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Power Play 7-19-2012
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Election takes an ideological turn, defining times and Senate showdown on taxes, spending and sequestration.
- Duration 27:25
- Date Jul 19, 2012
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People American system that we have been allowed you to thought.
Some invest in roads and bridges -- you got a business that you don't build that.
President Obama attacks success and therefore under President Obama we have less success and I will change that.
Is this surprising rather surprising turn of events in the 2012 presidential election as we go from a campaign that seem to be about nothing to all of a sudden having a campaign about big ideas about the size shape scope and role of government in our lives and in growing the economy.
And this is power play I and -- firewall and welcome Internet here to studio three as we carve out some of the inside slices.
The of the political roast beef today.
And look at.
The changing contours of the 2012 election we're gonna do that we're gonna talk about the latest Fox News polling.
Will he won't take a little deeper dive on those issues we're gonna do that we're gonna talk about whether or not Mitt Romney has been defined as -- yet.
As president as the definition of President Obama change and you find that -- -- we will also talk.
A US senator John -- later in the show about what in the heck is going to be able to get through the United States senate as we reach new levels of acrimony and -- here in Washington.
So what could be more fun and acrimony and -- I would.
Tell you right now sure topless you really flattered.
Set the bar low and -- it that's what we do here.
Our bush -- you like you're not just because she is loyal and committed Steelers fan.
And and 88 it's murder by by birth and association.
But also because she's one of the very smartest people writing and politics today welcome back.
Thank you guys are right and we'll maybe we'll talk later about.
The offensive line for the Steelers -- I've got some anxiety about.
Get closer to kick off but training camp starts in a week you know all right so the question though -- is this.
It is the president's been on the market Mitt Romney since April essentially with a big with -- it started as sort of a drumbeat and now it's turned into.
A huge orchestra.
Of attacks on Romney.
His tax rate is tax returns.
Did Bain Capital ever send any jobs overseas.
All of these things been on the attack on Romney everything senator -- his wealth and his.
Private sector success more -- us.
This look like it was going to be.
An election that hinged on small things and Peggy Noonan and others have written in recent weeks like I've got the campaign about -- sign -- campaign and nobody's automatic that.
And then all of a sudden.
We have snapped into something else the president and looking to furtherance of those attacks last week in Virginia at his -- We know what he meant.
For the DNC folks who are watching we know exactly what he meant.
That businesses don't build bridges and businesses don't lay down the sewer pipes that lead to -- business and that they don't build the schools.
We know what he meant we know what he meant but the -- anyway seem to sharpen that the focus Romney jumped on it is it possible we could have a substantive election.
I'm probably not.
My hopes up once I'm sure you just that I now I know I still think this is going to be one of the smallest campaigns -- -- people you just mentioned described.
Is this a new issue -- my ankle -- not talking about.
Bain and taxes just very dear too yes I think some of my colleagues in -- -- probably agree -- something else to talk about.
-- was interesting though about Obama's remarks said Elizabeth Warren made it fairly similar remarks in his and her senate campaign.
Several months ago he's running in Massachusetts against Republican incumbents got absolutely and she basically made the same argument that.
People build companies with help from resources from public utilities like roads and and bridges and that kind of -- it's very different when the president says it in this heated campaign also Massachusetts a very blue state I'm sure a lot of people agree with Elizabeth Warren up there.
But the -- it's very different when you stating I believe he was in Texas are.
Virginia Virginia and that is that he was -- -- Yes it's very different when he says there please sit there and you know what I heard today that Arafat which may have simply for the possible follow acts he's firewall on looks twitters it's right there where you it is my delight to -- -- The the deal -- this is this is nothing new for the president he has.
Since he was running for office been talking about.
We've been on the wrong track is a country since really the Reagan era and moving towards privatization.
Less government involvement in the economy.
Saying that the government that that we have become too dismissive of that.
And directly to.
-- are this whole from the latest Fox News poll.
Government is it the solution with the problem.
On the economy 23% said solution.
64%.
Said it was the problem and that's that this question comes from president Reagan's famous location where he said government is not the solution.
Government is the problem that was what he ran -- people still seem to believe that.
This has the president do you think -- erred in not sort of moving off of this argument sooner and and just sort of -- this and win another term and come back and you can try again.
Hot yeah well I think -- Given the opportunity he probably would like to rephrase that -- -- much like he probably like to rephrase that content that the private sector is doing fine because it reinforces this image that the -- campaign to be just happy perpetuating that.
President Obama doesn't understand business he doesn't understand the -- this economy work.
