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Can Ryan be the core of Romney's new inner circle? Government worker unions take center stage in 2012 fight and is Medicare still the third rail?
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Quiet and -- Is what it looks like when Paul Ryan and Mitt Romney hang out.
We'll bro I'm moment for the U should be Republican nominee and his soon to be running mate as they are flying aboard it Romney force one on their way to a campaign event.
And this is power play and I'm Chris firewall.
And with that selection of Paul Ryan.
The question lingers how much of a force will -- be in terms.
The way the Romney campaign operates is he going to be a hood ornament where is he going to be doing some work on the engine.
Does this change who -- circle of advisors are the people he's listening to people that shaped his campaign and if he were to -- to -- policy that's pretty doggone good question I think.
We will examine that.
We will also talk about what happens with government worker unions now that Brian.
Wisconsin.
Ground zero for the fight between conservatives.
Small government conservatives.
And government worker unions.
Is that plays out up in Wisconsin and how Ryan brings that to the national stage and also.
Is Medicare still the third rail I don't know we have Smart people who come here and tell us whether that is so or not we will do all of those things.
But helping us get this party started right.
Is Josh cross cop -- -- less than I did say it wrong for years for us our.
-- -- sentencing and walk and other people I'm not alone in this other people have been saying Josh is name.
The wrong way for a long time the -- she's the executive editor of hotline which is a National Journal product.
And you know this because you would not be you know be watching if you were not insider -- yourself but basically this is the daily gospel for official Washington for politics in Washington it's the latest.
And it really in a lot of ways was the original product.
Before the Internet was really super awesome the -- was really the original product.
If we pretty much follow every election up.
Well we were the political tip sheet before the political tip sheets exactly been around for awhile and covered all the -- -- each morning when -- Right to paraphrase play I'm just ripping you off ever ever so slightly so we're grateful for that.
But let's talk with this you -- -- good these that.
I've read it National Journal that talked about.
Do Romney universe now.
To take -- back to the start of this campaign cycle about what Romney's universe look like.
In terms of his hitters overall is a very tight knit group advisors that -- Stu Stevens -- is lead strategist.
Neil Newhouse is -- -- it's a very close knit group of people he's known for a long time he's worked with for a long time getting -- tenure as governor of Massachusetts.
And he gets advice from from these folks -- -- also has -- pretty good instinct he he's he's the one who ultimately makes the final decisions that you saw that I think with the Ryan pick where he sought new house.
You saw and heard about Stevens strongly.
Advocated for more cautious -- -- going for the Tim Pawlenty -- Rockport maneuvered.
And -- ultimately decided it and decided to go the boulder wrap up by picking Wisconsin congressman -- right.
Now the thing to remember here is this that -- circled the -- universe after the 2008.
-- in the 2008 cycle -- down he kept a -- campaign together he kept his court together because.
We all knew and they all know that this this moment was coming or at least -- is second presidential candidacy but his people before.
You mentioned Stuart Stevens is of people who we think of associate with people like Charlie Crist.
Very moderate kind of Republicans a centrist brand of Republicans Paul Ryan's not that.
Middle and -- And in Stephen's dad is noted is how a lot of Republican clients moderate and conserve your future known as someone who is more about biography then policy is known is -- guy who's you know Rob Portman he knew he'd like -- his background -- executive experience like like the fact that he could.
I do something -- -- biographical scale with Bryan -- ideology but he's really buying into.
The fact that right visible performer dealing with entitlements -- on Capitol Hill and this is going to be friends that are.
It's unavoidable on the campaign trail so by by going bold.
Probably certainly has transformed the message is being.
That has been a campaign -- -- -- big ideas solutions -- tough intractable problems but it's also brought a whole lot of other questions that that that is gonna have to deal with.
At the campaign goes forward.
Now for.
Four Romney.
Ryan is Charlie hurt columnist for The Washington Times made this comparison.
For me he talked about.
