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Power Play 7-31-2012

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    The latest political news straight from the Beltway with Chris Stirewalt.

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And here in polling.

In 1979.

A son of polish Pope John Paul the second.

Spoke words that would bring down an empire.

And bring freedom to millions who lived in -- bondage.

Being not afraid.

Those words change the world.

That.

Was presumptive Republican nominee Mitt Romney.

Making -- a closing remark on his Odyssey abroad the Republican.

Soon to be Republican nominee.

Has had stops across Poland this week prior to that in Israel and prior to that in London for the Olympic Games and this is power play.

And Internet let me tell you this Mitt Romney has had.

Some bumps some turbulence in -- trip overseas he's had some wins.

But he's had a bit of rough sledding.

And certainly the president and Democrats are doing everything they can't try and reinforce that argument but the Romney campaign still feels pretty good about -- -- the good Romney the former Massachusetts governor for policy credentials.

And James Joyner who we will talk to of the moment.

From outside the beltway from the Atlantic council on and on and on -- help us talk about that later but right now let's check with Carl Cameron who's in Warsaw who's been traveling with governor Romney.

Campaign Carl how you doing.

Hi Chris how are you man.

Man fantastic so.

Give it give us give us -- score for governor Romney's trip.

Successful sure unsuccessful trip.

Well it's in his view a successful trip I interviewed him this morning.

And he really disputed this notion that it's been a gaffe prone safari into jungles of trouble.

He argues that what happened in London when he was accused of sort of insulting David Cameron the prime minister and making fun of the Olympics as a man who ran them in Salt Lake City in 2002.

Was really a bunch of -- -- He essentially said that the media was making mountains out of -- mole hills and that what he did prior to getting to London.

And when he got to London was answer questions from reporters.

Many of whom had actually done the reporting on the logistical and organizational problems and advance of the Olympics.

And when they asked hey are you concerned about the logistical and organizational problems and advance of the Olympics.

He parted back -- -- been reading in their press accounts and then the British officials who had himself had themselves been in fact involved -- trying to correct some of the problems.

Jumped all over and not because what he said was inaccurate.

Public because they thought it was either insulting or just in politic.

If you go to somebody's house near realize that and wash the floors if you're over there for dinner you don't necessarily say why your floors are dirty and just going to -- dinner.

And so for him to be commenting on the atmospherics.

Got him into some heat that he -- Israel and yesterday as he departed Jerusalem.

He held a fund raiser with -- -- Jewish American donors.

And as he has said on the campaign trail at least that I've seen three times in the last year as he wrote in his book no apology is in 2010.

He quoted a couple of books that reference the notion that culture.

Can determine outcomes for society's civilizations it was as -- just sociologically.

He be -- by that he's talking about.

The choice of democracy.

Whether or not there -- a respect for human rights women's rights religious rights freedom of speech this sort of thing.

And he said those cultures that don't choose those particular roots can sometimes have real.

Visible measurable differences from those that do.

He's made comparisons to the US and Mexico he's made comparisons from Argentina to -- -- that is -- And -- yesterday he suggested that Israel has a booming economy enough right and a thriving culture and the Palestinians.

They have an economic problem and he made some comparisons to their gross domestic product and the Palestinian territories absence of the type of economic success that the -- that Israel has had.

And when the Palestinian leadership was asked about that.

They reacted very angrily and accused him of being ignorant and and essentially even so -- Mahmoud Abbas said that it's a little bit racist.

So all of this created.

For Mitt Romney.

-- tremendous amount of friction and criticism from the press and criticism in this case from both British and Palestinian leaders.

Well I asked from the about it today and the first thing he did.

Was.

Dispute that he -- -- chastised criticized Palestinian cultures they never did.

The second -- was he was just pleased that you just pointing out the facts in London prior to the Olympics and he then said that they seem to have come off quite well having been to the opening ceremonies.

But he blamed the media he suggested that there are liberal and conservative.

Journalists who have an agenda and in this case he said such things as the economy.

International policy.

World hot spots war's.

Domestic policy related to health care and everything else that the press is willing to do -- thing.

Other -- talk about that as a biased attempt to protect and provide cover for Barack Obama.

Very very tough stuff and in the context of that complaint.

He also said that over the last four years there's been -- been really tough for the United States and there's been a lot of what he referred to as to -- Well.

How can that not -- criticism of Barack Obama he's been in office for the last four years as the president of the United States and I asked him.

