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Special Report Online: 8/15/12

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    How will immigration play into presidential race?

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Welcome to another edition of special report on line on Brett -- If you haven't been here before welcome aboard you cannot type questions or comments you can vote in some polls have -- go on right here.

And I will bring in you into the conversation with Steve Hayes accused of powers and Charles Krauthammer.

We left some on the table there with the immigration discussion because we ran out of time.

Charles I guess the question is.

How much does this factor in to this election.

I think it works having a Steve indicated on the show.

It's one of remaining in the long list of standards.

Obama is trying to took cobble together one constituency after another enough to get him over fifty plus one.

And -- Hispanics he comes up with unilateral enactment -- the DREAM Act.

And I think it does have an effect I mean there -- these neighborhoods.

Where you hear about a neighbor who's in had to be in the shadows you're an American -- Perhaps an immigrant came legally you know a dozen years ago you go to vote and -- sort of happy for your neighbors.

And you say thank you Obama now I know it's six.

In the ranking of important issues immigration -- after the economy.

And other stuff -- both for the general population.

And as we heard earlier in the show even for Hispanics.

But -- always -- salience and intensity that's a very important issue you it's where you live it's where -- neighbors live it affects.

You know your church and all that I think it can have a real effect.

And that's why Obama did it and I think Edwards brilliantly.

What -- and the real question is how the Republicans answer what are they gonna say what's running -- -- say would you repeal -- not -- -- he's given minutes.

He's been asked -- a couple of different ways Steven Hayes said.

That I would implement a broad immigration policy.

And I would first close the borders and then I would.

Work on the rest of these issues which is what we really -- it the last election on the issue of immigration.

Right look I know I know he's -- urge for there's definitely some discussion I'm not sure how I have it's it's gone.

In the Romney campaign of doing something like that where it would be sort of and enforcement first.

First step and then some version or another of you know something along lines of Marco Rubio -- dream life act which would be longer term broader.

Immigration reform I think that was in discussion I'm not sure if they -- and tends to actually roll it out as part of what Mitt Romney wants to do between now.

And Election Day but you know for political reasons and and I would argue for for reasons of a policy is a good there's a good role for that for something that I thought -- proving that that.

Pretty well on the head and if you if you lead with an enforcement first.

To -- -- And I think that's that's something that he could sell politically both to conservatives and two two.

Hispanics and independents and moderates and others.

-- should.

Nationalize -- -- fans would like enforcement first that I'm and and I think they're more they're more interested in their their family members becoming.

American citizens or at least being able to be here legally and -- remember that Obama promised immigration reform and he didn't deliver on it so this is very meaningful that he's doing these things I think he he could potentially be in real trouble with them.

Not necessarily voting Republican that's just not turning out and I think now.

They are gonna feel grateful to him they are gonna feel like well maybe he'll do this in -- second term and and and give us more but.

It's it's a very very Smart well enough for -- that you.

-- Is the Latino vote not a monolithic vote and aren't there are small businesses and aren't there obviously Catholics who are concerned about the priest or the bishop at the pulpit.

Saying what's happening with contraception in health care.

Mean what -- is always an issue look I mean African Americans are often getting the same stuff in the pulpit as well pro life anti gay marriage and they still show up and vote for Democrats.

So I I think it even if -- asked somebody what's -- my mind -- courses my business.

It's it's hard to separate out the fact that it a lot of legal citizens Latino citizens how members of their -- who are not -- and it's just it's hard to imagine that they're gonna vote for somebody who they don't think it's gonna help that their entire family be able to -- -- the suns.

-- Well you know the immediate families aren't a factor in the election because they can't vote.

So it has to do with the community.

And you don't have to pick off the whole community I mean they were enough Hispanics.

In these tight swing states.

Southwest of course in Florida.

Where even if you get 5% to switch their -- -- 10%.

It sounds relatively small but he can have a major effect -- very narrow election so yes it works I mean pandering works a lot of stuff.

And I don't think -- -- I mean if Romney is -- He can lay out to the the plan which I think is a winning argument would would rubio really was thinking about was gonna introduce.

But was preempted by what Obama did so that sort of -- they waited and then it was too late you know you do enforcement.

First I've argued that I would do sort of blanket amnesty if you really shut down the borders so you can get some kind of compromise but.