Look they made the analogy to staples.
And that he imagine that when Romney took over staples -- Bain Capital came -- and restructured staples.
That he would come in and look for the youngest.
Brightest executives inside the ranks where every -- whether he was is that senior vice president and you oppressors wherever he -- said this is my guy.
And I'm gonna look I'm gonna kick him out elevate him up and have him -- my eight my wing man and doing this does that analogy do you think bear anything.
It doesn't and Paul Ryan is sort of the CF votes you to -- -- CFO to extend that analogy right but I actually think of it and it in a slightly different business analogy kind of Steve Jobs who.
Famously -- apple to great successes he had a very famous philosophy internally -- apple that he put wouldn't ignore all the focus group data you have polls and focus groups I would tell him.
What to do the iPhone wasn't born out of the focus -- that was born out of a gut instinct of what voters want.
And Mitt Romney had this gut instinct that voters want bold ideas stuff.
Just start solutions to a lot of intractable problems that the country faces if you look at the polls and you look at how Medicare polls and how Paul Paul Paul -- -- is known.
Address the country.
It would not seem to be.
Politically obvious pick to put it mildly.
But when you think about what can be done -- after you pick Paul Ryan and start talking about bold economic visions and contrast that that.
Sort of the small ball that he's gonna try to put -- Obama Biden ticket under.
There's some real.
Opportunities on an -- of leveled at that are on the campaign can do it.
And I heard the power play today -- ripping off the hotline here so so much longer now on the line as we all are but I -- today which you can have just for following its these are all it's so easy it's so why wouldn't you it's just it's just a click.
But you can have that every day.
And what I wrote about was that.
Nobody knows who all right -- in the Indy grand scheme of American political life.
He's below the speaker of the house he's below the senate majority leader the Chief Justice he's the chairman of the of the House Budget Committee no matter how notable he is it inside Washington.
Is somebody who is off a blank slate a lot of -- right.
Very -- name identification and that means that every consultant -- Romney's campaign is should be getting overtime pay for the -- that they're gonna have to do up until the convention and beyond.
To make.
Brian you've been viewed positively with a lot of voters on -- -- is still haven't made up their mind about either gonna vote for well I think a lot of good the next few weeks -- -- the pay close attention to is whether his image as a young boy kind of -- well as a Catholic.
Got working class guy.
And -- putter working class circumstances of that image prevails I think he's going to be very popular a lot of the undecided voters in the midwest particularly.
But if the issue of entitlements -- -- -- -- -- -- then that's a little more complex -- around me is is betting on the bold strokes the image of O'Brien.
Took the lead in the political goal but.
You know -- gets kind of bogged down this campaign gets bogged down some of the nitty gritty of -- specific proposals and there's a lot more treacherous treacherous.
-- -- Look at that's going so far here's the Twitter political index fort day.
And it shows Romney still in the lead.
At 39 to 35 of the President Obama scroll down -- -- -- the trend line.
How this looks.
And certainly.
And remember what the Twitter political index does takes a baseline.
Sediment inside those twitters for both candidates haven't had his Twitter generally feel about them -- the talks about that moving up and down.
Relative to the entire universe of emotion.
And you Internet.
And it finds that Romney's doing a lot better than he did before -- certainly a big enthusiasm boost.
Or -- and you -- see that enthusiasm and all the rallies that that Robin Wright held together over the weekend over 101000.
Supporters in -- -- -- county Wisconsin key.
Conservative part of this data that is a huge number Chris and and it was the rest of the the excitement especially on the conservative side as a parent.
Throughout the weekend is -- can't get relative Virginia North Carolina.
Four million dollars raised in a couple days for the campaign that shows that -- Jen you -- grassroots excitement for for -- -- until we run it and struggled with for a practice -- it's just a little -- just a little bit just a little bit.
-- just stick with us because when we come back -- retreat for the Internet we have to treat for you Shannon -- -- you love so -- eight.
