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Power Play 7-9-2012

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    Today on Power Play Live with Chris Stirewalt -- President Obama tries to trap Mitt Romney with tax talk. Don’t miss a minute...

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I've never known of the -- Back to come to build an American bridge.

A Swiss bank account to create American jobs or Swiss bank accounts to rebuild the levees to protect the people of New Orleans that's not an economic strategy for moving our country forward.

And -- is Maryland governor Martin O'Malley on ABC's this week.

Saying that because Mitt Romney kept money in overseas.

Bank accounts that perhaps Hurricane Katrina something something something -- south but this is our flag and I -- Chris Farrell in a very very happy Monday morning to you.

Internet because we have lots to talk about.

And that might be a bad thing let's get -- good to talk about west as -- fortunately have Brit Hume who is Fox News senior political analyst.

And one of your very favorite kind of one of -- So.

-- day sir the president will Sally forth and about twenty minutes.

To say again that he thinks that the tax rate for people who make individuals who make 200000 dollars families with incomes of 250000 dollars or more should see their taxes go up.

But he wants a one year extension of current tax rates.

For middle class families this seems to be a -- piece.

With the that this attack on Mitt Romney is being exceptionally rich and all of these things.

Effective.

Well it's no change.

-- -- -- it really isn't lose in the sense that but it's a very -- we're in we're in the horse latitudes.

Just like to hear live -- -- the where did we're almost we're almost a dead calm and then I don't know if that's happening.

So he comes out and makes an announcement in this position which I think -- believable unite certain.

-- elements behind him solidify that settlement.

They'll -- -- -- cycle two but it represents no change in his position republic Angelou once again resisted us.

And we're gonna but -- know this is likely to be settled until after the election in a lame duck session of congress in which almost anything can happen so.

We'll see -- I I don't think that's probably just moves me.

True but it is certainly a reminder that the president is very much committed to this strategy and the strategy is.

Mitt Romney is rich.

Rich people have gotten that way by taking advantage of working class people.

And that this he hopes I assume that the press corps.

Will help him in this cause of forcing Romney to answer the question and and -- fashion.

Do you agree or disagree.

That the middle class should continue it this tech trader should they see attacks.

Chris Wright and his answer movies -- -- should continue it is actually -- solution everybody else including a multitude of small business owners.

Who paid taxes and individual rate and -- 250000.

Dollar.

Mark or higher.

And it's -- -- section.

-- of after effects still lingering so powerfully to raise taxes on anybody.

I'm glad you mentioned that because you don't Republicans.

Are talking about today that they can't get enough of this sound -- so let's hear from President Obama talking to Chuck Todd.

In 2009.

The last thing you want to do is to raise taxes in the middle of a recession.

Because that would just suck up.

Take more demand the economy.

Want to do is raise taxes in the middle of -- recession.

And with -- there's -- downward.

Mean Garros currently showing for the economy.

Then Friday's jobs report certainly in some other indicators is there's some exposure for the president now talking met a tax increase well.

-- tax increases economic issue right economy's not doing well under his stewardship.

So there's always a risk when you talk about it but you cannot talk about -- we've got to try to talk about it in some ways you and in some sense might be helpful to him.

And it's -- -- this is about the best he can do.

And he's he's going to pretty clearly keep doing it.

I wrote in the power play today which which you can get by following it Twitter and other if you do not follow act Kim's first you are.

You're missing the whole point that's -- handle on Twitter -- not following at Kim's first.

Just missing the -- -- on point of yourself and and at so.

Did but I wrote today in my apparently which you -- have -- phone he.

That.

So far these attacks on Romney.

Have not yielded.

The desired result is.

Approval his personal favorability rating continues to inch up to the 50% mark essentially when you look at the average bonus round yeah out of -- Romney apologize.

That that.

Is the case and also four Romney.

The race -- content easier to do this but there are -- in certain swing states.

Ohio Florida got -- -- Where it appears her time Romney was gaining ground in the aftermath of the defective handle the Republican primary season.

-- that progress has been arrested there's been strong man and and Obama is done and doing a little better -- are all numbers are within the margin of error but they do suggest that this.

Onslaught.

That the Obama campaign is -- -- him paid ads against Romney.

