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I think Internet it is a battleground Friday here on power play I'm Chris firewall welcome to the big show very exciting we've got a lot of political inventory to move through today we're gonna talk about.
The president and Mitt Romney in their back and forth in the bickering and -- and all of that good stuff we're gonna talk about potential running mates -- Mitt Romney we're gonna do all of that stuff but I want to waste not.
A second more because it is a battleground Friday we're gonna get right to the great state of Iowa in 86 electoral votes in Internet who better.
Who better to talk to about that subject and the governor of Iowa governor Terry Branstad.
In his second to.
Tours of duty as governor of the Hawkeye State he's a Republican welcome governor.
Thank you Chris I'm at the republic I'm at the national governors meeting here in Williamsburg Virginia.
And I appreciate the opportunity to visit with you.
And you appreciate it -- the chance if you can't be in Iowa to at least talk about right.
How are absolutely.
I love that's why I came back to serve as governor.
And we're focusing on reducing the tax and regulatory burden and growing jobs in our state and we're making progress and we need a president that's going to be -- -- Instead of the president.
President who is spending all his time attacking the very people we need to invest in great jobs and grow our economy.
Many Iowa -- and as you know Iowa launched Obama in the caucuses back four years ago.
But it many Iowans feel betrayed because he's not -- That kind of consensus leader that he promised to me to bring the country together instead he's been very divisive.
And he hasn't provided the leadership and instead we have a massive debt that's gone up more than trillion dollars every year he's been president and now this.
Obamacare is a big on it.
Unaffordable entitlement that's gonna.
Further jeopardize the financial ability of this country to be able to compete in the world.
Governor we will stipulate your preference for president this year and I -- guys you would tell me -- -- you think Mitt Romney has a pretty good chance to win.
In Iowa.
The question for you do is -- a long time veteran of politics in that state you've seen it as as a deep blue state united as a red state you've seen the changes.
When we get down to it and these two campaigns look at how you win Iowa.
From just a practical standpoint what are the keys to winning Iowa.
Well first of all you gotta remember for years ago when Obama was elected.
There were a 1121000.
More registered Democrats than Republicans.
Today that's turned around they're now 21000 more registered Republicans than Democrats.
Also Republicans have strong candidate for all for the congressional seats in our state.
We have candidates for every state senate seat that it's up we're fighting to take control of the state senate which is presently point six point four controlled by the Democrats.
Plus I think there's a lot of independents in Iowa who supported Obama the last time.
Because they bought into the hope and change idea that he was going to be a consensus later that would bring us together instead they see him attacking the very.
Entrepreneurs and decision makers we need to invest -- great jobs and our state and so they feel a sense of betrayal and I think we're gonna see a lot of independents vote for Romney I and I think certainly Republicans are fired up.
About making the -- is we need because.
This country is headed for trouble you cannot increase the national debt more than a trillion dollars every year it's now sixteen trillion.
And -- the interest on the national debt as it goes up as interest rates go up and they're gonna have to go up.
One every 1% goes up it's another 160 million dollars of federal dollars ago just to pay interest on the debt we get nothing for that.
Governor Terry Branstad we thank you so much have a good time down in Williamsburg.
Hope you get back home soon.
You battle a good -- -- thanks okay.
-- -- Internet so we treat for you because I like you so much I'm very very fond -- -- and so what we've done is we snuck in to the big board as we like to -- one battleground Friday's.
And took a look we broke down I was 99 counties and how they're going to vote.
And the keys to success it was a lot of fun so let's take a look at what we found.
-- -- -- -- -- That's defining moment in his it would.
-- what the cynics said we couldn't do.
I and and that.
Was what it looked like during the salad days for Barack Obama in Iowa as he claimed victory in that State's democratic caucuses in 2008.
Upsetting Hillary Clinton and setting him on a trajectory that brought him to the White House.
And now his reelection bid.
And it's another battleground Friday here on power play.
And here's the deal we've been all over the country we've been to New Hampshire we've been to North Carolina Pennsylvania Michigan New Mexico Colorado.
It's great fun and we are continuing the fun today as we go to Iowa.
