toxic it was and the reaction.

From the media which was -- we went back and found your record from Massachusetts where you called upon all of the hospitals in the states provide emergency contraception.

And these abortive -- that you're now saying are acceptable and shouldn't.

-- Catholic institutions including -- hospitals and reports are forced to provide -- -- new game is granted since Newt Gingrich ran ads question being his commitment to religious freedom.

During the primary and and but I mean I he had not exactly the strongest vessel on health care overall arrived but I think it is easier that false I think that he -- difficulty Charles describes in trying to.

To just paint the contours of the religious liberty argument without falling into.

You know and it.

And a whole or his attacks on contraception.

Particularly in the media -- so lined up against us and we'll always interpret everything.

As a contraception a war on women issue and not.

-- religiously remember for Romney I mean.

He is allergic to flip flops they will not flip -- this is his big thing and this would be I mean.

I guess that's the answer.

I don't know -- -- -- and -- the media but I think the Obama administration -- the Democratic Party.

Know that every single time they get an opening with women which the Republicans won in 2010 which they won the woman vote and when he sent.

Then that is a good day for them every time they can talk about -- what -- You're serious and it and make and make it look like for powerless as soon as it is Hilary Rosen talking about and around yeah.

That was a rare moment and he was a one day war.

And they surrendered and go wow that's surrendered after one day and look at who.

Let me it'll last us for two weeks in defense of the media they discuss it on and on and off.

-- you georgians are still on Romney spikes among married women I mean maybe that's coincidental maybe it's not Karen in Saint Louis asks where can we get that bad.

You showed earlier.

-- as a group called Catholics called to witness I think it's CCW dot -- -- it's on YouTube and it's you know being passed around obviously a lot of different Catholic institutions pretty.

Powerful that it runs like three minutes long and you heard that music that's very dramatic.

And they and it has quotes around it about.

Various quotes from the Pope and and other.

Others about those issues.

Bottom line what about the text vote question how much social issues will play.

I think it'll be a minor issue because.

Obama would try to promoted thinking you'll get inroads with women Romney -- we discussed here is -- this is allergic to any of us.

And he won't -- -- engage on this so I think it will begin to -- particularly with economic conditions I think it'll be less than it usually it's.

-- from Tennessee says powerful all Christians -- says let's move on.

Okay.

Scott Jensen says three minutes is an ad that's short video yes it was a webpage.

There -- specifics I found it okay next -- Secret Service up on Capitol Hill I -- we didn't see the specifics of all the testimony but.

Is this thing over and done with is this is is this going to continue what's the -- No.

And mark Solomon and I believe the director's name is testified today that this was an exception and it was shocking in his zero tolerance policy and he couldn't believe when he heard this.

Com.

And senator Susan Collins.

Republican -- Maine.

I said I find it hard to believe as did her democratic counterpart senator Joseph Lieberman.

On the eve of Iran that -- homeland security committee and they both said.

If pairs of Secret Service agents went out to different bars.

Top and not as a group of twelve and all of the same thing and brought these foreign nationals back to route to their hotel obviously not worry that they were gonna get caught.

Clearly this is something that is habitual hand widespread.

So it doesn't sound like it's an investigation that.

Is going to stop here.

Found it just depends what warned it will fine but the Secret Service has been obviously warned that that.

The government is worried that this is so I'm not an exception.

And DEA is launching its own investigation as well by the way that web -- -- Carter in Pennsylvania says it's CC to.

W dot work.

Steve the Hollywood access to the bin Laden.

Raid.

It's really interest seal teams six out -- the response from the White House is that they offer that access to everyone.

And that school groups could get that -- -- -- -- yeah I don't know we weren't invited to the seal team six.

Lay out of the raid what is redacted in the description mean ended.

That in place was protected in the description in in.

The assessment of this whole thing look I mean it's clear that the president wants to run on bin Laden -- And as we've all said repeatedly to a certain extent he deserves to do that he's he's gotten credit for -- I think.

He deserves some credit for it.

But you're giving -- -- point now where this I mean I think.

You know what we saw over the past month what we saw during the anniversary.