Have had some effect and it raises a very interest in political question which is.

Whether it is better to hold back.

You're made that huge amounts of your resources and money and advertising.

Into the latter part of the campaign season when people are much more focused on us all whether it is better to attempt is the Obama campaign is clearly trying.

To portray the candidate and identify and defined him in a certain way that is to say negative way.

In this in the believes it once you do that.

The candidate will be defined in the eyes of the voter and an impression will be indelible.

And will not be able to be surmounted violate -- and nobody really knows he isn't that easy to cite examples from history which its work both ways.

Early in early defining of a candidate is -- to left them damaged.

Michael Dukakis kind of comes to mind and I'm not sure that's the best example this is when it comes to mind but Republicans have historically tended.

To hold back right until.

October.

And unleash the full weight of what they had ready by October in the belief.

That holiday overcome -- their opponent is doing that they would overcome what they knew it was going to be biased coverage against him in the media right and that has worked in the past.

And it appears to be with the running pivoting now Macedonia which October but they're they're waiting that that has been that the -- -- goalie grow and -- early on the Republican.

-- to that point today the Obama campaign released their fund raising numbers for the month of June.

And they were 35 million dollars less in the month of June the Mitt Romney to Democrat good it's from the president and the Democratic National Committee combined.

Put -- 71 million dollars.

We probably put together a 106 million dollars with the Republican National Committee right one of the challenges for President Obama is that with this long siege strategy right that's expensive.

Well I agree and I don't it and it'll be using this you in the spending numbers coming out because one senses that Romney.

So there's -- personality has about a 160 million dollars in cash on hand he has a little leaner operation by far than President Obama -- he's got a gargantuan campaign apparatus how effective gargantuan isn't a situation like this remains to be seen that I think.

We're likely it is a very significant chance we'll see that that Obama has depleted his coffers far more.

And romance.

And whether that somebody really really really -- this -- really gets down to it.

Who knows one thing we do know is President Obama is -- -- almost frantically trying to raise money is what he does.

It's it's -- what he does and today he's got a couple of them here in Washington Mitt Romney's of the New York on Wall Street and then he's heading out to I think Colorado I can't remember where.

They're both fund raising a bunch but for the president.

He is he needs the money now he was five million dollars in the red.

For the previous month he spent 35 -- case you get hit a net loss of 500 dollars which is not usual.

Believe well you gotta figure with a sizes apparatuses -- rated very high analysts advertise it and that's extremely expensive -- you do it on is that it would only battleground states those numbers so that's that's -- a lot of money well we calculated that in April before they're going really got going because the president twenty million dollars to have the lights on in the doors open he had more than 500 paid staffers that's a hundred nobody's ever done this before.

And in -- negatively the question for Romney.

Also is this though.

As you say in the horse latitudes reporters become bored.

They become listless they become a little cranky.

Is the focus the new focus on Romney the where he kept his money.

You know a series of establishment press outlets have come out with these these Romney stories that are.

Very much in sync with the president's ads well you know I'm.

This has been gone for a long time it it it and it happened to some extent of the premises in the bottom line is -- is a rich guy.

It's almost like if you look at least some bodies -- pulled the Romney campaign could put an appearance with councils and state your honor we would like to stipulate that our candidates are rich -- -- quarter millionaire totally -- -- -- I kind of wonder whether they can whether all the fish it may have been in that -- haven't been shot right now.

And that this is not what's left anatomy and there's only a certain amount of number of American voters who are gonna very much hold that against.

There's going to be people who admire -- -- -- -- -- -- Minnesota's economy.

Last things there is this.

Former.

Mitt Romney there is now and an increasing rumble on the right conservatives don't like his campaign staff they don't like -- campaign apparatus they don't like his message.

How much of that is I told you selling from people who didn't want -- to be the nominee for us.

But considerable part of it is the conservatives invariably want.

The nominee to make a ringing chase for True Blue 100%.

100 proof conservatism.

They believe in fair always believe that that is -- -- As a winning message if it is made by the right messenger.

In the most points in the strongest possible terms and any candidate who fall short of that is putting his candidacy in jeopardy.

I'm not sure there are always right about that but that's what they always they always and so we're getting that many see you know Romney's -- facilities.

