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Power Play 7-10-2012

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    Outsourcing showdown, Holder looks to rally Obama base at NAACP and Obama looks for wedge issues. Chat live...

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And here we are now to -- it.

And national polling.

We have almost twice the money in the bank that the Democratic National Committee has we're going to unveil a messaging plan now today in Iowa and Barack Obama being the outsource or in chief.

Mr.

Romney is.

Experience.

You know -- -- always says I've got a lot of business experts -- a lot of a great job all -- This company's.

That he started.

Work although the pioneers.

Of business.

Outsourced.

The pioneers.

Of outsource.

So -- experience.

And that is a little bit of the back and forth between there you heard at the beginning Republican National Committee chairman -- -- With our friends at FOX & Friends this morning rolling out a new campaign against President Obama that he's the outsource -- and that was President Obama in Poland Ohio last week.

Saying no announcement -- who's the -- or so it's outsourcing Tuesday.

And this is power play I am Chris -- an Internet welcome welcome we're so glad to have you with us here in studio three because AB Stoddard is here.

Whom you read -- bill.

Who museum special report panel in whom you put so much esteem and regard.

And grew to so welcome back -- thanks for having me Internet -- you a bunch you know who else Internet misses his Ed Henry he's our senior White House correspondent he is Ed Henry TV on Twitter and and he really -- -- -- ticket so brother and how we -- today.

I'm doing great -- and get his grave and introductions AB Stoddard but then that you're not as I understand you're not its greatest so just I don't I don't.

So what -- that we -- outsource certain stuff.

Well what's interesting is that all of this controversy was really kicked up first by the Washington Post and they did a story suggesting.

That Mitt Romney at Bain Capital was -- or in chief for -- pioneer and outsourcing as a president likes to say the Obama campaign ran with that.

But what they leave out is that outside independent groups like fact check dot org have looked at these allegations.

And -- basically said they're not true the Romney campaign went to the Washington Post tried to get a correction they were not successful in doing that.

The battle continues an interesting that it was the same Washington Post this morning.

That comes out with a new piece that I suspect the Romney camp in Boston is a little bit happier with because it's suggesting that there are -- liberal groups out there.

Were upset with the president's record on -- they think that he made a lot of promises in 2008.

About getting tough with China for example.

Has not follow through on this campaign promises -- as a result.

These liberal groups charge.

American jobs have been outsourced.

Around the globe and so it's interesting that this was sort of a hornet's nest first kicked up here by the Obama camp.

Now the Romney camp firing back saying the allegations are not true now the Washington Post reporting as well that liberal groups are suggesting.

That maybe the president's record on outsourcing is not so perfect and then just to top it all off.

The Republican National Committee chairman who.

-- -- who delights in in beating up the president shadowing him today in -- the president tries to talk about.

Tax cuts and and the like in in a battleground state.

Rice -- this is saying that he believes the president that outsourced some of the economic recovery if you will because he's going through some of the stimulus money.

That wound up in places like Finland and and and other places that sort of created jobs there because some of these Department of Energy programs.

That involved funds going overseas and not necessarily going to help American jobs Chris.

And every year you were maybe you're almost as good -- idea that was excellent we thank you very much we don't -- a great day.

YouTube.

And -- was correct there was evident delight -- writes for davis' face as early as they're often easier to -- an interest jolly guy that's isn't it there's an impish delight about them but for Republicans.

They like this argument because we've seen the stories over time that with as stimulus money went to firms.

That then opened up operations overseas that they say oh yeah will you gave -- -- his company and then they over the plant in China they opened a plant in Scandinavia.

They over the plant -- ever and it's very similar to the allegations made against -- effective not effective.

No it is effective 888 -- -- it it is an effective.

Argument because outsourcing is -- really it's it's a really hot political opposite of media this populism.

-- -- the attacks on.

Bain Capital and Mitt Romney's time there that that that team Obama has.

Been making in the swing states.

Have actually grown -- Mitt Romney's negative numbers there.

Has elevated the president's status in these theory key swing states as the margins within.

