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Special Report Online: 7/25/12

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    Who's in the running for Romney’s VP nod?

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Other -- special report on line I'm Bret -- if you haven't been here before welcome aboard type away questions comments.

Wants my computer on freezes here I'll get to them and actually see them and hopefully bring them.

To the panel.

If you don't see your question or comment don't worry it's getting in there were putting in thousands by this second.

This is a lot more relaxed let's bring in our panel Tucker Carlson.

Of the daily caller dot com was my Atlantis with the Christian Science Monitor of course syndicated columnist Charles Krauthammer we had a vote.

On line here what do people want to talk about my computer started to unfreeze.

And most people said more politics.

We just saw that pretty funny clip about -- talking we're not talking about his VP choices.

We do think that that's coming soon right after the Olympics -- Yes that it'll be you know before the convention.

Enough time to do a proper rollout go on the -- together a little bit that sort of thing.

And I think you know that was probably the inevitable timing of it.

All along and and the frenzy has already started -- -- little got a little respite right now because he's abroad that this is he comes back that's gonna pick up again I imagine.

-- -- In the speculation game here.

Is Tim Pawlenty and Rob Portman are they that I do for a living -- Yeah I mean I've I've always thought the Clinton was far more likely -- important simply because you really want talk about the bush economic program for two months probably non.

-- of course was part of that which is not to denigrate his record but merely to know that he was he was part of it and -- I don't think that's a favorite campaign theme for the Romney people.

And I think I think -- is most likely I I I cling to hope the body generals don't consideration.

Paul Ryan.

You don't think so I don't think there's any chance really.

People love entitlements there's a reason Medicare is the single biggest federal expenditures people love it but he's going to be painted by Paul Ryan's budget anyway why not get together to talk about -- the best.

He'll be OK he'll be defined by it if Paul Ryan is is like look I like I mean you know obvious I'm a small government persons -- -- Paul Ryan fan I -- personally.

But I I don't think that.

Romney who is it relatively timid campaign or conservative anyway and true sense.

I don't these kind I had to -- be a massive risk and I would be shocked.

If he took it.

Do you -- it.

I think so I just sort of figure I think Romney is a guy who choose on their -- of do no harm.

So even though there -- these small negatives against other people are negatives only in the sense -- become a distraction and I think he's right about Portman.

Do you want to talk about the bush.

Budget -- nice I still think probably has an edge -- -- that is a negative.

The -- the Paul Ryan choice.

Is a book would be able to in the -- go -- -- on the idea that we're gonna change you government and do stuff.

Or if you don't have -- is -- on the ticket you can always say.

Oh yes I support the concept but I have differences over the details I would do it is somewhat different way in other words you're not.

If you not tied to the mast.

On every iota.

In the Ryan plan so I think it is a risk.

And I do think that Pawlenty is the least risky I think he brings the least positive.

But I think Romney's a guy who wants to run on -- -- or win or lose on the zone.

So if he had to sort of site came out I think he might choose to pull any I think I mean what.

Does that.

Let's.

What does that do for the conservative base for any state.

For.

Elect -- -- For the thought you can take over on day one.

Probably -- -- -- last on that list you could you could make -- case for Tim Pawlenty as governor of a former governor of Minnesota and someone who ran for president.

But as far as the elect -- -- positioning.

What does Tim Pawlenty do for you.

But really since Lyndon Johnson no vice president has brought -- state.

Two with a number one on the ticket and he did it with a -- -- a cheating.

So who knows if -- been fair count have you and -- brought taxes.

I don't know I mean perhaps.

Portman would be that you know if Ohio is sort of them.

A near dead heat like.

The Florida vote in 2000 and -- have important and -- -- -- your way you you can win on that.

But it's a delicate balance -- -- just think.

If I were choosing I might choose differently -- if I'm trying to psych out Romney think of a guy who has shown risk aversion.

As sort of the hallmark of his running for president.

You would think he would choose the list.

The least risk.

Lleyton.