A great state of politics because remember that's these people have the first in the nation nominating contest for both parties every four years -- are deeply politically engaged individuals.
And for Barack Obama.
That engagement was fantastic form in 2008 because they were so happy that they had launched it they were so happy that they had been part.
Of making history with the first African American president.
The -- in the first African American president they were so happy about his transitional message of hope and change.
But now that's not where it is an Iowa anymore the polls are deadlocked between Obama and Mitt Romney.
And it's going to be some rough going.
Out in Iowa so the folks out there better get ready for a few negative ads right so Iowa here's the very simple way to think about Iowa.
-- what was supposed to be a democratic state and in fact out of the last five elections George W.
Bush in 2004.
Was the only Republican.
To carry the state but in 2008.
This is what Democrats expect to see an Iowa.
In Iowa I meant.
What they expect to see is blue on the east read on the west and the further out the blue goes that's how Democrats went very simple to think and -- -- this way.
On the eastern side of the state that's closer to Illinois Wisconsin and Minnesota folks like those states.
It votes it's a democratic state the western side of the state out here by Nebraska.
Well that's a Republican part of the state just like those -- plain states out there to its west the battlegrounds in the middle.
Let's look.
Here's 2008.
There's 200422.
Of Iowa's 99 counties flipped from 2004.
To 2000 today President Obama.
Coming off of the head of steam that he brought with him out of the democratic primaries swept the state nine and a half point victory for the State's six electoral votes.
A big big -- win now.
The way to think about I was I eighty is essentially population -- to work where most of them the most folks live.
Pretty close -- I eighty because there's a lot of rural area up here so I -- comes out of Chicago and heads out here to Omaha along the way it goes through -- -- Des Moines and down -- Council Bluffs that and Kawakami -- So the key if you are.
President Obama is making sure that you hold this part of the state the eastern side we've got the quad cities over here you've got over here to.
Linn County which is Cedar Rapids but I want you to take a look at cedar county which has some suburbs not very many votes but it's very representative.
It's a good thing to watch.
And it's it's accounting that does swing it well it went for bush in 2004 and it will go again suburban votes industrial votes nice mix good to look at.
Key for Barack Obama hold on -- this territory don't let the Republicans make inroads especially with the social conservatives in Iowa.
This part of the state was very successful for Terry Branstad the Republican who came back and one.
He made big inroads here especially with some social issues voters so that's something the president needs to do he needs to really run up the score here.
Now if we follow I eighty out and we get out here to -- -- We go to good morning.
This is the -- -- this is all this is.
Where you're gonna find most of votes is going to be more than 200000 votes cast out there it's a big deal for the state now obviously.
Why say obviously maybe you don't know.
The -- the no chance that Mitt Romney's gonna win in Polk County he's not gonna -- to point.
But the secret and think about this this is what -- this is John McCain who didn't do well.
But bush 48% he kept it close he stayed in the game.
So the secret for Mitt Romney when you get to.
-- candy when you get out here to the center part of the state.
Where really the and the county surrounding except for the one where the university of -- just up the road.
But -- for this part of the state the key when you get all the way down to it for Mitt Romney.
Is don't get blown out keep -- close in Des Moines and and you're gonna do better now.
Let's go down here let's go to -- wanna be counting but Shelby county let's go to pot of water mechanic and this is Council Bluffs.
Right here is Omaha.
This is Omaha suburbs light industrial some agricultural mix and they are so Republican they are so so Republican.
But look at that that's not a very big Republican went I mean this is -- -- that probably hasn't voted for a Democrat.
In fifty years but these folks.
Gave John McCain a very narrow margin but at this for George W.
Bush.
Look at that so blowout.
-- squeaker key for Romney and let's look at it clearly key for Romney.
Western part of the state run up the score.
Got to run up the -- to offset a lot of votes to be a minority voters in union voters that are come gonna come out strong for President Obama in the east.
Got to see he needs for the social conservatives and -- heartland folks out here cattle is big out here.
These folks need to come out in the Missouri River valley big for Mitt Romney he needs to hold a close -- -- -- And then he needs to not get absolutely stumped.