If Romney simply ask you saw the people lined up today outside the ice offices what you can do if you're elected -- repealing Sunday one.

Or are these people okay.

They don't let it expire after the first the second year which would be.

2014.

-- you can allow them.

A renewal and -- I don't know what he's gonna do but it's not an easy question and answer on those very specific ones the ones that Obama.

Has.

To pick a word from the vice president unshackled.

-- I think you Fernando from San Antonio says can dreamers vote.

As in these folks who are -- of this application answers now.

To be a citizen to vote that's I think there there isn't a good are you from Rania fast that question it's not national -- The argument that that everybody wants to hear -- but I think he can say look the president pandered.

You know he ran for office in 2008 saying he's going to enact comprehensive immigration reform and we were gonna revisit this and change the way that we do business.

On immigration.

Change the way that that the United States looks at that citizens and noncitizens he didn't do what he failed.

And what he's done instead is a short term pander to win votes.

I'm not gonna give into the pander but what I will do is what he said he would do in 2008 which is an act this broad immigration reform.

We will have differences you know the president wanted to do this I wanted to do this.

I think you could build a pretty serious.

Broad argument.

What knowledge -- what the president has already done in the short term is gonna work for him in the short term.

Texas mom says it doesn't matter what those who disrespect the US -- in the first place want legal is legal -- -- should be given special treatment.

Are people on the border weighing in Arizona.

Some folks there Texas what about conservative Hispanics Michael in taxes.

That was my point Michael there's there's definitely -- constituency there.

That I think the Romney campaign thinks is is possible but people here -- and asking about Joseph Biden.

What is the deal with Joseph Biden and is.

Of course the question that.

Everyone asks what is here's one of some days.

22 days -- Obama campaigns on the drop Joseph Biden and pick up Hillary Clinton.

And for the nomination I don't intervention happened I -- up and let's just review I mean for it is been a pretty amazing couple of days.

He was in Virginia said I need north Carolina's votes we can win here in North Carolina.

-- -- in Danville Virginia.

He extended his chains put you all in chains.

Comment -- he said this is the twentieth century.

And then he called Ryan governor Ryan.

If if George W.

Bush had done that.

-- -- -- -- -- -- -- Yeah hello Sarah Palin I she'd done this and I wrote a column all awhile back.

Around I think the time of the last election chronicling.

At that point all of the -- that had come out of his mouth.

That were.

Quite remarkable and yes of Sarah pound had said them would've been front page banner news in the New York Times I think the fact that he is he's always done this and that the media covers up for him for the most part ignores them or loss of them over -- -- -- -- -- it's sort of this that's show you now.

And reminding is the vice president heartbeat away from running our country so that.

Ask -- question Steve is Ellen from covers -- having this is dumping Biden.

Would make Obama look desperate it's just not gonna happen anyway will not happen no one in this down believes it'll happen it is fun to speculate about.

But but this is not gonna happen that said is Joseph Biden hurting.

The Obama campaign.

Messaging did.

Yeah I mean if this -- gotten that a little more attention than it usually does I mean on the one hand you're right to say it's been a pretty amazing a couple of days.

On the other hand in the life of -- buy and spend like Monday Tuesday and Wednesday and he does this all the time.

But it for whatever reason I think it's because Mitt Romney picked Paul Ryan as a running mate and whatever people think about our -- -- Everybody understands that he's competent and he's you know that he can make an argument that he's very Smart.

And Joseph Biden by contrast I think.

Doesn't look that good now the fact that this -- gotten more attention I think is is you know unwelcome publicity for the Obama campaign.

And if they have to continually continually go back and explain or explain away the comments that Biden is making that could end up I think.

Affecting -- you know not because people are gonna vote for against Joseph Biden but but just in terms of the Obama campaign's argument.

About confidence this fits into a broader narrative that the Romney campaign is trying to.

Push they were ever gonna get rid of him would have been when he stepped on the gay marriage issue and came out ahead of the president and I sit on the L and show back then there was a Machiavelli and move.

To ensure that he was still going to be on tickets -- that all our the last.

-- was rallying behind Joseph Biden leaving the president to the issue of same sex marriage well.

I like that tell you is that if there -- any human ever made the White House furious with him and that was yet and he was absolutely -- the president -- -- now that's again he had he said.

