This transcript is automatically generated
-- all these issues.
-- -- just -- -- the -- had an impact on the election.
And that was President Obama at a press conference.
-- -- meeting he was having with the leaders of the world's twenty largest economies.
They were down and it looks -- both Mexico.
And this is power play and -- -- Internet and -- -- -- your friendly neighborhood.
Host for this half hour Internet political excellence.
End of the first order of business.
Before we get anything else.
I -- -- -- very happy West Virginia today the 140 ninth anniversary of the creation of the greatest state the 35 states and all the West Virginians out there -- West Virginia day but there's more that has people excited here in town today.
Other than just the 35 -- on the flag and that is President Obama just this morning.
-- these invoked executive privilege to shield some of the documents that house Republicans have been seeking.
As it relates to -- gun running -- that the agency called fast and furious.
That.
Ended up in the death of the US Border Patrol agent president says that executive privilege can be invoked because.
He needs to be able to be frankly advised about people who serve him and that if these conversations were to come out.
It would compromise the ability for people to talk frankly to the president.
We're going to talk about that and fortunately we have people who can do that.
And we have Charles hurt and he's a columnist for The Washington Times.
He is an east Virginia not West Virginia and so that's okay we'll give you half.
And of a full Starr for more -- -- Romero she is a -- she is a Democrat she's a woman of the left and -- -- -- -- we welcome you back thank you.
Okay so.
First -- -- about West Virginia -- I'm kidding all right about Eric Holder today.
We are gonna talk about what the president had to say about the economy but this is -- -- you wanna talk about this let's just talk about this.
Before the president.
To do this is definitely significant.
Let's talk first.
Do you think voters will be listening do you think voters actually care about this stuff produced this -- -- -- -- procedural Washington kind of -- let's start -- -- -- Well as a pollster I see a lot of focus -- sweet frequently -- an opening question let's the most important issue facing our country right now and I never once heard a single.
Focus your president surveyors found -- anywhere in the country say this is the number one issue.
And it is any airline you say that I still think that.
If you look at what people say about congress -- -- do nothing congress partisan bickering lots of fighting.
And -- -- what's going on today is really -- feed into that rather then make this fast and furious.
Investigation -- top of my certainly the executive privilege -- it'd -- top of mountains.
Charles -- -- what will.
And I think it.
Clearly.
People are not religion didn't.
This partly because a lot of the networks and newspapers have sort of -- scandal won't but they're -- before sort of get into -- what.
Point one network we should point out I don't imagine this one time.
Until this week -- one that mentioned in passing so today they're going to have to be doing guys who make Trimmer.
For -- I was getting news alerts where -- it from CBS and CNN stating that -- that executive privilege have been invoke.
So I was like well maybe maybe we're gonna see some -- -- -- but anyway but I but I totally agree with -- see it's not.
Even at once everyone gets in the game it's not going to be does this you know -- the most pressing issue out there.
But it is important you know -- the issues here are our very important and it you know that the scandal itself.
It is fairly shocking at every turn it's been amazingly shocking.
To me but one thing I think is interesting them is that it you know -- Two things happening here with the White House is the White House is trying to sort of conceal some embarrassing information about what -- what what happened in the aftermath of the that the scandal.
Or they're just very eager to talk about anything other the economy.
And and and -- including this.
I don't know it's so.
The question mark is is -- your point.
That certainly people are more interested in talking about the economy talking about that -- -- -- X.
And here I sat there and what they're still -- it doesn't want to talk about this little bit.
But.
If we click back -- to 30000 feet isn't there affect you live in -- copy Ohio.
You live in are bad at Colorado you have not been following this very closely but -- -- walk past the bank of monitors this morning and saw.
Across every one.
Obama invokes executive privilege across across the board that doesn't add -- what the -- that does not detract from what -- already been a rather unhappy June for the president right.
Well I think if he -- to clamp that the first is and I learned this or watching this hour it is that President Reagan in votes -- 24 times he -- it and yeah I think it's important -- in notes that this isn't in every president has invoked more than one time minutes is on medically -- that -- sinister going on and I think.
Republicans.