Running mate and that probably is Pawlenty may be Jindal.

He doesn't carry a lot of baggage I'm not sure but he's a little more unknown and who knows what you might discover.

Under you know in a closet somewhere.

All these people are typing and Liz why not -- why Mary says why is rubio offense faded.

All rubio is the only one who can get the Hispanic votes.

Why not rubio round in Indiana.

Why not -- via any night I think.

There are reasons that rubio was one of the first candidates that got the most buzz.

In a way I think he got too much buzz and too much attention and and you know that kind of hurt him.

All the reasons that have been much discussed that he is untested that he has potentially some.

Irregularities.

Financial otherwise that could prove a little bit problematic in the background.

Even the bit that he was briefly a Mormon.

I think you know as a child.

From the Romney campaign may see all of those things as potential negatives that I I actually think -- still does have enormous strengths and to some extent because they got so talked up they've been.

Discounts had recently.

But he does appeal to conservatives and I think you know that the whole episode recently when they found.

Sent Condoleezza rice's name out into the -- is a way to try to change the subject.

Was a really interesting episode in some ways because obviously you know that he really -- Condoleezza Rice is going to be the nominee.

But there was a certain response to that that I think had to have to some extent surprised the Romney people because.

Since I think there was a level of excitement.

Among some in the -- and others to that name being raised.

That indicated that they haven't excitement deficit in general in the campaign right now this and that and that.

There are a lot of voters who are longing for something that feels -- you know.

-- Ohio types exactly that Romney needs some electricity through his camp.

No I don't we look -- a lot of conservatives want.

You know vice presidential nominee someone who was conservative and exciting because they believe Romney is neither.

But Ron he's not gonna win the presidency by being conservative and exciting he's gonna win it by being stable and not Barack Obama convinced that that's their theory of the case and I think they're absolutely right.

Mean I -- as a journalist someone making his living covering this stuff but you know picked.

I don't know Al Sharpton -- maybe you know it didn't busier the better for us of course.

But that's the opposite of where his interest lies and -- some -- -- chance to -- some anything about it dare challenge with Marco Rubio.

Is to convince the base are taking -- seriously but based on reporting we've done.

I don't think it ever taken previous years.

Milo and Indiana says Alan Westwood during the great electricity.

He has -- always -- -- -- -- -- Let's get the cost thousands explode first week now you can pretty somebody -- The history of some of the things he has said.

I think the only issue she's gonna get -- -- Romney's into the bus breaks down in the -- jumper cables somewhere on the road you're not gonna see any I think.

Tucker's right he's running he's he's.

There is -- strategy is not a secret.

-- -- run exactly as a solid solid guy.

You gave a shot to charisma and 2008 do you -- hope and change look with a guy did we're gonna have.

These growth numbers are -- -- be coming in at the end of the week is going to be under 1%.

I think you know for years and there was supposedly recovering from three -- in -- recovery.

And Unionists say are you -- really re -- this -- Romney's ideas he just has to meet the threshold to be acceptable.

Make it a referendum on Obama and you want.

And I think that's a reasonable theory.

But you know you have people like Wisconsin governor Scott Walker out today saying that the Romney campaign as being too cautious thing to.

Four corner offense basketball.

Holding the ball waiting for the economy did to drive the day.

You have.

Other people out there saying.

You know something needs to spur.

The people to the polls and you're saying it's the economy.

You're saying it's going to be boring you're saying it's going to be a -- That spur of the conservative every Republican -- conservative country in the post exactly that's what I think he's banking on and I think he's a fairly good look I'd like to see.

You know I'd I -- rubio to be the number one can't the number one on the ticket to make it.

And ideological election like in 2010 because I think the Republicans would win and -- they would have a mandate.

But nonetheless I think you know given what Obama is -- he wants to go.

I think if you're conservative it's pretty open shot which way you're gonna -- and I can see.

Anybody staying -- even if he's not electric I should point out that -- Beth Myers who's leading.

