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Special Report Online: 9/5/12

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    Discussion of developments at the DNC

  • Duration 28:01
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Welcome to another edition of special report on line I'm -- there this is a special edition of special report on line.

We have with us of course Steve.

Charles -- and Jonah Goldberg.

We are here at the Democratic National Convention and were using these -- by the way because they help with the sound we have the things that.

-- don't step over here and it's just didn't sound as good so we decided to go with these.

And -- hopefully you can hear us it's pretty loud in this arena 20000 or so.

Can fit in here and they can make a lot of noise.

Trust me.

So there you see the shot right now the speakers continue to come up here if you haven't been here before.

Drop us a line the question we'll answer -- Hi I have a comments.

Gene in Oklahoma says this -- -- Durbin meltdown last night it was shocking Fred you handled it well thank you -- -- -- I leave from New Jersey says I keep an open mind listening to DNC speeches.

But so far RNC has held my interest best job.

We're back with the panel -- let's talk about the change in venue here.

Kind of a big deal and -- they said it was weather in.

Got to respect the fact that -- Dealing with extreme weather thunderstorms and lightning that's a serious deal would have upwards of 50000 plus in the stadium.

Some people said they they might not be able to fill that stadium.

I think in some ways both -- I think they were facing.

You know risking their risky weather situation -- really hard here yesterday fits very -- than they've gotten in a fortune might happen again tomorrow night.

-- the only thing worse than spectacle than concedes would have been thousands and thousands of -- soon.

People wandering around desperate for cover and I think you have to you have to respect so it's a -- and I take this season.

And then maybe the best.

Argument for that is that probably understand they're gonna take a hit PR wise because everybody is gonna speculate that the justice because it -- -- -- -- -- -- I think they're still.

The -- what -- -- rises 20% chance of severe weather and a 100% chance they couldn't fill that stadium.

And I see this as -- symptom of the larger sort of bone headed move of having this thing in North Carolina to begin with.

We forget that when Obama came to office at the beginning of his administration he was convinced that all his majorities and keep expanding the Republican Party was heading to a rump party.

They -- -- hold North Carolina to -- -- -- to win more southern states.

And if they had had their convention in -- any traditionally blue State of New York.

A Massachusetts even a Colorado my guess is they play -- filled the stadium and there would have been the speculation.

About his pants and there was even talk a -- some people there's the talk that they're -- have this the motor speedway.

Originally which was.

40000 see it not but so I -- step there's also the fact that they were you.

And this is an organizational tool.

In 2008 they got texts.

Numbers and cellphone numbers and emails and and all of this organizational stuff around it Steve so.

Legitimately the Obama campaign was was pretty bummed out about the -- Feel -- I I think they probably will look I mean I don't think we know for.

-- -- That that this was fifteenth because they didn't have these seats I think it's fair to speculate that if there would they were gonna be sure -- they certainly would have wanted to to -- at a junior member.

They -- optics to use the word of of this cycle.

Out.

Of the -- Ford Field speech when he gave the speech on the floor -- Call anybody call any reporter talked about was the fact that the stadiums at the and they hadn't even made an attempt to fill the stadium.

So there's a tendency when you're out on the campaign trail you're you're traveling with the presidential campaign you're out on the road forever.

To really focus on things like that because it's one thing that you can use to -- one of them against another against another and I do think that they hadn't been able to fill the stadium it would have been -- the people would have paid a lot of attention to -- and it wouldn't help them.

-- in Colorado says Bret seems like the DNC is way louder than the RNC.

Is that the setup of the hall or are Democrats louder.

I think it may be a combination of both this hole is is small in convention.

You know setting -- the high standards this is a pretty small arena.

And it's set up.

There's not a lot of space on the floor actually -- you don't see that many states down there but all of the noise just goes right up to us in the -- in fact on the first night.

-- networks -- playing that it was just too loud the music was just overwhelming.

We had major problems with audio on the first day.

-- what do you think it's clear that these Democrats here.

-- you know fired up and ready to go if you will get I think that's right.

But rather a lot more delegates -- democratic conventions and Republican Convention.

They're also younger here one of my peeves about.

The way these conventions are covered as everyone made a big deal slightly off point but pretty huge deal but the sea of white faces.

And how old the Republican delegates -- and -- young -- dogs are.

And it's very little covered that the Democratic Party the very strict quota system about direct racial ethnic and age background generated from the rest.

And that regardless these people are selected there they -- their party faithful.

-- I think the culture is a little different and it's definitely louder than their higher up in the seats and they were at the Republican dimensions of the -- -- budget of.