That's horrible -- you said that.

We're gonna say it.

-- I'll tell a story from inside the medical profession.

I wouldn't do this on the big show because it's okay to do with the.

And we always say nobody you know it's.

Carlyle group and it shows up on some show that if you're in charge of the psychiatric emergency would ask general hospital as I was eons ago.

And the cops or whoever brings in a person who looks -- deserved.

The first question that you asked the first screened before you ask any arithmetic of analogies.

Rather stuff US for orientation.

-- to time place and person.

That's what you do it's -- oriented.

Times three if you get them all right well that's what years if essentially I can.

Essentially give a year one guy and -- -- seven -- it -- -- Naimi said John the Baptist I knew I had a real problem.

US and what year resist that's number one.

They US where are you are you in Virginia or North Carolina.

What's your name now Biden gets one out of three so far he knows his name look I'm joking -- he obviously was just slipping.

But I think the more interesting thing is what happened when he did this thing about.

He -- -- gonna go back -- to change if anybody else anybody high low or middle and politics says that.

They would be an outcry that's pure racial stuff and you just don't touch it but what's so interesting is because he's a guy who everybody.

Considers already so wacky.

That it doesn't really apply which tells you that left right and center everybody thinks the bar for him.

Is very -- I think there's a real issue here fitness.

For the presidency you know he's a heartbeat away and it's not going to be a big issue and one that's gonna be on any -- it'll be a subtle issue to me when you put them up against a young vigorous Smart and really witness and every detail.

Paul Ryan you can see a contrasting and ask yourself.

You know it may not be the most salient issue but -- -- would you rather have a heartbeat away.

And his defense he's spent a lot of time in the senate he has spent a lot of time on foreign.

Affairs.

Committee and he is spent.

He is he considers himself -- foreign policy expert although.

Many critics would say he chose wrong a number of different times on big issues.

If people say he just gets a bad -- and that it's kind of the Dan Quayle syndrome.

Look I'm not implying that would say hundreds if I would.

Did -- get these huge cognitive deficits.

I think will what goes on with him as he gets really wound up.

He gets caught up in his rhetoric he gets carried away and at that point -- can say anything.

You can even use our -- language that I actually try to scrub last night.

Though perhaps not screw up enough for the delicacies and had.

So I just think it's a guy who gets out of control now that's you know a bit of an issue you want -- guys -- -- who might be president one day.

Be in control and he you know you wound up from Democrats control yourself.

But look I mean he's obviously women and in the sense that he knows.

You know he's experienced he knows about policy and all that but he does get kind of crazy and I think that is.

Unseemly and a little bit -- lot of questions you Steve about.

The debates.

And Liz from Massachusetts says why we agreed to these moderator for the debates.

Cat in Michigan says who's going to write the questions that get -- During the debates cat the moderator to have exclusive.

Authority in each debate to phrase the questions as they -- they want to.

This is the presidential debate commission that is a bipartisan commission came up with these debate moderator is.

And made this announcement.

Jim Lehrer.

Candy Crowley.

Bob Schieffer of the presidential and Martha Raddatz from ABC vice presidential.

You go to many conservative blogs.

And some other -- -- and there's the upset about process.

-- -- -- -- -- Had a lot how to -- -- in this diplomatically.

Well look.

You're you're a friend and -- -- -- is.

Get that out of my first -- but you're I mean you were clearly the best debate moderator it throughout the primary process that's not me saying Matt I mean everybody wrote that often not well I mean I would argue I'm just reporting here.

I would argue that that.

That that was a mistake for the commission having said that gotten that out of the way.

I you know I and I didn't plan this this is a organic yet -- All we don't mind drift in it's it's weird because I'd actually like to go a lot further and make their case but I don't wanna -- -- of what you and an uncomfortable spot but look I think that.

I think that that's not just me I mean that was the first thing I heard I was in Wisconsin.

First thing I heard from everybody when these names were -- while lines -- there.

The the as to as to whom was actually chosen.

Look I mean I think that that it's fair for concern -- to have to worry about this and I think that that.

You know you go back and and -- organizations like the Media Research Center others have compiled.

You know comments list of quotes that have come from some of these a debate moderator that suggests that there at the very least.

Open to the Obama Biden.