The search the vice presidential search for Mitt Romney.

Said in an interview today and she doesn't give many interviews that Bob McDonnell the governor of Virginia.

Was being considered and you know just drop that out there in the interview -- -- in Virginia and -- the interview -- somebody in Virginia but.

Still.

And he's on the bus and Iowa -- -- you know and and you know I mean that the one thing I would say again is that the Romney campaign doesn't have too many.

Windows to try to get about a -- you know they're gonna have the convention the vice presidential pick is kind of their biggest one and to that extent you know if you pick someone -- we've all been talking about her but you know three months on now and -- and you know it's just.

I think it's possible they won't get one rose from Michigan says whatever bring on the boring white guys aren't -- -- room just Tucker though.

I'm pretty fast -- -- round come as turnaround on its nose -- shouldn't you can spend it.

I think it was spontaneous.

He it would it would have to be set up job with the wasn't -- -- and I and I doubt -- willing to give -- the script and at a time.

-- spontaneous that in any -- mainstream press has been out there you know throughout personal.

That process and as soon the second Bob McDonnell heard his name uttered by Beth Myers is part must decide because you know now he knows he's not gonna he's not -- Exactly what it.

OK I want to talk quickly about taxes this back and forth on Capitol Hill today the democratic tax plan passed that is the one that.

Raises tax rates for high income earners families making 250000.

Dollars or more.

And it keeps the current tax cuts basically what we're talking about is keeping the rates the same or raising them.

All this stuff about tax cuts the semantics just seems.

Out of place does it not Tucker I mean it's Washington but for when you talk tax cut you expect something to be -- the issue this is you're bouncing -- Only saying.

What -- well -- -- people -- big because Washington has decided in its graciousness.

To let you keep.

What they've been winning letting you keep and therefore you ought to be grateful for that so the democratic plan has no chance the house is going to shoot down.

So this is all -- why I actually think that that broad based and I mean I just haven't been hearing that noise was.

I think it's almost certain to be decided during -- -- Which is I mean -- global.

I mean sort of amazing if you think about it when these are huge huge.

Issues it ought to be.

Settled by people who you know have a moral right to their seats I mean not to mention there will be a lot of people who will have lost -- -- that.

Yeah we don't I mean you never know -- into the last three cycles we've seen dramatic shifts in the composition of congress you can have a number of people who don't really have a real cling to their seats voting on.

These sort of fiscal Internet issues which is bizarre listen and it is -- setting up for an active fault post in -- election up on Capitol Hill.

Yeah well and and it's all been so reminiscent out of the debt ceiling debacle in terms of says the rhetoric is heating up and all of that which.

As you know was that you know low point in congressional approval ratings and then the president's approval ratings -- president came out of that pretty poorly as well and I think.

You know as this -- it is ramping up its its hurting everybody once again because -- exactly what.

The public can't stand that Washington is that is that neither side seems willing to come work across.

A leisure Capps says Tucker's -- reminds me of Christmas very nice -- says Tucker bring back the Botox where are.

-- -- -- Wearing a -- around -- -- is a provocative act its like.

It people hate you went -- which normally didn't bother me but after 25 years and -- and we'll gets -- and senator Simon never -- around and still in the running for -- the number two spot.

He's gonna -- conservative on the -- to in the mainstream of the.

Tired of certain advertisers leaving taxes -- well I think he you -- talking about have a language gets twisted here in Washington.

Think -- Obama has succeeded in winning the battle of the lexicon here.

He keeps saying the bush cut the taxes.

On the wealthy.

In fact -- cuts were on everybody they were across the board that was the whole point but.

It's now the bush tax cuts and for the rich that sort of the phrase it's almost a single word.

Where and which makes people forget that it was across the board and all Republicans are saying to stay with fat.

So -- -- -- he's -- he's painted it as if Republicans have a history of cutting only the taxes on the wealthy.

The Republicans want to continue.

This and I think that's already.

A victory -- here on the Obama side of the argument.