Who receive a lot of people -- typing in about that that voice vote.

But the guest says the Democrats clearly did not get the two thirds voice vote for that platform change.

I mean there's a lot of lot of messages saying why didn't anybody call for the votes and and is this embarrassing.

Four Democrats that it didn't appear like it passed to put god in Jerusalem back -- doing -- well.

I must say this was to -- one of the most stunning turn of events in recent convention history it looked like the convention east Germany or something where.

The chair just sort of to -- what the the putting was so he's -- it was just so bad because he went -- Four times he started wants that I was free time I was sitting next to Joan listening and my news told me that.

All three times he called for years and is the NATO at the nose long.

He could was clearly theory goes it was clearly flummoxed plus we're gonna happen he was not briefed on how to handle -- -- showed.

-- there was a great rush to sort of put this together and procedurally there were two problems with that one.

It was a mess and to it looked very undemocratic I must say -- why didn't save that for the online chipped it helps that good stuff.

Leave that on the table well.

It didn't ask you the first time.

I should've done the pre interview he could make the case the gays.

-- the -- has hurt possibly and that the -- marginally outnumbered.

It may not choose -- no way audience -- this is no way in any single one of -- -- murderer mark Capitol Hill producers on the floor and he said.

All of the people who are sitting on the either side.

That are the kennel worker -- if you will of the convention.

Were starting to -- out their computers.

Because.

-- rules anyone in this hall a delicate.

But it said you know what I don't agree with that which votes and we need to do a roll call happened they could have started doing it by community.

And -- -- and it just shows how this digital he's conventions have become on the used to be every delegate on the floor every.

Delegation -- knew the rules it was ready to go with his.

Motions in seconds and that's all kind of old hat now because it's all sort of a pageant but.

-- -- -- was lucky that no one was prepared to do.

Do with Robert's rules of order.

There's a question how much you think this'll be covered by anybody else it's if that's the big question right I mean I think it's a big deal now it's certainly -- the glitter album yet on Twitter.

This was something that everybody from every network was covering was talking about you guys were not alone I was on my way over to the hall when this cook took place.

But watched it on video afterwards and I certainly just from what I can tell from the videos -- agreed with you but I didn't see anybody -- was in the hall.

Who had the opposite conclusion -- -- to say I didn't see anybody in the -- who said.

That what the mayor.

Just said that the eyes have it.

That that was correct I mean there's an obvious.

You sort of joke about -- Democrats in voter integrity to be made here but I'll just let it sit right there -- more about the fact checking I mean how we -- -- the fact that got passed with two thirds.

Coaches say that.

-- checkers -- have a tough time this I don't.

That does not you know -- yeah it is a story because it was.

And things -- -- -- it's an unscripted moment.

Good.

Okay.

You point out Richard Trumka is not part of the panel.

He was over here in the -- and you just finished his speech.

Sometimes it looks like they're just over the shoulder and some government.

Clinton left wing activists on Twitter daily you know -- releases their daily causes a big quickly mover shaker on the web.

Was furious and Chicago saw this as a supine surrender by the Democrats to the Republicans and all that.

-- political journalism is about fight promotion in conflict this is a good story -- it and you know it should be covered a lot.

Good stories often go uncovered but I guess here this judge in -- -- -- to update one clearly by all analysts -- was made a win.

For the Democrats Michelle Obama had a speech that resonated arguably with with -- -- across America just judging by reaction.

And -- on Castro.

Performed well as the mayor of San San Antonio and up and comer help with the Democrats -- -- Now you have the change in the stadium to the arena than people question whether you can fill the stadium and you have this platform.

-- -- deal -- say what I was surprised because senator Durbin left this sets last night.

I could never have predicted you're looking at Bank of America Stadium right now I could never predicted what happened.

By the way we've asked -- Lot of network spent a lot of time and effort at getting that set up with miles and miles of cable and money and sex and who.

We'll read pretty amazing that we're we're talking about it and we should be as kind of an appearance problem.

For the Democratic Party coming out today I -- to last night it was a shining moment for the party that Michelle Obama's compelling some of the other speakers Deval Patrick.

Really shown and then they kind of fell flat today but there's there is something real underneath this we choose 22 issues that sort of got.

Brought -- together here this question of god on the one hand and recognition consumes caffeine and other.

Both are new reality points for the Democrats with respect.

To the wider -- and public.

And -- issues that they would rather knocks.

Now.

This kind of exposure.

On with the Democrats over recent years few -- -- -- drew.

In this have -- second.