She'll be here we're gonna talk about government employee unions the role they're gonna play and how that's gonna be amplified by having congressman Ryan on the Republican ticket you're going to enjoy it so just -- -- stick around.
And that is what it looks like -- government worker unions are.
Angry.
About.
Word that that is a look at the protest.
Outside inside an all around the Wisconsin State Capitol.
More than a year ago back in the in the winter of 2011 as.
Governor Scott Walker Republican.
Sought to push you and eventually despite the fact that the democratic senate absconded.
To his state of Illinois eventually pass legislation that.
Dramatically curtailed.
The bargaining power of those unions and eventually walker would go on and win the first governor ever to win.
A recall election and stay in office and now one of his fellow travelers Paul Ryan is on the Republican ticket.
So Wisconsin is guaranteed to stay at the senator.
Of American political life for the rest of this year and at the center of Wisconsin is this battle between small government conservatives and government worker unions.
So really good thing that Shannon -- is here -- and then you're covering this story today you know Josh.
John -- lesson I've been mispronouncing say it again -- Chris -- it's just.
Saying it's the press out right you got it close enough process okay we're gonna do that we're gonna have a bouncing ball -- later on yeah I'll take -- We're gonna check and as a guy has that same star won't like you know I'm I feel it I know where you're coming from.
-- -- Walt is not I've not heard that no shortage of times.
OK so here's the question.
And -- your reporting on this today.
Paul Ryan brings this whole discussion.
Right back in one thing we know is if Scott Walker hadn't won that recall.
Orion would not be Mitt Romney's running right we know that your so we'll talk to us about how this plays into the general.
What's interesting because you saw when they return to confidence -- -- next -- homecoming there's been emotional all this huge thousand people turned out.
And Scott Walker's standing at a governor there on the stage but potluck right made eight.
Point of messaging agents that when that date was June -- state Wisconsin November 6 we save the country it's become -- very popular line for them.
I noticed this weekend as well that governor Romney was talking about unions when he was -- North Carolina obviously the least unionized state in the country.
Many union delete.
Is North Carolina the theory that it's less than you -- Alabama.
Yeah I spent a fair amount of -- in Alabama allowed them I -- yes North Carolina has been ranked outside indicators has at least unionized.
Of course the labor unions not happy that that's -- -- -- -- and it's going to be like that so all I noticed that Ron used the line a couple of times news speaking North Carolina this weekend about teachers unions and things you know where it's all the kids -- parents at -- first teachers need to take a -- huge applause line there in North Carolina.
So we're looking at the fact that it -- unions are not stepping up with big -- million dollar checks that leniency for the convention this time around.
In fact have their own shadow convention this weekend in Philadelphia.
Umbrage -- talk in July and sent them a lot to members saying you know had an eight Celsius say we're not making monetary contributions to the convention -- to the host committee we're not getting sky boxes we're hosting events.
We're gonna focus on things that we care about and this weekend he said it's not about -- in the name -- And in any hey I didn't -- how are his words what is this in 1978.
I does that yeah.
It's either going to suddenly starts supporting me but they're Canadian -- lukewarm about as.
I was -- -- that's as -- as they -- -- -- W West Virginia that's stuff people say.
Just like chairwoman residential wasn't really sure about -- Party affiliation priorities USA sometimes he will get a look and she was sorry she said that.
-- in the end though the unions are going to having Ryan on the ticket should mobilize especially because remember and this is something we have to point out all the time.
Organized labor in America used to be predominantly private sector unions.
With a sliver of government worker unions over time that relationship has changed dramatically now government worker unions.
Are the -- work in the largest union for example inside the AFL CIO.
Is actually which is the association.
It's federal municipals.
Workers and stuff.
And so but these people Josh are gonna be ready to march against Iran has his budget plan in his home state and his governor our way on the other side.
Make no mistake and they may be losing their numbers but that are.
Passion for this election will be unmatched.
