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Power Play 8-2-2012

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

  • Duration 26:24
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Look at people like yeah.

And that was President Obama campaigning in Mansfield Ohio.

Saying that the reason that Mitt Romney wants to raise taxes on middle class families -- so that people like him.

Can get a big tax cut this is power play.

And this is maybe the most personal that we have heard the president -- when it comes to merging.

His strategy of whacking away Mitt Romney for his personal wealth.

And four -- where he keeps his money in some warm places were some places in the Alps.

And all of that stuff and this is a very personal line of attack and it merges.

The policy with the personal is the president seemed to suggest that may be what Mitt Romney's doing.

Is trying to.

Enrich himself and his friends.

Through making it worse for middle class Americans so.

That's pretty rough stuff we're used to rough stuff somebody who -- seen a lot of rough stuff thrown about in the political sphere in her career is -- weren't she's the managing -- she's managing editor at National Journal she is it political.

Brain trust in unto herself -- it's very true very true and we're so glad -- back with us -- thanks for having me Chris.

So the president.

The -- more standard line of attack in politics and is that.

And he's sure what you're hearing from Mitt Romney I think Barack Obama has a good guy and he is probably has the best interest of the country apart but he's -- He's too liberal he doesn't understand his policies won't work.

What we've increasingly been hearing from Democrats is that Mitt Romney is actually a bad person that he is a vampire who does bad things to people.

So.

How different is that from the norm or is this just part of the same.

-- -- -- Well I think if you look at the rhetoric on both sides you know the president also often says his Mitt -- is a great family man.

I'm sure he's a great guy but his policies are the tired old policies of the past that got us into this mess.

And let it sure is a lot easier for Democrats on the tax issue if they have a lot of money and they can say.

I think I should be paying more.

-- you know it's a -- It's a more difficult issue for people who are are seeking tax cuts and you know not necessarily because they want more tax breaks but because they think.

This money will be -- -- to create jobs and.

And of course Mitt Romney is -- pain.

He did he is living off of the investments that he made before.

And I mean living off of -- and like I don't know France could be living off of the investments that he made exactly it came out.

Right so he's -- -- yes small country definitely could do it but.

Good deal for -- this for about Romney is he says that he can give everybody wants to give -- across port 20% tax reduction.

And what happened here was that tax policy foundation which is from Brookings Institution and there have been constitute the urban institute.

Which is like a center left slightly Centre left organization.

Said well if you do that.

What is going to happen for you to make it revenue neutral is you're gonna have to close deductions that -- middle class people more so its -- say it's conjecture.

It's one scenario.

But the president took it out as gospel of case go ahead.

Well first of all -- just want to point out that.

That the Romney attacks on him not totally -- policy based and he does talk about him as naive and reckless time.

You know his -- had this sort of thing so it kind of goes back and forth and in terms of found what the Tax Policy Center to is nominally nonpartisan group if it's true what you say there's have a little apps well yes.

Yeah although some of the people involved in in our former Bush Administration -- so I -- it's.

Fit what they did is -- said it would be impossible without so I'm getting -- or at least reducing breaks like the mortgage you guys were so many people depend on.

And the problem for Romney is he hasn't put out what you do and the only clue we have under.

If you remember reporters standing on the sidewalk outside of Florida fundraiser and allow where -- -- heard through the fast talking about right what he would do and some of the things he mentioned that we did an excellent she'd actually talked about -- departments like the Department of Education.

But you know there is huge programs that benefit the middle class and that's where the money is so so that's believe that the Tax Policy Center -- Obama has made and and being you know frankly.

I think it's something we'll have to happen -- it -- mean.

They did the same thing with Paul Ryan budget because.

It for the president both sides do this they say this is our aspiration.

It's how do you get there well there's an ellipsis here and then on the other side this happened so they did this -- the Ryan budget too which they can make it's that well the Ryan budget wants to cut a quadrillion dollars from programs for fluffy puppies and Graham wrong.

And writes I never said that -- we eat when we filled in the -- for you we went ahead and figured out what was in that missing SpinRite and -- Thank you by contrast when you when Democrats come out their plans Republicans project Friday.

You know this will mean X trillion dollars in tax.