And the idea that these are -- they -- done what twelve years ago.

It's the tax rate today is what was instituted a very long time ago.

It's the norm and they are not cuts.

What we're talking about is raising taxes on everybody again across the board.

And wanna be on everybody you -- just on the people that Obama happens.

To declare.

The ones who deserve it because they are not the filthy rich is the.

Bottom line here is a possibility.

One million dollars being the threshold.

Wouldn't tax reasons.

Above one million dollars Chuck Schumer -- Nancy Pelosi have talked about that there are some Republicans who have while they don't like it they've kind of said.

Maybe well -- hand -- hand in negotiating you don't you don't start from where you -- to end up and start from something that's good news we're weren't so that could very well.

He towards -- where we're headed but.

I don't even know for sure because like I feel like the one thing we have really seen in Washington recently is that it is almost impossible to raise taxes if it is just really really hard as long as Republicans have.

The ability to block -- I mean I just I don't I don't know for sure that even the million dollar mark is gonna.

Be successful in reality isn't tax reform what everybody's after in and the fact that you bring all the rates down the corporate tax rates down you expand the base.

And thereby.

You're able to fit everybody's.

In theory but you know didn't you know you get Clinton plans that proposed tax reform that that lower the rates and expand the basin and don't actually bringing in all that much new revenue because.

The way they've lowered the -- so.

You know that everyone everyone who looks at this from a budgetary perspective saying we are gonna need more revenue we -- -- at some point we are going to need to raise taxes -- -- we can't do it with spending cuts alone.

But it just is one of those things where -- it has become.

Almost impossible in Washington too racy -- if you have 0% growth in the second quarter.

Do you think that anybody is going to look at raising taxes on any business.

And say that's a good idea what you're looking at this from an economic point of view I think the president is looking at this as a demagogue.

I don't think it has anything to do with him out of ripping your race if you raise taxes on people whose income is -- million dollars over every year mean.

Does it what what could specifically what kind of effect -- that have on.

The debt.

I would not.

That's the point the point is to to demonize a small and popular people and after smokers in fact people.

People earning over a million dollars a year probably third on the -- and least popular.

Folks in America and this is part of a long term trend I can say in which an ever shrinking pool -- people pays for an ever.

Growing percentage of of revenues race and that's an unsustainable system.

And ironically that idea of exempting people from paying any taxes.

As a Republican.

And it was under Republican administrations in an active I think.

You know trying to be humane and compassionate you know if -- at the lower end of the spectrum but the -- rather lose the respect of the spectrum has now grown.

To be half the American people so you get half of the population.

There's no investment whatsoever in the race so why not raise them but it was ironically Republicans starting with -- in ending the bush.

Who wanted to exempt -- more and more people from paying anything whereas you would think I mean and this is who I would have sort of a new kind of conservatism now a new kind of -- sort of thinking used to reexamine some of these.

The premise is you would think everybody should at least have something in the game.

And then you can make more rational democratic decisions on whether to raise -- lower taxes they look for saying that.

This.

Vicky in Brooksville Kentucky says cut -- blanking spending.

I think that's you know faith.

It's amazing that we are at this point that.

The big dome behind us can't get to them to something and we went through this whole thing about the sequester.

And we're facing these massive cuts in pentagon group because the super committee couldn't get -- -- -- -- You know it's sunny and I did -- story on taxes awhile back and if there was a survey that I think -- -- from the University of Maryland where they had average people go through and balance the budget themselves and make their own.

Did you know choices and I think this has been done periodically but what was so interesting was what they found was that it it it did not -- fall on partisan lines -- -- you didn't have you know Republicans.

Only cutting spending and Democrats only raising taxes in fact -- you know there were some really surprising results and and people identify themselves as Tea Party Republicans are actually more likely to raise taxes and people who identify themselves as moderate Democrats.

That the public.

Doesn't mean look at these things you know say OK -- I'll get to that I'll raise these taxes and it's not that hard but in the political system it is there are.