And -- -- -- Obama's gaining some of the uses these battleground states and he's hitting him Harden and -- So this -- -- on the right.

From people who weren't very convinced for sports but they'll probably figure how much they wanna be Barack Obama by the time -- -- I cannot vote for right they're just -- grass and remembrance of what they -- that's what they do it's why they're here for.

Internet consider yourself very lucky and we are very proud that -- spent some time with us today thank you very much -- -- -- -- -- -- we're gonna take a quick break but when we come back Charlie hurt will be here we win we will bring down the gravitas level and we will have a very good time I guarantee you we will be here we will talk about the negative ad barrage and later on the show we will have the foreign policy for dummies as doctor James -- comes in to explain to us.

What's happening in Syria and then we'll try to figure out if it means anything for the fall election this will be -- so you should stick around.

Woman who believes decisions about our bodies and our health care should be our own this troubled Mitt Romney supports overturning Roe vs.

Wade.

Romney still long that -- all abortion even in cases of rape and incest.

That is a new Obama campaign ad attacking former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney.

Based on -- 2007.

Republican debate in which the former Massachusetts governor said he would welcome a national consensus that called for the end of abortion entirely but recognize that that's not where we work.

And this is power play and you know what it's kind of a little ugly it's gotta get a little ugly out there it's in July maybe it's because it's hot man who goes through and electricity.

Or maybe as we were discussing in the previous segment with Brit Hume.

That the president has gone all -- pushed all the chips in on a very negative campaign strategy -- Mitt -- that now includes the first social attack.

Of the cycle in which.

The president targeting these swing states.

-- is telling women voters there that Mitt Romney is trying to ban abortion entirely.

So what about this negativity.

Charles hurt who is not negative who has positive who is the beacon of light really.

He is a columnist for The Washington Times you beat him there what do they call you on Twitter.

After that happens that effect at Charles hurt big act luddite.

The guys so would -- pastor pastor -- -- They will -- -- is we'll just let our -- any list.

Have sway here.

Chris.

Is the decline in Romney's rise related to a -- -- negative ads for just that we have a low activity leading up to the GOP convention.

So the question is this Republicans were.

Horton brother hurt for a period of time when Mitt Romney did not stick.

All -- that there was a derivative of this guy could actually win this -- -- there was the first period was like we're didn't say the Republicans.

That it was hey wait a minute this guy's not fallen over dead yet.

Now he's not beating Obama by fifteen points and the Republicans -- -- -- the V despite the despair grow with.

Eight -- you answer mr.

list.

The thing that Republicans need to do is they need to stop talking about it around just yeah.

Pretend its not there and focus on Barack Obama because they won't win that way.

And you know and of course these ads that there there insanely negative.

And and Dave -- and of course there that they're focusing on all these crazy things like contraception.

And social issues I did not expect to see an incumbent president running an abortion and in July oh that's not in the reason is is because.

-- Obama will want to talk about his birth certificate more than -- -- -- the car.

Yeah I think -- -- gonna -- the economy and and it's understandable and it goes along.

Conversation remains about the economy which -- will as long as it -- And it and people stop talking about Mitt Romney.

It just sort of ignore him just John Anderson over the week as it over the weekend it's not necessary for people -- -- it's not necessary and they don't feel obligated and a good thing.

Does that's.

At all that that's somewhat of -- -- And in the wet suit out there rollicking with the children it it didn't you know it didn't the president shouldn't be on -- service on anything anything and isn't betting on a jet ski like.

That is what ever that's what response I know that's what I don't think that one of -- I don't go.

The -- gasoline jet -- I -- I -- the group.

But I but I think a lot of the people do you write on them and so my only only Charlie -- could -- actual hatred for personal watercraft and don't they are allowed me this is really ruin fishing industry or the fish and it's not out of mind it is if they were dynamite and disturbing the fish and make it -- the service I'd be OK okay.

As -- -- that Internet if you see Charlie hurt fishing don't bus them in your ski -- Aren't so good as we as this goes through and we have.

What is essentially an.

A very personal attack on running this -- the abortion that is more of a policy -- had so little and -- but.

It's it that's more power source of -- -- can just dig up clips.