Had a voters -- people they focus groups and people send that man looks like the guy who would fire me any closes plants and factories.

And just -- back on this very topic on the on the president's record the stimulus program he pushed so hard for he promised would be so effective at lowering on.

Unemployment.

It's absolutely.

Fair attack and it's and it's a good one it's -- sound.

If the Romney campaign could come up with one for the -- -- bank accounts that that would be good as well but I think that fighting back.

Not only on the truthful answer of the attacks that the -- Obama campaign launched initially that appeared in the Washington Post but.

On his own record of exports and big and -- giving breaks to companies that did bring jobs that would take jobs overseas this is it is a fair argument and it's a powerful.

Now we -- argument this.

Before we we got here on the Internet.

Was that.

Four Romney talking about his tax returns and talking about his wealth.

You think he needs to take a different -- you think it that these sort of block and delay on this discussions not gonna.

Worked well you know the polls have shown Chris that Americans have no problem with wealthy successful people and they don't like -- tax on the wealthy just for their wealth itself.

What Mitt Romney is is it is come under right now is is that is a concerted attack.

From every top level of the Democratic Party starting on Sunday to change the topic from that dismal job reports have Friday to change the topic away from -- point 2% unemployment.

And and ailing economy experts say is not going to change and improve much before the president's -- for reelection changing the topic to these offshore bank accounts.

That Mitt Romney has put his money in any Cayman Islands in Switzerland Bermuda.

The the they response from the Romney campaign has been it will that's just discussing an unseemly.

It wasn't really a response about the substance of the attack because the -- attacks have been working which I think that the you could defend his record at -- More easily and you can defend sending your money overseas your potential tax havens and they're -- actually responding to that attack and I think it's potentially damage.

Negative Romney's negatives have gone up -- those positives he has he is experienced.

Perhaps less growth and as positive as good and most polling he's moved up he's continued it and incremental climb up to the point where at least the Republicans all except him.

And and find him acceptable.

Social he has done that the tax thing that would you say the -- -- more complicated issue for the president because it involves attacks on free enterprise and it involves all of those things.

Didn't get Democrats.

And people like Ed Rendell and Clinton Democrats a little anxious that's right but on the tax stuff that's -- that's a free fire zone right.

This is just it looks like he games this system and if it looked like he -- the system and they don't really have you know response it says he didn't -- Then you know that's an attack you're gonna continue to hear about is gonna it's gonna if they are going to change the topic to anything but the president's record.

-- Steward of this economy accurate and so if they can if they can discredit Mitt Romney.

On his his capability of being Steward of the the economy and improving the economy.

That rule in the Enron he's going to be in real trouble he they have to they are they if they spend all their time discrediting him saying he gained the system -- didn't pay nothing -- -- He he would just wants to cut taxes for the wealthy as he's -- -- decimate the middle class.

He closed plants and factories he -- you -- brand identities companies and send people off without their pensions.

There are only a few undecided voters left right and if they if that's all they know about Mitt Romney's.

The ability to -- the -- improve the economy.

It's not going to be great so he passed it he has to have a more positive compelling vision about how he would improve the economy and he has to answer those attacks.

I'm -- your money in in tax shelters is not something that most Americans.

They don't know people who do that the only -- -- movies right and this this is an attack that -- we answer he has to come up an explanation for why he would.

-- rate is less than 15% make 57000 dollars -- investment income and then escape some kind of tax liability about putting his money.

Please briefly wouldn't be enough for him just say you know what I was gonna pay one -- taxes and I absolutely had to.

-- -- the government's I think the government this many millions of dollars that year and I wasn't gonna give him any more than I had to.

I think that that's better than nothing and right now we're here in a statement game.

Then maybe that's why you like -- so much if she knows how to get to that spot to have you thank you very much for being with us today the Internet.

Hopes for your speedy return we're going to take a quick break but when we come back.

We're gonna talk about Eric Holder NAACP.

Fast and furious voting rights and all of that stuff.

You like that subject -- -- you do could you talk about it in the -- you talk about it when you when you -- to me at these -- while.

