You're watching...
Veepness: The real short list, Obama pays price for negative barrage and welfare voter registrations roil MA senate race. Join the live chat...
Also in this playlist...
Auto-advance: ON
Auto-advance
This transcript is automatically generated
Things that thing leaders great -- just those orphans.
We need a leader who has a moral compass.
Who has a vision for this country.
We need a league leader with a -- -- -- principles.
And ability to put that vision in a place that leader is Mitt Romney.
And that is what it might sound like if Wisconsin congressman -- -- yet where Mitt Romney's running mate.
And this is power play and high end Chris -- And Internet the final countdown has begun to Mitt Romney's eventual choice.
For his running mate and Paul -- despite.
Considerable group doing.
Because it is audacious budget plan seems to be very much back in the running and so -- some others including Chris Christie that had been discounted.
By the -- -- of Washington for a long time and as we get closer to the end people are getting as President Obama would say wee weed up over the whole running mate choice.
But someone who has not and wee -- up a bit about this all along and has spoken in the same voice as William Kristol.
And he's the editor of the weekly standard he is the preeminent man of the right and we are very glad to have you with this good to -- -- the Internet welcomes you with open arms out.
You have been saying that Paul Ryan and you also in your -- in the standard that caused such -- to molds you and Steve hey it's.
Said that rubio Marco Rubio also.
Would be a good choice for Romney.
As a running mate because he needs to go -- go bit.
As you know -- this but the fundamental division within the Romney campaign with a Republican ranks about this fundamental strategy should pursue should -- be a -- pretty defensive and cautious strategy assuming that most voters don't really approve president Obama's performance.
The economy's bad.
Just don't make mistakes -- put a target on your back and just went -- negative referendum incompetence cliche that's mostly true but not entirely true that.
When he cut the government's -- elections -- -- it's a referendum on him don't get -- way but the voters what it is that's it's a stupid point of view I think it is.
I think it's wrong in this case are these I think it's its risks be wrong but it is held by many top people to run a campaign of Troy though.
But I'm this abdication of this even by governor Romney himself yet.
Then the other point of view is no you can't get back to work -- congressional race 2010 off year election vote out the guys -- don't just -- to a certain.
Presence is little different people pointed out what the alternative guys gonna do that to have the two challengers who beat incumbents the last seventy years are.
Ronald Reagan in 1980.
-- defeated presence who previously elected Ronald Reagan beat Carter eighty Clinton who beat.
George H.
W.
Bush in 92 both Reagan and Clinton ran with pretty positive agendas there aren't shy about criticizing.
Carter and bush but they they ran a positive agendas and I guess I have thought for our time to -- needs more of a positive forward looking agenda and they're for the VP -- should be part of articulating a substantive positive forward looking contrast.
With the current president.
And far right is the best do anything.
And in the case of both.
Reagan and Clinton if -- vision was the could be boiled down to very short phrases.
For Clinton certainly third way or new Democrat was the buzz that was like what about this is a brand and Romney.
Romney doesn't seem to have a brand the business brand is there but that is.
Has been -- at some.
Right and -- -- -- that's enough I mean there's not a good businessmen and Ecevit -- recently -- -- -- successful.
Suppose George Soros -- for a profit of Republicans don't want -- to you presidency -- say more than I was successful private sector.
-- -- -- This program that what's the story the last 23 years -- -- if you're conservative or Republican or moderate swing voter who's open to conservatives and Republicans -- that a bunch of before -- -- taken over the state level from Chris Christie and Bob McDonnell in 2009 in New Jersey -- Scott Walker and many others some of them were already there Mitch Daniels Bobby Jindal and -- -- successfully and what's happened at the national level or right it's taking the Republican Party.
This series it is -- seriously deal with the crisis we're facing now of entitlements and that.
-- welfare state so I think you need to I think they were pretty -- really associate himself with that forward looking for conservatism.
And I think -- it's worth doing so right and be the alternative is.
Letting the -- present Obama define you as a throwback to bush.
The truth is for all that.
I would be happy to fend off with the Bush Administration did it did not and wells 2000 it was a pretty bad financial meltdown and does indeed give rise to the dissatisfaction inside the Republican Party and you get -- Obama doesn't -- party so you don't wanna really be did you know second coming of George W.
