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Power Play 9-14-2012

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    Race for the Senate tightens and fighting over foreign policy.Join the live chat...

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A little while it is a real fight him.

I don't know -- squad found he's been siding with the big money guys.

Tax cuts for millionaires -- does not gonna help people out here.

And that is the latest ad in the nip and tuck senate race in Massachusetts.

From former Obama -- each hole regulation advisor Elizabeth Warren going on the attack against Scott Brown -- calling herself a fighter.

And this is power play.

And the Massachusetts senate race is shaping up to be certainly one of the most interesting ones that's a heavily democratic state but the race remains amazingly close for Scott Brown.

Who one an unlikely victory in 2010.

Over in 2009.

To take the seat that had been held by Teddy Kennedy for so long.

And let's take a look here at the races that matter.

And as we always say -- -- -- all of -- matter all of your races matter all of your votes are important etc.

etc.

etc.

but when we look at this most important question.

Who will control the United States senate.

Let's look -- so you've got a -- in Maine Massachusetts Connecticut Virginia Florida Ohio Indiana.

Michigan Wisconsin Missouri.

North Dakota Montana New Mexico and Nevada and that is the broad spectrum some of those races are really super competitive right now but still could be like Ohio.

And Florida.

But here's what to remember out of those fourteen races this very significant.

Republicans need four seats they need to retain the two that they have in play and he'd retain there was an ad for.

And presto Republican majority in the senate they come short.

Be difficult.

So you know who knows about.

The republicans' chances to do that.

Is Josh -- our.

And I getting closer this time you're absolutely on message.

Killer that that's worth two -- it's -- He is the executive editor of the hotline and hotline you know this gives you wouldn't be watching if you work kind of inside -- -- but.

The hotline is this -- -- daily the daily tip sheet the gospel of the latest political news.

And it's from national -- -- welcome back thanks Chris okay so the Republicans a year ago.

With all of these.

Democratic seats in play and big win for Republicans in the previous mid term cycle the expectation -- a -- -- we're -- very little difficulty taking the senate.

But things have changed not only do are they in -- tough race in Massachusetts.

But also you have -- -- in Missouri has -- what was thought to be a very easy win.

In two big question for Republicans -- -- running tougher in Montana there's questions about North Dakota what's the state of play right now.

-- the state of play is very much influx of Democrats certainly looking much better position and they wore at the beginning of the year and you can point to three states three Republican states.

We're Democrats our -- -- democrats' optimism about their chances of holding onto the senate Missouri which we we just talked about.

North Dakota where -- democratic former state attorney general is running neck and neck with Republican congressman.

And also the state of Indiana we're we're Democrats just supported some money -- a half million dollars to contest the seat that Richard Murdoch.

One in a Tea Party fueled upset against Richard Lugar either Republican solidly Republican states -- is gonna win them by significant margins.

But the democratic candidates are running quite quite well here and then you when you add the fact that Scott Brown is neck and neck with Elizabeth Warren.

-- their democratic seats for the Olympia snow retirement in Maine -- is on how the board and I'm looking favorable for Democrats and he also have.

In the race and into Nevada and Arizona as well which -- also looking like also embraces its its its very winnable republic of the good shot at winning the majority but they're a lot more variables in play.

How much does it matter where Romney that basically to -- if Mitt Romney wins this election.

The Republicans are much more likely to hold the senate than they are you lose it's right -- there's going to be a pretty.

Solid down ballot effect from the does well it's gonna have some coattails on -- on the senate candidates on the ticket.

I think -- most significant though -- of the big big battleground states Ohio and Florida in particular.

-- you you have Republican candidates that.

Are less than ready for prime time if you will how -- judgment though the state treasurer yeah we've run a few points behind -- brown Florida you've got that congressman Connie Mack.

Who's got a favorable environment but again running behind Bill Nelson and as -- controversy is a bit of controversy around himself as there's a democratic get talked about a bar -- he got into it anything after college there.

These are candidates they can be win a visible probably tied in the states and this is.

Also probably -- Wisconsin where former governor Tommy Thompson is running.

And probably also true in Michigan -- the the congressman from western Michigan which illustrate these -- running things so that those are states where that -- tide comes and the Republicans get into contention.