Might that -- risk overplaying their hand today and of trying to make that case.
And also -- -- earlier point about what people want to see congress working on.
And you know I would argue that the president's popular talk about the economy and what -- -- what congress can do.
After the economy old now yes let -- in ten days you're gonna have changed and -- Let's in my.
Or even weeks more the invitation pending an expired it could cost a million jobs if that ends up expiring in at eleven days you're gonna have.
Student loan rates interest rates double that affects seven million people so these are issues that people last.
Out that congress should be working on and when they see them fighting and doing this sort of you know procedural old fishing.
Then Ian and I think it's going to be a problem that it's the last thing I'd say it's I would separate out fast and furious and discussion that was by the way -- started under President Bush.
And did invoking.
Executive privilege which I think it's a separate piece -- it.
As opposed to the full investigation that is.
The attorney -- they comply with these guys that congress eleven times say producing it -- I'm actually giving the information that they are secret he doesn't really sometimes it might -- that's exactly sometimes they want -- -- and it -- You know when it's the Warner or ten documents that they're not they're handing over right there it is important.
Reporters know there's a -- best trick in the business and we've talked about this and when Charles was in the legitimate press as I was once the legitimate threats and you would ask you do swear to this school board or to whomever you wanted to talk to they would say -- we've got documentary if -- -- -- -- -- -- and up to your newspaper and -- out 30000 dollars worth -- for your response do you.
Maybe the thing you want is in there maybe it is and we don't know but we're going to be we're gonna hear you and stuff so that's and that's that's something child asked about this though.
Win that.
The Republicans look at this and -- heard about this in the power play which you can have just for the cost of Twitter follow through the Internet you just follow me and -- I've given away from would you get would you if you -- Worth every.
But there is I hope here for the president or was -- hope at least maybe until this happened that.
The friction inside the house caucus Republican caucus.
Over this issue.
And friction over now what to do about.
Temporary conditional amnesty.
That the president has offered for illegal immigrants who came under age thirty and under who came to this country as children.
For these things the president clearly hoping to.
And -- some splits that have occurred within the Republican Party right.
Yeah absolutely.
Absolutely.
But but it's as mentioned just a minute ago -- in and you looked at me as if you smelled something -- understand I just looked science.
-- but I do think it is an important point.
And inning goes and it goes to the heart of that your question which is.
Do and as you mentioned you wouldn't have to be careful about overplaying their hand on this while I think that it did that.
Basically it makes most voters just hate all of Washington.
Which is actually heard it we.
Actually I think is actually bad for the incumbent.
But but all of them the but yeah I think every last one of them.
But come but I do think.
That it is -- it is entirely possible that that you know this is is sort of the briar patch that President Obama is saying OK yet OK let's let's talk about this let's talk about this.
And you know you walk out into that you make a big deal out of it and it but in and it becomes and it comes turns out -- it's actually not all that interesting or or whatever.
You know it.
You could wind up looking ridiculous -- Republicans could wind up looking ridiculous right and and I think that is I think that that is a very real danger that.
That is certainly speaker Boehner is aware of and you know and other.
It is you don't want to miss when you go out after something like -- you don't want to mess and we -- back you know they're -- we were talking earlier about the comparisons with.
The firing of some.
US attorneys around the country the Democrats had worked for went political reasons and to punish.
People who are not telling the Republican line as it came to prosecuting cases.
In this related to erstwhile Supreme Court nominee Harriet Miers -- was over at the Justice Department and one Karl Rove.
And this went on and on and on.
And in the end nothing came of it.
And it was at the end of the Bush Administration was there what this is starting to look a little bit more like.
Is something maybe like Iran Contra.
We're goes on and on and there is an admission there's an acknowledgment here this something is not good in this case that admission came early it was a -- we blew it.
We're very sorry that this happened but it goes on and on and you can't quite get rid of it.
Well.
And I don't think that -- -- it mean for one thing and -- I think it's important to note that this started this policy started under former President Bush it wasn't until this administration that there was this investigation it ends -- reflection on how much the policy was I think that's important.