And and it's -- that's remarkable when you talk the labor operatives before Romney won the nomination.
Even though a lot of Republicans view her -- and Democrats alike viewed him as more moderate.
-- labor folks are Rami was the most.
The worst pick right and possibly -- science yet business in taking on on labor someone who they worry that if he got into office he would just crush labor and even he didn't say he didn't make it calculated that it that -- get a wink and a nod and that was an early pick Paul Ryan who.
You know is emblematic of -- of a lot of the -- A Republican victories than Scott Walker's race in Wisconsin and a lot of the other is out of the wing of the Republican Party that that brought you Mitch Daniels and Chris Christie in New Jersey.
And you labor is frightened silly and this is going to be -- you're gonna see.
Labor ball was like no other look like like they have no other election let's.
Let's hear you mention Chris Christie let's hear what Chris Christie when he was campaigning for Scott Walker back on May first to head of that recall election let's hear him.
I'm gonna do everything I can to make sure that no special interest.
From Washington DC.
Or within this state.
Gets a free ride.
Take a shot at Scott Walker.
Those of us who believe in what he believes and those of us who believe that we were sent here to do something different and unique.
During these challenging times.
We have an obligation stand with him.
Now Shannon Christie who by the way announced or rather -- should say Carl Cameron reported our colleague Carl Cameron reported.
First of course that Chris Christie would be delivering the keynote speech and I'm sure when we're in Tampa he's going to.
-- that would that for Chris Christie that was like the equivalent of a -- But I felt like we -- -- -- and he's going to he's going to shake the foundations.
Of the Tampa Tribune sent her.
Down there it's going to be it's going to be a big speech but there's Chris Christie who did it's a similar but less.
Intense thing in New Jersey.
That -- walker did in Wisconsin.
For Republicans just as -- who -- -- it increases intensity on the union side in the government -- union side.
This is a cause that Republicans like and also polls tell us that.
Government worker unions make an attractive spoil a good villain for Republicans running it.
It's what it's interesting to if you look at the membership of the unions I mean all in his past support have been decreasing manages -- -- Not -- like to point out Wisconsin wants you took -- the automatic deduction -- people pay your.
People's paychecks seeing that members of really dropped out there so you've got to think the average union member.
Maybe is not as invested as leadership is does -- you know the folks who are really truly benefiting in a lot of union members a lot of times are on board with exactly what's going on the top level.
So you have to wonder how much that they're.
-- given the option to walk away from the how much the enabling -- I will tell you that trump -- -- -- of -- members of that while we're not going to be heavily involved in the convention actually -- -- -- for that.
Our number one focus is registering people to vote and keeping them on the -- -- show.
Mean well that it is going to be a wanna be very grassroots they wanna be out there firing people up and saying register -- -- hate -- got a question about here actually well but keep an.
And Jackson four these unions we went -- like the United Mine Workers of America which is short of the -- the the -- -- of the AFL CIO of organized labor and America.
They have said you know we're just not doing this we're not gonna participate in this election.
And you know Chris a lot of the old time labor members are trending in a more conservative direction particular all of a cultural issues and even -- some economic issues and you see in every poll that that's gonna have this election year.
Blue collar white voters overwhelmingly among Obama's biggest that the tractors he could only when about 3132%.
Of that demographic and these are -- the heart of the labor movement right there -- -- the fact that.
In note that I delivers mobile -- able to have a smaller group -- supporters to really rally behind and a lot of economic issues are also overshadowed by by the cultural and moral the values issues -- But then this margin is really marching Jacki thank you so much for being with us and Shannon here's something you should know Brenda Mora who to live on Twitter says this.
-- and Graham are you hosting again you need your own show.
Are you listening -- Actually it's true but as long as it's not in the 1130 times not because -- I'm glad I have I would like to have some view let's say that we got a -- that it's that -- thought that's weird it just.
-- with fed off today chamber and we thank you so much and you've got to come back and see as soon okay we're gonna take a break and we're gonna talk about Medicare.
