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Gotta release 6810 years of back tax interest Mitt -- losing at this point in a big way.
If something's going to come out get it out on her.
Supposed to beat Mitt Romney's friend he's talking about what's wrong with his response to the tax return situation as the Obama campaign.
And the national press corps increasingly demand that Mitt Romney released all of his tax returns and probably -- receipts from his lemonade stand that he had in fourth grade.
That was Bill Kristol a FOX News Sunday with Chris Wallace.
And the the -- to mobile George will watch this week on ABC and this is power play -- -- and Chris -- -- happy Monday and welcome back and we're here in studio three it's going to be dynamite.
One of the reasons that I know that it is dynamite is that Michael -- Who is my former colleague from the Washington examiner who is a senior fellow with the American enterprise institute and who is the editor of V8 V.
Every other year -- most important book in politics the almanac of American politics.
Welcome back brother -- And welcome back to Jonathan Colette yeah he's the director of communications for American crossroads and he's the former Press Secretary for the national.
Republican congressional committee and -- when it comes Jewish boxing for a group American crossroads is a pretty tough one to talk for you guys don't say much except for we just bought about a billion dollars worth of ads that we're going to pour out in Ohio -- welcome back to the show thank -- very much okay so.
Let's talk about this.
For Mitt Romney.
Either the -- some people on the right who were eager to -- Mitt Romney's campaign.
And many of those who supported other people particularly those who -- Rick Santorum Rick Perry.
-- when this tax return thing has bubbled up.
-- Bill Kristol among them to say see we told you people that he was not gonna be prepared to answer this.
And frankly it doesn't exactly look like they were prepared to answer this Jonathan go ahead plugging -- First what was going on here is living Romney released in Texas perspective forever mark where and whenever he did it he released one here -- released an estimated tax return for 2011 -- who -- who he's had this fight before he releases tax returns.
The problem is that if he goes and releases more it's never going to be enough right for the other team so they're gonna they're gonna look through them and they're gonna answer more questions and and they're gonna ask what he's not -- the IRS.
Andy this is this is a type of thing that literally can go on it as long as the media will continue to -- -- -- reason we're going to be pulling back and saying.
We'll look McCain only had two years with the tax -- -- -- -- have to do any question that he hasn't released another -- yet he's done that -- but he hasn't done the full -- yet we're getting closer and closer to election and and that's correct the issue is that I think no matter what he releases will not be enough videotape which actually puts the Obama campaign and very very good putting is there -- offense they're not talking about the economy and -- labor numbers.
They're talking about -- -- be talking about -- that's -- that's the hardest part.
-- later -- they'll take tire of this story.
Well I think they do I mean it's is sort of a variation on the theme that Mitt Romney is a rich guy drive and a vampire -- -- attacks on Bain Capital we saw the Stephanie Cutter the spokesman.
For the Obama campaign used the word felony in connection with what Romney.
Is alleged to have done a big overreaching kind of foolish mistake on her part I agree that the Romney campaign -- not been enough.
Well prepared on this -- was well prepared as I think would be optimal -- -- campaign.
But I I I don't see major damage I think that it's it's marginal and you know part of that running a campaign.
Once you get a lot of advice -- -- how you should change your strategy change in tactics and basically.
The hard part of running campaigns is to distinguish the nine out of ten times -- that -- Out of ten times where that if I didn't think right now so.
I think that did that -- Romney is wise to go on this sort of offensive he's going on this week about.
Crony capitalism where we're gonna talk about that a -- wanna ask you this Michael he had the chance and we talked about this.
In south -- this was the cause celebs.
For the Republicans in South Carolina and Florida ahead of the South Carolina primary and head of the Florida primary and that's when it probably cost up.
The tax return the year and then estimate.
Wouldn't he's been smarter then to have.
Done more or was that just she didn't move -- these -- this is what it is I think it would have been preferable to do more but I think the damage is mind.
Okay all right stipulated now speaking of what Michael just alluded to.
Let us take a listen to -- -- Mitt Romney as he was on FOX & Friends this morning.
But the Obama people keep on wanting more and more more and more things to pick through more things for their opposition -- -- to try and make a mountain out of and to distort and to be dishonest about.
We're gonna put that tears a tax returns and put a lot already soon as the most recent years complete we'll put that out.
So Jonathan.
Jonathan Mitt Romney then went on to talk about how.
He has his counter argument today which is that Barack Obama rewarded donors.