This business of you not criticizing the president's foreign policy or criticize the president when he overseas is a realistic is it sustainable and he said he continue to try.

But today it really for the first and last opportunity before he left Poland.

He did criticize Barack Obama for the last four years.

And on the trail in the last -- here overseas in the last few days.

There have been allowed no shortage of implicit criticisms.

He has actually named the president Barack Obama.

-- he has been.

Creating a specific in talking about the ways in which his policies would contrast to the current administration so.

Yes he's been beaten up by the press he says that that's largely a consequence of bias and and I tell you having watched all this unfold and reported on that.

It is in fact the case that much of what he has said that has gotten him sort of -- -- -- -- so many.

Was taken out of context and in many in in in a large says that has been a big part of the story the 2012 campaign.

Sometimes Barack Obama has been the victim of it -- what -- said being taken out of context often Mitt Romney's been the victim of it.

He came across the pond to burnish his foreign credentials.

And as he said today he got the kind of treatment he expected from a press that's generally hostile towards Republicans worldwide.

Carl Cameron nobody has rolled through Europe like -- -- patton's army we thank you very much for being with us today -- great job -- Take care Chris okay.

All right doctor Sanjay doctor -- let's put this in some let's let's let's figure this so on the one hand we should stipulate and you know that -- wouldn't be watching the show you -- know this.

Button.

From a political perspective.

There's not much here what he says in London and it coming back doesn't filter back to that much this is about striking a posture in getting the video that he wants four.

The campaign ads and stuff like right.

No I think that's right and that the problem is as you put on these trips it's it's a pretty good now exercise you -- have some meeting meet and -- with foreign leaders you go get some canned speeches to try to get some photo -- And that's boring -- if you're reporter you don't want that she wants you want something -- -- He's not really talking to reporters and you know -- -- -- single -- right matches with -- press that secretary this morning they had.

They -- an incident it's a bit of language and they're calling it cursing.

I don't think of it is her saying he said a double last.

Which is not you know I mean that's course but I don't know if that's cursing specifically.

But anyway they were shouting questions at the obvious he was at the tomb of the unknown soldier New York Times Politico and others and it.

Sure yeah so you know that's vs -- but yeah I mean I think core.

Is rated it -- -- today they're trying to manufacture a story out of nothing and you're going within their restaurants -- -- on the bandwagon once you know this is a big gap and yeah it is -- roaming at his best over there has a metal around hands down.

What is that if he's if he's not gonna -- is dominated so he's not -- -- and we know this in his campaign as this that he's not a natural is not a fluid natural retail -- movement -- diet and.

Her problem is is -- reflected -- the business with his analysis of the state of the you know the Olympic Games.

Is that he's not he's not an analyst does when he's not -- is -- he's he's the king candidate for office though.

Yeah your answer accordingly rather than answering their questions reporter -- -- yes the aggressor what you.

I've been treated to that on many occasions here's what the -- what you think about this Internet.

I would say Romney's trip abroad had no effects -- -- one no real policy difference from Obama than the gap's pretty much took over the story.

True yeah I'd say no no effect is probably the net net when you get down to it but they will have a good video and it may help -- with some Jewish voters.

It he lists as I think -- trip shows initiative and -- -- leaders are better idea of where he stands a great move as I see it.

And here is.

The -- was say snow for president c'mon Chris Mitt Romney -- -- used cars does he have for sale.

Well look here's the deal to -- We do for when you're over there.

It's gotta be platitudes because as you do in the work that you do with the Atlantic Council is all about maintaining a good relationship with our European allies and and and that.

But when you're over there.

As he proved in London the best thing is latitude track record.

That's what you -- short and that's had diplomacy is -- language is so they're so itchy about everything right.

The special relationship -- special.

It's very is what you what can you tell us about it is a better relationship its various special it's -- a very special special relationship.

As far as his effort in Poland.

Eastern Europe is a big deal for conservatives it's a big deal for people who you know -- -- embrace the heart of this let the last as we talked about yesterday.

Had some criticism for President Obama.

Does.

-- get anything out of that kind of stuff.

If that's the margins are today -- not true that the -- to -- the endorsement is going to put him over the top.

And Ohio power -- you know Pennsylvania or anything like that but.

Yeah it's you know it you.

Donald Rumsfeld Bolger of new Europe thing that he got so much trouble for that was absolutely great accuracy.