Exactly your your grandchildren -- all -- -- one trillion dollar.

Obligation to the national debt.

Indictment today there's a great example of how rough it's getting out there.

These attacks on Romney let's take a listen to what senate majority leader Harry Reid had to -- on the senate floor today.

So.

The words out that he hasn't paid any taxes for ten years.

But -- prove that he has paid taxes because he hasn't.

Now the word came from Harry Reid himself in fact in an interview with the Huffington Post when he said that he heard.

From a former Bain Capital investor that -- didn't pay any taxes for ten years.

And then of course in the game a great moment -- so when did you stop beating your wife moment.

That he said let him prove that my unsupported allegation.

Is inaccurate by releasing it.

Tax returns.

You know I always say that he's crazy like fox I mean -- this is kind of but.

It's an amazing turn of events I think and he -- Huffington Post tots gave a lot of qualification right -- -- -- you wouldn't name you know.

They Obama come out right you can debate investor -- -- names and knives and how would this person know what Mitt Romney paying taxes.

His spokesperson has said that he has not he has not paid zero taxes.

So.

You know it's just it the easiest thing it's true would be for him to release the returns I'm sure.

The easiest thing well easiest way and just -- enough -- -- this particular -- easiest way to cut I mean but at the same time.

Then you're and then -- -- have to spend six weeks.

Talking about.

Oh well it's tough it's true and I've written myself that I.

I it seems to me that both parties in the future gonna try to avoid the sort of things that you wanna -- -- capitalist and run for president you know there's a few rules you should follow right.

You know.

Family business keep your money in the country give it time to charity and it's just a whole bunch of things you can do you avoid this yeah.

This and let's take a look by the way I'm very kind to us here because it is today that we debut for new Internet.

-- measure of yourself when we it is who we are going to we're going to measure you Internet because with the help of Twitter.

We have the Twitter political index and the air you can see the President Obama comes -- 44.

Up ten from yesterday and Mitt Romney comes in at 26 up one since yesterday what does that mean.

Well it doesn't mean that -- Barack Obama is that many points ahead of Mitt Romney in a poll what it means this and let's go down here and take a look underneath at the long term curve of these measurements.

What you see there is they go back and forth.

And there is a lot of volatility -- -- because what this does this new product from Twitter what it does.

Is that it measures basically.

Against the baseline of all the -- in the universe -- How what number of tweets what percentage of the tweaks are more positive so where does.

Romney or Obama -- -- positivity it's an assessment of twitters positivity towards these candidates.

And with -- stick it.

That it skews young.

And -- -- -- -- -- excuse Democrat so the president is going to have an advantage in this -- but.

It does give us a good measurement of social media it's something we're going to be checking in on every day.

Well I should trust -- by saying -- -- -- Twitter maniac and look Twitter effect last night ahead of personal milestone right past 4000 followers.

Okay happy that's ax -- Lawrence so I look Twitter now.

And -- that I.

Instead I mean when I saw this my first thought was -- -- American Idol.

When you know people learned to game the system and and make the calls to help -- -- when I.

Obviously you know as people get familiar with this and perhaps the run inside we'll -- -- trying to play for this you know they can they can start.

Try to get viral and try to get more comments from -- side.

That I think it's.

A tool among many we have a tool also -- conversation nation we're working with the market research company.

Killer -- Two on track word of -- on the campaign and has similar measures passed to the negative.

And also -- they'll get into some substance but you know it's it's a -- they -- to 6700 people week you know.

Did you congress is looking you know guys that I desired -- during conversations about it -- McCain yeah the positive or negative.

Was in person was in -- -- and here's another -- thing that's very little bit of social media right.

And more than three quarters face to face.

And we should remember that you know how many voters or young voters in most elections -- 13%.

Twelve or 13% so Twitter is awesome it's -- and this is gonna help us track.

How the candidates are utilizing it in voter intensity and either side and I wanna -- just one more time real quick in that.

-- chart down at the bottom when you see.

Those go up and down we can go through and we can -- and we'll be doing -- we can correlated.

Win there is activity for example health care decision.

Who reacted more which side was strongest surge to Twitter and all of that stuff so it's great.

