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Liz Peek, Sue Kelly & Marjorie Clifton on Congress's connection to the Countrywide VIP loan scandal
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And what the -- 2012 Romney delegate as wanted to -- well congratulations.
I'm also here with us Liz -- columnist -- the fiscal times Fox News contributor.
All -- smartly and joining us from DC bureau mockery Clifton -- principal with Clifton consulting to deceive not very.
Get this thing -- let me come to you first as a former member of congress.
Mean this whole countrywide thing it just is one more nail in the coffin isn't it in terms of what the public's perception of congress more people on the take.
Well it.
You can't say they were necessarily on the ticket they didn't know that they were they were getting up and up prioritize low rent so if they didn't know it.
And it -- you can't say it's like somebody buying something here on the streets in new York and thinking they're getting a bargain when in fact it's not I know -- the perception the perception is reality unfortunately in this country.
And -- -- there is a perception.
That that's a lot of people and Washington DC on the -- And unfortunately there you know that are on the tape and that makes everybody look -- for a little bit.
It loses its countrywide thing it's.
It would depend on whether or not they actually to at least for me.
I think people need to make a judgment on whether they -- actually news.
-- is this is this something that.
The public kind of almost expect slipping to apple for my feeling congress -- That that media report is new but that the story's been out there for quite around party's significant people like Chris Dodd were tagged as being -- of Angelo and I think Barney Frank was on that -- rose and he also so those are two dams and I know that there are Republicans but I think.
Particularly with in the aftermath.
People were pretty quick to jump on people who had been treated favorably by this country which was well most egregious.
Issuers.
Completely improbable and ultimately failed mortgages so.
You know look this is not a good story but I think it's been out there for a while and then I doubt that anyone is going to be shocked look.
-- you're in DC is anybody shock to the members of the congress might be engaging -- -- deals with -- -- And it would take a lot to shock anyway and about what's coming out of congress these days I mean this was also the congress that real ruled pizza as a vegetable so at this point you know.
Taking things under the table would not -- surprising and it's not good news for congress so.
You know again not a new story but -- bipartisan problem that we've got our congress all right let's get a partisanship because bipartisanship is no fun until com.
Yeah -- the president on the road now Ohio all obviously -- to Ohio and -- Pennsylvania.
Two states that are going to be absolutely.
Critical come November of -- Well they are going to be critical but one of the more most important things to think about -- and they're going to have taught his reception and all of these.
It in both these states and in all of these hit but they've all they've spent close to nineteen million dollar softening up from the state of Ohio.
They did -- of them serious nineteen million dollars worth of TV.
Fans have gone in there before the president so of course it's going to be that they're trying to -- the thing on top bullet layer on top.
I think it's going to be very interesting when we they from the -- that polls to see whether or not the nineteen million plus.
The area where he went into Ohio is the most favorable Andrea for a Democrat so it is -- interest in new take a look at those two things.
If he doesn't bomb the figures.
A little bit from this visit it'll be -- highly questionable and better for Romney.
Yeah and let -- these the polls that we've been seeing in the -- and say -- national polls which are a less important in the -- in in residential.
The polls -- seeing in the battleground states do seem to be tightening all the time that they.
President Obama was ahead comfortably a few months ago.
Getting closer and close.
It's it's pretty close but -- really brings up a very important point which is he's going to the areas.
And I would assume that those are sort of the suburban money -- areas where he did quite well you in the last election.
Where is not doing well is in areas that.
Flip for him in 2008.
But in fact might be very challenging this time for example in Ohio specifically.
The EPA has complicated anti coal regulations that are infuriating people and -- not help.
Not only because there is a mining interest there as there is in Pennsylvania but also because energy costs in Ohio electricity costs are going to go through the roof and utilities there are shutting down coal fire plants left and right they are substituting what is today very cheap natural gas but in order to do so they're having to put in.
A lot of new infrastructure and I you know people are not that stupid they -- get it that this is because.
Of the EPA so.
I think Ohio actually right now that when when Joseph Biden went out there like a month ago they knew they booed him I mean they were really quite quite hostile.
So I think Obama campaign is very carefully negotiated where he goes and navigating that -- this is not a slam dunk for the president.
No -- until but.
Mockery in -- -- a lot of -- a lot of people would say -- should be a slam -- But governor -- given the state of the economy given the the struggles of President Obama has had.
In his first term.
Why isn't Mitt Romney catching fire and perhaps the way that you might expect the -- whoever president Obama's opponent -- to this time runner but what does he need to do.
To clinch the deal.
Well I mean as -- talked about Ohio and Pennsylvania are absolutely critical states for for both candidates.
And you know Obama support of course had a lot of support coming out of these states and as you guys have mentioned the gap has closed slightly.
But you have to also look at Ohio and Pennsylvania what's happening in the states and those were states actually did benefit from the auto bailout.