Bush.
Even if you're sort of a different person.
And I think one way to avoid that is to say over Obama -- for the better way to put it is that positively embrace a forward looking for a chance for a conservative is there.
Problem in -- land now last night and Coulter had a connection fit with Sean Hannity.
About Andrea Saul who's doing an interview on Fox News Channel.
And defended.
And we're gonna talk about this ad in the next segment I promised it will be interest and but the -- that you know where they accuse Mitt Romney and the super -- backed by President Obama accuses Romney essentially killing a woman.
In Kansas City.
And that her response that was that governor Romney what is it resolved spokeswoman.
Said that governor Romney would have covered that woman with -- health insurance or subsidize health insurance in Massachusetts and conservatives work a -- At the idea is there a problem that when you look around Romney land there are not a lot of movement conservatives up in Boston.
I think -- is a bit of a problem from either it was objectionable manager's answer was -- that it wasn't conservative says that she was praising -- here it was that.
It's irrelevant your boss is being accused of murdering someone right the right answer is it.
It implicitly believe he did apply only care about emblazoned in Massachusetts right it would never heard that he that they capital murder a lot of people that -- that -- -- imagine a better state they didn't get very excited.
It's sort of misses the point -- look identity abilities that he doubts it I think -- yeah afterwards you regret saying so that's right but it does raise the broader port to say what they can afford to be a little bit -- and indignant occasionally they don't always have to be the cool competent.
It's a distraction for the economy -- -- -- jobs they get it its dividend is slandering their cost they'll have to be indignant and they're allowed to set today.
And be addicted to any staffers are keeping over time actually.
You know and you staffers work for someone that discounted by viewers see you -- a staffer wrote him.
Put on senator and congressman McGovern also elected by the voters -- some of them in swing states but I can lay out finances had Martinez but I Chris Christie.
Let them defend.
Mitt Romney I think -- the staffers -- go back to their their jobs and frost and avoid the current TV.
And really put on elected officials to make the case surrogate surrogate out.
Holds to be -- the final five and that is Paul Ryan Marco Rubio.
Senator senator Rob Portman from Ohio.
Former Minnesota governor Tim Pawlenty and Chris Christie who bill mentioned a second ago now we noticed that of all of those.
The the Bonnie -- brow.
Still belongs to Paul Ryan he's a lot younger.
Then those gentlemen and he looks even younger still.
You were the chief of staff for Dan Quayle.
You know a thing or two about how young Republican.
Especially in an ideologically conservative young Republicans can get painted.
In the establishment press is there a danger with -- that he would get boxed in a -- quail.
You know I don't think so -- at right is so well defined he's been out there -- such as substantive policy agenda they can say it's bad agenda for the country it's hardships that it's too little government.
But I think and also I think he's on an awful lot of experience of it himself on national television he personally has debated Barack Obama tries that is more than almost anyone else in the field that's.
Honestly I'm is hypothetical right -- if you step back and say which of these guys would end up as of -- think about their right.
Eighty TV shows over the next sixty -- -- you know.
Paul Ryan and -- -- written mistake you know he's very disciplined he's very Smart he knows is his brief -- say he's the only.
-- certainly guy but certainly out of those five only Portman rival's hand in terms of discipline and public communicate I agree and I think Bryant has the advantage of being more right -- with the forward looking conservative reform agenda.
That -- -- I think if you want the safer establishment pick.
I think Portman is the pick.
And make it down to write a -- except for the Kristi while cart and partly did you find it would be -- Daily Telegraph how people hate the idea of some guy who does something it isn't sort of talk of the points that I got that strategies I mean think of the joke you look at.
-- -- -- -- Romney announced Christy and I do think they need instantly strategically people who who the VP stuff that they need a strong two weeks yeah for the VP pick through the -- to convention speech to get real momentum going September.
Okay we're not who -- any of that we've got to take a quick break but when we come back we're gonna talk to Ed Henry we're gonna talk about these negative ads.
We'll have more with your friend mr.
Kristol -- stick around.
Over the next three months.
89 days to be precise.
-- Other -- will be spending more money.
Than we've ever think.
You got these guys write -- ten million dollar checks.
You've got the super pacs that are just.
Just don't -- And that was President Obama campaigning in Grand Junction, Colorado.
