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You know let both Syria as government forces try to.
How that city as that country's civil war.
Continues to -- much to the frustration of diplomats around the world and this is power play hi -- Chris firewall.
And this situation in Syria.
Is getting worse undeniably.
But has yet to penetrate the political discussion in the United States during this most consequential.
Of presidential elections.
Both President Obama and soon to be Republican nominee Mitt Romney have not touched on this issue much as it relates to their -- reached -- voters.
Why not.
Will it happen -- all the consequences -- Could you think of anybody better Internet to answer those questions then somebody who has had to deal with the vagaries of international diplomacy as well as domestic politics.
Former UN ambassador John Bolton who served the Bush Administration.
He's -- Fox News contributor and he is they've Romney man.
Correct okay good all right so here's the question.
And by the way welcome to the Vanity -- but the question is this.
Mitt Romney has a very different policy on Syria.
Then the administration Mitt Romney.
As far as I can glean from the Internet.
Once the United States to be directly arming the rebel groups in Syria.
So that they can do what the rebels in Libya did.
Which is developed stronghold which they were tried to do on the left -- and and hold ground as perhaps a precursor to international intervention.
The president is taking a more cautious stance but -- he's not talking about is that a good idea or a bad idea.
Well I think the overall Romney's strategy is clearly focused on emphasizing the economy and it's been.
The consistent refrain that today we're not talking about the economy and reminding people just helping the Obama administration's policies.
Have been -- is a day that they're not moving forward.
Personally I wish there were more conversation about the Obama administration's failures on foreign policy.
But I'm not the candidate and I'm not to campaign manager and -- thought about it for I thought about it.
I didn't do it so sour grapes on my at my -- are hardly relevant here I do think that that the that the failure of the Obama administration to understand the strategic reality in the Middle East however does threaten American interest -- threatens our friends and neighbors in the region like Israel friendly Arab states.
And I think get if governor Romney does win on November the sixth when he takes office on January the -- He will have not just all the domestic issues he has we're gonna he'll have a very full plate internationally as well.
Now let's get bit our our the our viewers Internet our insiders so we can go ahead and and get them in the -- for a minute.
I have noticed that with governor Romney.
I had this I didn't see you with him on that European trip.
And I have not seen a lot of the heavyweights of the Republican Party foreign policy establishment I have not seen.
-- he is he's bumped up against Condoleezza Rice.
Dance scene or who was it senior kind of guy inside the Bush Administration has become a real point person for Romney -- foreign policy but the bench seems to be on the bench for Romney when it comes to foreign policy.
Why isn't he.
Why isn't he going deeper as it concerned -- being tied to the Iraq War what is it.
Well you know I was very please it was a lot of fun to campaign with him in South Carolina and after I announce my support form and I've been out speaking and helping out in fundraising so.
Well I have not been on on the bus that recently it's it's not like I -- and a lot of other people haven't been acted as well so.
I don't I don't necessarily think that he's he's hiding the bench.
It and the fact is -- national security in particular.
It's very common that people have served in other administrations usually these are the sorts of positions where you get experience that's exactly right.
So now -- for.
Romney.
There was speculation that address Drudge Report speculation.
Yesterday about David Petraeus.
Formerly.
The top general in the army well under the I guess under -- chairman of the joint chiefs.
But -- Forestar.
Architect of the Iraq surge best known military man now serving the president as a director of the Central Intelligence Agency.
There was talk about that and while that may have been speculative.
Or whatever was -- administration says no dice but.
It would there be an advantage -- Governor Romney choosing somebody with some foreign policy now -- To help him as a guy whose experiences business and Massachusetts well look General Petraeus is a great American is a great patriot I actually don't think governor Romney needs.
Experience and foreign policy in his VP pick whatever it might be -- he's got -- believing you're not the head of Bain Capital.
And you're not running this Salt Lake City Olympics without a lot of international experience.
The National Journal actually has -- story today on potential VP candidates including Petraeus yours truly Condi -- you know the usual all the usually have a sense that that they're very subtle ambassador -- and I don't think diplomatic -- you I don't think it's gonna.
Classic consider the source.
Why why was David Petraeus in New Hampshire he was maybe given governor Romney's first intelligence -- -- maybe some tips to get us.
And if so.
If he doesn't have this -- if he doesn't have somebody.
-- -- yours truly or yourself truly or somebody else who has that level of experience that does it lay him open to president saying this guys.
-- obviously.
Now I don't think so and I think that will emerge in the debates -- really.
That this is the point in October when we have those presidential debates when there will be more and I think it'll be ninety minutes ago.
Not just one but the last one the very last debate will focus on national security that was a big win for the president who wants to -- His involvement in the killing of Osama bin Laden and draw down in Iraq the team Obama's happy about that.