Economically they are seeing better bright spots in the rest of the country so there are jobs are turning to the states which do farewell for Obama.
For Romney it's gonna be trying to figure out.
How he's going to -- -- out of plants again everything comes down to the economy and all of this election is going to be about who turns out of the polls.
And both Pennsylvania and Ohio because as you mentioned there are some areas that do fare better for Romney and others that fare better for Obama and it's about who shows up at the polls.
And right now Obama is in the lead in both states but it isn't -- you know resounding lead that he had back -- -- -- so it's about to get can he get those voters back out.
Again polling well but we'll see how it happened for Romney I think the biggest challenge is gonna be how does Keokuk how -- overcome last -- This little blip of the health care bill and this discussion of an attack to the death penalty.
And having his own head of his his campaign coming out and differing in terms of how they talk about it and how he detailed his plans for the economy.
Be that -- that Obama is running are talking about him offshoring a lot of jobs and cutting jobs in order to succeed at Bain Capital.
You know again principles of economics but how does how does not received by people on the ground of those states is really gonna -- what happened.
I you sir don't listen.
-- must say it seems I was thinking about this this morning I think about almost nothing else unfortunate thing is back up.
I -- a -- it is remarkable to me.
They here's a guy at Bain Capital One of the most successful private equity firms responsible for the launching of dozens of huge successful companies -- How can he not make the case that he knows better what to do about the economy than a fellow -- -- every economic impulse has turned out to be wrong.
Where -- any less focus on slender but there -- a dozen companies big green energy companies mostly backed by Obama bottlers that got enormous loans.
But even -- conceptual.
Approach to this has been so offbeat.
But I -- Obama really doesn't know anything about business how to grow the economy etc.
-- I think one of the old Margaret.
That I think -- one of the questions is about.
Word that the principles of economics that he used really -- -- -- benefit I mean yes he did well.
At Bain Capital but are those are those practices that are gonna benefit the American people and create jobs on shore.
And you know the Solyndra and the green energy space absolutely something that America needs to improve.
But in all fairness that was those were also investment -- the Bush Administration made that have been bipartisan movement and really that the policy choice do we want to invest in green energy.
And frankly Republicans -- push back on investing.
And green energy in the past years and -- -- where Democrats -- batters so I don't know that that's really you know a fair case in terms of of economic policy.
But the question is how Romney represents what he did that mean.
And whether that really is what it takes as a president sure is a business owner but as -- president in creating domestic jobs.
And so you know an Obama definitely have a lot of defending he's gonna have to do for where we are with the economy.
Well we all thought I would have taken -- global.
Hang on 12 so want to bring you in on this but I know I've been remiss in not bringing in our view was comments they were quite exercised.
By the office story about countrywide mortgage.
The potential scandal in terms of giving congress.
Men and women that special treatment.
Charles Ray said prisons while members of congress got special treatment -- who need -- oh yes the question.
What LD sixty that he -- says I find it sad that no when he shocked by corruption anymore that's have been have very good point.
And Charles Reece says if congress is following the constitution as it was written they wouldn't be getting any special -- some treatment -- very good point thank you for that keep them coming soon.
Come on Mitt Romney why is he not -- not selling his -- better as Liz says why is he not able to.
Put some distance between him.
And President Obama he still -- the polls closing he's still playing -- Well I think part of it is that the Obama administration's quite willing to lie about the Romney -- -- -- -- record.
But that's their politics he's -- I don't believe -- believe you should -- I -- I am very highly doubt I was but actually the Obama administration is has has a big ad about how old how.
Romney outsource jobs and -- fact check.
Went back and said no you're all wet.
That number actually he's -- -- -- let's just -- -- is only goes through -- -- and it is a -- and it is as you -- fact -- dot -- -- or -- it's had an arm of the Annenberg.
Center -- -- that they do a lot of deep research team and they went back and looked and said no Obama is this portraying.
Romney and absolutely unfavorable light that is not deserved and they're lying essentially a couple and a couple of places on their ads and they keep bringing it up.
Marjorie just spoke about -- this today about outsourcing jobs.
Well outsourcing and there's no proof at all in anything from what fat check was able to find out when that don't allow that Romney directly but -- -- Jobs that Liz isn't that the neat show all politics that ever you could take a pot every ad.
By every candidate in almost every single race from the presidential to the dog catch or whatever and they if there if not exactly lighting -- because again I.
I I actually agree with suit totally I think and with all due respect I actually think President Obama.
Has told one whopper after another and continues to do it not just about -- -- about health care.
About the green energy -- -- -- about his past associations with people like Bill Ayers means that you know.
Just because you say it over and over doesn't actually make it through the roof and and I actually think.
Thank again I was thinking that this this morning I think Mitt Romney has sort of a speech impediment he tells the truth and the reason I say that is -- He he kind of stumbles over things he wish that more -- He has -- corporate expense interest of corporate speak is very careful you and your careful not to misrepresent things.