And Wisconsin is a great state.

That's an example -- state -- Republicans feel much better than they did a few months ago Tommy Thompson of the popular former governor.

Is -- Republican nominee.

And you go to any Wisconsin Republican rally this is excitement about Paul Ryan being on the ticket Republican money is now portage Wisconsin for the presidential race so -- and probably would have been a slight favorite regardless of the fact that you have all this Republican energy in Wisconsin is putting Thompson's campaign and take advantage.

So the states where the Republicans are outperforming.

Expectations you can called Wisconsin being -- Michigan.

I guess you have to say Massachusetts to a certain degree because -- Republican gets elected anything in Massachusetts it's notable.

Where are ended Democrats -- are performing in Montana and North Dakota and Missouri.

What this is Virginia still though the bested the the tie these swing state it's got -- all right.

The Virginia Tim -- and George altitude to senate candidates in Virginia.

Are about as reliant on how well the top of the ticket while Obama and Romney do as any other candidates in the country.

Tim -- former DNC chair is running.

People listen to distance himself from from Obama's Virginia southern state but he's run pretty much squarely along the Obama agenda and he needs to get.

The the minority Bay's young voters -- you VA and a lot of college campuses in the state.

To really be excited to get that Obama energy to push it over the top Richard Allen is kind of relied on an old school traditional Republican model with a lot of the more rural.

More salute -- voters in the state.

To show up and expressed -- dissatisfaction with the president's record them.

There every poll that's been conducted in that race shows that within one or two points it's a -- RAZR can -- and I think if you.

Can you tell me who the -- -- -- is directly with the president.

I'll make you feel if you tell who's gonna win Virginia the president I'll -- -- gonna -- the senate.

The question then is for Republicans.

To get this back to because there's that -- catch 22 -- senate and house politics.

Is that if it looks like you're not going to win it's harder to raise -- money that you need to win and they're gets to be an expectations game -- the Republicans.

Are now Mitch McConnell.

And who is -- minority leader in the senate and John Cornyn the senator from Texas who's in charge of their campaign committee.

What are they gonna do and what -- they need to do between now in the next few weeks to get the narrative back on their side.

Police got to show that they can win these Republican seats that they can -- on the table for each month and off the table to North Dakota off the table either don't get off the table that got to raise Republican optimism.

At these seats are more likely than not to be in the Republican corner.

What you get that that taking Kara if you win North Dakota Republicans when Montana that would Nebraska which it is very very likely to happen yet -- -- seats on the board that's the that's all -- almost all the way they're -- protect the room.

So they needed just rely on the -- talk about that that's all they need in the states.

And then a short owners that they can they can pick off Virginia or maybe even the Connecticut.

-- -- -- -- Boy and then isn't -- Connecticut there's been -- polling that shows that Linda McMahon who got smoked in there and a very good poking your content doing much better to what do we have a week.

After this she's she's kind of followed the extreme make over senator edition for her campaign she she ran as as a person who put their own fortune into the race and -- really.

Ran very.

Negative campaign against Richard Blumenthal says she's really running at the small business woman's personal understands the needs of of small business people of the state of Connecticut.

-- -- -- Connecticut is a state that has a lot of voters.

In the financial services industry that they don't like Obama's anti Wall Street rhetoric even some of the more democratic leaders among them -- your CNET polls -- -- kind of taken advantage.

Of that environment and Chris Murphy who was a congressman he's part of the most unpopular institution in Washington and she's been affected.

Throwing a lot of buckets -- For his congressional record and also for absences impact on the campaign trail campaign instead of -- the governor.

And that's small business that -- it has its moments as well as the world wrestling federation.

So not everybody acts as it did exactly that involves as many -- cards and body paint as that -- that we thank you so much -- conference today always insightful.

Now you know Internet now you know.

Okay we're gonna take a quick break but when we come back we will talk about the things that I know you wanna talk about we'll talk about how the Libya and Middle Eastern situation.

And the ongoing riots is affecting the race -- the handling -- By the candidates we will talk about that and we will also talk about how it's going -- Romney.

Why the question the Republicans keep asking is why hasn't Romney doing better and they're blaming Romney may be what they ought to be doing is asking what Obama is doing right.