So I know you like this are giving you what you want -- -- -- so we hear comments so stick around.

He's national board of directors for inviting me to join you get a day now and be very honest with.

It's nice to be outside of Washington DC.

That is -- aren't already -- -- -- Houston Texas talking to the annual convention of the NAACP.

Tell you about why it is nice to be out of Washington may be because people are not voting to hold him in contempt of something.

Down in Houston and this is power play welcome back.

And for the attorney general who has been a lightning rod for this administration beloved by the left reviled by the right.

And the seemingly always in the news.

A one week after two weeks after being held in contempt of congress the first member of sitting member of the president's cabinet to ever be held in contempt of congress he is out this week talking to the Raza the national association of La -- that Spanish for the race at their meeting earlier this week -- -- of the NAACP -- -- Texas where they also have and have one of the most controversial voter ID laws in the country so rather than hiding from controversy holder is courting.

So why.

Why would you do that if you -- -- I bet we have a couple people here who could figure it out for you.

You know -- Cornell -- is the former spokesman.

For the he is at these Cornell and he is -- -- became -- -- which is that these if you were if you are a big deal you would know that that is a big deal democratic strategy game consulting -- and and also a big deal a straight party.

He's a senior vice president for -- global he plays for the red team has advised Republican candidates all over the country and all different sorts of ways of welcome back gentlemen great -- -- okay so Eric Holder.

The instinct would seem logical to me that Eric Holder who is in the middle of a lot of German -- here in Washington.

Would not be the guy.

That the administration wants out on the stump talking about controversial issues and these things what's the thinking behind necessary with you -- because it's the -- -- juror well.

One of the biggest themes of the NAACP convention is voting rights and I think.

Inside the Justice Department trillion -- they've really focused on making sure that all eligible voters haven't have access and have the ability to have their votes counted this year and I think.

You know you're seeing in Texas you're seeing in Pennsylvania a lot of restricted new laws that are trying to make it harder for voters to.

If for folks to vote and I think that this is an important thing that the justice -- and focusing on he's going down there it is to speak to the convention and -- look he's still very popular among African Americans I think a lot of people outside not just African Americans believe that what happened two weeks goes a total witch hunt which.

And it's okay well here's what we do not have the cross have -- this breakdown by race but to that point.

-- -- ethnicity.

Two to that point let's look at CNN that -- the cable news network you may know them.

Did a survey on what people think of the contempt vote.

And here's what they said 53% approved of the contempt vote against older 33%.

Disapprove and 13% had no opinion.

Trade the thing that surprised me maybe most about this poll.

Was how few people didn't have an opinion that 13% is relatively low undecided for what I had thought was sort of an inside Washington thing.

Yeah no I think that's a fair point and -- hated it you know listen I I think this is good politics some.

Unreadable and Obama campaigns partner really -- yes because he's speaking to the days -- -- -- and -- -- -- working communications firms it's all about the audience you're speaking to and it's if they can score political points by revving up their base I mean I can't imagine that.

David Axelrod in the team in Chicago could put Eric Holder -- in front of a group of independence.

Across the country right now but -- But let me just say one thing -- -- not a campaign event this is an official no but I mean that's always look at a -- but every event was a -- usability leaks -- 72 weeks -- -- -- -- I know president the residency after conference yesterday it was a campaign it's okay it's okay we -- always been campaign events now.

And I'm look I'm not saying that Eric Holder does not feel passionately about this issue I'm not saying that he doesn't believe in his heart of hearts that Texas that that there is a but Rick -- trying to open -- door to return of Jim Crow.

When Eric Holder says that I believe that he believes that that is so my question though is this.

With the fast and furious thing people don't people are.

Anxious about this they do not like this because there is -- dead US Border Patrol agent there are these guys this is not the typical Washington thing with.

With whom did a certain president to engage in a certain sexual act cure or which attorney whom or which US attorney got fired in New Mexico right -- -- that I think we're seeing people go ahead you know -- -- I was just gonna say look absolutely it's a very serious matter and I think that's why the Justice Department has turned over or almost 8000 documents.