At places like surely in the with contracts and stimulus Jews and all kinds of stuff he was trying last week is is counter punch.
Was.
That Obama had outsourced jobs so he seems to be doing he's counter punching.
Is he instead is he up to speed are the punches coming back fast enough or should he be talking about something else -- definitely coming back.
-- Obama's trying to make the case that.
Mitt Romney has this tax issue he's a rich guy he outsourced jobs when he was it being -- is -- outsourced jobs that when it when he's president that's -- -- -- -- of what the Obama campaign is trying to say.
And -- history every good records to this as President Obama has outsourced jobs.
And quite frankly he has outsourced John and favored companies that have been.
In his campaign contribution circle.
So I think that those are good pro proactive steps that he needs to be taking the question is whether or not they're able to cut through because the president right now does have such big microphone.
-- know it's funny.
Randy Smith says my very simple question psychologically what does Mitt -- even want to be president if you try to redeem himself.
For past behavior -- -- just buy an island -- enjoy.
His good fortune and Mitt Romney is a quarter billionaire as we say here -- power -- he has incredible.
I mean he's not you know he's not.
Rich rich rich rich rich like insane like he can by Australia that he could probably get a pretty nice spot the south island and New Zealand -- some -- -- some thing as my granddaddy would have said need but not gaudy.
And -- -- would.
Eight Teresa's question.
What do you think it is about -- -- driving him here.
I think what's driving him is what's driving ago Barack Obama and a lot of other politicians which is they think they have ideas that will be good for America took he added I look at this this amount of ego when things.
I was -- my fiftieth reunion note that cramped for school and I was three years ahead of where it was three years ahead of Mitt Romney these many years ago and one of the talks was that you know one of the people that I've.
Chatted with -- -- Ohio talking to him around me she says Mitt has to do this to save the country.
So we had a little ego and the idea that hey I'm better than the other folks are doing a lot of things in I think that.
Accounts for his.
You know otherwise improbable candidacy of a one term governor of Massachusetts now.
If you get to get that there at the end -- -- that little.
But.
So question for you Jonathan.
Is this.
For Romney.
Does he need to do.
Is it time for a big speech is it time for him to go forward and denounce the president for attacks on capitalism is it time to change.
In terms of -- communications effort is it time to do something different.
Or is this.
I got a bunker and I get -- tried to stay in the narrative sort of bracket the attack on me and hope that people lose interest in the Olympics I think you're right I think he -- did stand up.
Dust off.
Move forward we with a new message that gets all of these attacks he's.
As long as he's talking about taxes and maybe he's not talking about things that are frankly are important of the country but they've -- obamacare law.
Thirteen thousand new pages of regulations.
Coming out from the Department of Health and Human Services just recently just -- this is this is just -- the iceberg what's gonna come out.
Everything that we do in this country successfully our health care where there at the cutting edge health care in the world.
Energy production and we have this tendency at least that the left does to go out and regulate these leading industries to death and I think that there's a there's a great opportunity for him talk about.
No we need to take pride in need -- to take pride in American industry and American.
Enterprise we -- move forward and and get get the economy running I think he has a great message he just needs to be able to.
-- -- -- Four with -- he Mitt Romney.
I keep thinking I keep waiting for him to come forward and give this speech that that that the -- she's the president don't attack.
Capitalism don't attack this whoever wins this election American job creators need to have confidence.
And that kind of this sort of the high minded regret I implore your sense of patriotism Mr.
President.
Does that would that make sense well I think.
We're gonna get a speech that will include material along those lines on August 30 the acceptance speech at the Republican National Convention.
In the meantime I think he's you know throwing out -- some variations on the theme the crony capitalism and it appears to be his preferred theme for the week.
Is part of that message because for the things it says is that.
When you've got government playing favorites putting 535.
Million dollars -- -- -- Solyndra firm that's backed by a man who was.
Of the Romney -- -- -- -- Oklahoman Oklahoma the very rich man and Oklahoma's also that kind of contributes to many charities and think worthy causes.
That says that's not the way that you build a strong economy.
Go look to these things like private sector things like the Keystone Pipeline from -- oil from.
Nasty vicious -- Canada yeah.
I don't think I'll just do this -- gets a little Canada well whatever they call profits and says English muffin so they're suspects to begin with to have that I have bad news for you Internet we were expecting to talk to Doug -- And -- -- -- he's not I don't know what he's got to get -- the host.