And figure out how to deal with that so we'll talk about all those things when we come back and we'll get to your -- so stick around.

And that is this scene of -- world on fire.

As in North African and Middle Eastern nations.

Protesters anti American protesters anti Israel protesters.

Continue to take -- -- -- and continue.

To -- -- -- American outposts and those locations and this is power but it.

And what started out early this week as a discussion about what tweak Mitt Romney had responded to from the State Department.

It has now come crashing and on the folks inside the beltway here that something serious may be going on over there as the protest last and we going to Friday.

Which is a dangerous time any time there is civil unrest in that region because that is the big day for prayers inside the Muslim faith.

And that if the -- -- and if the religious leaders in these communities are encouraging people.

Two revolt and rise up.

That can get dangerous in a hurry.

So how does this play.

Where are we really.

And it is our -- pleasure to welcome doctor Jim Walsh he is part of the security studies program at MIT.

What about Fox News Channel he is -- wise man on these subjects like degrees so.

-- here's the question he.

And wind we look at this -- let's start first with this question.

We were taken obviously very much by surprise the the.

Should we have seen this coming this is something we should have seen you know I think the American public hasn't been focused on this part of world since the -- spring which was dramatic.

And we've moved on under -- you know necessarily to other things our economy and whatever but I think the folks on the ground the State Department people the NGOs.

They saw what was going on if you look at what was happening in Libya all over the summer there were repeated attacks on other embassies there was -- an attack on the Red Cross.

And that's a -- speaks to the bravery of the men and women.

In our armed services but not in the military but also in the diplomatic corps and the folks -- -- doing -- work that they see that this is dangerous and yet they're doing it anyway because they think it's important but.

What I'm trying to say is this has been percolating for a while we haven't been paying attention it's been there and now we're paying attention.

-- we have been better prepared over that region should we I mean.

I sort of like the question.

I I didn't understand why we haven't ambassadors are exposed on the anniversary of September 11 why we wouldn't have taken more.

Off the off part of that is you're dependent on the state -- to provide security I mean we provide security for embassies from foreign countries here there they don't have big militaries to protect their embassies here.

I bet you don't know -- there's going to be an investigation that caught the people have done -- we're gonna note another couple months but this guy the guy who died there.

-- devoted his life to trying to bring democracy to -- it basically.

You know been a midwife.

That helped Libya get rid of Qaddafi and move to a different place so I don't think he would have preferred to be any other place than there.

It but if there are dangers here and you know we've had people talked about the hostage taking.

Back in the 1970s.

We've -- Attacks on embassies every decade you know think of Beirut bombing under President Reagan.

Other problems under President -- everyone's had a problem that difference though that I -- -- -- -- Is the political fundamentals have changed yes there's a really religious component but these are all states that don't have consolidated governments they're still going through this big transition.

Right so they don't have control over their territory.

And that -- spaces for extremists to be able act -- -- so in Syria there's a civil war and Egypt there's a big struggle between the elected president and the military.

In Libya the militias are still running around especially in these.

So there's no one can there's no real central government says.

You know but yes you can do this -- you can't do that -- we're gonna throw you in jail and in that open space where there's no authority that's where you start your problems.

That's so I'm just as simple country -- No I don't know too much to too many things that goes to the sovereign nation region Libya and all of that good stuff you know but I've watched as the the -- spring unfolded you know and I saw a lot of American clients -- allies or -- -- -- -- we could do some business with.

Go down yet they fell one after the other and everybody kept saying this is great yes the good news bad these things are falling and -- thoughts on its face this looks kind of scary.

Are we at a point yet where we can come to some clear conclusion about the events of the last two years and how they affect American -- I think it's simple answers no it's an -- -- answered but this these -- wide.

When countries fall apart and then -- a transition to another place that takes time and television to -- the American revolution you know we fought a civil war.

You know not that long after that night -- a less -- a hundred years after.

And -- a different era and help media and computers and television so I think it's just gonna take time for things to settle down and -- they settled out and a good place or bad place we don't know yet.

So but it we know it's area there yeah a lots of uncertainty.

Lots of potential for unexpected that the events infants.

It's so in terms out.

When we look back at history we've -- moments where foreign policy inserts itself into a domestic politics.

Is what's going on down the Middle -- likely to.