Saying all sorts of other things these -- right he's got you -- you don't like that one -- right if you don't like about one just I got others but I.

BB.

The rest of the -- are -- -- -- they say yes he's a tax cheat.

That he fires people that he is unpatriotic.

God's truth in this respect cancer it's just it's too rich went -- -- these excellent.

Well I mean it's just you know this idea that -- these class warfare.

I mean maybe this will be the first time in history I don't Qaeda in these are tough times and we've had some.

Crazy weather and it may be the voters will be so that they've never done before.

But -- class warfare campaigns.

Never actually succeed they just let a lot of blood they don't let what went -- -- Al Gore John Edwards.

Yeah he's -- usually -- most Americans most American voters look at a rich guy and say.

I want to be that -- you know never we've never had a businessman we've never had a self made rich guys -- guys maybe nearly ten inherited rich guys so -- you think that this will be the one time.

This class worker I don't know I'm just saying that we have we've never had a rich businessman get elected president.

We've had people who inherited wealth become president but we never had rich businessmen become -- this you didn't inherit well I would rather have a rich businessman it's.

-- -- -- -- Anyway whatever he's sucking blood from all of yeah -- and a vampire -- fashion and you just.

Okay well I.

And I just don't.

I think -- I think most voters don't see their own tons of voters that are gonna hold this -- but I do believe that most.

Voters ours -- are Americans and they believe in American ingenuity they believe in capitalism.

And they look at this and they say well this guy is a good businessman he's Smart I wanna be like that.

Our own all those cars in the excuse I want hey hey I can.

I want a fleet of jets are -- Exactly and so and so I just don't think did I.

I think that it is unbecoming of Obama and his campaign.

And I think that it's I really don't think it's an effective -- all right if he would just be quiet and just let it all happened.

Well just sit there as they say about Al Gore in 2000 if you would have just left the country for -- When the election in any fashion -- -- the Internet you lit up the Internet comment from.

Food nobody.

Good point Charles it can't be right that Romney pays thirteen point 9% while we pay 30%.

They're talking about his tax rate here doesn't it it like that.

Nothing is for sure he's not things -- this year.

I think your -- I think it -- -- cough up some more well and what is is there at any upside for Romney that people hate paying taxes and if they can offer their money than it.

-- I would.

-- right Swiss bank account will not take my rolls of pennies when I send the -- The charge me for to Gordon Christopher's service.

Response to this why -- my neighbor by someone else's abortion or launch or -- replacement so -- says mr.

gore -- to service.

Would you like -- about foreign policy oh sure.

You see the joy.

-- on -- -- Internet creative brilliance of you can -- miss -- on the subject we're gonna talk about Syria with one of your favorite guest doctor James -- when we come back therefore you should stick around.

Winner there can be.

And and -- to the violence and a beginning of that political transition process.

Not only will fewer people die.

But there's a chance to save the Syrian state from a catastrophic.

Assault.

That would be -- Dangerous not only to Syria but to the region.

How many more have to die before.

We take action to help these people.

With other nations should and I don't mean American boots on the ground it's shameful.

The total lack of leadership that the United States has displayed for the last fourteen months.

And that was secretary of state Hillary Clinton.

She was in Tokyo for a deal about getting some money to the Afghans.

And then and in rejoinder.

It was John McCain senator from Arizona saying that what -- are you talking about it's here the civil war in Syria persist.

Unabated and his evolving into some rather nasty.

Tribal -- -- looking kind of stuff.

So does it matter for the election what shape is it going to take.

And is there a real likelihood of US intervention.

Charlie hurt and I don't know anything about that.

If we don't know a thing in the world about it improves -- -- as well we certainly we'll talk about it because that's what we do.

But you know who does know is James Joyner.

He is of the Atlantic Council is the man behind outside the beltway he's a former.

Field officer infantry field officer.

He's a former professor he is Smart he knows things that he is one that we bring you when we have to explain complicated foreign policy stuff so professional.

-- -- okay show.

This situation in Syria looks dreadful.

Yes okay so we stipulate -- -- that in but the question is is this a dreadful mess that is getting worse getting better what's the state.

I think it's getting worse and -- continue to get worse until either.