You know and I also think that of all these cases and impeach him is another example where you -- Republicans were impeachment manager is that'll that'll Bill Clinton -- -- it in the back to work out well -- -- great.
That's managers stand up and coming down that political superstars in the voters really really good isn't -- -- start.
Yeah that guy's doing great now OK we have to tell the voters actually he's doing actually he is doing right now can start actually I think he's still happy now don't know.
Bill -- there you go.
We we have to get a quick break but when we come back let's do talk about the economy -- -- let's talk about what we say that you actually wanna talk about the jets into indicated usually like talking.
Quite a lot but we'll come back and tell you what you wanna talk about.
Before we go though here's what LG 1631.
Says I think when someone who protects our borders is killed in the line of duty it is our duty.
To find out what really happened it is a shame that people in Washington seem to care little about what happens to those that protect all of us eloquently said.
LG 1631.
Thank you thank you for the comment we're gonna come back and talk about that.
We're gonna talk about all of this other stuff that's going on today including the shift on immigration policy it's going to be food so you should stick around.
I want to answer that question.
That's a -- question -- That it.
That was a clown a question bro.
That was the majority leader Harry Reid.
Talking to some reporters I by the way he wasn't just talking like he was in the Insane Clown Posse he was actually a making a baseball illusion because Bryce Harper -- an outfielder from Washington Nationals made it's made a similar comment.
Welcome back this.
Is of course power play and Charlie hurt is bubbling over -- -- with the with the need to face up.
I just I just think it is I think it should be duly noted that it -- that Harry -- is an expert at it in that.
-- so -- so so so it's more than just to be all right Charlie -- is here and he has more wisecracks I promise Margie Romero is here to.
She has in stage inside the that would Charlie -- forget who else is with us today Cory Gardner he's a congressman from the great state of Colorado.
Congressmen.
Welcome to the big show.
Hey thank you know I'm used to having reporters out of it's a clown answer -- yeah.
That's what I think that's what we need to start and there.
Over -- -- But congressman what this the majority leader was talking about there.
Was a question about a new policy initiated by the Obama administration on Friday.
That sets -- -- Illegal immigrants to the United States who are age thirty and under have.
They'll all who are at most misdemeanor -- -- -- most they've committed small crime.
And who are getting an education -- joining the military and came to the United States is miners that those people will be given a temporary.
Asylum or temporary.
Whatever you want there there -- some words like amnesty that -- -- used to.
Why doesn't wolf first of all bring us up to speed house Republicans not happy about this.
Right -- I think we're looking at is a president who a year ago said that he couldn't go into immigration reform without congress that's not the way we do business that's not the way.
Our government to set up and then.
Just last week decides to end run congress and decide that he's not going to follow the laws of the United States I think that's a very serious issue.
We are very surprised the president has once again decided that he is a super legislator.
Instead of actually presenting ideas and working with congress to solve some of our nation's greatest challenges including immigration.
I now the question is do you disagree with the methodology here -- the substance of what the president's done.
Well I think -- I certainly disagree with the methodology of what the president has done and when it comes to the substance that's a debate congress ought to have.
Legal is legal and I think that's what our law says and I don't see how this president can get away with what he's done.
Time now are you there's been -- they're -- calls in some quarters.
For your parties as soon to be nominee.
For president Mitt Romney.
-- to engage more on this fight and for him to weighed more heavily into -- so far.
He's objected to the process but on the policy says -- the president's heading in the right direction.
Where should Mitt Romney beyond this season.
I I think Mitt Romney needs to do what he's continuing to do to lay out the reasons why he would be a better leader including on issues of immigration.
Why he would actually engage congress in a constitutional debate.
That we wouldn't even have to wonder whether or not what actions he's taken are unconstitutional and so.
This is I think a clear strategy by the Obama administration he had three and a half years to work with congress.
On solutions to immigration he has failed to do that.
He's trying to distract the American people from the real issues of this election and that's why the country is worse off today than it was before he took office in terms of and unemployment and job creation numbers the continued to.
-- -- founder and so we've got a long ways to go in this country Mitt Romney needs to stay the course of presenting why he can better better lead this nation.
Okay.
