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Power Play 8/20/12

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    Obama Bypasses national press, Claire McCaskill gets a gift and Romney relies on Ryan.

  • Duration 26:10
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-- -- -- Stand next to a man.

Who created jobs tens of thousands of butch which made more prosperity more opportunity for working Americans and I'm -- and with a man.

Who from experience knows.

That if you have a small business you did build that's.

And that was Wisconsin congressman Paul Ryan doing something that running mates don't usually do at this point in the campaign which is appearing in public.

With the principal with Mitt Romney is the two of them are in the midst even as we speak of a town hall at Saint Anselm College.

Up in New Hampshire.

This is power play I'm Chris firewall and happy Monday to you.

And Mitt Romney loves him some Paul Ryan.

Usually what you see at this point in a campaign is that these two running mates have split up and they are trying to cover more territory that -- kick off and then they divide in the new -- To see them reunite at the Republican National Convention.

But not so Brian.

Has proven a lift at least to the morale and -- suggest maybe.

Two the approval.

Governor Romney's candidacy so they're making the most of it and getting the band back together already today up in New Hampshire.

That's -- usual so we'll talk about -- also today we will talk about the president's press strategy.

Driving around the national press the East Coast establishment press types.

-- beltway denizens.

To go out to the locals to talk to entertainment publications to talk to stuff like that.

Is it working what are the pluses what are the minuses -- -- that conversation and we will also talk about the dumbest things said -- senate candidate.

This week so far.

We will do all of that and more we will get your comments we will delight you and entertain you this Monday and we will begin.

That delight in entertainment by telling you the good news that two of your favorites are here to very Smart political operatives.

Brad Weytman.

Well known to you Internet he's a former senior advisor to president George W.

Bush.

And -- served a lot of time at many levels on the national Republican political establishment and he is.

A Georgetown.

Professor -- welcome back and it is our great pleasure to welcome back -- device he's a senior advisor to the gore and Kerry campaigns 2002004.

And he's democratic strategist.

And he is a native of Providence, Rhode Island so he knows a thing or two about way to get a good -- All right gentlemen you guys have.

Seen the running mate game played a lot of different ways.

And -- if I'm right I think you help Lloyd Bentsen and it was a campaign manager infinity 1988 Lloyd Bentsen of course the running mate to Michael Dukakis.

And -- we've.

Talked about this before about usually what you expect to see.

Is the the -- split up go across the country that come back together in Tampa.

Is.

-- you think Romney's doing the right thing him.

Oh absolutely I think I have here is you don't have a forced marriage these guys that play well together they play off each other Democrats are earned -- rustic.

And Ryan has been received very well I think they should get together once a week.

For a major rally in -- battleground state because I think the crowds will be huge the messaging is good.

And sometimes history is not a very good indicator of what should be done.

I think announcing early and having these guys together he's going to be a real plus.

Now at the certainly to -- point.

This is more in that spirit of -- sort of a Clinton gore -- where years sort of like two sides of the same coin and Romney and Ryan writes no maybe this is good.

These that I agree with everything Brad -- I -- I think there's lot of energy when they get together I think the visual.

-- it was good it's you know it.

It's a way for them also to deal frankly with issues I mean the fact is -- -- paper and when he did so -- didn't take -- safe pick.

-- saying he was you know picking somebody who.

You know is gonna bring some issues to the table and gives him a chance to deal with -- positions from so you know I think if they deal with them effectively -- -- Okay so indeed the big deal and what congressman Ryan was talking about there and what dominated Sunday shows we'll talk more about that little later.

But what has dominated discussion to this point has bed and Medicare.

And its -- thing you talked to.

People from swing states you look at focus groups should look at these issues the discussion on Medicare.

Is undoubtedly changed as a result of the president's 2010 health care -- -- the landscape is different Republicans know that they're trying to exploit it.

But I heard -- point from Joseph Trippi.

Or knows Evan Bayh yesterday on FOX News Sunday says something -- thing is that it's a wash.

But if it's a wash it favors Democrats because if you go back to square one on Medicare.

American voters still trust -- That's more to preserve Medicare right -- No no yeah.

-- -- -- -- -- They thought -- Ryan's case that they would be able to Democrats that this would be Ryan's Achilles heel.

And it will be able to damage him early -- has not been damaged early.