View of the world if not advocates for -- I think that's a problem I think I would've pushed harder had I've been.

On the Republican side of negotiators to have people who are more genuinely are more generally.

Regarded as fair amount.

Steve from South Carolina says well Steve Hayes is good for another year.

Saying it containment -- have different.

To be a little bit -- I wanna I wanna go further but I think it's probably best just.

We're not there and now I think and in many ways what made it.

Brett a great.

Moderator that is that he was tough on -- totally anti that's not vastly better from there but it's I don't know why you know -- -- -- I -- no the thing about this is all I'm asking for a look I think conservatives were complaining we're not saying -- -- -- Some in the scales for conservatives.

Look at the way that that -- runs the show it's not that it's that he's actually reporting to opt in affair and bounced way.

Which and I think conservatives who are raising those objections.

Our right to raise them in any case.

I should say this -- crossed President Obama is defending Vice President Biden against the criticism.

That Republicans would put voters back in chains telling People Magazine.

The remarks need to be seen in their regulatory context.

And give his running mate a vote of confidence.

He says the nature of modern campaigns is to blow up little remarks and something there not.

He said Biden had no other meaning in mind but that consumers won't be protected Wall Street reforms.

Are repeat it I can assure you -- republic -- -- have their that would not be Obama's interpretation.

And slavery was not exactly -- regulation.

Tough part about it was how it was delivered with the all and in Danville Virginia which is.

-- African Americans.

Chris Simon was anybody in chains because.

Yet we regulations I mean that's not in name -- shackles.

Is clearly evoking slavery and and -- -- nothing there's no I don't ever think because we had a banking crisis -- was in chains and to think that in all the years of the Clinton administration which.

Preceded Dodd-Frank.

We were around -- change but had no idea.

That's a rather remarkable observation.

-- Okay do you wanna say I think that's not -- thing.

All right.

Bob what is.

Let's I but I mr.

-- -- OK let's let's turn really quickly to.

The issue.

Overseas because on -- there's can be blasphemous -- -- -- -- the creepiest.

To that it was really sad that seeing them the real life tragedy on the ground in Syria.

It doesn't seem like Charles this is.

Coming to an end -- that there's any resolution it doesn't seem like there's movement here we've been saying that the the Bashar Assad regime is going to collapse any day now for a month.

I don't think that's how it works because he represents a to a large.

You know 10% and its relative to the country to small constituency.

But the yellow lights are still 10% of the country.

And they are going to be slaughtered if they lose -- is not going to be a pretty things are gonna be like our civil war.

Where you handover -- and everybody goes home and it's.

You know what was it -- A plow and -- ports or -- received and then rebuild your life.

This is how they do in that part of the world and it will be bloody so even if Assad were to depart I think the Internet structure of the military structure.

Which of -- mostly satellite and they are weighted they got nowhere to go and I cannot hide in Russia was Switzerland the way and Assad could.

They're -- fight -- what is so interesting I think is a fact that we actually had our reporter on the ground in Syria now this is new and when he tells you.

Is that -- is no longer in control of the whole country there are parts of the country that are now effectively liberated.

And you getting the flood of images which I think is only going to increase public pressure.

But the fact that they are on the ground is the best statement about how there's essentially now I you know the equivalent of the Ben Ghazi.

And east Libya where you can operate although you still under attack but you can operate.

And have the press there -- you had none at the beginning of the uprising.

I think the tide is turning but it would be a long and bloody thing.

And have you talked about this series the crucial part of that near -- -- where Steve wise these cities right around there.

Along the Turkish border and because they can then funnel weapons in through that court or to these.

These very important thing for any insurgency -- to -- it is to have a safe area that is connected to supporters outside.

The way to Vietnamese had the north which of of course could received weapons from China.

And Russia.

The way that the Syrian would have been Ghazi rebels -- been Ghazi.

That part of the coast where you could funnel weaponry which would end up on the front.

The rebels in Syria haven't had that until a couple of months ago.

The fact they'll -- even contested.

Shows you how much the reach of the government has shrunk but once you control even the areas around -- -- -- And connected with the Turkish border the Turks are completely behind.

The rebels they're getting weapons from the saudis and the Qatar -- then you get the beginning of a fair fight and then you get.