Yeah it is the fact of the matter is our strongest allies in terms as are backing us a lot of movies for military action and through being on the sanctioned music in terms of a lot of foreign policy attitudes.

Or in fact Eastern Europe and and -- -- -- part of that.

And I think Romney is rated attractive in court those news new did I ask for over here to -- it felt that they -- -- that the margins but.

Everything's in margins I think this race and that's when you have a tight race the -- -- We'll get the last word to Greg -- -- who says Coulter does matter.

The culture that -- suicide bombers into pizzeria is isn't built to last.

Well there you have it doc thanks for being with us the pleasure thank you for Smart and it's up on foreign policy again -- we're gonna take a break but when we come back.

We'll get to did you hear matter now that we've been Smart -- -- we'll talk about how this election is playing out will be joined by a couple of your favorites we're gonna talk about same sex marriage in the democratic platform.

We're gonna talk about the president's incredible burn rate.

And the fact that he is indeed stepping up.

His campaign schedule just at the moment when he -- his fund raising schedule just at the moment he should be hitting the ground in this Wednesday.

We'll do all that when we come back you'll have -- so stick around.

And those are people who happen to be of the same gender getting married to each other that's not legal everywhere it is legal in some places and now an affirmation of that practice is on that there's going to be -- the platform for the Democratic Party.

In 2012.

Election.

This power -- welcome back now.

Gay marriage.

It hasn't turned out to be the bombshell that many people thought it would when the president came out and -- worst.

The practice or thought it was cool but also thought it was -- states outlawed it.

He came out and tried that straddle and the reverberations have not been that great but now Democrats are upping the ante.

And they have a committee of the committee of the committee of the committee that has added this.

Affirmation to the platform.

When the Democrats go to Charlotte a state that recently banned gay marriage.

They -- going to have this is part of the tenets of the Democratic Party.

What does it mean how does -- work.

You know the questions.

And we will put them to two of your favorites you know any league she is president and principal events strategies she's a former advisor to senate majority leader Harry Reid.

Ed Rendell and a bunch of -- big shot Democrats pretty big deal also a big deal -- topless she's a roll call she is as we stipulate each time.

One of the very smartest people writing about politics in Washington show.

Ladies game -- it matters doesn't matter -- I'm confused.

I'll act I don't think it really matters that much in the general electorate this is not 2004 anymore when I go out on the campaign trail and talked about it there's no one ever brings up to me it's not their concerns know I've yet to get a Republican primaries that it.

Perhaps it may even -- -- it was only because the president announced need to speak announcement if he didn't say that I doubt.

Any voter would it ever mentioned it to me for a story after this cycle.

I want to tell a few -- -- pizza ranch and do not -- Heard it's okay yeah.

The word by the salad bar and so -- for the your party we're Democrats.

The question is.

Worth it I mean because it's gonna alienate some there's there's there's a splintering a -- that is that's bound to take effect -- type of people like John tester senator in Montana vulnerable Claire McCaskill in Missouri.

Folks like that about West Virginia governor Earl -- -- people like that that are associated out of the party that's not in step with the -- values of those states what's that what's the content.

It's that we just came as well Roger's quote I don't want to organize party candidate right.

I don't -- Mean this is similar to many issues we've seen in the past him right platforms are using a compilation of those that are -- very -- cents.

And obviously this issue play out pro choice I mean I worked for Harry Reid he's -- pro life Democrat.

He is someone that we experience it here into it supporting the party although he -- differences and some maybe some of their social.

Agenda items this is very very similar and you -- a growing support.

We -- with among Democrats from 2008 going from 50% support to 65 so this is very much something that -- any of those.

Other members of the party really want to see them on the platform but you know there's going to be disagreements you know I was raised the daughter minister.

And I was raised their religious kid preachers kid -- still PK yeah.

-- -- in -- at -- was just give in and I was -- was that the union was between a -- union of American -- camera but.

You.

Also was taught to respect those values and police others and so I think that is -- is you here in C isn't the we might have a disagreement on the the policy.

Or gift giving their support for the current.

But it conduct tests are not thrilled about this right is John tester even going to Charlotte.

I mentioned earlier I doubt Joseph Manchin is going to let me know Claire McCaskill is not going to Charlotte southwestern Pennsylvania dams and others socially conservative area.

Up with this couple Democrats -- Smart.

I'm not gonna -- -- an -- right they are not going to be on the floor when this is part of any of the program.