Persist through this election or is this something is is a fire that's gonna burn over today or tomorrow and then -- -- I don't wanna be held accountable for my answer there is no doubt about it but there are no accountability you know trust me when I.

Oh listen I think the process of consolidation -- -- take years not months we still right right it's complicated.

As far as outbreaks of violence.

-- that my dollar and say it'll continue for a while Peter out is that -- appearance in six weeks.

Also yes -- say yes we'll get that.

And cap and accountability accountability -- responsiveness that has no idea as a proven.

On power play that we thank you very much for making unforced atmosphere -- a great weekend OK we're gonna take a break but when we come back.

We will be joined by two very Smart women who would talk to us about.

What Romney's doing wrong what Obama's doing right and we'll let via -- senior I'll give you something to think about.

As we go off to break.

The only thing Obama is doing right is that -- BS is better than Romney's be -- in the -- is just that yes you can't take it to the back.

-- ends -- -- I guess but that there's a thought for you to chew on what we take this break.

And stick around.

And the truth there there will take more than a few years for us to solve challenges that have built up over decades.

And that as you -- call was President Obama addressing the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte last week.

Saying that.

Things are harder and it's going to take longer than originally expected.

To fix America's problems it's worse than we thought we can fix it.

From hope to hold off as the saying went in this power plant welcome back and the Republicans mock and deride the president for this and say that he's moving the goalposts and it's no fair.

It's a message that seems to be resonating with it as sort of a gloomy streak inside the American people who know that things are pretty tough.

It's pretty effective right now and Mitt Romney struggling right now to stay in the race.

So it is our great good fortune to welcome to show for the very first time.

Former governor of Utah former ambassador to the he was public China.

Jon Huntsman governor -- somebody with great honor I did you book you say too much you go too far but the question is this.

Barack Obama.

Has offered a nuanced complicated kind of message to the American people he's come out and said look I said I could fix it for years but maybe we couldn't fix it for years.

Mitt Romney.

And Paul Ryan are very series about being seen seriously and having serious answers and it's something that was basically you held for that was the cornerstone of your campaign.

-- we have to talk seriously about big things and we have to be ready to do this stuff.

The president seems to have the upper hand in this discussion right.

President.

He seems to.

And we can speculate as to why but it might.

Mean that the Republicans need to step up their team can provide more in the -- of clarity of direction and vision for a country that is desperately looking for.

But focused on jobs and economic expansion and growth.

Yet -- get too far out into the weeds and others here is even venturing into the Middle East it -- you have an opening to speak clearly on where you want your policy to be in the Middle East.

But it's got to come right back to -- jobs and economic expansion mattered most people.

And that's where.

In less you can -- -- in in the final weeks ahead.

It could be problematic but.

Governor Romney has every opportunity between now and the debates to get that one.

You know -- to your point is that as from the ground campaign was involved in this back and forth over the Arab Spring and what was going -- -- and etc.

etc.

All of a sudden they started talking about China currency policy.

But right in the middle of it and I said what I thought you had -- -- Libya and now China and so is it about.

Message discipline is it about focus in that -- Hard to know the but -- jobs and economic expansion must be at the forefront of our discussion everywhere we go -- if it's about the Middle East will the answer is we don't have much about foreign policy without strength at home.

And right now we don't have the leverage that we've traditionally had in negotiating with foreign partners.

And we're not gonna have -- until we get our economic house in order and it's tax reform regulatory reform.

Taking this great revolution in shale gas seriously I don't even think -- Fully.

Ponder -- the economic implications of 1012 dollar.

Oil prices is supposed 100 dollar oil prices for manufacturing and electricity and preparing what that -- do this is usually ultimately stood at eight.

And that's the facts so you want to talk about longer term and that's where this discussion it's you know how did.

How do you put the pieces back together again but we all those broken.

You fix it by energy independence in this country -- fix it by getting a two state solution ultimately that's got to be part of the mix and you fix it by.

Finding partners whether -- -- of the new transition and Libya or whether the new group and -- we're gonna take counterterrorism seriously.

That should be our overriding priority.

So when you entered the Republican presidential race.

A lot of Smart people.

Work.

-- because they said this is a guy who's gonna have a real discussion about policy this is a guy really wants to talk about these big issues and do these things.