The beginning of the end for the regime but he could be a long -- -- -- Yeah how long -- -- think I think this takes awhile for fourth resolve itself even and -- throw aside.

Falls for the reasons that that Charles suggests the question is is there anything more that can -- -- not only the United States but other outside countries can be doing to hasten.

His fall I think.

The sooner he -- the sooner resolves itself but it's -- it's going to take quite a long time it is going to be incredibly bloody in the real the real through secondary question is.

Does it spread elsewhere does this does this is spread into into Lebanon I mean what what's the ultimate effect on Iran he had -- saudis.

Warning its citizens to leave Lebanon today and that's not a small -- -- -- pretty significant when you've got the saudis making this kind of but of warning to its own citizens and Lebanon suggests that they at least believe that that their risk.

In the aftermath of of these sort of tit for tat kidnappings.

-- Obama administration signals on the campaign signals that they're gonna run on -- foreign policy successes.

With Syria.

Really in question and the Middle East.

A lot of question marks is this a potential problem for the Obama campaign.

I do think that most of with a look at the situation and realize that there's not a lot the United States can be doing.

It raises a question of what is the purpose of the -- 100 Security Council you know that that they they really have not been able to get any such thing done because how can you with Russia and China.

So I think there need to be a larger discussion about that process but I don't know that a lot of people are gonna hold Obama responsible for what's happening there.

Especially because what they're most concerned about is that they're safe and that we haven't been attacked and a -- -- on his dad and that.

Obama is it it has drones you know out looking for terrorists and I think those are the kinds of things that Americans.

Are the most concerned about.

The last thing -- and really wonderful note a lot of people asking Charles about your thoughts of Israel and Iran.

I think what's happening in Syria makes an attack on -- -- more likely.

The reason is the Israelis are worried if they attack Iran can shoot back but it's a long way away in Israel has good.

Reasonably good defenses against a long range missiles.

They're real problem is that will they be attacked with 50000 rockets from Lebanon because Hezbollah is an instrument overruns do you attack Iran Iran gives the order.

Hezbollah -- 50000 rockets and Israel and it's -- blades.

And Israel does not have of them you know technology to push for shorter.

For shorter range rockets is is inferior because you don't have a lot of time to -- shoot it and but now Hezbollah is a really bad spot because it's supporting our side.

It's a minority in Lebanon its deficit control of the government but it's a despised minority.

It's an instrument of Iran have to people in Lebanon are supporting the rebels and Syria.

So Hezbollah is isolated and if it starts a war.

By attacking Israel purely as an instrument of Iran in another words.

Doing the bidding of non Lebanese and Israelis are going to come back was a massive devastating attack on Lebanon.

Turn off the lights -- -- set them back ten years in terms of infrastructure everybody knows that.

So Hezbollah I have to think what -- the Lebanese that we live among men are now.

Governing -- think if we start a war -- gratuitously for -- Lebanese interest which will really hurt the entire Lebanese.

So I think in their calculations about the cost of an attack.

It's now less costly today than it would have been a year ago.

In terms of what is you'll receive.

As retaliation.

If that doesn't mean they'll be no Hezbollah retaliation but the odds are now smaller.

The other day Ryan revolutionary guard fiftieth.

Picked up in Syria.

They were supposed to be pilgrims.

And then turned out they were running -- Could force I love the pilgrim story because normally if you pick up you know a group of pilgrims.

He'll be a few women in the group they'll be if you elderly will be if you -- 28 you know healthy young men.

Military age -- if you happen to be banding together for a pilgrimage.

That's not what you see you know when you when the Iraqis could go to a pilgrimage and in their holy cities is not -- it is.

He was a ridiculous cover story but it really implicates Iran there are now actually -- In shooting and killing ordinaries decisions.

It will win this war is over in the eye surgeon on Iran is going to be very.

It's gonna have zero influence in Syria and its its entire attempt to control the Middle East through Syria.

And Hezbollah and Hamas will be in ruling.

Scott Georges is great show thank you Ralph in Fresno great panel thank you.

-- Arizona this is really a lot of fun and Lisa in San Diego great show thanks everyone really love Steve.

I'm not related killer okay -- all right that.

Don't we all.

Thank you.

That's it for this online show we'll be back here next Wednesday night of course tomorrow for special report 6 PM eastern control -- little -- And good night.

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