He's testified almost ten top 1010 times.

Even Darrell -- says that that they haven't you know that there is no wrongdoing on the part of the administration.

So you know I think Dave the paper I think that what you're seeing is an administration that has complied investigation they do -- -- find out what happened to Brian Terry.

And this was a -- program that started under that Bush Administration air -- ended it.

But I think that what happened to two weeks ago it really was and went a little bit beyond the pale and I think there are a lot of people who who see that and you know look -- isn't.

I guys watch focus groups in polling on issues that.

You know sometimes -- this is an issue that lived in -- done the right and I understand why that message is getting out dad Dennis didn't really do good enough job defending and I'll be the first person and that.

And yeah well I mean it is if if Democrats are gonna sit and defend what happened two weeks ago.

Then it makes it pretty easy for us Republicans here and I know I'm not I think really don't have to -- too much but I think there's no way that it does CNN what what it what do Democrats defending what.

Well I mean -- Doug was defending that they have turned over all these documents I have seen I think the CNN poll shows that they clearly have not gotten their message out that they have done that otherwise I think.

I had if you look at just just to clarify at issue here the attorney general has dumped truckloads tractor trailer loads of documents on congress but there's a sliver of the documents which over which the president has exerted.

Executive privilege and said these are walled off here's what that CNN poll said about executive privilege.

And this is -- kind of an unfair poll question because it when you ask somebody should somebody be secret ever tell the truth or not but when you look at that at the size of the numbers here's what you said.

Though Obama's use of executive privilege 27% supported 69% sure.

You know as any the president isn't first president today.

It happens all the executive during election time they love President Bush President Clinton did it in it's never popular because it as you said the way it's -- extrajudicial -- -- say the truth is we have any -- -- -- have a privilege not gonna while also you know executives like power and that's a great way to to use your power.

So here's my fear and that's what I would clarify.

For you in an -- -- you -- several you may have it for free.

It's right there but that -- what I wrote is.

I see and another wrinkle in this and the other wrinkle is that the attorney general certainly Nancy Pelosi and certainly other Democrats have drawn a connection between voting rights.

And the fast and the furious and that they say that contempt effort.

Is an effort to constrain holder and his efforts -- voting rights so my thought is you tell me if I'm telling how crazy I -- on this.

My thought is that for -- there is an advantage in going out and talking about voting rights in front of groups like the Raza and the NAACP and doing it in Texas of all places.

In order to court that controversy in an effort to blur this and sort of say people say so it is about the voting rights and and and what's going on here so how crazy is that.

The I think you're I think you're partially correct that I don't they just stop right there just stopper partially correct I think.

A lot of what.

Holder's doing is that he is going to places it -- in Ohio in Texas in Florida in Pennsylvania where they have these new voter ID laws and he's talking to the folks about.

You know essentially what -- what they need to know about.

What they need to do to vote last word quickly that power play voters should our power play our viewers should not be disillusioned everything's politics right now between now and November.

Dang dang dang okay that's true -- last word actually -- you -- think -- at 8000 documents is nothing in the government.

Where it takes more than that to order toilet paper.

Maybe there's some truth in what you say.

-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- I just concluded that for me personally it is important for me to go ahead and affirm that I think same sex couples should be able to get married.

That's what President Obama told ABC's.

Or to the told good morning America's Robin Roberts back in day.

That's back when the president was looking for a way to satisfy his political base and also maybe a little pressure on Mitt Romney.

On a social issue we call those wedge issues that's -- you can get in there and get in between your opponent and an issue -- and divide folks about that and the last incumbent president run for office George W.

Bush did so very successfully on the issue of gay marriage too well now the Obama campaign is expanding the field event on this we will talk about that with our friends Doug and -- It will be good but now.

It is my great privilege to offer you Shannon brings insight on the subject in his brain how we doing today.

Very good always be privileged to be a power play quite so privileges -- -- madam.

Well listen I -- you wanna talk about what's going on with the issue now of abortion with the Obama campaign and a lot of folks think.