From the other Mountain State congressman Cory Gardner we thank you very much for your time thanks revenue.
Okay now -- Congressman there not a big fan of what the president has done.
Now there is division and so they're probably pretty bad -- -- Now they caught the dream and -- just -- -- these names for these lets you know the super finding great wonderful American though or whatever they want to call it but.
It did this.
Idea is something that some Republicans like some Republicans dislike.
Why though does the president do it this way why do it this way.
It's because it again and -- access do you think congress that is it with the Republicans it into jury house and a lot of Republicans.
Let the cat -- snake like Mitt Romney.
-- even say where they are honest decision and in it they are mired in the process.
And the president's trying to take some action because there's an 800000 people temporary work -- that -- -- -- amnesty or asylum are trying to work permit.
-- things right exactly it's a promise that they will not be deported.
So that's which brings an end and -- I won't now make up that word and then there is also.
The work permit -- it -- -- two.
You hear it's -- two -- -- let's not.
In her to a temporary.
And and still you know I just find it interesting that you had these Republicans do you know frequently get mired in the process do you think piracy just to -- it is actively say our job -- to Justice League President Obama and it just had everything come grinding to -- -- -- what do you see -- they on the policy never mining division of -- -- -- -- against that they wanted to -- That's virtually I.
I think one reason that a lot of people are sort of it because the people everyone has sympathy for people who were brought here as as.
Youngsters and parents in court and outside and and and did the right here it is there's lot of sympathy for that but the the bottom -- the youth who -- -- a good call -- a do nothing congress but let's not forget.
Democrats.
Had a huge majority in the house and -- -- -- proof majority in the senate for the first two years of president Obama's.
Administration they didn't pass a budget they didn't -- didn't resolve the immigration problem.
They didn't they didn't do I think and so that.
I just I think it's important to remember when we talk about how bad congresses and I agree.
Griese is on -- -- all houses but especially democratic.
-- lot of -- Carolla are but a pox on another of your you know I hope that your houses are both -- -- And Marty we thank you so much and I'm of this and contending with brother hurt here.
We're going to keep brother hurt because we have another.
Lovely and insightful Democrat who come on here and try contain him.
Tried to bring him to -- year old you'll want to see that because she is of course the national Press Secretary for the Democratic National Committee she's also a saint and she'll be here when we come back so.
Stick around.
We believe that these documents are very important to finding out what happened in the murder of -- Border Patrol agent.
Hit dietary.
Why the guns were sold illegally in the first place.
Who made the decision at the highest level of government and so basically we're trying to uncover.
What appears to be a cover up.
Or stonewalling.
That was senator Chuck Grassley.
From the great state of Iowa this morning.
On America's Newsroom with our house Martha MacCallum -- Bill Hemmer and this is power -- welcome back and the issue of president invoking executive privilege.
As it relates to the fast and furious gun running scandal that went -- Is heating up the town.
I told we were gonna talk about levels just.
Little if it.
You want to talk about so much but because we have some Smart.
-- who can talk about that and please welcome back Melanie himself.
She is the national Press Secretary for the Democratic National Committee that's the blue team and -- -- is with us dealt all right Melanie.
The position from the White House today.
Is basically -- This is not some admission of guilt this is not some this is not some burning scandal this is so that the president can be frankly advised by his advisors.
And if they are afraid that everything they ever tell him is gonna gets worked out all over the place they won't be able to talk frankly to -- But you heard Chuck Grassley there he is this man.
Had as a hornet's nest and he's just gonna keep -- Well Chris thank you so much for having me -- I love coming on the show today as you know.
You here and you'll hear from the justice -- the Justice Department.
And the white house on this it's not something I am familiar with.
I learned everything -- know about it the same way you have some news reports if you were not involved -- I'm not a ball right there weird this is hoping that through exactly this is not this is not a campaign issue and so I'm gonna sit com.
Good -- was so you have and you agree then with what Margie Romero who was on here before you said which is this doesn't penetrate the as a campaign this is not a topic that the -- -- -- No I.
It's not something we're talking about -- dealing with now.
Got it okay and mr.
-- as is are these other when -- reverence -- put that down as your comment.