And you're -- so we'll do that and I know they like you -- well thank you so much.

And the Internet -- you and by the way I've had ceased -- whenever you wanna do that you can follow me there.

And then maybe John I can have a Twitter follower race.

But you can follow me at these dire well and and -- you shall receive.

With no before no recompense you shall receive my power play that I write for you each morning.

Because I love you Internet so we'll just do it that way to follow me at -- -- -- when we come back we're gonna be joined by our panel we're gonna break down the question of this.

How much these so called what Richard Trumka called president Obama's white -- problem.

Is really race trumka said may be good bit of it was but certainly the president struggling.

With the white working class voters where to break that down we come back so stick around.

And bad.

Is Richard Trumka.

He used to be the head of the United Mine Workers of America now.

He is the long -- president of America's largest labor group the AFL CIO and he has been pretty impressive mustache and this is our flag.

And welcome back and mr.

-- -- had a very revealing interview.

With this good folks at Reuters talking about -- he deemed president Obama's white -- problem.

And the white -- problem that he was talking about relates to the fact that President Obama is -- -- is pulling more poorly.

Among the -- white.

Males and white American voters.

Without college degrees than any Democrat going back at least to Walter Mondale his situation there is probably what's keeping.

States like Michigan Wisconsin Ohio and Pennsylvania very competitive right now.

-- -- keeping Mitt Romney in the hunt in some democratic leaning states.

-- How did that happen number one.

And number -- how much of it is racism because trumped up and I want to show you this quote just to frame our discussion here.

He said this.

Some of this and he was talking here about the quarter.

Good at least one quarter of his union's members.

Who did not vote for President Obama in 2008 despite his constant -- -- some of this I think was pure racism some of them.

Would be gun owners some of them would be right wing some of them would be here died in the wool Republicans.

Welcome back to the show runs on -- who.

Among other things it is was the -- the chief of staff for the senate Republican conference.

You -- the communications director for the speaker of the house yet.

These are pretty cool things he's a pretty good deal and I think something we should point out is that he's wearing black seersucker suit jets and you have to be you have to be a pretty serious operator in DC -- -- -- blacks are separate -- out there you have it.

And I would like to introduce you to Internet.

-- Tito Jackson she is a radio talk show host she is a Fox News contributor and she joins us.

From our Chicago bureau -- to welcome to the dominant Internet political telecast of the 1130 half hour.

Thank you so much in your used to work on the hill right after college do so but I'm not wearing -- yeah yeah yeah I worked for congressman Gus Savage I was one of his.

Legislative assistant it was quite an experience human.

Good where you would you Enron may have crossed passive tortilla coast of oil and the proper rhetoric.

Maybe okay so here's the question.

And have put we'll put it to you first -- So -- is talking so everybody recognizes and it's something that Democrats something that you you guys on the blue team have recognized is a persistent problem for the president which is this white working class voter gap that bush is up from about fifteen points now it's up to thirty points for this election.

-- attribute some of that.

To racist tendencies even among his own members how much do you think that's the case.

William I think that we're gonna have to all grow up in our politics that's actually if you ought to be what you know because you ought to be able to criticize the president without being accused.

-- being racist race and racism in the realization of our issues as part of the Americans.

History that's okay.

I think that we would have a real cure real palliative to our problems would be jobs and jobs not just with -- livable wage but what they prosperity wage.

You'll see a lot of these problems a lot of this anxiety disappear we always racial -- a lot of racial tensions you see a lot of so called class student tensions.

When people's pocketbooks and pockets get a little light.

Indeed I would say that you've been away from the hill too long considered comedic.

No but you know I think it's no I know I think he'll leave the company no I think the Hilton should come down on how they need to come down -- and come down to where the people are really.

Don't really deal with its own bubble you know best critic.

The word you were on this we're actually -- when we talk about those people on capitol that we are actually those people on Capitol Hill.

Ron Ron how much this white working class.

And I say working class and -- -- working I don't know whether they're working or not but I will call blue collar for these for these folks come and how much of this is racist.

While I I have to say it's amazing that the head of unions is actually insulting his own membership which seems to be.