This is sort of early in the campaign season to be getting TV social issues but the Obama campaign has an ad out called troubled.

It's very similar to one that's out by the Planned Parenthood action fund.

An -- quote -- -- talks about his position on abortion says he would never allow abortion in any case which by the way is not actually accurate he has talked about and maintains.

That he does is support abortion in some limited scenarios incest rape in the life of the mother.

But ask a want to say basically.

He's gonna do away with Planned Parenthood which he has said he would like to -- and there are a lot of folks out there who agree with him on that.

But you -- campaign a Planned Parenthood are hoping that it will be a wedge for women -- the -- talk about the other services besides abortion -- Planned Parenthood does provide.

Emphasizes those and an essentially says you know if you go along with a president Romney you're going to lose women's health care essentially many of these cases.

It's interesting because it -- you know we've heard from the Obama administration in the past that wasn't going to be about wedge issues and and divisive politics and that kind of thing but when you're in the midst of -- presidential race.

And maybe the economy's not doing so well you do up to focus on other things.

In the meantime you know I think back to last year when Indian -- -- said.

-- you really should not focus on social issues and and that seems to be the -- that Mitt Romney has taken.

I don't think he's gonna take the -- on these particular -- at least you know -- -- out his campaign that they want to be clear that the ads don't accurately portray his position.

Champ Graeme champion you have accurately portrayed her position and we thank you so much.

Great rest of your -- We will do that we will do that OK gentlemen.

So before.

And incumbent president we've seen this movie before we have seen in 2004 a very similar scenario for George -- who broke the script right George Bush wrote the script in many ways the Obama campaign has imitated it's taken pages out of the book and actually made the more muscular in fact the early -- slack at John Kerry.

-- -- and that -- trying to define -- the Obama campaign has done that with Mitt Romney except they've turned up.

211.

The volume on that one.

And so they've done that but now we have on social issues.

Normally and this is just for your.

This is just for your know how Internet.

Normally.

You save these issues for late this is something that you push late into the campaign.

And then you unleash it because it's a visceral issue in this case it's talking to moderate suburban women about abortion that you would wait for that to the end and then.

Throw it out box -- because if you put it out too soon it rattles around in public discussion for too long.

So let's -- strategy.

Your turn track.

Yes personal I don't think anyone in this country believes this election is about social issues from abortion this is this election is about one thing and that's the economy so as a Republican I -- tell you I.

Love the fact that the Obama campaign is talking about social issues I -- they talk about -- -- Because it is about one thing the economy these two candidates are.

Are running for a job it's like an RFP was sent out by the organization that is the United States the American people.

And it is to run this country for the next four years.

They want to see proposals.

About the economy and only that that is really what they wanna see and that's what this election will be about -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- It about -- -- -- -- it's your house Republican this is a safe space this is this a space settlement let's.

One thing that we forgot to do today that I -- show you a little bit and I just want to get your 10s152.

Reaction let's listen to a little bit of this a -- Obama web at.

Attacking -- and is -- her back.

He was seen as dodging that question so much.

That we couldn't actually record.

The number of people who were saying that he was doctor governor will you release your income tax records time will tell.

Now I like the music that hasn't been it has a very sort of like six he's like mid century -- sort of make Cheney feel like kind of like get.

Quick response from you guys fifteen seconds.

I mean look this is an issue for Mitt Romney he's got -- he's really got to get out ahead at this he's got -- he's gotta be he's got to disclose and be transparent on.

What's in these accounts EST -- these -- taxes.

It's got to do the same thing on his taxes I mean when -- -- I think he's going to be transparent absolutely agree and once he is it'll be a non story.

I think he's ever says I we gotta -- guys we thank you very much for your wise counsel today we thank all of you for being here with us on the -- with Jonathan Hunt is up next.

And now as we like to do every day we want to leave you the word from our French -- It's.

What I think this is a declaration by Obama the fact that he's now committed back to -- old.

Issue that he's been touting forever at least a forty years it's a declaration that he surrendered on the state of the economy and on the issue of his stewardship.

This is a white flag there's no way can defend it.

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