So I don't -- about the individual death I mean the argument and I went back and I looked.
He gave a speech in January 2009.
That was like -- speech for what he wanted to do when he took office he had come to town he went after George Mason.
They gave this speech about what these principles for the economy war.
And he talked about only government can break the vicious cycles that are crippling our economy where a lack of spending which lost jobs which leads even less spending and then as you look over the years.
He's come back and made this argument again and again and it's -- you say this is not a bizarre O world argument.
But it does sort of give Mitt Romney the chance -- -- he makes even a small.
Misstatements.
As he as he does it's really beat him over the head.
It does it's an opportunity every time he goes there but it's a thin line for the president to walk is he wants to reinforce this populist idea that he was elected -- in 2008 -- -- Also running upon again this cycle but the same time he doesn't want to be.
It hurt perceived as a tax and spend liberal basically.
There'll there'll certainly says normally have colts fan but last season.
It was like they would walk onto the field and say hi guys -- the colts would you like to win today and we feel really bad for -- -- we want you to know -- heart really goes out to you yeah that was -- -- season.
That was a rough season.
The -- sink in this is on Twitter says you're stretching.
For a good read on what Obama meant to say but a good power play anyway why thank you for that part but the truth this the president has -- He clearly didn't I don't think meant to say that.
That that people didn't build the -- businesses.
He's just arguing for anymore.
Collective of it takes a village to raise a business that it's a community that comes together -- that the government plays a role -- that at all and all of those things but it was Charles Krauthammer last night who said you know for conservatives even that.
It is makes them -- And it's very easy to take that quote put in -- campaign this you know just they take any different that.
-- and I got it already you know I can -- that tagline now did you build your business on your own you know President Obama thinks you couldn't do it on your.
Now one other thing that's gonna happen right and we know that American crossroads and you know Jonathan Glazer who comes here he's their spokesman but that's the Karl Rove.
And Ed Gillespie inspired group Romney as raising a lot of money.
But he can't deploy because -- general election money that he can't put that money that hundred million dollars to use until after he is the nominee and so they're sort of running on fumes until they get to the convention.
-- American crossroads and crossroads GPS sort of debate what whatever subgroup of the -- regret it's called is gonna drop about eight million dollars.
On the president to try to hammer these attacks on governor Romney's tax returns and Bain Capital I -- wouldn't you think that for them.
Doing an ad that would that basically stacked up those two quotes you describe the private sector's doing fine you didn't build that and a few other choice sound -- be pretty easily.
It would be pretty easy I think it might even more effective a couple of months from now we're talking about it now people might not remember there's a lot of noise in.
The political airwaves right now in a lot of people -- people.
Consultants in the campaigns really want to track these undecided voters are paying attention.
And I think those quotes anytime you can -- -- Kennedy's words against themselves make the most effective ads and it would be really effective in October.
-- -- she may have disappointed my occasional glimmer of non cynicism and believing we could have a campaign about something that your great anyway thanks for being with us thank you Chris but when we come back we'll be joined by our -- and what we're going to do is talk about whether Romney has been defined yet does give him little room left as the president -- fine how are the mid summer stakes of each candidate trying to put the other boxes going.
Walsh do this war when we come back so stick around.
And that.
Is -- it is -- Olympic sport in which forces dance to classical music sometimes hilariously.
To modern music that's when it's actually really funny.
And the Democratic National Committee he's sorry today want you to know that they made fun.
Of massage because it Romney the much beloved wife of soon to be Republican nominee Mitt Romney is the -- Boehner of papers -- towards.
And if she pointed out.
Massage and -- threading was part of that there be for her multiple sclerosis so they're very sorry today and this is power play.
And the Sox who works the Cayman Islands bank account Bain Capital.
His off key singing.
Of -- -- beautiful.
Everything -- that Democrats can think -- to make you believe that Mitt Romney.
Is a cool vampire rich dude has been poured out like a couple of fury for about the last four months so the question as has it -- -- Romney change the narrative and what about President Obama.
Hasn't he been a little redefined to during the scorched earth campaign.
I know who can tell us -- -- two people who can tell -- very well welcome to the show for the very first time -- humans he is a senior vice president box global serve President Obama in his basket White House into the 2008 campaign right to ask -- okay so we haven't had been notified Obama Democrat -- us.
And welcome a bush Republican -- -- back to the show he was the White House political director under president George W.
Bush end.
He is a Republican strategist and a father of five girls that he has our condolences -- welcome back in new exercise -- -- design choices -- now that he's been out there a -- let -- say it's time to think about -- I'm excited to get that 77000 dollars out of course OK so.