The polls indicate that that Ryan has not had a negative effect on the Medicare debate right so if that's the fact that I think Republicans need to do is move on and move on quickly to the entitlements to do matter to us to a job.

And that's to a budget and that's to get.

And these -- things the Americans -- going to be voting on in November and -- can be voting on Medicare and Medicare was a -- by Democrats to see if they could -- the -- they have not.

They're Republicans need to move on to the issues that matter and say we dealt.

With Medicare make -- whole issue.

-- and yes it's only about spending and right are about the president's health was -- right.

-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- The Democrats have a real advantage on Medicare is an issue and it is generic.

Right and if we can have debates around issues that we have advantages we're gonna win those debates and I think -- sustained debate about Medicare is going to be very much favor the president.

And his reelection effort and that's really gonna stay -- response it possibly can.

And advertise on -- which is what's happened.

And -- -- usually what we see on Medicare and you know with Republicans and all apologies to your old boss when Republicans talk about entitlements they stick.

The Social Security roll out the war reviewed all of this stuff.

We're gonna remakes -- security it was like six weeks and it was like we should not do this anymore we should stop talking about this issue and Republicans had to retreat from Social Security.

Because they couldn't -- about it.

Ryan does seem to like to talk about this this is something that does animate him he does do this in a way that Republicans weren't able to do in the past.

Is there a temptation -- -- for Republicans because Ryan loves to talk about this that he loves to talk about fiscal policy that it's harder for them to make the pivot because.

Brian is playing such a central role in the race.

And that's where it's hardest well his heart may be -- by the electorate does not name and we now have to get him to -- jobs which he does he does and doesn't look at our -- budgets which he does yes and if we get to talk about the issues that matter which can the president on a record.

A failure I think that's the choice the American people have got to make -- are you are you happy with what happened last -- it appears you -- to make a change it's not enough to -- something you have to stand for something.

That's what's gonna come the next 810 weeks you gotta start convincing people.

To make that choice and they've got to be able to parrot the things they like about.

The Romney right ticket -- that's not enough to just say you're against Obama.

That has yet to come it must come and we have to get off entitlements because entitlements -- not gonna be the decisive decision point on voters.

And -- Ford Democrats.

Certainly there was the hope that by this point that the president that that that.

Mitt Romney would start to be trailing in the rearview mirror a little bit there was start to be a little pull away effect and certainly it looked prior to the right -- right.

Like that that's what was happening you can feel the ground start to slide in under the I think Romney went for sure -- -- complete and did it should but did this.

Did this change the race will we still will Ryan's picked.

They're vice president and we talk about this before Internet.

They're vice president dental X that change the race and in 2008 yet Sarah Palin totally change the contour of the race.

First helping John McCain and then less.

And then you have fix that don't change the rates that are sort of just -- that's Joseph Biden in 2008.

Who's the running mate Joseph Biden OK right now we know -- bumper stickers gonna look like moving up.

In -- court does Ryan have staying.

Harrison do you change the country.

It's no I would tell -- why haven't managed Lloyd -- campaign spokesman -- He didn't have a feeling today Kathy I believe it was a very strong advantages that the -- resonated vice president and in the end.

That made little difference to the top of the ticket you know people both president.

And now Palin I think she became a liability because it at first I think she was you -- that I -- -- -- -- she was very strong but you know as.

That threshold a presidential credibility is very high and if you can't get across its problem and and that's what we have seen with -- Whether it makes it across a specialist he does will be an asset and -- doesn't appeal though you can tell us right now what we're.

When you were in the room here in the building I was like well I'd like this instead I knew Jack and I were project and executive is senator you're no Jack Kennedy what was only tell -- that moment I'll tell you up on I was -- -- we just have occurred between us and the Republicans -- did all of this lot of national -- us on the other.

And I know Blackberry always there's no everything was hard like it's necessary to get the phones began to ring on the other side but it was a meltdown happen.

I felt better and -- was that it was a fantastic moment and of course we decided -- docket now works -- Wal-Mart and and I we're doing them spend we decided to bring in some people who's been thrust his who brought it.

Bill Clinton.

Al Gore.

Bill Gray it was a house democratic leader and -- Dennis Eckhart who played Quayle debate -- they were so good on the floor this influence which you'll love this guy has.

I think it's your choice.

I guess -- -- politics are rather lose a debate.