-- you talked about when -- -- on the trail trying to connect with voters some of this stuff sent it to high minded or some of it sounded like it was complicated close the deal.

Did you -- do you have any take away from your experience in doing that that especially for Paul Ryan who is -- sort of of the same mold as you are.

Do you have any advice for him when he's -- they're trying to get the job done on win a race.

Paul Ryan has.

A terrific opening here.

To own the Ryan plan.

Now I know it's complicated.

It doesn't need to be and presentation -- a -- is controversial but it's a kind of controversy the American people need to.

Buy into and that is -- Or or her social programs.

-- unsustainable and can't were off -- fiscal cliff unless we take them seriously whether it's Medicare whether Social Security.

And here or at the fixes its choice yet and he's able to do that unlike anyone I've ever receive.

He's articulate he's Smart.

Now someone like -- also has an probably a tendency to want to.

Break up into a multitude of other issues but it's that discipline.

Here's what's gonna save this republic of course -- was going to be in the next generation can succeed in prevailed.

By getting the numbers right.

And I think he just has a huge opportunity to get that part right because he's Smart and he's got a plan that -- -- and get a take a picture.

So this is so it's choice -- -- -- probably did the right that Ryan was the right that I think I think Ryan is is an extraordinary person to really do.

But here's the other part of that having been said if -- -- when we needed and I'm gonna use a little bit from the democrats' side we need a little Bill Clinton.

In terms of heart.

So you can only have.

To be you accumulate at one -- analysts on the ticket you can have to be analysts on the ticket at some point you need to connect with the heart and soul of America.

You need to penetrate the soul they want to feel your words not just here than they -- -- feel your words.

At that above all -- President Clinton.

Brought some complicated issues into the living rooms of everyday Americans.

And had an intelligent conversation about stuff that.

-- talked about a whole lot at that level.

And I walked away.

Having learned something but.

-- you bring these issues that are really important than those of the American public really want to hear into their living rooms which penetrate the soul we've got to do that.

As somebody to change topics as somebody who served with these people and it's somebody who knows the strength of our diplomatic corps.

Ambassador Stevens remains will be returned to joint base Andrews today I believe.

Added this afternoon.

Tell us word about these people with whom you served in China and that you know from the diplomatic corps -- about their commitment to the country it's very inspiring to me and I think a lot of.

People will let me just say that we -- a lot about our men and women in uniform I've got two -- in the navy and I completely relate to that.

But we also have a lot of men and women who -- In another uniform and they -- and embassies abroad and I've got to tell you having run the embassy in China or second largest in the world.

Where you've got 2000.

Some of the most dedicated patriotic men and women who you know or a range of agencies and departments.

And the work they do I wish you could show every taxpayer because they would be.

Completely impressed with what our men and women do behind.

Those walls and -- an outside of those rules.

Many of the stories never be told.

You can -- his extraordinary and it goes right to the -- so protecting America's interest in expanding our position overseas.

And it was my great honor to be able to work -- These great professionals I would call many of them the post nine elevenths generation so here was the deal they were on Wall Street.

-- -- lawyers and professionals we were hit.

And they said to themselves I want to do something meaningful.

And they went to the military.

They went to the intelligence agencies went before service.

Wanna sign up and wanna help and we're now ten years into this -- and they're in their thirties and forties.

And the remarkable people I've got to say it was a great highlight of my life to be -- for a children's with the governor thanks so much -- Time for being with a great -- -- for your service.

And thanks to all those who do serve whether in uniform or -- we thank you it's been a great week here on power play on the hunt with Jonathan Hunt is coming up next.

And now as we like to do every day we want to leave you with the word from our friend Charles.

It's -- so -- to imply.

That we somehow I missed treated to Muslims which was the premise.

-- his speech -- on the Iraq War had inflame the Arab world against this well there was no storming of the US embassy in Cairo.

In those days you wish we -- now as al-Qaeda stand developing in Libya a meltdown of our relations with Egypt.

You've got rights in Yemen attacks on our embassy in -- and easier.

This entire premise.

That we want to be loved and respected within -- apologize.

Is now he yielded all of these results and these other fruits.

Of apology and retreat and lack of a confidence in our own principles.

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