-- you are dangerous Austria and other kids like.
-- -- -- -- -- If they're gonna momentum to combat its.
Segment I think they're good whether that's today.
I'd -- the question is this and let's start with the bull.
A favorable unfavorable.
This isn't exactly like ability this this is can you stand the person -- when we look at favorability when we look at like ability and that's the can you would you have a beer with that person who we look favorably when we look at favorability.
-- -- -- this human being tolerable could I imagine them being my president.
And here's how it stacks up.
It's a top 52 to 52 in the latest Fox News bowl President Obama is more famous.
And he has higher and favorability 46 to forty over Mitt Romney but the key number want to look at there is 9% and 9% of the number of people who either can't say -- don't know enough about Mitt Romney.
To a formulated opinions so what the president is hoping is that they'll get Romney's unfavorable -- over 46% and that he'll be it'll be awash.
So looking at the polls where things are now after four months of this -- let's start with you has Mitt Romney yet been defined.
Yes I guess he's well on his way to being defined not there yet well I I tell you this that wasn't there are two things happening here first of all.
The the administration in the campaign clearly news.
And -- and bet on Mitt Romney being the nominee I mean that was there that from the very beginning so they've been.
Softly hammering him -- out there hammering him very hard on just the little things about -- his record and his background.
Over the past years so this is manager Richard trip.
On their effort.
But unfortunately Romney has done a very good job of aiding and abetting them in that effort because he -- can continue to hold on to too many secrets.
During this entire process so he's allowing himself to be defined sitting that you're there what you think it would be bigger would help them materially right now he said I'm gonna just put twenty years attacks -- I'm gonna drop them over oh FA headquarters -- you know what I tell you this.
What it would do is is established him as someone who is willing to be transparent someone who's willing to be open in sincerely participate in the process right now he's basically given is that's straight arm giving the Heisman to the American people and send.
No I'm only gonna give you what I think he should -- but I'm not gonna give you what the standard is as far as these tax returns that combined with the -- issue combined with.
That this new issue that's surfacing now talking about his his investment accounts -- his retirement account.
All of it is stacking up to label him as the guy with a mustache monocle on the top that who is sincerely I disconnected to tying the American people -- -- Last time -- -- to the railroad tracks absolutely okay and I'm mad as Mitt -- been defined and if so as well.
Look this that this is a big shock that would come out he gave these tax returns and -- -- -- that big shock is what's dangerous shooters were you that a guy is filthy -- cigarettes so this whole idea that people don't know what's in -- veterans.
-- -- -- know an infinite no offense and it was a former Bosnia respect -- But for the president United States to come out and say that -- is not transparent when your boss went to his college and snatched his dissertation won't -- any of -- -- He is another yes it is true that is connected at all yes he did you read it I suspected of I had -- -- I don't know I haven't seen like transparency from this administration even when congress is asking them.
For information so let's get right to you -- what you get your former boss our president.
Is gonna get a second term is if he does -- Romney into some kind of negative horrible creatures are only path to reelection.
Well I tell you this a lot of this turns into minutia the end of the day the bottom line is.
Our administration remote Obama administration has been the most transparent in recent history that -- yeah.
We'll look at -- leaders that looks like that the question of transparent right they're both sides would say that the other is not transparent we'll articulate that question though in front of us is.
Whether or not Romney's been defined that I had this question for -- court.
In doing this the president has redefined himself a little men in an effort to hang it to -- that's nightly whiplash on to Mitt Romney.
The president has changed who he is in the perceptions of him in the public -- a little bit because they're not used to this degree of acrimony and they're not used to this much attack from President Obama is that not true.
Well I'm not so sure remains something we appreciate that Obama's brand is hope and change -- that's absolutely clear.
This is also -- who went through -- -- -- -- pretty -- toe to -- knock down drag out fight.
-- issue one Hillary Clinton during the primaries for years ago so this is not like this is not a skill that he -- his team has they absolutely do.
Then -- the difference here is whereas Hillary Clinton punch back Mitt Romney isn't and punches he would he is throwing a very soft so much so that you have.
The the stalwarts of the Republican Party in the conservative wing Charles Krauthammer George will saying hey guys that.
You gotta do something here this we can't continue to keep taking blows this way so again Mitt Romney is the one who's paying himself into this corner I think the president is defined as someone who's doing all that he can't the American people right now we're gonna create jobs working to continue his recovery -- to turn our economy around but unfortunately Romney.
Is is is aiding and abetting once again and in the formulation that's developing on him.
Matt.