Well I think governor Romney will be ready -- I think -- this about the vice president thing is not being able to debate Joseph Biden the vice presidential debate I would have looked forward to than you would have.
Had to put it on paper view it would have been so good -- -- thank you so much for making time for us today thank you Chris we -- gonna take a quick break because you need to catch your breath after all of that brought excellence because there's more -- excellence ahead for you know when we come back your friend Mary Katharine -- will be here and we're gonna talk about.
The ad wars in the vicious I mean vicious stuff.
That is out there on Mitt Romney today will it work does it matter if it's not true is it true whatever we'll talk about it when we come back -- stick around.
And that is President Obama and Sandra flock.
She's going to be introducing him later on today in Colorado she.
Is one of the most famous students at Georgetown University.
Would -- pride of the players who caused a national controversy of course.
Win she was not allowed to testify and that testified about the cost of birth control and how she felt that that Jewish radical institution ought to be providing her and or I guess her friends.
With coverage for contraception.
This -- but welcome back.
So the president's in Colorado today Colorado's a swing state and it's not just to swing state.
It's the keystone to the president's western strategy Nevada Colorado New Mexico are the keys for the intermountain west for the president to offset expected losses like North Carolina in Indiana back east and it's a place where he believes he can run very strong but Hispanics.
Lot of young voters he thinks he can do pretty well out there.
So the question is this.
Who is going to trump here and we have a new poll out today from quinnipiac university and NBC that is -- with the lead.
In Colorado which is the first time we've seen that.
Colorado very much -- play.
Please welcome back for the show your friends at -- He's -- former spokesman for the and he is now a big shot with.
HDK -- barker escaped escaped the -- -- whatever -- -- they say it's too big -- -- yeah.
It's I think it's a big time democratic firm.
About title bout with close ties to team Obama and welcome to the picture for the very first time -- Shriver.
He is part of the college Republican committee.
And they are helping all of the young folks out there with their blue blazers and penny loafers.
Organize on college campuses around this country and having gone to a college that had quite a few of those folks I can say that you guys have some serious -- so well.
Thanks good to be we'll see about that now the question is the president today very much talking about.
Birth control.
And and prominently.
About placing miss flock.
In his campaign talking about this and this is a big part of his deal.
How effective do you think this is is an issue.
Well in Colorado first of all the -- the quinnipiac poll it was interesting because they under waited.
-- -- Latinos in that they had and 9%.
Exit polls adamant 13% 2008 but.
He wine.
Colorado because of Hispanics Michael Bennett.
One Colorado in 2010.
Probably because of winning so they're both two very important constituencies that Obama's gonna need to -- need to -- Now -- young voters as well and with women obviously you know that is a wedge.
Issue that they're trying to drive talking about how Mitt Romney would close would would defund Planned Parenthood.
That he opposes some of these provisions in the health care bill that would provide preventive screenings mammograms type and those types of things for women so these are issues that are.
They are playing well for Democrats they have an advantage with women across the board.
And he needs to get that up a little bit said to deal with some of the erosion -- seen with some white voters and we should point out that the key to.
Colorado.
-- or the west or the east side of Denver the suburbs on the east side of Denver the collar counties.
Out there and places.
-- Sadly -- and other communities out there on that side of town.
There are a lot of women voters there are a lot of young voters in Colorado and the shift of course.
Alex in Colorado has been.
From a rural state with one medium -- city to it to a state with with a metropolis in the middle of it in Denver.
One would think that socially liberal folks and.
In suburban Denver would like the president's message on -- service I just got back from a five day swing through Colorado -- got -- last night.
You're talking to counties Jefferson and -- -- is -- It and those two counties which make it not only the swing districts for the presidential race also the two -- competitive congressional district six and seven confident course.
If states do racist state house races this is an incredibly important state not electoral -- election that could come down to 69 to 69.
We have to shore base in Colorado Springs and we will.
Governor Romney was their last week -- -- five points and even if you wanna say that we over sampled Democrats throw overs are under sampled some democratic -- -- PP peoples which had us down.
Only three or four points in Colorado has been a torso over sampling all democratic -- -- including young voters.
So you know it's going to be a close elections gonna come down to the wire but now I guess I was in Colorado turn on the TV.
That the difference in the money in this race is actually you're seeing in Colorado you turn on the television you're gonna see Iran its president you're not missing Obama because he can before you -- -- Hundreds -- you have a favorite candies or congressional.
Denver get overzealous -- -- -- and anything.
So actually beyond it the I think I think.
You're right I think ultimately Colorado is going to be very close state -- and Robby actually has to win that because he's probably not gonna win New Mexico and it looks very tough for him in the -- So Colorado is going to be a state that if he has any chance of winning.
Colorado is going to be -- is is is a must get for him and I don't hit it right now -- pull more I think we can agree it's probably been.