Quite astounding I think if it really recover -- that -- the issue of jobs and the economy really lucky.

I think in 2012 more heat he's going to have more than a quarter of union voters are voting against him because there.

There -- the jobs that he promised we haven't seen the academy -- -- and look you know even the conventions being held the Democratic National Convention is being held and nonunion state.

They're right to work North Carolina as as people a little unhappy.

All right so since you the question well then for the president -- is.

Among these voters among these people because.

This white working class.

It but white.

The voters without college degrees without college and action in in Ohio for example that's about 38% that was about 38% of the electorate.

That's too big shock for him to get blown out to that degree he at least needs to our -- barge -- that number and getting to a point where he's closer to the fifteen point loss the experience.

In 2008.

What does he need to do from a communications -- messaging standpoint to get those folks to come to this -- You know I'm really tired of messages I want some things yeah shot at.

I don't really think you know what -- on a blue team or red team I'm on the American team really.

I.

I -- this is your first -- -- your first visit about it we do engaged in the business of cynical politics that's that what that.

Maybe you don't.

I think I'm in the right place but it doesn't know what I was the Democrats and the Republicans and -- please.

-- -- -- I don't know I mean I really appreciate the Tea Party and occupy movements because I think that -- -- on to something here.

Look people -- you cannot legislate love you cannot legislate feeling -- that goal with someone it has racist tendencies.

Have at it if you are misogynist if you eight women have had it.

What I care about is what the law says about how you treat me.

What the law says about these mortgage rates what the law says about -- livable wage no prosperity wage.

That's what I care about I think the president needs to come up -- real jobs creation France plan.

We -- need to look at the repealing of NAFTA.

We need to look at real things are going that -- gonna impact americans' -- you have 100 million Americans.

Who are poor or near pork that's 13 of -- -- us just expect create social unrest -- just not right.

In a country this process we don't have to do that's.

We did the highest level of poverty in the United States and it's it's a little bit we have wiped out all the gains from the war on property this is unacceptable.

-- more on that.

Question is Mitt Romney -- not is what I wrote about my power play today.

You know the attacks on Mitt Romney in the swing states for being a vampire a a a vampire.

And all and all of this stuff.

Is that for.

Him.

-- -- -- it seems to be having some effect he's unable he's been unable to close the gap and maybe losing a little ground.

In some of these states how much -- -- how how much effect is this starting to have.

Well I think it's really unclear received just yet but it's interesting that Obama's -- millions of dollars they're bombing campaign is from millions of dollars in ads and it's barely moved the -- maybe moved to dial a little bit.

Music Mitt Romney has to define himself better to voters on what he would do to turn around the economy but the attacks I've -- capital.

The attacks on his taxes right now animator wrote that you know.

Vomit out Romney I mean there's a few there's indices like that you're talking you're not talking -- book these -- -- seats -- -- approach area right at the same time Obama has made huge mistakes too.

By saying small businesses didn't build that.

-- well no he's definitely made some mistakes and we also know that Romney.

Has not yet begun.

I mean you just overseas there has been we've overseas initiative and I came back here in those swing states -- -- the account.

Well but you know he locked up the eighty blocked at some -- things over in Warsaw with -- put those together.

So it did the last question here -- If you are.

And I should say by the way we lost our Chicago -- -- -- did not -- today in indebted I didn't discuss -- cynical political.

Analysis but in fact we lost the signal Chicago so we mission since -- Enron last thing.

Four the president with these voters if you were on the other side.

And you were advising the president with these folks and you're talking about people you know household income 50000 dollars no college degree.

White voters in a place like Ohio.

What do you do.

I think -- S ago when they're faced them head on and telling what the real deal is.

Explain to them why there hasn't been job creation and explain to them how he's gonna get there.

Mean be real about it instead what he's doing is trying to find -- not Mitt Romney is the is that you know as they.

Devil the devil they don't now Bryant and he should be going in there and finding through -- years because they either he's -- -- and.

He is is -- is lost that.

From plunging black seersucker.

About was more than just the name easily get her lawyer Joseph banks write these day and he he just got a fourth one for mentioning that but I blacks -- -- -- not just -- -- needs to dance under it is what he is wearing and we thank you very much for being what it is okay we're gonna take a very quick break but when we come back will be joined by congressman Kevin Brady.