And places like cedar county cedar county by the way home of Iowa the birth -- of -- I was only president ever elected Herbert Hoover.
So that's the key 123.
And those are the three keys to victory for both of these candidates you'll know now who's gonna win Iowa.
Before anybody else -- now you know the keys to victory in the Hawkeye State.
And that is another episode of battleground Friday.
Well I don't know if that guy knows that he's talking about but he sounded convincing -- a couple of points all right we've got a lot more political loop to -- to go -- today we are gonna talk about the president and today his back and forth with Mitt Romney and the president says he's calling for he should have been more optimistic and hopeful but at the same time he's pouring kerosene -- Mitt Romney's Bain Capital history it's an interesting juxtaposition we'll talk about that we'll talk about the veep -- do you think it's Condi Rice you -- you may rebuild something they -- the Drudge Report you may think it's kinda -- -- examine that we'll explore the possibilities there will be great fun.
So you should stick around.
Of my first trip a couple of years.
Was.
Thinking that this job was just about getting the policy right.
And that's important.
But -- more than the nature of this office is.
Also.
To tell a story to the American people bad.
Gives them a sense of unity and purpose and optimism especially during tough times.
That was President Obama in an interview with Charlie Rose for CBS -- this is -- -- welcome back.
Now the president there was articulating what I call this morning.
And my political note for you.
Michael Scott defense where you say do I have -- certainly I care too much I tried too hard I do too much for the little people.
And he's he's.
Sally forth with this defense of his term.
And saying that he that he got the policy right.
But didn't bring the nation along with him into a spirit of unity at almost exactly the same time that his campaign is -- homeland.
Mitt Romney over his.
Career as a got capitalist running dog and all of that good stuff.
Class so how does this sync up can the president make this part stick.
And what the consequence of all these attacks beef up their capital -- those sticking.
Fortunately we have to seditious guests -- who can help us do that.
And please welcome.
For the very first time to the dominant.
Internet political telecast of the 1130 half hour Richard Fowler.
You if you live in DC you listen to him on earth did you PWC.
He is -- appropriately enough the Richard Tyler show I guess that makes sense that this.
In Internet you know and cherish red -- -- he is of course a former senior advisor to president George W.
Bush.
And it worked in the previous Bush Administration very Republican -- and it is now is now professor at -- scheme Georgetown University gentlemen while they give thanks for having.
Okay so.
I wrote today and this is the plug part I apologize.
And if you follow me on Twitter at -- -- You can have the power play that I write that I get so early in the morning and in the dark and step on my sons Thomas the tank engine trains when I'm trying to get to my computer.
You can have -- -- -- just by following me on Twitter and you'll enjoy it.
But I wrote it.
From this point of view today which is that for the president.
There's some danger in this line of argument is there when you say.
I did the policy right I just didn't do -- good enough job explaining it to the.
People of the country.
Is this a little condescending Richard is there some -- -- that not at all I think what the people I think -- what we're beginning to see his bloody impacts of the president's policy options of the policy -- what in the first three years that you know three million move back on the parents health care insurance.
On the credit card reform reform bill where folks you know we have a guaranteed -- -- by the credit card companies.
Everything is there's no more red tape there's no more small print -- -- all -- of the president's done that the consumers and impact of I think that's what that's gonna be the American that he runs on I think -- to the contrary I think -- doesn't really have a record Toronto was of the president's right you know we haven't brought the country -- and every decision that we made -- you're seeing the benefits of all of our policy -- made over the past three years is it possible.
-- that people.
I mean you know we so we've we talk about this -- law that after the mid term.
In 1994.
Bill Clinton re calibrated.
We changed big they're kind of his gym and -- a different direction he moved he moved to the middle in a really substantial way and -- the Republicans ground away from them.
And it wasn't for Bill Clinton about an -- if he actually changed course and George W.
Bush we saw him as the Iraq War got more difficult he changed course and prescription drugs and a number of other things that incumbent presidents sometimes -- force you the president hasn't done that.
Well I think I think the president has moved to the -- I think the problem is the Republican Party and so part of the right -- -- seems to be no compromise in -- the president brought the Republicans the tables more than one time on the debt ceiling.