Did -- that's right I mean in so it's gonna be I think ultimately who has the ground forces to try and other people.
Lot of people criticize president for investing a lot of money and in the in his ground game and I think that's going to be very important it is state like Colorado in November.
-- right now Alex.
Question ever that Romney is even in the same polls that show him doing better Colorado he's still struggling in Virginia.
And Colorado and Virginia making nice sort of counterpoint east west.
Probably needs about when you get down to Colorado is the kind of state we've talked about -- 321 get a win back to three.
North Carolina Virginia Indiana if -- Mitt Romney.
You gotta get the to the Republicans always have to win Florida and Ohio that you need one more could be Wisconsin could be injured could be Colorado.
So with that with my Ottawa.
Could be I would certainly welcome cornhuskers but the or not I'm sorry that I.
-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- Four Romney he's struggling in -- he's having a hard time in Virginia and you can't get to the one of Colorado until you get through -- tobacco.
Three right -- in this and it's very similar right so those three states Florida Ohio and Virginia have very competitive senate races.
Where Romney has to get 52 for only get 51 Romney has to get 51 for me -- -- -- fifty point five.
And just like the ground -- -- -- Colorado.
Over two dozen field reps in Colorado for the state forty victory on the Republican side you're gonna see aground in Virginia we're gonna have four field reps and Virginians part of our 65 -- -- part of the -- of Republican National Committee.
Getting out young voters knock on doors make phone calls.
Virginia's a state that's one on the ground.
Yeah and I and I am and if it's good that you will have ground troops out there be to be talked a lot of people.
In Virginia politics they have complained for awhile now that Romney had has been nonexistent there and I think that you're looking across the board.
If you're looking -- the battleground states you know except for some very few instances.
The president is doing extremely well in Florida he's doing well in Ohio he's doing on Virginia.
I think you know Colorado's a toss -- these are toss ups but Romney has not.
-- consistently in any of these states and I and I think that's a worrisome sign for Republicans.
When you've got you know twenty days away from your convention at some point you know he's gonna have to start like I think creating some space and we haven't seen.
I settlement that's got to be -- because in an ambulance to Mary -- how you guys are great but -- -- and he says yeah exactly welcome welcome to the reality.
I've got county university gentlemen we thank you very much thanks -- -- good -- that OK I and he meant that I.
-- young voters I think this is great and they keep their khakis graced our guys we're gonna take a break but when we come back.
Mary Katharine -- will be here and she will tell you stuff and you'll like it.
To stick around.
In 1996.
President Clinton and a bipartisan congress and health and welfare as we know.
By requiring work for welfare but on July 12.
President Obama quietly announced plans to cut welfare reform.
By dropping more requirements -- I don't think Mitt Romney understands you when you step into more people's lives by closing plan I don't think she realizes that that people's lives completely changed.
Women -- remain closed -- I lost my health care yeah.
Me and my family lost their health care.
I mean my goodness those are a couple very tough political ads running.
One for Mitt Romney talking about president Obama's changes.
To the Bill Clinton Newt Gingrich welfare deal of 1996.
And then another one that I think I'm pretty sure says that Mitt Romney killed that man's wife.
This is power -- welcome back in great brutally -- legally we have gotten to a very -- point in the campaign already.
And while Romney is continuing to focus on policy issues.
And criticizing the president on policy points.
The Obama folks and that -- of course features a guy who was in.
The president's opening salvo against Mitt Romney a former employee of the old Kansas city -- Out in naturally Kansas City.
But that one is from priorities USA which is these -- -- that the president is backing that is backing him for -- election.
They're being very personal and it's a character assault on Mitt Romney.
Does it matter if the ads are accurate.
Are they effective and is there a potential risk for those who run them you know who knows Mary Katharine Ham welcome back to the big show.
I know.
-- you know all the answers totally know.
Answers I think letting the welfare -- it's it's something that I think Mitt Romney should go after it's a good policy issue for -- it's an 80% issue with Americans they want work.
Connected to -- -- welfare so.
Fair attack in my mind I think the president wanted to do this under the radar and it's.
Information memorandum from the HHS that nobody would pay attention to right they didn't get away with that now they're doing a mop up job on and trying to claim that there -- work.
They were making it more stringent not -- yeah.
And -- just that and -- have before we get further down for this body has any further down that path we should congratulate Mary -- were becoming the editor at large at hobby -- dot com thinker and so congratulations on the -- that that's -- yes but not too much like you know hang out here than you can always open up another window on your browser world.
There's several tabs that you can have open but you you are you you're gonna be doing video stuff that yes.
-- -- that very hilarious video.
I hope I ended hilarity campaign has plenty of fodder you had Obama on your shoulder was my favorite 11 I'm thinking about -- now well.
-- -- grandmother passed in 2009 during me.