Campaign confidential right here on you Internet on Monday mornings but he can't join us we're just finding out.
So we're gonna ask Jonathan to stick around for a little bit we're gonna take a quick break.
When we come back class Jonathan to pretend he's a Democrat so that got to balance out the show it'll be great fun and you should stick around.
-- -- -- If you.
Got a business you didn't build that somebody else made that happen that was President Obama on Friday campaigning down of the commonwealth of Virginia.
Talking about.
The rich people and people who are successful.
And think that they did it on their own and this is power supply and -- new line of attack is gathering Republicans are gathering up -- for a new kind of attack on President Obama it has to do with.
Things like also last week the president.
-- -- -- At the Clinton Era welfare reform.
That he's going to allow states perhaps opt out of the requirements that force people who want to receive welfare.
From having to work or be looking for work.
As he did that.
There's been some controversy over food stamps at the US GA efforts that include.
It Spanish language tele novellas.
Encouraging people to give up the stigma and the shame of going on food stamps.
Republicans are starting to put all this together into a new line of attack against the president.
We were gonna talk about that coach.
-- Internet but the good news is Michael Barone as he pointed out used to be a Democrat so we're just gonna ask you to go back.
In time and imagine what you would have said.
It this I registered democratic in DC for the -- elections so I can determine who's gonna win the democratic primaries that doesn't make one -- that Republican primary isn't too much.
-- -- DC council we hit 3000 people voted the Republican primary for president here in DC but they were.
Probably very committed.
OK so there's this thing here is -- Mickey Katz has been writing about this in in very Smart fashion lately.
So.
A bit of -- hat -- -- in the -- but this stuff on welfare.
That came out last week could be a pretty big -- Jonathan.
You're one of the things that I noticed.
Is the lefties are making these accusations that went went -- -- right he's talking about anything that touches on welfare that there is racism to -- Right -- I see this happen all over repeatedly especially the left wing blogs.
And I think that's very unfair because had been headed center debate then shifted that for.
To the left back in the mid 1990s we never would have had welfare reform which frankly is one of the most important things -- the federal numbers down the last twenty years and we remember of course our friends Juan Williams and Newt Gingrich at the south Carolina Republican debate where you talked about food stamp president.
And all of those things it certainly.
Republicans have reason to be cautious as they talked in General Electric and.
-- we have some reason to be cautious but I think -- house.
By the way is -- Democrat ran against Barbara Boxer in the senate primary 2000 he did not win enough.
If he has a backer of Obama care.
Thinks that the the Democrats are hugely vulnerable on this and I think that's true I mean -- Jonathan is right.
Welfare reform which started in the states was initiated by Republicans like Tommy Thompson but also some democratic governors as well.
It was signed by Bill Clinton after some back and forth with the Republican congress led by Newt Gingrich.
That's been successful it is improve the lives of the intended beneficiaries you're getting much better outcomes for the children.
That were intended to be benefited by all these welfare payments in fact.
It's it's it's it's happened along with a huge declining crime which is partially about police tactics but also about.
Discouraging unmarried motherhood and so forth when people can't support their children.
This -- been a huge success the end.
That they changed the Obama HHS.
Is now cutting back on and saying well -- work requirements can include -- -- things like bed rest.
Grow.
I don't think your friends you know your your your your work out with a trainer.
And this is and there are you can of course is that this will allow people instead of just taking any old job at that they can -- that the willow right now let's hear themselves were excellent -- the current macro economy an awful lot of people -- in the unfortunate.
Position that taking the only available job is that is that prudent course don't wait for self fulfillment get a paycheck and the Obama people are trying to undercut this.
I think it's it's it's also.
Got any measure of unlawful missed Wimbledon it's the it's that the argument is very strong that the welfare legislation signed by President Clinton in 96 does not allow these -- and yet the there at least of dubious legality like the waivers that Obama promised that he would do towards not enforcement.
Of the immigration law against certain classes have been legal anyway.
-- a DREAM Act which is it temporary amnesty for young illegal immigrants who came -- the country's miners and meet certain criteria Jonathan.
One of the things that I've observed in all of this and if you were dug -- you would be a great person asks this question of the thing.
What does it mean that Barack Obama goes after the signature -- Piece of legislation that Bill Clinton passed in his term in office you have.
A standing rift here between Obama Democrats and Clinton Democrats that we've seen bubble up several times this campaign cycle.
