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Power Play 8-6-2012

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    Fundraising race heats up, Wood county holds the key to Ohio and The veepness intensifies.

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Is stacks and stacks dads and scads of money.

Greenbacks US currency.

And this is power play I am Chris -- -- And guess what happened in the month of July.

Mitt Romney and Barack Obama raised a huge amount of that stuff.

And -- what it takes to run campaigns but fortunately for the president.

He trailed Mitt Romney for the third consecutive month coming in with just a little over 75 million dollars or more than 75 million dollars -- Mitt Romney with Ronnie asked precision said that he raised 101.

Point three million dollars the second consecutive month.

In which the former Massachusetts governor raised more than hundred million dollars.

That is a lot of ago so.

Does this affect the race what's going to happen -- -- talk about that today we certainly well I promise I promise we will also talk today.

About what happens win Mitt Romney gets under your skin as he apparently has done.

To President Obama a little Romney to -- syndrome perhaps setting in over the Obama campaign as he annoys the heck out of them.

And then we will talk about your favorite subject -- and we will talk about the weakness.

We will talk about who Mitt Romney's gonna pick as his running mate and now -- -- an effect today and we know he won't pick as his running -- we have all of that stuff but let your heart be -- Internet right now because Stephen -- Hayes senior writer for the weekly standard and a stalwart friend.

This Internet telecast equipment -- there -- Are right so the question is this.

Brag about a still enjoys a substantial cash on hand advantage.

Because he had.

All all of that time to raise money while Mitt Romney was still trying to win the Republican primary.

But -- is now raising -- such a pace.

That we're getting towards parity.

We're gonna get a lot closer to parity and certainly the thing that you and others have said was going to happen is happening which is.

It will be it.

-- any cash gap will be insignificant because they're both gonna have plenty of money to do whatever they want.

I think that's right although -- team but if you if you with team Obama at this point you have to somewhat concerned.

That there is this deficit there is this monthly flag every single month now because I think that could give Mitt Romney's team.

An advantage I was talking his ability of the day who mentioned that -- Romney was.

They have due to some scheduling difficulties to actually going to cancel a million dollar fund raiser.

Because they have the things they wanted to do you if you're canceling the -- or talking about canceling.

Fund -- that could raise you nine dollars and you've got.

Pretty good fundraising thing on -- yes.

Go the president today heads to Connecticut.

Where there are a lot of rich people congratulations.

Nutmeg state residents a lot if you are are totally loaded.

But the president is up there today we know in fact talking about this burn rate that the president.

It has added fund raisers instead of thinking about attracting them.

He has added fundraisers after the convention generally and as we've talked about here before generally after the convention is a time where you.

Cut that way back and generally the rich people who -- on your team have all had their egos stroked enough.

And you have come in muzzled them long enough that you don't need to do that anymore but the president because of this permanent.

He was about five or six million dollars in the red last month we expect to see him substantially in the red when the final numbers come -- this time.

In terms of a distraction the need for all this money what's that -- to the president.

Well I mean it just makes him -- -- it makes more complicated obviously his schedule gets overrun with with.

Having to do fundraisers in addition to having Q all of his public appearances and handshaking in town halls and big -- -- you -- If Karl Rove had an interest in -- on Thursday where he talked about just how taxing that can be a candidate when you're so.

Pulled in so many different directions trying to to make -- phone calls from air force of water from.

Wherever it is in order to raise money in addition to going to these -- in addition to giving these bi annual.

Are also president of the united and you have this these minor duties right which -- slow you down right that'll totally slow you down to trying to remember the nuclear launch codes all of that just it took it totally takes time.

-- I wonder.

Four Romney.

How much of a measure of this is.

Enthusiasm the -- folks are talking about it's.

It's -- excellent talking when it's one that they steal from the president but they're talking about here.

That.

Now that they have -- hundred in -- point nine million dollars cash on hand and by the way David became an -- of raises.

Of the Boston and over at the RNC if there's another kind of Jack but and their point is -- this is something that we've heard from the president before that 94 point 13 -- yes precision percent of donations were less than 250 dollars.

Bringing in 25 point seven the total number small dollar donation big big money rich people just get money -- that.

But small dollar donations are generally seen as a better date for enthusiasm right.

-- and it could be negative enthusiasm -- possible yes I would suggest that in this case quite some more people are giving money is because they are eager to see President Obama out of office than they are because there.

They are and happened fired -- for Mitt Romney for quite some time around but look money is money I mean that's the agency is still matters and it we will I think.