It's true but does that give Republicans an opportunity that they can if you're running against chuck -- you're running against their cast what you're running against -- problem one of these guys that you can say your party.

This is what your party stance when it's not insane doesn't that -- do something.

Perhaps.

I I don't I don't.

Industry and it's a little bit different -- you know it has been used as a wedge issue in the past -- -- -- more effectively -- it's done it Alan pitcher and he's against it turns out good.

Get voters out and that's when it becomes a market defining issue -- whether -- not part of tell me who Americans actually read the party platform.

-- and and an ultimate and ultimately it only carries the force of the symbolism but I have to think.

I have to think that four were Democrats to let's say you're running in north Carroll.

And it state that won't where they just had where I calculated that at least 35% of Democrats voting in their primary election.

Voted to ban same sex marriage the day before President Obama came out and said it was cool.

The for all of that if I'm running -- north Carolina at least I don't like that's.

This is -- 1992 with Bob Casey senior I.

I'm from Pennsylvania -- in he was very much a pro life and he was actually not just allowed to speak at a convention because of this issue.

Come by and large but he went on to become the re elected as -- governor his son has gone on to win overwhelmingly asked that.

Senator and hopefully we'll be reelected and again by overwhelming margin in Pennsylvania so we -- that there can be disagreements but.

When you stand for a principle for people understand that is where -- principled stand -- but -- -- the part of.

Can't imagine that people look at the -- -- -- really worried about the candidates and care at this point you know.

About -- -- -- -- North Carolina is probably not call you blue wolf we already have got to bring about will be out in a minute yeah -- staff who's running for he actually is district has really not on -- -- -- fuel.

That money that we're gonna send you that's -- yeah -- that do.

This certainly -- has to illustrate the power that.

As we saw with social conservatives in the Republican Party in the 1980s.

That social liberals inside the Democratic Party are making their voices heard in a much more.

Profound way forcing the president's hand on this issue now including another platform is that true.

I don't think this is anything it.

Nothing -- this -- -- -- this is similar -- we've -- -- party platform I mean there are.

You know the illness or going in attending that are actually delegates to -- -- are some of the most progressive members of the party I mean that's -- the activist is still well daddy makes the platform committee and that is largely who's with -- -- They have -- they have -- gay.

And same sex marriage proponents have serious on the Democratic Party they give a lot of money they have -- -- so.

-- just brought that -- I -- and the most.

But in -- stunning facts -- this cycle -- -- was in the Washington Post released somehow figured out that one out of every six major Obama dinners it's.

And -- huge financial clout the Democratic Party and not saying that's -- Democrats added this to the party platform.

But it's probably not gonna hurt their bottom line especially is -- convention some financial difficulties.

And if you expect I would -- an analogous situation might -- you Jewish voters.

Who don't have that many votes but give a lot of money in an oil within within the Democratic Party in large part.

They carry a lot more clout than other groups that don't give the -- other demographics that don't give the doubt.

So congratulations.

And -- and -- is you have bought yourself a plank in the party platform we're gonna take a quick break but when we come back.

We're gonna talk about money again we're gonna talk about President Obama is stepping up his fundraising schedule.

Including taking some time off the campaign trail to do it.

We'll talk about how he got here what its gonna me for the campaign you're going to love every little bit of it so stick around.

Is what it looks like.

When President Obama.

Goes to raise money from people but he goes and asks them to give money.

And you know for 40000 dollars you get a nice cheese -- you get maybe a photograph with the president probably some white wine at the bar but what you really get is to be seen.

You get to access and Democrats.

No just as Republicans now -- -- Mitt Romney who's given.

Who -- given and how much.

This -- power -- and welcome back now.

The issue for President Obama as we read again and apologies to -- as we ready and that killed today I'm sorry.

It happens as we read in the field today Democrats argument the president.

Who has already had the most aggressive.

Aggressive ever fund raising schedule he blows away.

His he has Ben and a 120 fund raising events in six months.

More than his five predecessors combined he has spent more time raising money than anybody else and they just said they're upping the ante in are gonna carry this list group has the conventions into -- big part of the general election season.

What does this tell us what does it mean and please tell me it's significant.

-- -- who who knows a thing or two about how important money is at this point in the election at this point in the election cycle.

This is when you need to -- It really -- I mean this is the key moment you know you have -- three segments define yourself did -- -- -- and and the stakes game.