And there are a lot of discussions going on how many and then and to what effect we don't know him both a unity government especially in the military side so.

And we're hoping you end.

Secretary Clinton is making a loved un backed public statements on the hope that that we ended their losing a collapse from within or they'll be in Egypt situation -- military decides it had enough of us on takeover.

There's no evidence that I know that's about to happen any time soon.

And track where is strikes me is most likely outcome is that hill doubled down on killing people too.

Here's what you started as Qaddafi learned.

-- -- you're in trouble for potential genocide you better go for -- -- pretty soon upcoming -- it but what's the long if it does clubs what is long term.

Effects in terms of Russian.

And Iran who would do they do they -- mistaken and -- now I think.

They've got a stake in need not not backing us getting rid of their guy but I don't that are gonna do anything about -- -- I don't see them like jumping involve known as they're that there were some sort of international.

Intervention and in whatever -- I think unlikely in the short term -- I can't see -- -- -- Iran.

Overly getting into Tehran's always -- in terms.

You know Hezbollah and various -- of that sort of stuff there's this weird nexus was Lebanon and Syria.

That there was -- horror was supplying some decent level of arms is not exactly clear what arms and then dale what.

When they have -- military base there right here.

That's their that's their presence in the gulf via ports the men such as it is such -- -- yeah okay so.

The Republicans.

He used to be easier for the Republicans because they were the party wanted to bomb and invade and the Democrats for the party that did not want to bomb and invade and -- we had a nice like a forty year we had a nice 35 year period where that was -- right now the Democrats are little more bombs in and baby and the Republicans are a little more.

We don't say isolationism here on power play -- say strategic non engagement and I.

I thought they'd be -- question being politically is you can either side that he is their political advantage to be had in this situation.

I think this is say it is situation -- status.

-- probably good for everybody I think nobody is the except for John McCain has been -- President Obama he doesn't invade Syria.

Everything I can can complain about it.

And talk and talk about how this is an example of it's great foreign policy did perhaps this is sure -- all these meetings were I don't unless you're president of the obvious rejoinder so permit drama and you want to bomb suit if you want to -- Syria you know we just want to leave right I would just talk more hopefully it and show more leadership -- us anything.

There's no animosity because it yeah.

And I don't know why is Syria different.

Band.

-- series of different then.

But Qaddafi and the Libyans where we got real Virginia and that is -- the black of oil is at that location I think it's a couple -- -- Libya to help lot easier -- didn't have much of an army the opposing forces -- a little bit Maurer.

-- -- is.

There was regional called Gulf Cooperation Council and other regional actors asked us to do some thing.

And he put it hadn't happened yet so Russia and China were willing to do not veto in the Security Council that sort of saying -- -- -- -- on the sidelines.

Well now that -- has happened is that the minute there we authorize it to go in and protect civilians and you went in their regime change jobs under UN council well we've -- all -- that and again.

Okay so so it's a different is it different in that neighborhood in the neighborhood is rougher because of the Israelis -- there -- Lebanese ship around you moments stuff.

Charles hurt does does this matter.

Politically is -- actual consequence here.

No I agree completely did did did the status quotes are probably the that is certainly what we're gonna sit adminstration and venture and anything at this point.

And and the only advantage on the outside -- that they can complain about it but as you point -- What are they gonna you know it is not that I want bomb this country right away man I don't really see that he may have said that at some point.

Wanted to positions in the past may have been -- I think -- tough but now.

Tough crowd that's that's not round it's tough love tough love Charles -- equipment you have to look at -- yeah it's been very amateur and Romney it's.

It's definitely love it at all but it's not necessary -- -- about four.

This gentlemen we thank you very much -- -- -- -- frolic through the most depressing news stories are.

And -- and we thank you for that and we thank you for being with this announcement that.

So there's no Charles for you were very fond of you but there is electrocuted because there's -- -- report on Sunday but tonight you should watch this report particularly.

Because.

-- -- in Prince William county Virginia as -- -- in the team.

-- their trek across the land to find out the -- that are really gonna count when you get -- -- -- swing states and listening to voters out of these places going to be very good behavior special special report -- majority should watch that coming up next is on the -- with Jonathan -- which I know you like.

And we liked being with you today I hope to see you tomorrow have a great --