I think you'd be really hard to come up with something where Romney has said some he's made las aghast because he says something that -- for -- stupid that come out of his mouth.
But in terms of misrepresenting things I don't think it happens laundry like in the field is easily get in doing exactly that.
-- I I don't like to call anyone -- to be -- and I would I would say that election seasons are about.
It certainly embellishing what ever part of the truth benefits your campaign Republicans do that the Democrats do that.
I mean I think again and playing fingers.
Green energy I mean that's essentially stretching the whole truth and that isn't telling the whole story and where it all started.
You know I'd in terms of gosh where I began.
And and there are so many points may but I think one of the key things that we need to keep in mind that as we -- these ads are run any talk about by the way offshoring the jobs.
-- Mitt Romney himself -- Naimi didn't I for the jobs that the company is that he funded in the one that they were managing editor hit land and that is.
A and that is the -- thing after act after he left the I -- I'm not and they had no hand and and that of the principle.
Of business I absolutely agree but in the same way you see.
And in fairness you see Obama's campaign misrepresented and many many ways when you talk about the -- is it for -- -- -- It worked for me I I'm sorry it really goes it.
I -- I I am that's one of the really bad things I think about the approach for many people.
And it doesn't it turns us off.
Because I don't we don't like tit for tat so somebody did one thing somebody else did something else not get the facts just give me the facts -- was -- but.
-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- Give any more facts about the Obama wrinkled than the Obama campaign gives about the -- -- I haven't done that research John I have a hard time.
Run I would have and I would have a hard time not pointing fingers at one camper the other again I like to think of myself more -- political independent if I can but but quite frankly.
I feel like this is something Republicans and Democrats do I absolutely -- I was politics -- and I wish it was off his -- I tend to agree -- monetary it's.
They all do it they'd done and I it was a group would say that doesn't make it right but who stops the first -- a a -- and begin to rally.
-- us but it's what I did but I headings -- -- -- saying I kind of I write fact driven pieces and yes I choose the pieces -- rights so they tend to sort of support my general point of view me but.
But I think it's the sort of deplorable.
That this business about outsourcing in the treatment of employers and employees.
In the companies had taken over by -- has been.
Talked about over and over again as.
False and yet it continues to dominate Obama's campaign so.
There are other so many false things when he talks about the bush tax cuts and how they were totally for the rich.
You know he never mentions that there was an increase child tax child credit for people under certain.
Income level and the tax rates were lowered for certain.
People under certain level etc.
Mean all of that is really quite false and it it offends me I -- flag offends you.
It offends me an area I think it offends a lot of I think it gives -- one of the fact they don't know and they don't all know it's true.
So he goes out to these rallies and he's out there talking about how the prop that prop I think he says something like to the effect that.
The problems were in -- all because of the bush.
Tax cuts so this just so don't go moderate.
So I have a question about what his campaign should be about wind how well on -- campaign that's true with the win the Romney campaign is representing Obama as being the sole responsible one for where we are with the economy.
When this is where -- when President Bush himself.
Said that he came out to help Obama as he began his presidency early in his presidency.
Because the economy had just taken a dive than and the fact of the matter is -- they -- the global impact of what's happening in Europe what's happening in the Middle East.
Also influences where we are the economy I -- Republican and that I and I think Republicans and Democrats.
Would agrees that this is a bipartisan challenge we have in our country and the policies in which we get holidays we instill to prevent the -- It's going to be -- and frankly I think there is more common ground between our two presidential candidates than there are different -- is you look at Mitt Romney's policies and health care.
In the economy they are not far off base from where a -- is now it is all about rhetoric and what resonate.
The paper right -- quick final look for lizard suit.
Here's where where I would disagree with you I think that in general yes perhaps there are some similarities.
But if you believe that small business is the engine of growth and a group that has absolutely got to come to life in this country.
Obamas have for years to court in foods.
Generate -- you know to inspire that group he has done nothing but allow the EPA the National Labor Relations Board.
All the other agencies -- slam that group and by the way who was it who sued.
Over obamacare it was a National Federation of Independent Businesses small businesses are going to be crushed or by this bill -- final Ralph Phillips -- -- Liz just made the right point.
The people in America really aren't back to work.
And if they are back to work it's in the job that they really -- for -- instead of wanted.
We need to re create that.
That engine of growth and that is small business I am sorry and -- I'd be lost medals than any current case.
But it would it was well worth the fight and I hope they continue it.
Okay only formal months of these kind of debates.
If only one role as civil as you have all been around this table land route from DC.
-- -- Clifton principle of Clifton consulting in DC today thanks very much -- great seeing you again problem and CLA's former Republican congresswoman from New York Romney 2012 delegates thanks for being here.
-- -- check in with you at the convention.
I'll be very interesting.
And -- take called Fox News contributor not columnist with the fiscal times thanks for being him.