-- maintaining the craziness of super -- well I guess he forgot to take that one out of his stump speech because the whole controversy yesterday and continuing today is about the super -- that he's -- And an -- that they ran that said that Mitt Romney killed somebody's grandma off and this is power play welcome back and welcome back to Bill Kristol of the weekly standard who is our honored guest today.
But let's hear from out in the Rocky Mountains let's hear from Ed Henry.
Who's on the trail with the president -- concerned about.
And there's a Grande applause for Ed Ed how we do it.
-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- I can tell I can tell so this is a story that's gotten legs this and it has gotten.
Used to play out.
It looked at the beginning like the Obama -- going to -- and just -- And it's not -- doing.
But now it seems like it's starting to stick -- new -- where's the bouncing ball today.
It's.
Good to point out here.
-- super back but it's run by Goldberg a former White House -- but yeah.
Unless connections to the present dollars and then we'll the super pac is again fundraising help.
White House -- who was.
Yeah better.
-- didn't -- into the current campaign manager David Axelrod who have and those as the president's most senior advisors so there's 50.
In general and specifically they say the Obama -- they -- How about this hand story.
About his wife who's passed away and they don't know anything.
Yeah.
This same man he wanted to.
Nothing about -- -- defensiveness.
It's actually -- a conference call.
With this gentleman back it -- sponsored by by the Obama's campaign.
To sort of start getting his story out there about how he felt he was this treaty unlike being capital and then this sort of eventually led to his wife's death now to report notes today.
As doubtful the Wall Street Journal he does not believe that it probably -- anything.
With his wife's -- that's important wanted to do the -- is also done an interview in which he has said that -- capital -- -- buyout package.
She's not just kind of going out on the streets.
As he added another attack -- just so the bottom line is that.
Without the White -- Hard for the -- go out there.
Sort of doing that -- seeing out here on the throughout these super pacs are going crazy when one exhibition.
Season.
Ed Henry they love him obviously in Colorado Springs we thank you very much make time for the Internet dad.
Thanks Chris good to.
All right mr.
Kristol.
First we should have the Internet validate you.
Johnny -- says I think Mitt Romney should be Paul Ryan's running mate.
-- lists as I would most like to see rubio -- and accept the VP role I feel that he is not only presence or leadership but also the connection to Latinos and younger people.
-- -- -- And -- here's.
I like DSL senior -- -- is -- frequent chatter and I I dig your cynicism DSL -- everyone is wondering who will be the VP VP pick.
Just think after we find out we will do nothing but complain about it and that's true but it's something to do you know it's August you've got to have something but ability.
This ad.
And I wrote about this in the power play today which you can and if you just follow me at cease tire wall which -- -- -- -- love note to you every day -- Internet Tito.
That.
The president created a very caustic campaign culture we read about it in this forthcoming political book where he talked about a real.
It's been an intensely negative campaign do historically negative campaign.
For an incumbent usually they save that stuff until the end that's what bush did that's what Clinton did you wait to attack.
Until the end you -- presidential up until that point.
Is there.
Henry the second pestilence.
Priest problem here where the president having citadel this about Romney it was inevitable that somebody under him would go too far.
Yeah I don't know that I.
That's -- -- it -- Bill Burton has in mind they think it works and they're not stupid people you know -- this that is -- a mistake that some junior person but I'll without paying attention.
And there and they're defending it so I think it's absolutely appropriate to hold of those senior councils of Obama world responsible for the -- -- have a serious debate about it now I don't completing does much good John Kerry who played lots of boat veterans by the department's complaint about.
The Willie Horton and you do have to explain that why it is.
So.
That's unfair resistance to slander really.
And so over the top I don't think it's very hard to explain in this case and and I haven't quite figured out how to say this of the people -- think about it right in and incidentally what is the right response from Iran and what she.
-- -- are complaining and asking Obama.
To rejected is -- -- war want to do that would say I'm not gonna dismay you know certain events with certain.
Obama surrogates if they don't do reject this kind of campaign we were nothing that anyone close to Romney is done comes close to this.
Be it we talk a lot here about the indeed an NC machine of Washington and -- on bridge.
And -- are console we've we've we've role on the usual except I take offense I take offense to your offense is too much coverage.
Very rare of the circumstances.