He's asked them to come to the table.
-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- He's damned if you do damned if you don't because again today if it over to work with him on anything substantial policy wise but how can get anything done.
Brad am I wrong to see some some resignation of the bitter -- herself -- -- -- in here that there is a thing like.
A shorter version of the president being.
I overestimated the ability of the American electric to follow what I was doing and why it was so good for them.
What was the process.
That guy has such a hard job.
No he's he's been making policy and he really hasn't had the time it is a hard job you're right it is a hard job but.
This guy that worked real hard to get -- And the fact of the matter is she's ruled -- -- ideology -- that a reality.
And who did everything he promises -- Kennedy -- and delivers president this is going to be the most open and transparent government get the -- 2000 plus page.
Health care bill that nobody read even those were supposed to.
But Rios followed -- to be fair that was very long -- -- who's got time it was a transparent.
It wasn't open and this president show of this legislation down the -- the American people he's right he didn't -- the ground work.
First policies but having said that his policies are in effect -- their horrible.
And no amount of operation is gonna change the fact that his leadership has brought us horrible policy -- must be brookdale.
Feisty Friday from -- from professor Glickman today okay.
Richard.
Question the president is we we know in his campaign is is not hiding the ball on this at all that the goal right now.
In this stage of the campaign is to make sure that Mitt Romney is not seen as a plausible alternative to the -- so that when Mitt Romney walks on the debate stage.
People see that picture him with a twenty dollar with a hundred dollar bills sticking out of his pocket hanging out with the guys have been capitals -- and the goal now and every day.
There is more of this and more of this and more of this and yesterday.
-- cutter from the Obama campaign.
Gave reporters this choice -- -- -- either Fallon.
Or a liar.
That's harsh.
That's say that that is that is some harsh stuff Romney of course now is doing the umbrage game.
Where you take the great hi I'm Bridget what has been said and then you use that as an opportunity to cast an accusation back.
And it looks like we're heading for -- theory it looks like a very small kind of grinding election where they're -- against each other on these issues.
How does that comport with what the president has said.
Here about hope and unity and vision and everything I'm not seeing a lot of hope and unity and -- Well I think mr.
-- there's a campaign and there's the president government will -- -- -- the -- government is the hope and change a few problems in 2008 you promise he gives up the wars the wars in Iraqi promised that he would do something with the health care system all those things happen I think we're seeing from the campaign is they're asking from -- to define himself I think even Republicans now.
And even Brad knows that Mitt Romney has a problem here only if you -- That is I don't know I would tell I don't know I don't think the better it is for the veteran in this what was different between a -- -- -- George W.
Bush at a Georgia Richard came -- -- to listen this is true.
Is what really happened we got everybody's waiting for the real Mitt Romney to stand up no he's never come out stories have been debunked even though -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- If -- -- these.
Allegations baseless allegations that outsourcing it and now.
And somehow they were culture capital has been debunked has been debunked by the most liberal sources the Washington Post that it exposes.
It's not true and then they amount of times the president says it doesn't make it more truthful -- -- Plain and simple calling a candidate for president of -- He's been charged with anything big fan I think they said he was either a -- -- -- -- -- -- look he's not a -- we know that and he certainly not a liar.
And for the president who's who's wasted.
Money on Solyndra are better ones and outsourcing jobs to Brazil drill in Brazil don't drill here and -- By the way we don't need a pipeline that Canadians I spoke to -- minister the other day the -- -- to -- -- more friendly to we have to beat people.
-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- I just have full employment that's why when you he -- he would get bread and -- password yeah go ahead go ahead go ahead.
The guy had full unemployment at full employment if you're -- 5% it's called full -- you guys would know that because we -- above 8% you're retired presidents.
Okay all right we're gonna -- again -- -- -- -- right there we thank you for being with us and hopefully -- season Richard.
But when we come back you know we're gonna do.
We're gonna break down.
What's going on with the Republican veep stakes brand's gonna help us out because he's been on the inside of the door when these kinds of decisions were being made and he'll tell us how the process works what's likely what's unlikely so stick around.
Is Condoleezza Rice the former secretary of state former ambassador to the United Nations.