Right right at me when I guess when and I ask that you could have -- Went to the campaigns are better grades should I was there are watching on TV because I was the next stop after that debate.

And then it was like being he only got it was.

Awful what would you what would you guys do at this -- that last -- would you guys do.

If you were prepping Joseph Biden to have to debate Paul Ryan if you if you're thinking about this knowing you're talking to Joseph Biden wasn't if you tell what do you tell.

Flooding -- to tell him to remember he's there to help the president right to talk about you know to reassure people about president's leadership and offer different vision of the future.

Not to debate that -- say hey variety is a guy that -- -- -- forget right hotel movies yes or no answer.

I don't even if -- you can have this important it's the fifth gentlemen -- thank you very much for being with us we're gonna take a quick break but when we come back we are gonna talk about the president's press strategy your friend -- -- David -- will be -- have a good time so stick around.

Situation of interviewing the president the president let me just give you some statistics -- -- I wouldn't get them -- In in the month of August and were only nineteen days in August of -- -- thirteen local TV interview.

Yeah that include president assignment tonight that included being asked -- -- low level that and that included being asked what.

His favorite sorry we work out so -- -- -- to question today.

And that it's FOX News Sunday with Chris Wallace gave rather incredulous I would say Chris Wallace grilling senior Obama campaign advisor.

Robert Gibbs about the president's unorthodox press strategy that he continues today as we see him roll out another round of interviews with local press outlets invited to the White House for four minutes stopwatch time.

Interviews with the president and we get to see -- scintillating third installment.

Of the president and first ladies interview with Entertainment Tonight and this is power play.

Welcome back.

Now nobody wants to talk to us nobody wants to talk to the Washington press -- the beltway types.

Because not only.

Are you sort of walked into an echo chamber but also you are likely to face.

Pride full journalists who will try to do things to you would get you say stupid stuff but if you talked to somebody that you doesn't usually do political coverage like People Magazine Entertainment Tonight -- work.

Grateful local reporters as politician you're very likely to get more favorable questions -- more likely to get -- questions.

That the president has gotten a lot of -- questions.

So how does that work what's the upside what's the -- side.

David -- people have been evading his questions for years -- roll call and don't wanna talk to you about almost anything but we want to talk to you about this strategy.

Well I was -- good it if I wasn't good at my job I'd probably get a lot more telephone calls -- -- take it doesn't -- -- like truckers on the line that's -- thank you let that get sent an email misstatement look -- the united say this for years -- this works for for Democrats and Republicans.

And -- voters care.

That members of congress -- the president talk -- -- here in Washington.

There's no reason for them to talk to us now I make my living.

Asking -- lawmakers' questions and I want them to talk to me but the truth it's.

Voters I think their opinion -- Washington journalists is is almost as low as their opinion of congress.

Let's maybe even -- and so there's really isn't a motivation for for the president to talk to reporters here unless it becomes a big distraction.

And it's getting kind of distracting and so if that happens if you end up with a restless Washington press corps who wants to focus on then.

Trivial things like -- you're not talking to -- -- right impede your coverage Mitt Romney actually saw that on his.

European swing where were you screaming at him any tomb of the he ignored the traveling press -- he did a lot of network interviews especially in the states which he hadn't done.

It's totally overshadowed by the fact that you -- -- cranky traveling press for that he didn't talk to for whatever reason.

And they help shape coverage that wasn't very helpful to him and so.

You that's kind of how you look at this as much as I wanted to talk to me as much that's how I make my living.

They only talk to me when it's -- -- politically necessary or.

-- but this is a strategy that what I call the Cheney strategy in 2004 -- the bush campaign did was well this was brilliant yes it was great you don't take Dick Cheney and put him out to see.

-- go talk to the base and small events but also focus on local media.

And go on talk radio and local outlets and you keep the vice president under here so he's not catching a lot of attention up here -- you talk to look.

-- television network affiliates and local print reporters and you're gonna get.

A lot more actually substantive.

Coverage about whatever issue you won't you want to drive.

So if you wanna drive a particular issue in Ohio with its jobs or energy or Medicare -- whatever.

You're gonna get a better hearing you're gonna get just more substantive coverage about what you say right on the 6 o'clock local news -- if you you go to one of the big cable -- where the network nightly news even -- don't want a lot more likely to ask about tax returns and you know why why it is you like red or green Chile right you know and that's just the way that.