You know I mean I think -- -- there can agree with I mean I like to see our nominee really kind of go back at the president because I think there's a lot in his record and -- -- what this election will be determined on his people's confidence that Obama has a plan to get us out of this economic ditch that we're in.
And that's the central issue to this whole thing it's not about tax return it's not about -- case or savings accounts of those things and I think there's no question that.
If Obama President Obama has won past reelection and that is to destroy -- his opponent.
Then what Romney's job this -- to make sure that the American people understand.
He's a good and decent man that has a plan for the country.
To get -- the -- I would agree with you that over the course of last week or two that is not come out as strong as it needs to and all of us Parsons -- our side one encouraged him to make sure he steps up makes that argument he makes that are -- he's got a decent chance to win.
I'm Fredricka it's definitely gonna approach to have a chance -- continue this sparring match because.
When we come back we're going to talk to senator John -- and then we will let our partisan -- go back -- it -- -- -- -- that senator -- as a good stuff tell us.
So you should stick around.
-- was to be easily.
And senators are supposed to have an opportunity to -- -- so I would say my good friend a majority leader quit blaming everybody else.
I can take the criticism that he Republican leader position I assume that is constructive criticism and I accept.
As far as how I attempt to run the senate I do the best I can under very difficult circumstances.
And that is the cordial and warm relationship that exists between Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of the commonwealth of Kentucky.
And Harry Reid of Nevada.
This is power play in the senate isn't quite a state.
That exchange you saw there by US and its standards it is about the height of acrimony when the leaders of the two party state of the floor.
To call each other -- on partisanship.
Pushed back and forth well guess what there's a lot of work.
Relative to Washington standards that needs to yet be done in the United States senate this year.
And for goodness sakes we know that the super lame duck session that's gonna come after this election is going to be very difficult to get through so -- this stuff get through the US senator are we looking at a breakdown.
What the heck is going on.
This is these are matters worth considering so I hope that you would give a very.
Warm welcome minute to senator John -- of the great state of Wyoming senator welcome.
Thanks for having me.
Okay so here's the question you guys have fiscal clips -- You have appropriations bills that have to get pushed through defense authorization all this other stuff that's got to be finished this year.
And things are looking pretty pretty grim out there what's what's your assessment of the situation.
Well you're absolutely right and then Harry Reid the leader of the Democrats in the senate said there will be no appropriation bills.
This year appropriation bills have passed the house we're ready to act on them in the senate he said no he's not gonna bring any of them to the senate floor it is absolutely you're responsible of the majority.
Leader they haven't brought a budget to the floor that that Democrats have voted for.
In three years the senate does not pass the budget this year they brought the president's budget and not one member of the senate voted for not any Republican not any Democrat I voted for a number of a budgets that no Democrat senator voted for any budget brought to the floor this year but yet there is an obligation.
Of the senate to pass a budget.
Every year so it seems that Harry Reid is just -- -- the rules out out the window and and doesn't really care.
Even though we are facing a looming fiscal.
Cliff at the end of the year Bernanke was in the senate the other -- to testify at a hearing in the banking committee and he said please bring -- back from this.
Fiscal cliff that will push -- into a recession.
And one of the leaders of the Democratic Party -- she didn't care -- we went into a recession she wants to raise taxes.
And they -- senate the senators talking about Andy Murray the head of their democratic party's campaign committee in the senate.
He said that she would let.
Rather than.
Continue to tax rates for a top income earners -- those with this incomes -- 200000 dollars she'd rather textbook for everybody.
Senator that the question is.
There are some rumblings especially for moderate Democrats to try to deal with this fiscal -- to do something about tax -- to provide a little certainty.
Conservative Republicans and Liberal Democrats maybe don't think that so much.
That they think it's found at the election and roll the dice is there -- -- is there -- -- That you could have some certainty you can do what.
Would be the Federal Reserve Chairman asked.
And provide little certainty to markets.
Well I think it's important it provides certainly not just for markets to do the job creators of this country.
To that -- the men and women who out there who have built their business is even though the president may not believe that they've done it themselves.
From his recent comments but they need some certainty -- -- -- there's so much uncertainty with this administration in terms of tax rates and terms of the cost of the health care law and in terms of the root of the regulations.
These regulations that continue to come out.
Against the the private sector and it's a private sector that I believe the president doesn't like he doesn't understand.
And as as he said they're doing just fine with a private sector isn't doing fine we have eight point 2% unemployment.
We've had this rate of over 8% unemployment for forty months the American people are sick and tired of it.