The other is still a majority obviously if you -- Religious people but the secular trend the Democrats is pronounced they would rather not.

Face a whole lot of conflict -- that and this just sort accidentally threw him into it.

I must say it it is it is an unforced error and I think you know it's gonna be exploited receiver has -- legs of Bill Clinton.

You know knocks it out of the park tonight I think the story -- Just go away.

But that was one of the ironies of have -- is you know freak out last night -- was that.

Com the devil is one of the distraction is not a huge.

And that's the simple fact is is that Barack Obama has been running on one distraction after another doesn't want that was record doesn't -- -- talk about the economy doesn't want to talk about job.

Tom -- make about all these extraneous and peripheral issues and about what.

Mitt Romney did with his dog.

And here -- these two perfectly legitimate serious.

Quote -- distractions about major issues.

That the Democratic Party -- into issues by messing around with their own platform.

And they had a freak out about and they realize that they had to change.

Another question does anyone ever get back to you on questions raised -- sometimes.

They do we were actually waiting.

To see if senator -- office sent us a statement -- show and we're going to.

Read it or -- horse's head.

He could certificate certificate either -- -- you think your way and then out a leash in California says Michelle's speech was incredible loved it.

She wanted to compare or contrast.

Michelle's speech with -- Romney's speech if that's possible to different speeches Steve but.

There impact.

-- and I think -- did did they served in some respects in -- similar function in some respects very different folks I think.

Michelle Obama's -- or her job last night was sort of take the edge off from her husband -- -- That the fact that he's been campaigning the -- he's been campaigning it's been an angry campaign it's been.

A nasty campaign he's been.

Launching very tough attacks on Mitt Romney and on the Republicans he's seen his favorability dropped overall over the past four -- five months you've seen his favorability dropped.

Among women -- her job last -- was sort of soften those hard edges and try to convey the fact that he's still a father he's still a family man what -- in Romney's job by contrast was.

Really just a basic introduction -- her husband now it was also too I mean I hate I I'm doing everything -- -- to avoid using the word humanize.

Because they are after all humans.

But you know if they're trying to trying to convey -- different side of their husband and the one.

That the public sees in a debate marine and -- campaign appearance him and I think they both did a very effective job that there were moments in in.

He and Michelle Obama's speech where.

He credits you sort of a double take which he claimed that the president doesn't leave an awesome man he doesn't begrudge successful people of their success it was kind of what about listening to for the last six months but overall I think for speeches.

Likely to be very well received yeah hungry well I thought it was an excellent speech and I thought I I agree it's been said before we want people and that she was very deft.

Here in in his funny wizard the quality she praised about her husband were implicitly.

I'm not the qualities of Mitt Romney -- -- Because of -- guts and so forth.

There's -- the most fascinating turn of phrase she used -- was when she.

Said Brock doesn't just look at faces questions of data and numbers.

Right he's -- he doesn't.

Only look at the numbers before he decides.

And I think that was a two for rhetorically want to admit it was a shot at Romney has been the -- capital bean counter guy.

But it also.

Was an attempt to kind of take a little bit of the edge off Barack Obama who is sometimes criticize piece of the -- Technocrat and -- decision makers so I think it was it was well.

Written well crafted head.

There was little -- -- was well delivered.

I thought there was a lot of time on the fly you know we know a lot about this president and this first family.

And we know about their.

Beginnings to their humble beginnings and -- one of the favorite lines last night for -- was Brit Hume saying.

It always feels like there's a destitution derby.

-- trying to get to the humble list.

Beginnings.

You know Mitt Romney will come out and out the winner I think you can get it doesn't doesn't it was afraid of these guys that we all have stories about how the government.

You know rather than their own hard work sort of played a role I do think that -- Michelle Obama's speech was better in almost every respect and am Romney's it was.

Technically better it was more eloquent it was more heartfelt drama was more passion -- at the candidate is going to be less effective for the simple reason that we've heard these stories before.

Our crack and within -- -- and -- First first impressions have bigger impact.

Then four years of knowing somebody that we know who we think about Barack Obama and frankly after millions of dollars of bad saying the -- round there was a corporate raider right to hear the stories about it's what he did in his family.

Was -- And I point out.

Well I think good -- several people from his church.

Who testified as the word in his favor at the Republican -- There's been even more impact.

Yourself so for all -- in the White House.

Into the minority leader -- -- soon this -- the house speaker.

Light blue.

But she was out last night as well.

Seared basking in the applause here in Charlotte.

But I also -- interest -- Steve yesterday it was.

That's the speeches that were in prime time.