Let's talk about what we we're gonna talk about originally which is.
President talking about the state of the economy.
And making a very obvious statement when he was down in Mexico are down in Mexico yesterday.
Say look what's going on in Europe now and what's going on.
With the global economic situation -- well well well it may may affect the election he said the question is.
Can the president.
And let's go to you naturally can the president effectively manage expectations that test for the president now on the economy has a lot to do with expectations management.
And saying I know it's not what you want it.
But it's getting better and it could be worse.
Yeah I mean obviously that's what he's been trying to do all along but the problem is that that is this is this is the business of he's just been so much time blaming all the current problems on.
On his predecessor to the point -- even -- -- president former president George W.
Bush came in for this.
Hanging on the with the entire bush family sitting right there he didn't.
Talked about how he inherited this whole mess and everything.
I think that at some point it becomes somewhat of -- parity.
And and when he does this business about now talking about Europe.
Which actually you know bay is that maybe there is some that you -- -- there but it it but he's sort of -- like the boy who cried cried wolf at some point you run out.
-- little credibility if you -- also pleased he's played every wolf that is possibly -- How about that Melanie this question.
The president is trying to -- Mitt Romney wants to -- in the wrong direction.
But he has -- in -- way tacitly recognize that.
You know we have about a thirty for a 30% right track now.
Right now.
Well listen I think every American who was.
Watching their televisions and late 2008 early 2009.
Fully recognizes that where we -- when this president who walked into office.
Bleeding 700000.
Jobs a month.
We've come quite a long way from that point.
There -- the economy has created four point three million jobs we had 27 consecutive months of job growth.
So there is -- knowledge -- even in the American public that we have come a long way from where we -- and the president has always said.
We have a long way to go.
The choice the American people have and this is what he spoke to last week is between his vision for America.
To move America forward by investing in education.
In -- -- infrastructure.
Innovation and reforming the tax system.
And Mitt Romney is.
Vision for America which would take us back to the same failed economic policies of the past and there was a story in the post today.
By Lori Montgomery about.
Recent analysis of the house Republican tax plan which Mitt -- -- signed -- to.
Which wake.
Drastically cut taxes for the wealthy.
And leave the majority of the tax burden on middle class families that's not the direction that middle class Americans want to go and that's.
It was just plays very very quickly they carry a little paste this into -- new ad from the Obama -- investment.
I'm Barack Obama and I approve this message running for governor.
Mitt Romney campaigned as a job creator I know -- your freedom of movement as a corporate greater.
Shipped jobs to China -- and maximum -- as governor he did the same thing.
-- that you noticed a small droplets of blood that were on its face -- yeah.
These days obviously on the lifeblood of the workers.
They just send oriented to give her explanation for how the economy does it because it's very it's a -- it's a lot more effective in the event of this.
Ridiculous.
Good but the one problem though is that that and doesn't get addressed here is the fact that we've run out of money.
We're still spending a lot of money massive amounts of money and we know we're getting ourselves into it you know a jam.
That it's just unimaginable how we'll ever I -- I suppose eventually if the economy gets.
Better and people start making money it.
You know in every -- with the health -- that is that this.
You do that to a new ad didn't do that -- bring -- about the health care about how happy this this college student is that.
She's gonna still be on their mothers and their her parents health insurance plan.
Well you know another way issued beyond that her on our health insurance plan.
If she had a job.
Okay all right now we go to your disapproval we have to go thank you thank you so much are handling the Internet is very fond view and we're very -- -- Internet and again mountaineers are always free and so.
I want.
And we thank you so much for being with us on the -- with Jonathan on what happened next and now as we'd like to do every day who want to leave you the word from our French -- Just.
Imagine if a Republican have declared.
Who would try to get abolition of the capital gains of -- brought it to congress and failed.
Imagine if he issued an executive order saying.
We will -- treasury will no longer collect your capital gains taxes and anybody who refuses to pay capital gains.
Taxes will not be pursued.
Look at sanctioned in any way you would then not be screaming and -- was the discretion of the executive.
That would that would cause hysteria among the Democrats and would be cause for impeachment.