If they will be in a position to be able to.

Be running the kinds of ads.

Across.

These swing states and -- that they had to think long dreamed about -- weren't necessarily sure what happened they will be able to do that.

The other thing you have to bear in mind.

And cents you are all in the know out there you you already understand this but it it bears repeating.

If -- he can't spend this money yet Brett.

He has 1920 days or actually 25 days until he can spend this minded.

He has to be nominated to be the nominee before he can start don't want -- -- this don't know right now Obama is spending money that he didn't have to spend in the primaries.

And he's coming hard after Romney so basically you can sense when you talk to -- people.

Yeah that they're like -- if -- -- whoa we want to know Tampa they are so ready to get down to Tampa and make that happen because then they can start tapping into this month.

Right that's exactly right now it's not say that that.

That you know the RNC hasn't been making advising -- making it buys when I was letting you pushing these things but -- say exactly I mean this is this something that the Romney campaign believes that -- having sustained.

Or survive this sustained attack.

From the Obama campaign since you know an effect mid -- -- -- it was clear that the -- who's going to be the nominee this has been in the in the -- -- world survival time.

And now they believe that they are preparing to go on the counter offensive and think that that this will be.

A way in which they will be able to move some of these on persuade her persuade -- voters undecided voters to their side in the -- -- client and -- the locusts.

OK so let's take a listen to what Robert Gibbs had to say.

About the high burn rate he would he would appeared on CNN but that wasn't good enough for us so we went and talked to him outside.

Actually not -- -- the Arab burglary.

Haven't read which he's been vs -- it is actually less than bush administration.

For the bush campaign 2000.

We spend money on advertising but we've also that's heavily.

In grassroots -- In the field operation.

That's been having for months one on one conversations with the undecided voters and who paid real dividends on election.

So there's Gibbs saying that don't worry about it we are raising so much money burn rate churn rate.

But what he's talking about -- is what what he thinks he's gonna pay off and by the way.

It's true if you use the metric that he used there about bush fund raising vs them on a month to month basis of course what bush -- was.

Raise money -- it.

And then waited and dumped it on John Kerry's head like boiling oil.

In September and October.

But.

What he's hoping is that and what the president believes is that the twenty million a month or so that they're spending -- overhead.

To pay staffers have field offices fifty state operation they've got their tablets and there.

Donations swipe cards and all of their interactive.

They believe that that's going to run through the community organizing -- it's gonna get it done Romney has not built out that kind of an operation and he's only just -- -- True although I think what you hear from.

Romney and currency types is that -- that that that is growing for organically because it was it place.

Developing from the primary seasons they're building on what was already there looking and -- who knows whether Robert Gibbs is -- who knows whether they'll be able to connect on this one on one level that he suggests but.

They probably deserve the benefit of the doubt on that because they've shown that they have done this in the past and this is one of the reasons that he did as well as he did.

In 2008.

Certainly they had a huge fund raising advantage then but.

-- that they they have a way of doing things team Obama has a way of doing things they believe heavily in this community organizing.

Approach for reasons that are probably obvious and it's.

Bear some fruit in the past was born but that was rude and that's that -- -- born.

And Steve Israel continued to have interfered.

Barack like there were -- look at these -- and I'll miss here is no look at that's magnificent okay.

Steve as we'll continue to bear fruit for you when we come back would you also be joined by your friend.

And sometimes.

Power play guest host Mike Emanuel when we come back we're gonna talk about.

Why Mitt Romney a Norway's Barack Obama so gosh darn much and how it could affect the way the campaigns operate that when we come back therefore you should stick around.

And that is Mitt Romney enjoying a little jet ski town quality jet ski time.

Earlier this summer out on lake where -- sake.

And doing the kinds of things that apparently just in -- the pants off of president Barack Obama.

And this is power play.

And it turns out that -- made arrangements and -- sort of a cousin to bush arrangements and grow is sitting in a bit four Democrats.

As the increasingly negative and increasingly personal tone.

Of the campaign from the blue team reflects just ask Harry Reid.

Now why is that and what's at the root of this.

Well it seems that the president may be there that he really doesn't like Mitt Romney that this is kind of personal so how does that affect the -- can operate how does that affect the interplay between the two.

Let's delve into that Steve Hayes is with us thank goodness but Mike Emanuel.

Who is the -- -- for covering Capitol Hill and elections for you and also Mike the intermittent Internet demanded you back thank you they -- my -- and while I was enjoying real America with -- little power plays but.