Castro -- -- Castro and Michelle Obama were very.

Crafted to say hey look he's a nice guy it's -- wasn't pointed there weren't any jagged edges really if any -- who made this chuck mentions there.

Kind of subtle.

And they were contrasting.

But boy you look at the undercard of speakers.

You could string together some sound -- we didn't do it but I mean one after another of the people who -- speaking outside the front to.

That were really aggressive.

I agree I mean I think this convention is actually taking place on three different levels on the one hand yet the primetime speeches which as you say -- -- -- -- soft and gentle and sort out who -- our quality I mean that's up until now we don't know about we don't know what happened tonight I think you'll be a little tougher but but that's been the case on the first anyway.

Then you have the second with speeches which are the speeches that are given on the stage under the bright lights but art scene in primetime and are likely to be seen.

By sort of the hardest of the hard core activists the third group.

Is what's happening out of this.

What's happening in these small breakout session.

Where you've had on three different occasions comparisons of Republicans to Nazis.

-- had Dan Malloy who just gave a speech the governor of Connecticut is.

Was half but wasn't.

Relief harsh and I heard him give -- talk yesterday after the Wyoming delegation.

In which he suggested that Republicans are.

You know it's not only the effect of their policy to punish the poor but that it was the intent of their policy to punish the -- they really wanted to put people.

In poverty was so beyond what I think -- most people regard as acceptable political rhetoric.

But you know it didn't nobody -- -- in and in you have this convention taking place sort of on three different levels in the.

Jonah.

You know Pat Quinn and the governor of Illinois.

He said people are going to die under the Romney.

Brian Medicare Medicaid plan and his.

Who's striking you know it was it was amazing it was like a light switch the second hit primetime all of a sudden.

The abortion is fantastic it's a sacrament.

Left wing stuff.

Went away and it became a sort of mainstream -- And I think one of the things that they're smartly doing it.

Is they recognize they know the numbers -- who watches these things went -- and -- of the but it in the first night before prime time the only people who really tuning in.

Are the basics right that the Republicans were looking at as a freak show.

And the Democrats are looking -- -- to get -- up.

And so they can do all of this cheerleader left wing base activating.

Stuff out of prime time earlier in the day the people were just watching on C span or live streaming on the web.

Again and my guess is that Smart thing to do this they know it's amazing last night coverage with a lot of coverage saying oh this was out.

Positive.

Convention it was so much more upbeat and positive and if you've been.

That was not -- -- Republicans got during their non primetime speech is all about how negative and nasty and vicious the Republicans are.

It's -- they know they can get away with a lot more red meat.

Because it's just not going to be a narrative that ought to put out there about how vicious and and and -- and mean the Democrats are.

I should point out that Nancy Pelosi speech we were asking wire we've taken this it is streaming online and I believe Fox News Fox News Channel -- -- it.

Currently I'm not mistaken yup we're we're taking it live on air can now Sheppard Smith's show -- so.

We'd love you stick around here but.

We have a lot of places to watch it.

Like chuck what about tonight's speech is Elizabeth Warren and Bill Clinton -- look at the dichotomy of those two politicians.

She's.

One of the most liberal senate candidates they have up.

In Massachusetts.

He is the former president who was the head of the DLC the democratic leadership.

Council.

That disintegrated essentially the moderate.

Element of the Democratic Party.

Kind of two different messages here is should be and seeing how they -- what -- well maybe not.

For -- maybe there -- messages will be a lot more similar than they would have been ten or twelve years ago when the deal -- Was still around and the truth of the matter is -- alluded to we have a more polarized situation.

A lot of the speeches off prime time in the Republican side were very partisan slashing.

-- speeches on Elizabeth Warren.

Has -- work cut out for.

She is not over perform shall we say in her a contest with Scott Brown in Massachusetts -- government -- was -- Mayor Menino of Boston.

Who spoke in his.

Extremely charming that almost didn't decide for -- Boston -- here earlier today.

Has not endorsed yet and that race which is pretty remarkable when you consider that he's a Democrat.

And she -- -- -- homeless -- and I would say to really give Asarco.

Performance tonight because she's speaking to donors as well -- -- the voters in Massachusetts.

-- I don't expect actually a whole lot of tension between which she portrays.

Herself in the way.

-- or sorry Bill Clinton projects -- party.

I mean you mentioned the tough time she's had a number of the stumbles and that race including her heritage.

That you are Cherokee.

The RNC is a new ad out.

Just up the road they asked.

Cherokee Nation members to weigh in on Elizabeth Warren and it's pretty interest and if not humorous fun.