Obama administration I'm pretty sure that was his fault that's right that's accident -- -- -- exactly -- It killed her eyes so yeah -- but it's pretty I questioned the timing.
I questioned the timing I questioned the timing.
Let's hear governor Romney campaigning earlier today and -- -- talking about welfare.
And hearing the secretary -- -- speak with all due respect.
Solution that does not Mitt Romney who by -- -- of the imagination and as a matter of fact if that was Mitt Romney he would probably be up twenty points in the polls.
That was Charles Krauthammer.
So we'll just never mind about Mitt Romney because you know what he sounds like but he was on the stump today.
Wailing away at the president on a nation of government dependency etc.
etc.
-- -- -- -- so -- what about this -- this question a while Romney stays on policy.
The Democrats are making this fortunately personal -- broken up Romney and now.
Let's go ahead and stipulate that Nokia test this priorities USA -- Romney was long gone from Bain Capital at the time that the plant closed.
The woman died five years I -- After the -- here's after the -- -- had insurance at various points through her -- job between those five years.
We.
And -- we are all sorry for her -- -- But obviously there.
It doesn't matter whether it's true does it because as long as long as especially if it's just an outside group -- you give us some give -- -- -- we don't -- were still out.
It doesn't matter so much that it's true that that -- like crazy town I mean it is it's rough yes.
It's all of -- a purity of a negative and a do you think you hit a point of diminishing returns when -- turned so nasty and I think the Obama minister earlier comment campaign itself has seen in the past.
Couple months where his.
Approval ratings are is like ability ratings has taken a hit because he has been so unrelenting.
Nasty.
On -- Romney now.
Those ads and the pain in the cat character attacks seem to be working better in swing states and -- do national and that's the issue.
Right and they know that because that's all that's all they care about -- from Sacramento say yes this how did they get away at -- candidates get away.
-- with running dishonest that.
Well it's easy you just don't cater the important thing is not caring that would as soon -- -- if you are worried about whether it was accurate or -- -- -- -- Mitt Romney I guess could -- priorities USA for slandering him and they would be in court in the middle of 23 leg still so basically it's like well what you decide you don't care I don't I didn't.
To say there is -- there's a difference in the price.
The campaigns -- publicly if for instance Mitt Romney went or now they've got hotter went -- -- super personal -- Jeremiah Wright all the way up.
Bill.
Bill -- and burglary doing full time right they would be scorched by the national.
Logic would you think about this if you want to do that shoe on the other foot game.
Imagine if Mitt Romney's group which I believe is the free and strong American it was that Benedict the super awesome bald eagle and fireworks act.
Had run.
And add.
That -- Barack Obama being complicit in the death of someone in 2006.
They're -- couldn't go anywhere he could not step outside without people screaming questions at him about this -- will you -- will you do now when you add in Harry Reid's.
The sort of like.
I'm just asking questions but I'm told that Mitt Romney didn't pay any taxes for ten years you add in the -- -- would just raising questions but he -- yet felon -- used.
When that stuff what.
June yes but the felon thing when we hit felon -- -- -- -- like who is going to be I think there so the question the question is this.
But Obama knows that he's going to be held to a different kind of standards are by and large so why not do it -- -- him and actually.
-- all that is being generally that's the control means.
Out of control at right is having the national press go hey hey hey hey you go too far certain yeah right you're not doing this right about it.
That's I never -- Jeremiah Wright ads right that's why whatever it is -- -- Bill -- top because the threat was from the press was.
You're gonna get -- right you tried as Barack Obama doesn't get that message she's still mr.
have been changed but I do think people at home look at it -- This isn't quite a guy that we were sold into action should -- get nastier quickly.
On welfare.
And anything that should he should -- say that Obama.
I don't think -- her heart attacks worked that well with Obama people like him just a fact of life you have to deal with that -- with -- -- well that's not.
-- -- Politics -- and -- out it's good now with the Glendale and hit before we get out of here.
It's the Twitter political index for the day and what Twitter tells us is that the president is down 26 points to 35 and Mitt Romney is down five to nineteen and remember what this is measuring -- How does Twitter feel about these people this is not a poll this does not tell you how the election's going to turn out but how does the dominant social media device.
In the universe feel about these folks today.
And probably still trails that the president's fallen back down to earth so if you like running it out there and -- stuff and say that he super awesome if you like Obama do the same and you'll see their numbers rise or fall and we'll do it every day.
Here on power play as we love yet.
Up next on the hunt with Jonathan Hunt which you love to and now.
As we like to do again every day a word from our French -- -- And -- the secretary of state speak with all due respect.
What is she talking about.
Who cares what she says about our expectations.
-- the absence of sectarian warfare afterwards.
The US is not a player in this.
The players -- Iran and Russia on one side Turkey Saudi Arabia and and -- -- on the other side.
These are the people who matter.
Not when you -- -- of stiff status today.