Moon.
Can't be talked about -- American politics is there a way to do it.
Or is it true that with the president's 2010 health law that it broke the paradigm on that that the discussion is different now than it was once upon a time we have a Smart Republicans -- Smart Democrat they will join us they would tell you what that they think about it how this battle is gonna play out you'll enjoy it to stick around.
It's bold attack ask seniors whose median -- -- -- 23000 dollars and under.
To pay a lot more on Medicare when you're asking nothing.
-- folks at the very high end of the income scale people like Mitt Romney I mean if they were really -- they would take on Grover Norquist and the pledge.
That says they're not gonna ask for one more penny from folks the top.
And that wise is leaving the house Democrat Chris van Holland of Maryland talking to your -- an agreement Sunday.
Talking about Medicare and also sort of mentioning that Mitt Romney's kind of rich.
And this is power -- welcome back.
Now with Paul Ryan's elevation to Republican vice presidential nominee in waiting.
The question remains Ryan who has a very and I apologize for the repetitive use of this word it bold.
Strategy as it relates to the entitlement program for older Americans and their health insurance.
Democrats say that this is a big couldn't be happier.
Because now they can -- Mitt Romney both for his tax returns and Ryan's budget plan.
But this situation is different now the situation on Medicare is the 2010 elections proved.
Is different in the wake of president Obama's health law how different.
Candidates still work is all right did me.
What's the deal.
So it's good that that we have -- -- that witness who was a former and senior advisor to senator Harry Reid and she's president and principal events strategies very eyebrows -- -- -- crisis and we want to retain if you were Democrat.
Or probably Republican to but the other thing we know about -- is that she's advised Ed Rendell host of Democrats across this great nation welcome back.
-- All right so match last.
Is down in Miami comes to us from the fox news bureau in Miami.
Match -- is -- former political director in the George W.
Bush White House.
He's a Republican strategist.
He is a Smart person and I bet he is really jacked up on Cuban coffee this morning Matt welcome -- That's exactly right with a lot of created a lot of -- small box very tense that's why they're political discussions in Hialeah are always so intense that.
All right so -- -- let's start with you.
So for.
Democrats -- today that Paul Ryan plan on Medicare.
Which is a split program for those under fifty about -- short and that's very crudely it says that for people who were under 55.
It started to track program one traditional Medicare and the other one is a voucher program in which you get a check.
From the government and after your 65 or 67 you get a check from the government with which to buy private insurance they say that this is the kiss of death.
And certainly for voters down in Florida who murder them some Medicare this has gotta be kinda scary scary -- Well I think what is actually very scary to those who were on Medicare or -- to receive it soon.
Is the idea that it's going belly up here very quickly within you know ten or twelve years we've been flirting with disaster with Medicare ever since the early ninety's.
And I think what Paul Ryan is tried to do a conjunction with a lot of other.
Diligent people in the house and in the senate is actually come up.
With a planned.
To save Medicare and we can all have a philosophical conversation about whether Medicare should or shouldn't exist but did back this is that Medicare does exist in the American people want to exist.
So that's gonna continue to serve seniors it needs to be on sound financial terms it's not on sound financial terms and really.
What's in the Ryan budget is the -- make -- what.
The Bush Administration did a Medicare part.
To try to serve these seniors.
So that the that the -- the private insurance market is.
It in -- sense that health care delivery for the seniors as opposed just having a one size fits all federal program.
That is going bankrupt quickly and that's just not acceptable.
-- any the third rails can only be third -- if nobody touches them right for -- and in 2009.
In 2010.
Democrats in order to.
Finance part of the president's health new health entitlement middle class self entitlement thing exchanges whatever it's complicated.
In order to finance this.
Took money out of Medicare and they took.
We do estimate you know Republicans say it's 716.
Billion dollars but.
To get to the whole bunch of federal money out of Medicare to finance this so in doing that didn't the president sort of turn off the third rail.