From the republic of Texas.

Who will bring us up to speed about what's going on as it relates to the tax fight and the looming fiscal fiscal -- And we'll see what's not going to happen when we got back -- stick around.

And it to grow businesses in the type of tax economy that we're gonna our tax regime that the president.

Recommends that -- proposes that we return to -- at the top 2% are paying their fair share.

That was -- -- the acting director of the Office of Management and Budget.

Testify before the house armed services committee.

And what he's talking about were at the end of the year.

These budget is going to be caught in essentially hate Baylor federal expenditures are going to be cut for the defense and for programs.

Millions perhaps jobs are on the line.

In the defense sector and in social services kind of stuff that would also potentially be cut.

Also looming is an across the board tax cut for every American now.

Both parties have been trying to blame the other in there you had.

Mr.

change from the Obama administration saying it's the republicans' fault because they will not go along with allowing tax rates increased for top -- One of the Republicans who will not go along with that is is your friend Kevin Brady.

From Texas congressman how you doing today.

Did Chris thanks for having me on.

-- why do you Republicans wanted to -- the nation off of this booklet.

That's -- he's down it was interesting I think that the most unfair thing we've got going country right now is.

Millions of Americans who can't find a job and millions of more.

You've just given up and you might find.

One economist who thinks raising taxes taking more of certain people's income we'll get this economy jump started bit.

You know you well right Wear out your computer -- searching for another this is wrong for the economy.

-- and that's and that's what people are worried about jobs not about punishing people -- succeeded.

But people also like the idea of hey they're pretty consistent majority of Americans like the idea of having people who make more than 200000 dollars a year.

A little more into.

Yes they do until you point out one thing.

How would government's -- -- that those taxes.

The president says we're going to two reduce the deficit but the truth is.

He's -- raise taxes -- a trillion dollars not a dime.

Went to reduce the deficit in all want to government spending -- -- any -- taxes so we're not be -- get our financial house or in the economy's gonna slow so how does that get it get us back to balanced budget.

All right so predicting the the house has now.

And the house and the senator basically putting forward plans to say that you have acted responsibly each house of congress has said we are acting responsibly.

Democrats have a plan that prevents the fiscal cliff on taxes on January 1.

You guys in the house have this plan.

But you can tell us here we're were -- will keep to ourselves nothing's gonna happen right until after the election.

Just between mean you just bestseller as it is right here you -- the Internet right in -- -- I don't think there's any lawmaker who thinks it's Smart.

To wait till after the election to stop these tax hikes in resolve these -- this is not any way to run a railroad much less America.

But -- to present itself does the end at this point senate certainly dug in and and again -- -- sincerely believe in the house.

Those tax hikes aren't gonna get this economy going so my guess is how you and I.

Wake up the morning Wednesday November 7.

Is going to save.

What is that key ally in in in my view I hope I'm celebrating it but I think that's going to I think that's in the shape.

What happens in lame -- what we do before the end of the year.

I will we won't tell us congressman this is the last day this.

This the last possession right you guys -- at home for August.

-- traditional August work period I know we're doing a bunch town hall meetings on stopping.

The tax hike in as well -- the other thing was coming from Texas you know we think we can generate more tax revenue unions.

For Uncle Sam if we put the energy industry back to work that's I think how you really balance the budget is -- was generate jobs -- generate more economic growth and guess what.

Federal revenues to Uncle Sam money increase.

And you may -- you some -- while you're down -- to congressmen we thank you very much for being with us have a great time -- -- thanks Chris take care.

Okay Internet we've got to go out and will be back tomorrow though there's -- district work period for us.

Up next is on the hunt with Jonathan -- -- Lauren Green in fact a power play regrets the air and now we like to do every day we want to leave you the word from our -- sure.

It's.

What is -- and then Kathy say in his opposition to gay marriage.

That is different.

That doesn't is it in congruent with the position that president of the United States.

Barack Obama held six months ago on the same issue he was opposed to gay marriage.

Does that mean -- for the first three months of the Obama.

Presidency was a big it.

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