Mike.

Tell me.

When it comes to use this and I want to put it in context Glenn thrush.

Who is has deep democratic connections.

-- written an e-book.

Which is sort of the virtual version of a book he works for Politico the book is called Obama's us blessed and it's coming at the end of month.

And it was previewed Mike -- previewed it.

Here's what he had to set.

When President Obama talked about Romney aides picked up a level of anger.

He had never had for Clinton or McCain even after Sarah Palin was picked as his running mate like that would just make anybody -- -- right.

The -- was a baseline of respect for John McCain.

The president always thought he was an honorable man in the war hero -- -- long time Obama advisor that doesn't hold true for Romney he's no -- -- blank war hero.

And so Mike how does this affect the campaign when the guy when there's real personal animus here how does that affect -- -- Well my sense is that it allows the advisors to roll the sleeves and probably get a little nastier than otherwise if you have real respect you think this guy's a war hero.

Well maybe your tax only and it goes so far but if he's the big bad private equity guy that.

Philosophically.

The president doesn't seem to love.

Then you know my sense is that probably these will get nastier as we go on and particularly if the polls are extremely close which on the -- are there will be you are bombing in -- -- because this has already been -- -- the -- I -- -- as -- -- to -- I think -- -- -- -- of -- few people -- things.

The it.

I think we have now crossed the threshold that this is the most negative reelection campaign ever -- -- -- even including the bush -- on period yet.

Remember maybe it wasn't the bush reelection campaign it was the group of Swift Boat Veterans for Truth that there is very mean adds about John -- 2004.

Steve.

To what do you attribute assuming that mr.

thrush and I have every reason to think that -- right based on what we've seen externally.

Why why does Barack Obama not like Mitt Romney so much.

Wondering if you go back and you look at at the things that we know about Barack Obama and going back to this time when he graduate from Harvard law.

If he he had these opportunities to go work in corporate -- and the high dollar jobs corporate law firms.

And he -- not to do that at least in part according to many the biographies have been written about him is because he didn't hold sort of process to -- but he was skeptical of that world right and I think this reflects that long time skepticism that that Obama's that.

Well there's the other thing that.

It it seems like and that's what I wrote about I should tell you in the spirit of full disclosure this is exactly what -- -- power play today which you can have simply.

For following me on Twitter -- -- -- how provided to you it pay out to you -- each morning.

But basically that for Obama.

A guy like -- aside from this private.

Sector because president -- his -- often talk about the superiority of going public sector vs private sector.

But the other thing is that Romney is.

I have been linked to the people he runs against -- I mean if you're Newt Gingrich if your Rick Perry.

If you are Rick Santorum Rudy Giuliani in 2008.

People because there's -- does it was such -- detachment.

As he is like torching you as he is like burning down your house.

He's standing outside sort of smiling pleasantly you know and and I were just checking out some things on the I bet your house is on fire well to bad.

Is this is this sort of detachment this semi robotic detachment make people crazy do you think yeah I think so and I was with him Thursday night in Aspen where -- had ten Republican governors onstage from Jan -- Rick Perry to Chris Christie who he described -- -- closer.

To tell you how.

We had you know.

Okay each -- each -- Republican governors stand up and say why I should be president why we should get rid of President Obama and they'll drop the hammer on the president Romney's is sitting there smiling like you know.

He wasn't a bad guy little -- now okay I'm not that guy I don't know I don't know what you're talking about.

Now -- -- the danger of course occurs when things get personal and politics.

And you saw this for Gingrich and you saw this for Santorum an -- and others when you become angry when you're actually when you physically dislike.

The person you're running against.

You sometimes you screw up and it is that a danger.

We're getting me entered politics probably such an interest -- phenomenon because of course I think there are Republicans who want Mitt Romney issue a little more.

Anger -- fire but at the condition of the country not necessarily personally against President Obama.

I think the real risk for President Obama will -- of the debates these three debates where he's going to be standing on the state.

One on one with Mitt Romney as Mitt Romney trashes.

His record will this get under his skin in such a way that the president is generally regarded whether you like -- -- not as.

Sort of cool even tempered.

You know -- -- -- -- equanimity.

Quite if this is this somebody who will allow himself to be eating into to these kind of fights taking a shot.

-- Mitt Romney in a way that that could be revealing of of either his level of disdain for for Romney or.

You know if he if he makes some quit some shot about.