This is that defining moment in public they were trying to do especially during these critical critical months.

I was actually kind of near what happened in 96 -- Bill Clinton was able to have a lot more resources on hand to be able to define.

Bob Dole before he got out of the box Dave -- thing -- took the gamble instead we need to define Mitt Romney before he defines itself.

And they started in April for goodness they've been on.

I'm here attacking the -- since April and they're still on the -- they're never gonna stop in an economy that is went to go up you -- you know you want to stay as long as you possibly can you never want to go back down and -- what -- they also knew that there is -- -- be this two week break with the Olympics are people kind of diverted their attention so it wouldn't have to front -- -- spending.

Be able to get out in front and -- in their own terms and -- stick with the electors that that was the key purpose of the key reasons why.

They you know how to burn rate.

They are now but now he's got to keep.

Out there fundraising which doesn't help I mean it's it's helpful to have the money he wants that you know I think you've raised a couple million bucks last night in New York you love the money -- -- those ads it pays for the campaign office is your -- It takes off the trail and it also keep good optics for the president are not look at -- -- hanging out with bankers on Wall Street -- look at may have appeared you know with George Clooney he wants to be its sleeves rolled up in the heartland right.

I think -- I think that's a good image but again the Olympics are taking up a lot of the -- -- this is this is the -- and you've got stuff to dump -- -- -- yeah.

Exactly if you had an affair and turning -- -- Capitol Hill now it's now.

Yeah we know of any no no I.

Understand that right but no I think now is an interesting time also because it breaks very much between the decided base voters and the undecided voters -- we'll see after Labor Day after the convention is the push for.

More undecided voters voters who haven't been paying attention for -- and they haven't been paying attention for -- -- they don't really realize there.

They don't -- President Obama fund raising more than ever.

Yeah but he is going to add you know basically this is how it goes the way goes isn't the George W.

Bush did this.

And -- Bill Clinton did this this didn't hit the playbook is poured money incumbent board's money.

Puts -- -- -- it's much easier to re launch a campaign that you never really put all the way away that it is to start from scratch so you hold your fire you hold your fire and then you.

Unleash hell.

After the convention.

The president's done this a different way and he had to burn rate -- More than twenty million American dollars before he ran his first -- that's how much money -- to have 500 employees offices all over the country all the stuff.

That's really expensive meaningless back yeah.

And I think that's it you know Google reported this is one of the modern campaign when he was talked about the permanent campaign this -- has been a permanent campaign over the last four years I think that's one of the more untold stories -- how active they have been in the -- states.

Throughout his four years and -- -- -- that means an intro so I think he can afford to take some time to do some of the fund -- where he would traditionally be more in the rally in -- Post Labor Day I think the defining moments are more going to be about the three debates and that October job number.

Danny is gonna be about those big rallies if you can see there's going to be time for those but.

I think right now at a crucial time they needed to go around front and get out ahead of Mitt Romney in -- him which is why they just spend.

-- quickly -- -- president hasn't raised as much money hasn't been successful in raising the reason he's doing this.

He hasn't been successful in raising money as he -- expected he would be donors have been a little.

Hesitant how much do you think the -- attacks and that because the beat the rich people there are people who have Cayman island accounts and do not like to give money to fund ads that attack came an outcast fact.

-- I think -- in the Wall Street support is an issue obviously Dodd-Frank and passing that on the hill eyes huge part of that.

But I think in the end let's remember the president still losing money race if you look at super pacs and and a but the unions it's -- it maybe I know it.

Those fish dish using it -- presidential an -- -- is a little Fuzzy math in Canada limited or not it's not like Obama's going Rania the water now and are.

All right okay.

Thank you ladies very much for your wise counsel and we thank you for being with this actually tell you one thing you can follow me at -- several on Twitter you have my power play this thing that I fiddle with the whole time.

You're on the show I -- out there each morning for you because I love right -- And you'll love reading it so on the hunt -- Jonathan Hunt is waiting for you after this.

And now as we'd like to do every day we want to leave -- the word.

From our -- shots.

After all Clinton is not at all like Obama.

Please the guys who -- welfare.

He's a guy that was who declared a big government is over Obama lives.

By creed did if you built it it was -- you it was a government.

Completely different and I think it's that is -- the center right Democrat center left Democrat.

And a man of the left and answer I think it's going to be highlighted by that speech and not it's not going to be mitigated.

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