Should we do you think that there's something to be ready -- to the idea that Barack Obama is going and picking on Bill Clinton's big thing.
It's a very different strategy right at me.
In 1996.
Clinton's whole strategy in 1996 was it was -- take out the middle -- he wanted -- he wanted to middle voters to come ordered into the democratic side and you don't even see.
Overtures from President Obama to go after the -- he's going completely after his -- And you don't know what's interesting I mean in in 2008 he ran his post partisan guy he said he's -- for red states Blue States for the United States.
What was interesting is that there was no real reason to believe that because it was never evident in his voting history in Illinois legislature and a the US senate I think there are Democrats who who will throw the ball Republicans and take big steps over -- the outside.
Conversely with Republicans and and that's considered -- Ron Wyden a fire of Oreo there and it and it unsettle Sybase.
-- President Obama has never done as he -- about it in 2012 is not about reaching out to the center.
And and I think he's -- sad because there are opportunities to do that and they're -- Judy.
That have been forgot Michael what say you.
In the last president from.
Presidential elections the winning candidate has gotten a percentage of the vote equal to were within 1% of what his party got in the popular vote for the house two years before.
Well.
Democratic Party in 2010.
Got 45% of the vote Republican -- 52.
That's not a good omen for President Obama -- -- differently did the -- and brought up President Clinton.
That.
When you go back one election further that was not the case President Clinton started the Democrats got 45%.
In -- in 1994 but he changed his positions he changed just approach he said he changed it.
I think there's very strong arguments that he should tell -- voters believe that he did.
And he won with 49% of the vote would have had 51 or 52 of Ross Perot had not been on the ballot.
In so he turned that around he gave Obama a recipe.
But Obama doesn't wanna do what he's he's only reading the left wing cookbooks and stating that if I just promise more stimulus.
In continued prosecution of obamacare you hear him waving good.
You know encouraging more people to get you know to get welfare and food stamps.
I'm gonna get -- -- in 2012 -- select clear that perhaps it wasn't start.
-- says as we've said it before we'll say it again the best thing that ever happened to Bill Clinton.
Was when Jordan from George Mitchell told him there was no way know now that Hillary Clinton's health care plan was getting through the United States senate and they had to drop it and it forced him to recalibrate his thinking and become a different kind of Democrat and a different kind of president.
Jonathan we thank you very much -- -- does when we come back we are going to have Michael Barone.
-- -- he is going to tell you how Ohio's going to -- he's going to tell you what I'll get him he's going to do he'll tell you about Stark County he's gonna do all of that stuff with all of these bits of Arcadia that you do love him for so you should -- program.
Reporting Air Force One headed out to Cincinnati I -- To -- in Ohio it's to help them out.
To win a second term.
Mitt Romney sure as heck can't win.
The presidency without Ohio President Obama would like to build a firewall there so far the polls have indicated the president is doing pretty good job if there's any place in the country where attack.
Acts on the super rich and outsourcing and all that stuff should work.
It's in union conscious industrial based Rust Belt Ohio -- who's gonna win gonna talk about that with Michael -- but.
As a grace note for you -- you may Internet.
We can now say that Doug -- has reemerged from the secret undisclosed location where he was being held reviewing holes.
Probably just getting over.
How good you today's episode of campaign insiders was dubbed welcome back well.
Thank you thank you so much reverend Chris and I would tell you that anything I say about Ohio -- Not only defer to your judgment that.
My friend and colleague Michael groans judgment who.
If I make a mistake I know that Michael will cheerfully he.
Have no fear I want to ask you before we get to Ohio business.
It is.
On this welfare reform stuff the president last week is -- -- in the previous segment.
President last week poked a hole in the bottom of Bill Clinton's signature legislative -- initiative one of the things that.
Helped him to his second term.
In the White House.
As -- as former retainer of the house of Clinton.
How do you feel about that is that they should that be Kagan is a slight from the Obama Democrats the Clinton Democrats.
I think it is a substandard -- in political.
Mistake.
I told the president's so -- my colleagues and -- -- -- unless he signed welfare reform he would be vulnerable.
And then a close election this is the kind of issue -- particularly in this state.
Like Ohio but through the midwest where welfare reform could well.
Heard President Obama given that he's so reversed course.
But does it surprise you on this on this front dug that.
We've seen several times -- during this election cycle.
Big gap between Clinton Democrats and Obama Democrats.
All the folks who are going to the convention.
-- moderate Democrats that continue to grumble about the tax plan.