Capitalism or the way that -- -- -- and you only if there's a pattern here that the president has done if he's drawn into this by anger.

I think it raises the possibility that this could be something that would be the -- for Obama -- when he said you're likeable enough Hillary.

Remember that Oprah when she was right she was in his zone and he couldn't resist digging at her and that could elect that was me.

We've can you read this says I don't know if the Obama team has done anything wrong during their fundraisers I'm not saying they have but it's strange they haven't told us.

They're doing everything above board I think they're honest people but it is strange events and I think they went in knowing -- saying nothing about nothing you can do that Melissa does a lusty -- Sean says.

Mike Emanuel is back.

-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- For the president I made a comparison to Thomas Beckett who was VR -- can't bury that goons trying to please Henry the second went and killed.

You can still go to -- where they used to repaint the blood in front of the Alter that was back when they kept it real.

But created huge problems for him because these guys over.

They they've read the disdain that the king -- for this guy and then they went after him and took it too far.

Is that another danger for team Obama that people when you're -- cutter who works for the Obama campaign talk about Mitt Romney if -- I'm just saying.

And Harry Reid over the top and all these over -- top tax is there a danger that it creates a culture where people get too heavy handed.

Yeah absolutely and I think people you know in middle America where they're worried about finding a job you know Romney on Friday was talking about the 23 million Americans who.

If you don't have a job have given up or are underemployed.

-- -- people at some point in middle America say but what is this nonsense all about like what about the economy and what about getting your job you know and or creating conditions that leads me getting a job.

And -- you wonder denies he gets nastier and nastier and in the Harry everything late last week you know people were right.

Well I don't know who -- talk.

Yeah.

I like -- You know good guy used to be a boxer I understand -- Darryl Strickland says the president can play it cool but we've seen before he hates being criticized exit.

To your.

Point okay Mike Emanuel thank you for being with -- experiment -- we're going to endeavor to persevere with Steve it's and it when we come back.

Your friend -- show will be here and we'll talk about the thickness and Mitt Romney -- -- -- -- -- bump in the polls through that choice and Steve as we'll explain to us what it is that -- had a statement the subject of the weekend and like cause you with the Internet.

To get into such -- will do all that when we come back of cigarette.

Those.

Are people who are not going to be Mitt Romney's running mate that is of course former secretary of state Condoleezza Rice is Mexico governor Susana Martinez and South Carolina governor Nikki Haley.

They are women of color.

And they have all been announced as prominent prime time speakers of the Republican National Convention.

Which kicks off just -- a few weeks hence.

Down in Tampa Florida and by virtue of their inclusion in that list.

It tells us that they don't mean they're not going to be the ones that get the vice president's much coveted biggest speaking slot member Sarah Palin.

Difference between a pit bull and -- hockey mom is lipstick.

Steve -- this is with us bill.

And we thank him for that and now we can we can also give you this bit of good news is that Doug shown he is a former club of former -- to the house of Clinton.

He is -- Fox News contributor.

He's a Democrat and he is the cohost of campaign insiders which you enjoyed this morning at 1030 Internet welcome back to Chris thanks for having me.

They're -- -- making you work both ends of -- double IR today Leo to do it.

The Internet is grateful to you but we we need your insight.

And we're gonna -- in a minute about about Steve's theory.

As it relates to certain congressman with budgetary interest and Wisconsin.

Or maybe young senators from Florida.

But first -- As Mitt Romney maybe he's already made -- maybe he's down to the final flight is he makes its last decision but what in in terms of giving a boost out of this sucker.

What does he need to do.

Well he's got a bunch of competing concerns first of all.

The bottom line is electoral impact Chris.

And of course there is Florida and Marco Rubio who offers the prospect of expanding the base for Hispanics and younger people so that's clearly an issue that he's got to keep in mind -- his Hispanic poll numbers continue.

To lag you go up north to Ohio -- have Rob Portman.

The issue there is of course Ohio's I think -- eighteen electoral votes.

But also the potential drag that Ohio.

I'm -- -- -- service of the Bush Administration.

As budget director could have you go further north to Minnesota.

And you have former governor Tim Pawlenty.

The question is does -- bring.

Romney anything other than a good working relationship -- -- put Minnesota in play.

Odds are probably.

It.

It will not so yeah.

Those are negative he's -- what what I would called the -- -- most -- in my terms likely choices and Steve I just don't think that.

Going to congressman Ryan.

Is a Smart play both because of his.