Of the bin Laden raid suggested that people are starting to look at this more cynical and starting to see the White House politicizing this more than celebrating.

Along with the president.

And that some I think a very dangerous place.

For the president to be and there's also a huge double standard with Democrats on this the New York Times I guess reported -- -- -- this out in the hallway.

Reported that they're gonna actually use in a campaign video and add some footage from the actual in my I'm ready.

If that's true.

And the new the New York Times report is is correct.

I think you really risks a backlash on that remember when.

There is an action -- -- -- that there's -- one of those videos sorry -- web video.

From a group that.

Has a real problem with -- and and and it it was a very well done -- highly produced thing you're overseeing this word.

It's President Obama saying I did I did I do -- -- gives this emotional.

Tale of what.

Want to -- yeah I think there is that you're likely to see that maybe maybe.

Many times over.

Remember when when there was a picture of George W.

Bush on Air Force One looking down on the smoldering.

World trade center on 9/11.

And republic the RNC if I'm not mistaken use that and a mailer.

And Democrats went crazy he said this is beyond the pale politicizing.

9/11 this is horrible I think you're likely to see the same kind of reaction from Republicans and from others if the White House effect goes forward with this Charles.

And here's a media -- here I read I think it's true I.

-- you -- read this Saturday Night Live had a skid.

Which is going to ridicule the president for a again and again and again saying how -- he was.

-- -- -- elaborated there's ample room for whatever reason that was cut.

I'm excited Nightline is a real cultural -- eliminated -- group to ridicule was you that becomes legitimate fodder.

For attack and for true realization I think it really what I heard Obama.

But I imagine that says -- was replaced by FOX & Friends -- is right now.

VMware.

Brian -- looks have gained a few of these that path of least resistance I'm not surprised.

That the media who live you know upper west side we -- in the end decided.

You don't want to hurt Obama that way -- election year and that was can.

But this is serious issue and it came up again just a few weeks ago.

The new the double agent that we've infiltrated into Yemen.

To do and who discovered this new plot to attack us through you know high tech underwear.

Now if the the penetration of a terror -- -- group with a double agent.

He's extremely difficult it takes forever it could take years to do.

And you don't want to burn them until you've got all the information that you possibly could.

The administration was so eager to lead out information about this guy that we know he was pulled immediately.

And there are a lot of people I've heard from any intelligence community said we just lost a tremendously.

Useful asset it.

At a time when he could've done all kinds of -- information why because administration.

He's completely -- continent when it comes to.

22 giving out information will help it.

And show how tough it is and if that is true that's a real indictment of the administration for for putting really partisan politics above the nation's security.

Album Capitol Hill though it may be that investigation.

Has people on both sides of the aisle very.

Agitated about the leak that that got that.

That out in the open before that operation was really -- yeah and that's a real I mean there's a whole argument and Charles has touched on before the week.

We're really losing our body and intelligence because for taking so many lives.

And we're not interrogating people.

Anymore in the numbers that we did.

And so we're not learning a lot because we're killing them.

And just very as a whole debate underway.

I mean there's a whole shift -- sees me without any debate.

About our shift from tanner.

On the insurgency.

To counter terrorism and shift from occupational war to targeted.

Covert wars like the ones are running in several countries right now.

That we don't talk about and so there's a shift underwear and I'm always surprised by the fact that neither party is willing to really discuss it.

Here you have Republicans running you -- to take the White House.

In 2012.

And there was no discussion of this between them in the primary process we have.

Rejected General Petraeus is whole road map for Afghanistan.

It failed.

Or the administration decided that it did and decided to Joseph Biden was right.

And say they're taking a targeted approach so that we can get what we want com.

Accomplished.

In probably a cheaper way.

But were killing a lot of people in Pakistan Yemen Somalia all these places.

Bad guys but we're learning lesson we use you and really.

This isn't huge.

Massive shift in the way we secure ourselves a nation and no one is talking about it neither party.

Yeah and the people who make those decisions.

You know the ball around -- -- -- Who make the decision who the hellfire missile was going to.

Go after.

Pat writes and what about the White House releasing the name of the Pakistani Doctor Who helped ID.

Bin Laden in our failure to protect -- come to his defense.