Where indignation can be righteous in -- politics because -- so abused abrasion indignation -- abuse.
That here's here's somebody who's on this point.
Mock tank -- needs to stand up and fight and fight for us or he will lose isn't this a moment.
Where in the one of those rare moments of politics where -- a principle can get angry and be allowed to be.
Yeah kind of experiences of excitement express your schedule right calling a press conference today one hour from now right no handlers no nothing -- -- I wanna say it's from my heart.
What I think about this at what Connecticut they don't -- to the president United States looking at any god probably could say.
You need to take this step this is totally inappropriate we cannot have civilized and this is unworthy of the great nation I mean really make it -- her little moment I think.
That would be an -- moments from Iran and the united I think it would help them -- also ready to be the right thing to do I was at got to think he feels this so what -- -- say it.
And the I'm sure part of it has -- -- fact that he doesn't get boxed in on something his super -- -- later but they seem to be.
Like Romney mostly focused on issues and haven't gone personal after the president is this also an argument for a Christie or rubio kind of running mate who can make and if it because Romney obviously does not feel good losing his temper -- he likes to be controlled -- Is this argue for -- running mate who can really go on the attack.
Yeah I think all the running mates are capable that they're -- successful politicians that attacked their opponents but I do think we think -- who could really.
-- got to go after the people who are doing this and explain just how how wrong it is that makes the case Christie.
It's like a meatball hoagie you feel.
They'll just thank you so much for making time for us today very generous.
Okay Internet we're gonna take a break but when we come back we'll have some political fisticuffs for you for your amusement.
As we talked about.
The interest -- -- -- in Massachusetts.
That gets uglier and uglier for the United States senate between Elizabeth Warren and Scott Brown it will be good to talk about -- you should stick around.
And those are the people who would like to be senator -- Massachusetts and one of them -- is that Scott Brown Republican from Massachusetts the unlikely victory.
Victor in 2009 special election replaced -- Kennedy Elizabeth Warren.
She used to be one of the president's right hand women on economic and banking and financial issues and they're having a doozy of a dust up in Massachusetts and this is power -- welcome back.
And this race is setting -- to be.
The weirdest ugly S senate race of all of the weird and ugly senate races that are going to roll fourth.
Across this great nation.
This year.
Who's gonna win I don't know when you know there's there's some Democrats in Massachusetts.
But brown is very popular and he was -- underwear -- so who knows.
Anything could happen.
So let's talk about that question.
You know -- you know him from the fact that he is the head of this of the reform act you know that he's Republican strategist.
And you know that in fact.
He does not Wear socks but he wears the suit.
But we we love you anyway Ford we appreciate -- being here and please welcome for the very first time rod Schneider he is the president of the young Democrats of America and as it has been revealed to me he is and West Virginia.
Therefore you get a three point waiting in your favor the word I'm sorry if I understand understand how -- their relative -- -- are -- good guys how dumb things cannot be helped.
OK so the issue here is today issue of the day visual work.
Is that.
The state of Massachusetts -- groups -- the state of Massachusetts.
-- said -- they were not in compliance with law that said that they had to try to get welfare recipients to register to vote and sued and won and got them to send out 500 the state of Massachusetts commonwealth investors -- -- Massachusetts Commonwealth of Massachusetts to send out 500000 requests.
Two -- 500000.
Voter registration.
Encouragement.
Two.
These folks who tend to be a little more Democrat than they are Republican.
And then it came out that the group that ensued was in part led by Elizabeth -- daughter here.
-- chairwoman and and Scott Brown freaked out the Boston Herald freaked out the globe came back there having a big tussle about this this comes on the heels of course of the longstanding Cherokee Nation fight out there.
There's always something going on in this race.
Let's try to make heads or tails of it -- your your -- so what do you think.
And it's it's it's pretty basic issue here the national voter voter rights there sure is an act of 1990 threes -- -- from was twenty years requires that if a state is offering federal or state assistance as well as voter registration for instance the motor voter laws that are so common around the country.
You have to have the opportunity -- -- that has to be part of the process has been around for twenty years.
The state -- -- the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Was not following that.
The organization -- most filed suit and and one -- lawsuit.
They have not did did you not just for the state Massachusetts there and eighteen states around the country.