You I've I've pointed out there that there are camera in my power play today -- -- can get simply by following me at -- dialogue on Twitter I would just handed over to you every day for just click you'll enjoy you can also do as mock -- just did and you can interact -- you say that I heard that Obama asked the radio station if -- -- the president come -- and no political question.

That's true there in big trouble.

-- probably not in big trouble just because.

We'll never know the whole story if it's true we would never now because it's not like the radio station where the White House is gonna say we said saw balls only.

But here's.

My favorite interaction of the president's recent local media tour which was KO BF them.

The morning mayhem -- Albuquerque.

And he was being interviewed.

-- -- Garcia.

She's also the runner up in -- stations Christmas candy -- suck off last year.

-- -- you can't make this I cannot make that and she -- the interview squealing.

I just loaded with the president of the United States of America so -- you get positive coverage but.

If you're the president isn't there something about that sort of being.

Even beneath the office doesn't that sort of.

If you don't know anything you know there's always too much of a good thing.

And if you cross the line that voters decided you're now focused on trivial matters when you have.

23 minutes 23 million people out of work eight plus percent unemployment stagnant economic growth less than 2% GDP -- -- -- All of a sudden it is good press becomes negative press on -- in in fairness the president.

Whenever I've been in Mexico to -- campaign always ask New Mexico and New Mexico -- did you guys don't have that kind of wasn't a Freudian slip.

Yeah.

-- always ask -- red -- green they do what I wanna know where to go -- because right -- -- green -- it's a big state -- deal but.

You know having said that if the president is going to go on a morning made him show nothing wrong with that you've got a lot.

Regular real voters in drive time.

Who are listening but you should then focus on some substance are right he could've talked about his you know his ideas for immigration reform he could've talked about.

Is secure in the middle class agenda that he you know -- up and down.

And you know when he gets these wacky all -- you know off the wall questions he can you know chuckle a little next -- -- whatever answer he wants.

There then would be no critics you know -- what the criticism then is not problematic.

So I think in some ways it's about how much of president.

A sitting president plays into the venue vs using the venue to communicate his message.

All right I need them one less thing on my gift from you before we get to today sort of political index is another.

Publication that covers congress today.

The writer about four Politico Glenn thrush.

As new new miss out from a book that he's written after burrowing deep deep inside the Obama campaign.

And he points out some stuff of that division inside the campaign and this is sort of the stuff that.

No sane person would pay too much attention to whether David Axelrod and staff cutter have been disagreements about TV air time and what did you rethink about Debbie Wasserman Schultz those things are sort of whatever.

But certainly what's not whatever is that comes through that in the -- that the president.

Is very much on board with this campaign -- about being very negative very personal with Mitt Romney and that comes through over and over again that the -- like.

In into it that he finds this clash this personal clash with Romney that animates him is that.

That's helpful because it brings energy to the campaign is there a risk.

That it key that that it may be class thinking.

Well I think.

Through through but the risk with the strategy is that ultimately voters decide that you have nothing new to offer -- or is negative.

And that would make compared with the Barack Obama's 2008 -- they're highly disappointed.

And conclude that.

You Mitt Romney may not be the nicest warmest Fuzzy is personable -- but nobody ever has been like and I cannot get enough of -- to that Romney -- -- there's -- you know it.

Chris we've discussed this before he never strategy is good to point if you overplay your hand.

Whether it's being positive or whether it's being negative or whether it's anything you you don't overplay when you overplay you lose.

And that the only danger -- -- for the president is that it is sisters stark difference.

Between Barack Obama 2012 and Barack Obama 2008.

That.

Then he would be for other incumbents running the strategy now having said that.

-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- It's all he has to run on.

Give the end.

The -- situation right because let's face it no matter what anybody thinks about you know the Affordable Care Act and Wall Street reform and all that.

Everybody had a job they'd be like woo -- Obama's Israelis who cares right -- -- -- -- -- would be like 96 would be over before start.

The president also loves to play basketball and peace talks lot of -- as well here's the term.

Fingertips -- -- you gotta have fingertips it's not just about being put -- for the slam dunk.

It's about having fingertips so that you can make those those tricky shots and have good touch around the -- OK we're gonna take a quick break we'll get more of your -- we will also talk about how the Missouri senate race changed overnight.