Are a number of Democrats up there on the hill who have a real problem with how this is playing out politically.

A number of senators who have been negotiating first in the gang of six.

Then in signed on with the Simpson Bowles deal.

Tucker there are people like.

Mark Warner of Virginia.

Udall of -- of Colorado.

There are a number of senators who who I think present.

Presenting a plan they would sign onto it if it wasn't the president pushing this.

And agree that completely and and not to be cynical but I think it's true.

Or certainly relevant to point out that while these guys are dependent upon contributions from the financial services sector and that has something to do with -- part of his temperament I mean -- been in business and that's not all these guys are are cookie cutter Democrats you hate.

Free enterprise -- didn't know this.

Those folks -- a lot of money to politicians and in fact up until I think this I believe the majority two Democrats -- -- -- loyal fans.

In in in democratic politics but at.

I think an undercover story in one sentence is the degree to which a lot of Democrats particularly in the congress.

Are horrified by Obama.

They have these really suffered on his behalf especially with this health care bill -- -- lost their jobs over it and he didn't call them thank -- he's not a popular man in the Democratic Caucus that's true.

There isn't work it doesn't work lawmakers like a lot of previous president says now -- he plays alone.

And he cares about his own reelection look this whole idea that you gonna run -- mean what's he running and he's running on the idea.

I so one of these recent hazard if we only got a little more from the rich.

He said will be able to attack the debt.

To pay down the debt and -- in -- -- in the middle class.

I think decent education and innovation.

-- even if you pass the tax cut that he wants it would yield eighty billion a year.

The deficit alone is one point three trillion.

You can collect his increase in Texas for fifteen years -- wouldn't cover one year's worth of debt and you still have twelve years worth of it.

So the idea that it will do anything to pay down the -- that then geometrically increasing it even if you have it.

And then you have stuff left over for infrastructure middle class is preposterous.

And he knows it -- and -- he goes out there in this said.

And he -- uniting Democrats know it's a farce they also know the only answer -- tax relief tomorrow.

But that's gonna have to happen after Obama's -- -- assuming he is.

And then you can get serious about this assuming he will in the second term.

But in the meantime -- he wants to do is to make a class war argument.

Because it's all he's got he's got nothing else because -- everybody knows you have to turn this aircraft carrier at some point.

If it has to start slowly moving otherwise.

Not to mix metaphors but we are headed over this fiscal cliff.

And and they all know what there.

I mean they -- know so the bottom line question do we see a resurgence.

Of Simpson Bowles in this campaign.

It's -- I mean I just think I think it might come back.

We're idiots eat meals -- lesson and I think if Smith & Wesson says -- Verizon is the dominant.

-- whose campaign is not going to be some symbol obviously prevalence of so called.

All right last.

Go around.

Favorite Olympic sport to watch.

-- -- by far.

The summer games doesn't matter -- -- Always gun sales -- exploring the Amazon does because it's summertime nonsense OK -- -- -- -- I mean swimming and volatile.

Turns the javelin.

Everytime you -- to go RG just hoping my heart is from.

I mean these -- secret wish of everybody wanted.

You know we want to hurt anybody's McConnell.

Wrote that I like you know through -- hatch you know like get a western weather balloon comes through them.

I mean I'm I'm sure I'm not the only one that's.

That I did a cap on the side I liked the decathlon which includes that.

But we're gonna leave you wanna baseball -- -- -- stage manager America.

Is a huge Washington Nationals fan and the Washington Nationals are now tied with New York Yankees for the best record in baseball.

Charles is a die hard fan in fact he goes to most games.

On -- week ninth.

Right after the panel and I don't go to -- games either our draw the line somewhere.

I mean otherwise there'd be you know -- drinking Cologne.

-- know -- the limited.

But there's -- night games and just after the show.

When I needed interventions -- theft that -- All right thank you all thank you panel thanks for sticking around thanks watch a special report online join us.

Every weekday at 6 PM eastern for special report -- a little bit behind.

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