And all of these things.
It is third.
Why -- why doesn't President Obama trying to patch this up -- he needs his party together doesn't -- you know.
I I think he does but the locus of energy in the party Chris is -- little so far to the left.
That they're not a lot of -- Clinton Democrats.
Laughed and bottom line this is an ideological.
President who I think is pursuing.
They left wing class based agenda and I think he's convinced himself.
That it's politically and as I said sustainably.
Right -- Making.
Welfare reform you know effectively a dead letter.
Neutralizing the time limits and some of the work requirements I think is something that is at the core of his philosophy.
There you have it we appreciate you and we would urge urge you Internet.
Two on Mondays.
Watch campaign insiders at 10:30 eastern is that correct absolutely.
It's so good you'll love -- a bunch thanks Doug thank you so much.
All right Michael Malone.
So Mitt Romney not doing great in Ohio he has been sort of behind the curve -- it right.
We're always been.
Avoid the fallacy of tenths of a percent -- we don't -- much we have -- -- margin.
You know Obama's leading 46 to 44 I think Soledad yeah I think the -- You know that's actually my -- that's that's a pretty close race and of course a 100% of Ohio wants to know President Obama 54% of the voting for it or know that's what the polls are saying I think it indicates a vulnerability itself -- husband kind of a sticky state in this presidential elections I mean -- you know you've had.
George W.
Bush carried it by three points -- -- by two points in.
04 you have Barack Obama by.
Five points but it's still just 5247.
And 2008.
-- You know 2000 -- -- the only benchmark the house popular vote is a pretty good indicator of the standing of president and his party and in 2010.
Ohio voted 5442.
Republican for House of Representatives.
That's and that's quickly about -- margins and -- about -- -- -- I don't think it basically you know party was operating on a Republican redistricting plan from the -- -- inactive for the 2002 election but overall yup that was that was a big wins so that's the number to keep in mind.
I think other numbers to keep -- -- -- demographics.
Ohio has been one of the slowest growing states true in the country with one of the slowest growth rates basically a lot of out migration.
Getting to they have -- rather older age set I actually don't get as many children and so forth but turnout has been increasing.
Four point seven million in 2000.
Five point six million in 2004 both the bush campaign in those rural small town suburban -- Jackson -- -- -- -- in central cities like Cleveland Columbus Cincinnati etc.
Both made great efforts it inched up to five point seven million in 2008.
That suggests to me that.
It's kinda reach to -- you know it's kind of reached a plateau and then if you look at Cuyahoga County.
And millions and we -- I didn't know in the state which includes Cleveland and its suburbs.
That's been losing population -- -- the most heavily democratic county in this.
And the population growth has been in suburban Columbus.
There's been a lot of population growth I want to show you very quickly before anatomical.
A look at the new -- bomb attack ad on -- I'm Barack Obama are and I approve this message oh beautiful floor spacious skies.
People are amber waves are branding.
All right we're allowed -- -- -- -- So President Obama not -- showing much love to Mitt Romney singing skills there is off for awhile as you call Ronnie was singing on the stump but as he's laying over there you see the stark images -- over it about outsourcing and tax havens in all of this stuff if there's any state in the country.
Where this line of attack should work other than Michigan and Pennsylvania Ohio.
I am should be a place for that works right well historically Ohio with a northeastern Ohio move the left in the 1930s when the organizing efforts of the CIO unions united steel in general auto workers united rubber workers.
Transformed what had been one of the most Republican parts of the country into the democratic.
Bastion in that state.
You know if you looked at the and western and northeastern Ohio and Western Pennsylvania if they hit that in even in 1984 when Ronald Reagan was winning 5940.
Nationally.
If those two regions have been a single state they would have cast nineteen electoral votes for Walter Mondale.
Now but democracy.
Under current situation those two regions would have fourteen electoral votes not nineteen if they were single states.
Glass that's why you love -- Internet Michael Barone you gotta train to catch we thank you for being with us today -- always good to be with you now.
Some business for you number one follow me.
On Twitter at Twitter Twitter Twitter however you want to do it -- -- dire wolf that's where you do -- -- -- my power play every day I write it for you Internet because I'm just I'm just.
-- -- -- -- -- Heidi is you end up next filling in for our friend Jonathan Hunt.
It's Monday so no word from Charles but we'll have our fingers -- were watching a special report tonight.
Have a great day we'll see you tomorrow.