Has as he was tried and sentenced in Pakistan.

-- for treason that fact thirty some years I think.

And next I'm not sure that the I don't know the White House this is his name name but -- got out and he was he was.

Administering these -- hepatitis vaccines and therefore was able to get some.

That apparently helped us but we've had on the record high level confirmation -- sought today quote from Leon Panetta.

In a story about the doctor so clearly that was information that should not have gotten out that got out in this guys paying the price.

Okay everyone is typing and we need to have Wisconsin update -- in South Carolina says.

Walker what's the deal.

Brian says if walker wins Wisconsin Romney wins Wisconsin.

Ken says walker is up by six points is that real.

We got -- I think it -- -- I think the six points Israel we've had we had three poles and consecutively in the last week that found either five or six points.

With walker up.

And I think you've seen Democrats react in a way that suggests that they understand -- -- -- on the Democrats put on a poll yesterday.

That they claimed was a dead heat it was actually three point spread.

There are some questions with a sampling on that but I look I think Scott Walker's winning right now.

It's likely to be a turnout election in a typical year you don't want to be if you're Republican or conservative you don't wanna be in a turn on election up against.

Big labor but there I think is some real evidence that Democrats in Wisconsin are not as fired up as they have been they have this bitter primary thing now got a candidate who.

Cannot find an issue you have to remember this -- here to -- off Tom Baird mayor of Milwaukee this all started because of collective bargaining because of these budget reforms.

Indisputable that the reforms have worked.

It's -- for a three point six billion dollar deficit to a projected surplus of 154 million dollars so.

They've worked so that the Democrats are not talking about that in fact there was a poll of Democrats in Wisconsin.

How many do you think that that's the most important issue 12%.

Senate that was the most important issue that is the issue that's why this is all happening but they're not talking about -- they want to talk about jobs.

But then we have this report last week that seems to bolster -- argument that he's actually doing well on jobs and reversed.

A negative story that had been out there for about two weeks.

Suggesting that Wisconsin had a net loss of jobs in 2011 rather than -- -- this story using different numbers actual numbers the real raw data that.

That's accurate.

Suggests Wisconsin -- 23000.

Jobs so.

They're not talking about this now -- seemed to have settled on this investigation into some former walker staffers and -- kind of pinning their hopes on that some audiotape.

Terror in Connecticut says well what about lieutenant governor Rebecca couldn't finish.

And she's it -- was up in the same Marquette University Paul if I'm not mistaken 47 to 41.

She's running against someone who's not very well known.

She's better known she's been traveling the state I think if Scott Walker wins she's likely to win -- So.

We've talked -- -- many times Charles about the impact.

Of this race and we're heading out to the to Wisconsin for that Monday and Tuesday what does that fifth and sixth now fourth and fifth -- And we'll have a show from Wisconsin but we've talked about the impact and potentially.

Not only on the general.

Should but also on the status of unions and what -- these states the states that are pushing back like Ohio and -- can -- and his battles New Jersey.

I think you know it's usually -- -- in two ways number one on the substance.

This really will be a huge defeat for unions or at least for government.

Worker unions.

It's not an assault in any -- on the private sector unions.

It's I mean FDR as we know is against government worker unions as were a lot of liberals historically including -- mean you know.

The legendary head of the AFL CIO.

So this is revisiting an -- that appeared to have an enclosed issue.

The irony is that Wisconsin was a state that that was the first to allow -- millions in 1959.

Famously liberal state.

So then there's symbolism is -- it is is huge the unions are pouring -- -- -- this is their third shot -- they've already had three elections.

There was surrogate elections there the first election was -- one for the Supreme Court who Wisconsin and they had a candidate who would over time a lot of their candidate lost.

Then there was a recall election on the -- and that they -- to retake the senate to win enough.

To kick out enough Republican senators stayed retake the senate and presumably.

-- -- if not overturn a lot of them find a way to remain in the -- to slow it down about it.

And that didn't succeed so now it's their third shot their last shot.

I think you -- -- -- a huge -- across the country it will be a defeat that will reverberate and it will energize conservatives.

Around the country in other states to go and and detritus -- the unions will be a lot weaker than.