This is just part of what they do to enforce the in the -- and and Massachusetts up on the law -- it's it's been pretty simple to do there need to enforce national voter registration -- Fort Garcia and one eyebrow cocked over there you go ahead the problem isn't the wall problem is who brought the suit and this was brought in -- The suit was brought by an organization is chaired by Elizabeth -- -- this it was brought a state of Massachusetts where Democrats basically outnumber Republicans like Texans were outnumbered and out.
Okay all innocent -- so well and essentially was brought there.
-- the whole thing stinks to high net.
Okay because.
It's not whether or not this is being enforced the question is we're using taxpayer dollars to enforce something -- the benefit of some -- I'm sure somewhere along the way.
Elizabeth wants daughters that -- how can -- help you but is it as a way to win -- Let's say let's take the worst possible let's let us let us -- and let let's wallow in our cynicism.
And say that all all that you say is true isn't that the name in this game if it's on the books and it's legal.
And it's the way that it is why not not after President Obama because sometimes you choose not enforce the law could benefit you but proud I mean come on it's that's just how the games play well.
The problem is the point we've reached into -- twelve is that you know basic democratic principles fundamental principles -- -- like.
Voter registration access has become a game to the Republican Party.
And I think that's where that's that's the problem that -- the young Democrats American others have been vocal on this issue.
And that's the problem we're -- is the Republican Party consistently is playing games with voter access -- registration country.
The voter ID laws that have been pastor on this here in the fort Wanda I know I'm sure that I am.
But you know let's be honest it's it's it's it's it's and an attempt to suppress the vote in ways in a systematic way that it was attempting to suppress the vote.
But Republican legislatures that have been made -- past -- -- admitted Massachusetts well yeah I.
I'm.
Saying this is my point is this is that this is you know a classic case so.
Democrats have have always fought for -- access.
To voting rights Republicans have always been on the other side of such products -- it that people vote -- I had.
That no hit there -- I know where you're from so you know he's not totally lie in some instances of voter yeah.
Actually been fairly minuscule for the type of reaction we've seen a book from -- legislatures this year it it's -- it's completely over the top as some believe put the renovated.
In the state of Massachusetts this is simply about enforcing the law to make sure the.
We but we both of the -- foxes OK and we should have those were eligible to vote vote.
I just think the right now in the state of Massachusetts.
Democrats are using this to benefit their care.
And if our voter laws potentially being manipulated by both parties across the board yes to some extent.
But it's let's let's be honest here this goes on and we need to clean up this system and we need to not force it.
Just really pick and choose to depending on that election cycle and that that's a real problem voter -- just frankly -- you know.
Particularly in states where there's voter ID laws we should be having this registration at the -- right DP grows because the problem that I have right now with -- being well you know.
There at the sort of federal assistance places is that the fact -- -- really.
Putting -- -- want people who want free items to register to vote for you to get.
More free we don't -- editors and we have to do something and here's we have to do other than just keep Lebanon new Internet we have -- about Twitter political index for the day.
Let's take a look there Sasha if we can President Obama stands at 23 down twelve.
And Mitt Romney stands at fourteen -- five now remember what the Twitter political index does if we look back down there at at the long market of where the ratings are but it doesn't tell us what's the overall sentiment for these folks on the Internet.
And in terms of positive mentions where the president and -- Mitt -- where they -- they're both pretty low today.
And what this tells us is what negative ads work.
But they.
Hurt the -- make -- advisor to that everybody pays a price in my right.
Absolutely.
And essentially it's so polarized got to the point that you know who blew the losers going to be the person for the -- going to be the person who actually talks about the future -- -- what do you think.
You know the the the use the -- money in negativity in this race it just in general to most vocal support is it's we've -- can't you can't reform Citizens United was the worst thing that happens marks -- states and change well there were some other -- But like civil war what's reasonable -- every.
Democrats that's about it and we'll stipulate gentlemen thank you so much for making time for us today let's go mountaineers -- OK we have to go away.
And we don't have Charles today because he wasn't on the panel last night it's not my apple don't -- me don't get in here just tell me it's my fault -- is not here and we will pray god.
That he will be on the panel tonight so we can give you some of M tomorrow.
A Julie Banderas is enough neck so that should be able home for your -- -- -- a great day we'll see you back here tomorrow.