But I think -- is important to remember where -- -- it from an it was on the provider side not only beneficiary side in so there's a lot of hyperbole out there and both sides are throwing it right now.
Accusing of the death and destruction on from both sides with their different ideas it's fun it's fun any and it works in an expert -- -- by -- 32 commercial but it's I think it's important.
-- -- Republicans would say that -- did Democrats -- president Obama's -- got it.
The entire Medicare program helps -- -- to overstate -- an overstatement but again it's easy to get -- to providers to make the bank actually reduce the rate of growth.
To actually extend its India -- the -- But on the question of whether.
-- talking about Democrats had a very solid rule for about forty years which is saying nothing and do nothing as it relates to Medicare Social Security you can just don't talk.
Sure any economic realities are such that you're you're gonna chapters of security -- the next are really is gonna have to be talked about we're gonna have to look at means -- as we're gonna have to look at some innovative voice and things in which has just wrapped.
Both of these best -- does that diminish it is a tool that took out in an in his.
Okay -- in his last year tomorrow.
-- an election he has the seniors are so important now it's still -- -- but let let's go back here this is quickly let's just go back on the policy.
He takes a hundred million dollars odds -- I'll be fast 700 billion dollars of latency there's.
And -- to give it to other people on the population we didn't have insurance so he didn't.
Help make Medicare more sound he helped hasten more quickly the bankruptcy of Medicare so that's a fact that we -- -- -- -- -- the third rail cars.
As far as the third rail of American politics we've got it from senator now.
In this election of Paul Ryan the Republicans have put front and senator.
The idea that -- gonna actually have conservative solutions to the challenges that face the country that's very controversial and my party a lot of people in my party who also agrees to -- Cover -- just don't be in the conversation let the American people vote against Barack Obama.
In essence governor Romney is saying no we can do better we actually have conservative solutions select that let the debates start.
Danny did says I'm very scared that the Obama team will lie and do whatever it takes to -- Ryan looked horrible in Florida.
On the -- it meant to scare issue today this can cost Romney the elections so -- did -- I think is one -- -- fear both sides have a did this this will be a total a scorched earth but penny will give you the last the last word on this when I think his book -- yes yes.
On this Simpson Bowles plan when you hear from Democrats like Erskine Bowles when you hear from Democrats like Ron Wyden from -- again that our.
Praising -- joining with Paul -- for doing something about this when the president hasn't done anything doesn't that leave Barack Obama open to Paul -- saying.
You've been on the sidelines I've been in the game.
It and -- expect that if he actually had and that's -- but he has to the American health care act -- some of the things actually.
He brought onto this issue but it's it's going to be -- is going to be debate about how we look.
Is that voucher program.
Actually the way which we've -- this could get for the American public to decide they're gonna put -- hopefully was an honest debate.
And now with the hyperbole that we're seeing right now but I also challenge Mitt Romney he still has to figure out whether or not he's fourth of the Ryan plan are not mean you saw him yesterday.
You walk back although I -- Line by line -- guys like.
We've got to go Matt enjoy it when you go to the highlight problems on -- on orange for maybe we thank you very much for being here.
And thanks growth.
Have a great day.
And -- we thank you as always you can negotiating highlight today but there you -- that I adore always number four always been -- number four it's just a safe bet we thank you for being with us.
Up next on the hunt with Jonathan hunt for you were viewing pleasure and now as we like to do every day we want -- only -- the word from our friend Charles.
He -- -- -- or adopt the Ryan plan -- hard because there are details.
Can have to spend the next three months on the details and that Peter white settlers -- the entire election strategy I think he's embraced the Ryan plan it is his client.
In general terms he should run on it but I think he's very it's a good idea for him always to to turn every.
Attack or challenge on the plan into what is Obama what's his plan he doesn't have a record he doesn't have a plan he doesn't offer anything.
You've got it because if you play defense.
Between now and election -- you lose.