And they would have done and that's a question a lot of you're worth having an -- if walker winds.

Do other states and feel emboldened to do the same thing.

Well it's interesting.

Probably -- the initial reaction was.

That this was too risky after -- -- the initial -- takeover of the capital and all the protests and.

They reserve resistance in Ohio and other places in this act that it's probably going to be I agree with Charles a -- defeat for the unions and.

And empowering for the other side.

I get a sense the Democrats somehow pulling back room or somehow accounting Comcast changing because I I if I think that -- I have taken Wisconsin for granted in the fall until just -- the last kind of ten or twelve days.

So there -- still this idea that walker could win the recall but.

And that they weren't energized but that they were going to definitely be able to still have Obama win.

-- Wisconsin in the fall and I think now.

Can you haven't seen any money there and and I think now they're getting worried.

That that Mitt Romney could get some momentum from the recall action I think it was clear.

A while ago that they work charge shop enough.

To pull this recall -- -- 5 merits not.

I'm doing any better.

-- did you -- they change found so I think the question is for Democrats now you know looks November 05 C -- The recall will do for the Republican parties there and see where do you know.

Scene you see it Democrats are gonna turn out and and how much -- needs to be sent -- to keep -- -- Obama's column.

And that and that you know they can't really afford to take -- for -- and -- There before we go Tom and -- in Colorado wanted us -- put odds.

On.

The possibility that President Obama if he's going down in the polls.

Genesis Joba.

One of the ups and picks -- Hillary Clinton.

Well I think the odds are slim.

But I think it makes sense -- crystal -- an editorial in the weekly standard this week making the case that.

He should.

Drop Biden for Hillary because of what Hillary could potentially bring I mean she's got.

Her poll numbers are off the charts now largely I think because she's been you know working overseas and doing big secretary of state things not involved it's partisan politics the kind of things that raise.

You're unfavorable so.

She's got a lot of support she remembered during the primaries she was it'll appeal to the very voters.

That Barack Obama.

Has not been able to appeal to the people the voters should.

Do moderate Democrats in places like West Virginia and Ohio Ohio all of those places she did quite well Pennsylvania and the White House -- -- the Obama campaign has made the argument that Joseph Biden is sort of they're there.

Their answer to that he's not from not favorable to his -- from -- But his on his unfavorable in many of those states are off the -- higher than 50%.

Which for a vice president that's those are those are high numbers Steve from Venice Beach at the same question asked Charles what the odds are of Obama picking Hillary Clinton.

His VP I'd say -- the Indianapolis.

Colts have a better chance of winning the Super Bowl.

And I have only one new reason for saying that and that is Obama's.

I say this not as a clinician.

-- Obama I think -- never bring himself.

To do something very -- like this which would show that he needs the clintons particularly Hillary.

To win who would be such a by the way -- -- -- -- attacked before you said that.

She said Obama won't do it he's -- -- -- so check -- he's not even reading Jack.

She ought to look yeah actually I'll go through the last time I go away again for a couple of days she can take my seat I.

He's a very right thinking person I just think for -- violent to stay until it's too early to.

To show himself as being weak and needing to -- the wind is more than he could -- -- So I think the odds are -- I -- I could be wrong rarely but tonight it's happen.

Pretty low I think I agree I think.

No unless it was a situation like inability Cheney had left because she was really struggling with -- health -- -- and left after the first turned him.

Wasn't running unless it's an obvious situation.

I've had it -- really before no but it really comes off as an admission of of some kind of weakness or failure and it's just.

Not something someone does from the running for reelection for president so here's my theory is that they won't happen now because.

By coming out on Meet the Press with this same sex marriage approval.

Forcing the president's hand he's now endeared himself so much to the left that that my Machiavellian move.

And giving Joseph Biden credit saved him Machiavelli and moved to get out in front of this issue and President Obama.

-- on after that ensures that he reminds them.

-- -- -- -- my given too much good.

Probably -- how -- -- that -- -- with that and I don't often -- guys like that that's the end of special report -- Join us of course -- week day Fox News Channel 6 PM eastern for special report we'll see you next Wednesday.

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