-- a couple of questions here where is Hillary Clinton well she's a long way away Secretary Clinton is in China -- currently.

You'll notice that Steve she's been traveling quite a bit.

She is actually the most traveled secretary of state I think the country's ever had.

And -- and spending a lot of time away.

Maybe on purpose.

Yeah I think that's probably right I mean look it's appropriate for the secretary of state this is something that happens every every four years -- you have these conventions -- the secretary of state briefly -- secretary of defense.

Doesn't doesn't play any kind of partisan -- so I'm not at all surprised.

Yeah I mean I think we saw with this little Jerusalem transaction actually some of the pitfalls of getting our nation's foreign policy tangled up.

In a partisan event like this.

You know this is this should stop calling these -- conventions I think they should -- the democratic national pageant.

And the Republican national pageant because that's what they are -- other pageants people kind of -- one after another across the stage and try to make an impression or create a sensation.

Com and I don't know that there's really place for the second third stint in the middle of all that -- -- -- -- and that's that's the argument that you hear every four years -- -- these things -- And to do movie and -- the -- in -- -- -- throwback center stage you'll always that.

Yeah and -- -- -- it was a good -- to another way you have people online going to get their consumers have.

Trying to that we saw this thing today with the platform there.

I think legitimate.

Right from the party and the amazing that they let it happen on live TV -- Just to -- and it's all live now James Rosen down on the floor says Mike Dukakis just entered he's down there.

Also Chad -- our producer down -- said that it was.

Originally representative Sander Levin.

Who called for the Jerusalem change.

Into the platform at least according to the congressman from Michigan.

Who says that I was the one.

Who said that as we await platform needed to be restated as soon as I saw -- -- I went to the platform immediately and had them change it there you see Sander Levin now you know listen but there may be many congress.

And many lawmakers -- say I was the wind.

The frailty and they'll be really -- -- -- rekindling meant that for birdie at the presidency now says that he's the one some tells me.

-- -- Yet -- they -- that those statements I don't.

Think relaxed.

Final thoughts here as we wrap -- -- this report on line thank you for loving me.

On the -- our political conventions still relevant about half and half more people are going to watch the NFL opener.

According to your votes 96% of you.

Come on his fellow.

-- DVR the NFL picture in picture watch us -- Two TV news about them.

Both with Nielsen boxes.

On now understood.

Is whether the real reason for the DNC venue change no 191%.

A lot of people weighing in final thoughts before we wrap up -- I've actually becoming.

I'm liking conventions less.

Physically.

Being your last and -- -- more useful and I used to because what else about once every four years you give with a two party country.

Give these parties a chance to make their case to the American people that really.

Such a horrible thing and my guess it's staged mostly stagecraft and all the rest but let them make their pitch -- the networks cover and I think it's useful thing chuck.

Well I'm have a lot of fun here in Charlotte.

It's more exciting in a way to be here is by far than to watch it on TV.

And it is moments like that -- -- we had today.

That I guess I do general remind -- that even -- pageant.

Somebody's crown can -- tiara can slip and you got us.

I mean look at the sort of Clint Eastwood at the RNC chairman and a lot of eyeballs that was not scripted so most the most talked about moment in the in the Republican Convention but -- personally offended that Jonas says he's not having a very good time here in Charlotte because we went and had Beers and wings last night we hadn't done as an -- line I mean.

That's offensive to me but that's I think -- and seeing something very interest them the Republican convention -- the -- card some of the the minor speakers were more ideological but.

If you take a look at the Republican Convention as a whole it was not a terribly ideological event and Mitt Romney's speech which was that the crowning moment of that conventional.

It was almost entirely non ideological making it a non ideological case for himself.

And this in a country where conservatives outnumber liberals two to 140% to 20% roughly.

And get the Democratic Convention seems to be embracing -- rather aggressive form of liberalism -- putting Elizabeth Warren in prime time what we are we can expect to hear from President Clinton.

And what we -- seeing on the stage tonight it's just an interesting sort of juxtaposition.

OK panel thank you very much did -- get a couple questions about Virgil -- in Virginia he is on the ballot in the state of Virginia and that's a big deal big blow for the Romney campaign we're going to have a big story on that.

On special report coming up the next few days I just wanna before -- wrap up in -- to Selena.

Or directing this show.

He directed it I think it's her first.

-- you're whistling -- -- first time Selena looks good on this side clean we're good to go.

Control -- can you say goodbye from there I don't even know.

I'll tune in tonight they'll -- hello -- jostling and -- which.

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