As the most vulnerable or second -- at least the second most vulnerable senate Democrat I was handed a tremendous gift by her Republican opponent we'll talk about how that.

Will shape the battle for the senate when we come back.

So stick around.

All for what I understand from doctors that's really rare if it's a legitimate rape.

The female body has ways to try to shut that whole thing down.

And that was congressman Todd a can't.

The Missouri Republican who's challenging incumbent democratic senator Claire McCaskill in an interview with the Saint Louis fox affiliate KETV -- They -- but later gone to apologize for being insensitive to rape victims in his commentary.

On that show talking about.

Whether in his stance that says that abortion should not be legal in cases of rape.

This is power play welcome back and welcome back to David Drucker from roll call David.

The Mitt Romney went to national review today in an interview with national review to denounce.

-- in the strongest possible terms just plain wrong insensitive.

All -- blah.

Scott Brown senator from Massachusetts.

Was the first to come out of of the -- would be colleagues in the senate and call for him to leave the ballot that because of this especially running against a woman and especially running in a state where what's up for grabs -- suburban women that's the -- play in -- you want chesterfield county in places like that are so crucial.

To winning a senate seat in Missouri.

That the lot of Republicans are saying it's -- has to go that there's no walk back on this that will that will -- Yet I I agree and I I get I'm always a little skeptical at first how bad is something gaming is really big deal of course I.

Heard the comments and read the comments and you think about it.

And there's -- there's no way to fix this right and you know some people set unforced error and you know unforced errors.

You know you need to make a right turn and it stops on humans make a left turn this is like he went up onto the roof and thought he could fly.

The stories down well I'm I'm actually reminded of do you remember.

And 2010.

They had the outsider candidate for governor.

For senate in Colorado.

Buck.

And he was actually pretty good and was doing pretty well and might have won the thing.

But then he was being interviewed I believe -- Meet the Press.

And was -- -- -- -- about the origins of homosexuality.

And why gay people were -- if he did.

And he expanded and he talked about it and gave his full view now I don't doubt that congressman -- believes.

What he said his when he.

Clarified he apologized for being insensitive.

But he didn't say that I was wrong or that was untrue he -- he apologized for the way he said it and if you are offended rape victims.

But you know I think the rule here I think the lesson here for candidates is.

You're gonna get asked a lot of questions -- -- talking -- this that the president didn't get asked a lot of questions when you're running that does not mean you have to answer them yeah I.

I calling did after what happened to Ken Buck on Meet the Press yet -- -- -- rule debt first if you're Republican running for senate.

Don't do the Sunday shows and no offense to Chris Wallace but really you shouldn't you shouldn't yeah.

It's gonna -- -- debates right because it's not necessary second Tuesday in a second as.

As you said.

Don't have a -- -- candidacy right don't answer every question.

What do people care about you know what that is every I don't care they say what tire you wearing today re going for dinner -- Bruntlett for -- to help people get jobs and -- rollback Barack Obama's job I just.

You like you're gonna eat for dinner yeah I'm talking jobs men -- -- he should have to shut off.

And sometimes this is what happens when you have -- quickly is not the case of Paul Ryan Wright house members only -- -- one district right but sometimes when you have these long time members of these gerrymandered districts that basically can hang upside down with things.

And nobody carry out that -- -- saying that about congressman -- game but you can you can do it every blood all of a sudden they're statewide candidate.

Everything they say makes news.

And they don't know the difference.

This is they're not used to playing smash mouth yeah David we thank you so much from England intraday Mike Carter says -- can should back out immediately in the Missouri GOP should quickly replaced in the senate is too important.

The GOP lost Nevada and Delaware by running -- candidates they don't need to lose Missouri.

This way to fight harder maybe you should be hosting the show okay before we go before we leave you we can tell you that you know it's Monday -- you know getting Charles so that's that's tough luck.

On the hunt with Jonathan Hunt is next and now.

Your Twitter political index for today let's take a look at what we have President Obama holding a 26 Mitt Romney at 21 the president up three points.

-- down two points and remember what this says this is this is this is how Twitter feels about these candidates.

And what we see here and Romney is that he's actually even -- Twitter skews Democrat because users -- younger.

The Ryan pick may be -- and so.

Maybe here's some more evidence that young 42 year old Paul Ryan and he's helping Mitt Romney -- some younger voters have a great day we'll see you back here tomorrow.

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