Budgetary proposals and because he's a polarizing.

Figure nationally and even in the state of Wisconsin.

So we should point out Steve -- is from Wisconsin.

-- I've seen the cheese eaten I've seen that she's Kurds.

That's still -- from the -- But.

Two you have talked about the the advantages that Ryan could bring to Romney ticket.

Policy heavyweight stands for something you and embraces sort of the concept have a choice election.

But for Romney you know this suckers pretty close.

Is it worth the risk -- well this is.

This is the key question right I mean you have a theory of the race and I think it's one that's embraced by.

Romney team strategist said I think literally every pollster in the country does not -- -- in the country who's gonna tell you all right that is a good pick at this point.

-- I I would argue that team Romney is their -- they think that they go go these last three months and they win.

You know -- perhaps a margin of 21 even three to one the undecided voters right now -- simply by not screwing up and not being President Obama they may be right about that.

There is a sort of a second school of thought that thinks that that Mitt Romney would do would do well to make the campaign -- to address.

These issues in a way that I think is more consistent with the urgency that voters in the country not just Republican voters.

Are feeling right now are concerned about these problems on sort of another level they understand if they can't tell you what fifteen point seven trillion dollars and that is.

Think they understand that it's huge -- understand that the problems are irreversible and that if we don't deal with them -- that that that's that that we're not going to be a successful country determined no -- -- as he closes the post is -- technical term I was as -- secretary Paul Ryan Paul Ryan addresses that he helps make this a big issue campaign when you look at the like the -- factor and it's worth remembering that.

Every every.

President every candidate who's been to judge been more likable by the electorate has ones going back to 1980.

President Obama enjoys depending on the poll you look at -- 303625.

Point advantage over Mitt Romney on this.

It's not a bad time to make this a big policy.

-- I think policy.

362436.

What -- winning and -- the question for you.

Is if you are Romney.

Based on the contour the trajectory of the race at this point and we talked about this many times here.

On the big show.

Is -- behind you got to shake it up if you're tied you're looking for marginal advantage if you're leading you just.

-- absolutely safe.

Based on the trajectory of the race does he need to shake it up does he need to look for marginal advantages or does he need to place.

Well I think.

Steve's -- the race is about -- I think the polls that have shown Obama well ahead are too skewed to the Democrats are the same time and they're very few polls.

That so.

Governor Romney an -- you've had a couple of Rasmussen.

-- and perhaps a Gallup poll where there's a day -- two when -- narrowly ahead but I think the races effectively tied perhaps President Obama.

With a slight advantage of only because of the Electoral College -- but that being said I think.

-- half right I think he needs to shake things up insist that it is -- clearly a dollar I didn't have quite the opposite.

I -- policy.

He's right I think.

There is -- nice to the country I don't think governor Romney is offered a clear set of alternatives and I think.

The governor would be well do well to -- Steve's counsel to speak to larger issues the problem is I don't think you do it went.

Paul Ryan I mean we had the test market of the New York upstate congressional race last year.

When the Republicans.

Effectively lost Iraq referendum on the Ryan plan I don't think.

That Ryan brings much in Wisconsin and I think it would become a counterpoint for the Obama administration so while I think that a policy basis.

The governor has to elevate his game politically I think he'd be shooting himself and but what Paul Ryan.

I don't think you can see it.

He wasn't going to -- foot and I think we just heard -- Rob Portman I think I heard -- -- tuning -- Rob Portman tuning fork reverberating throughout Doug's comments or.

Pawlenty look let's let's just say I they've got to win Ohio and Florida to two million dollar he's they have to go -- that.

And I think there's going to be an argument for going beyond Rob Portman is well just well.

Okay noted Johnny Singh says this fox news live what are you going to give Steve -- his own show capital -- -- with Steven.

And that's all the show's gonna be -- to look at the best go early on club play our best -- is in and around it'll Ed Rollins will be a featured gas and it's -- -- -- great Steve you're great to join us and I've -- thank you thank you Michael -- today.

And by the way Internet a special word of thanks to you.

We say everybody my -- -- about girlfriend Baines -- star all our beloved Beagle and you all had so many kind things to say on Twitter and FaceBook about it it was very touching I know there's a lot of dog lovers out there.

And so your your kindly effect especially on -- my son's.

And it's Monday so there's -- internals I'm sorry about that but.

On the hunt with -- Jonathan Hunt what happened to you right after this so let your hearts be glad to have a great day we'll see you tomorrow.

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