Front page story in the New York Times today the recent poll the poll numbers -- just came out show that it's.
Neck and neck brace and actually.
Mitt Romney has -- a little bit ahead of the president because of the poor economy but that's hurting the president he ought to focus on the economy.
You've you've seen that.
The president has not met with his jobs council now for what six months and in that period of time he's had a hundred fund -- in the president's spokesman.
Comes out so well he's been busy he has a lot on his plate -- -- thing -- -- later fundraising dinners and lunches.
That's what's on his plate but the American economy is what should be from senator visits -- front and center.
The American taxpayers.
And I senator before we -- to go and ask you about your fellow Wyoming and Dick Cheney the former vice president.
Was on Capitol Hill this week you had a chance to speak with Vice President Cheney earlier this week when he was up to talk about.
Defense sequestration which -- these automatic cuts two defense spending.
That for the Pentagon that would start taking place on January 1 can you or are you at liberty to discuss any of what the vice president had to tell you guys.
Well maybe he came to -- Republican policy committee lunch on the chairman of the Republican policy committee shared his thoughts on well how.
Hurtful it would be -- harmful to our military.
To do these sequestration cuts into the role of the United States government really is to keep us safe and it.
To keep this free.
And and the defense of our nation is a big part of that -- after 9/11 obviously things have changed in this country so you know he's been.
Pretty.
Outspoken about the need to make sure that that we keep a strong defense -- the strong military.
And probably some fly fishing to senator we thank you very much for being with us today have a great day we'll talk -- thanks for having me.
Okay.
And you don't want guys and by the way that was mass totals of enjoyment as senator -- -- big huge talking point that Matt has mentioned Republicans should be using -- gratified.
And those -- -- of gratification he called me had a tight right except and here's what I wanted -- -- just -- -- -- of -- but here's what Tea Party -- says about you guys kudos to court in -- respectful dialogue and know overclocking each -- I like that.
-- want that to stop right now I want vicious.
Potentially visible conflict anything like that we'll have no idea what you're talking about everything that aren't so let's let's wrap this up let's put this into perspective.
It's as we talk as we heard from the senator.
You know and both sides would agree.
We were passed gridlock now and into some sort of like.
Meltdown -- block who we blocked every box.
Down Pennsylvania Avenue and it's like that.
People are frustrated with this.
Does the degree of acrimony and this amount of impasse.
Who does it hurt the most man.
I think it really hurts the president I think the reason why the president was elected in the first place it was because he was able to grab so many independent voters.
The voters -- -- less ideological than maybe some -- folks I hang out with.
Because they really thought they wanted to give this fresh face a chance to reach across the law degrees across the aisle -- try to find some consensus whether he meant it or not.
He just hitting govern that way he governed -- about health care only democratic votes to -- back cap and trade.
You think about these votes these are highly polarizing -- so I think it in order to get.
To a second term.
If he's perceived as somebody who is just the head of the Democrats right and up ahead of everybody.
In a political sense and in a much larger sense I think it's harder and to keep the narrative.
What about who Obama is a lot.
Wednesday well I didn't tell you the challenge that we're facing right now is you talk about who's hurt the most the American people hurt the most by the lack of dialogue and a -- -- -- making the American people have to take care of themselves here we deal with.
Politics and that's it loses election and that actually Chris is exactly the point we're dealing weird weird absorbed with cynical politics right now I mean.
When you have -- look at all of inquiry when you have senator McConnell.
Stands up and -- the senate or stands up at a press conferences as our number one mission is to make sure that Barack Obama is not reelected as president.
That basically lays down the gauntlet and gives you tells you everything you need to know about where we are when you have the speaker of the house go on sixty minutes.
And not even be able to say the word compromise.
For fear retribution -- common ground like 400 scientists and.
Definitive about delivered compromise.
I can say -- -- wow that is extraordinary and speaks to the shackles that he's working on right now is as as he's dealing with a -- party.
We -- that's where are we got to leave it there that's where we are we just we thank you both very much -- -- with us today and now on the hunt is up next I know you like that.
And you what do you like is that now is we like to do every day we want to leave you -- -- word from our friend Charles.
Us and I think what Romney ought to do is to take the headline in today's lead editorial -- Washington in the Wall Street Journal.
So in Europe vs staples.
And he has to have a simple slogan -- which is Obama and his administration gave you a Solyndra.
Using New York money incidentally.
I -- my colleagues in the free enterprise system gave you staples put all the jobs and all the wealth.
And all these crude wealthy gave to the foundations.
That the pensions and the use of the university's.
-- that invested with us in those enterprises.