A pretty big deal.
And a Republicans.
Should all work.
On foreign policy this is power play and Internet.
There's little website -- you out there that's called the Drudge Report and Matt Drudge and his.
Hyper dominant news website on the right has created quite.
If you're.
Across Republican circles.
As he said and reports starting last night that Condi Rice.
Is not only down in the final pool of potential Romney running mates but is in -- the front runner.
So is that true do you think that's true.
I'm sure that's true red white men probably knows a bit about that and how this process works.
These analogy that I made today breath.
Was that if you are Mitt Romney.
The people who and everybody does this every but Obama did this with that Evan Bayh from Indiana -- throw out head -- you do things to this to create as much buzz as possible.
Number one and -- to say something about yourself.
Who -- -- even considering it is says something about who you are what you do and I made the college coaching analogy where.
You have an open slot for college football coach.
And you have a diverse panoply of people from all over the country -- different racial and ethnic backgrounds and all of this exciting stuff and then in the end.
Good at picking the guy that everybody here you're going to pick the alumnus -- -- -- to but you've demonstrated coming in that you were open minded about it is there is there is this.
That's maybe what's happening here.
I think so I think this is mischief I can't.
I can't imagine how copyright is just how -- -- -- mr.
Baker's political mischief makers I can't we Condi Rice is would be.
Even seriously considered I love Condoleezza Rice -- work with her -- the White House but it look this is all about the economy.
And you plug your second in command to beat somebody who has the economic rather toss to help you from day one solve the heady economic problem -- -- -- also gives a gift to the White House it gives the bush years back.
It -- eight years of service wars renditions.
Guantanamo -- that Iraq War was not -- popular the whole the whole foreign policy error.
Bush comes back to -- -- -- it's not needed but now Rob Portman who is considered by many do you -- contender the Smart money.
In town is on Rob Portman because not only did he serve as the office management and budget director for George W.
Bush but he's in the senate now.
He's very seasoned he's serving I think for terms and -- Cincinnati actress Cincinnati lawyer and well liked well esteemed person.
But he's got the bush on until.
-- -- bush baggage but not quite the baggage.
That condi would break right.
It's not the foreign policy exactly but and also -- had had a good relationship -- Democrats is the budget director.
He he was able to go -- and compromise and actually produce a budget.
So I think Rob Portman would be an excellent choice -- -- -- bush pedigree but.
Democrats are gonna have a hard time.
Criticizing somebody like Rob Portman because we'll bring back the comments they made about -- the time they were working.
Also he's been vetted he's yeah he's been through the -- certain times now.
That -- he's got to be pretty squeaky clean.
If that's the case.
So Fred dark horse pick as some people talk about Tim Pawlenty is another one so that the conventional wisdom here is that Pawlenty and Portman.
Are these are the leading contenders running for dark horse -- I'm increasingly.
Look game.
At if Romney decides to flip the script -- Kelly I got senator from New Hampshire she's good.
She's great she's goodness she's been -- and to the degree that somebody like Portman asked.
But putting a woman on the ticket would have some of it.
It would but I think Palin is poison -- well for women.
On the Republican side because as great a -- is a woman would be.
Like the senator from New Hampshire that person is gonna have.
Two weeks scrutiny.
It she's going to be and I called Palin -- yeah she's going to be.
Put up against the Palin -- you know issue -- -- out of him we don't need that we need is a pick from day one.
They hit the ground running and not be bogged down with two weeks a second guessing.
There you go Brad -- he knows a lot of stuff that's why we listen to we thank you for being with us Brad and I hope you continue to have a lucky Friday the thirteenth and you already I know we're gonna have a lucky Friday the thirteenth Internet for two reasons one on the hunt with Jonathan Hunt is up next.
And now as we like to do every day we want to leave you with the word from our French are.
-- I think the charges up to now is that he's a guy who didn't carry out sources was having an effect.
But when you get this the Obama campaign accusing him of being a felon.
You've jumped the shark you can say a lot of stuff about Mitt Romney -- feeling out of touch stiff but a -- he's now.
I mean he's a guy who not only doesn't have a skeleton in his closet he has -- closet.
