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PowerPlay - 9/19/2112

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    Obama under fire for coal policy. Does Romney need a reset? That and more in this show.

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And that.

That is what it looks like -- Vladimir Putin's president of Russia is flexing.

His military muscles now we get to see him flex his actual -- -- lot because he likes picture -- but that's what it looks like.

But he's reviewing the troops and looking at mother Russia's great military might.

And this is power play and I am Chris dire wolf and things continue to get a little weird over in Moscow especially as it relates to relations with the US.

How does that affect.

Not only our own geopolitical strategies but what's going on currently with the unrest.

Across Middle East nukes in Iran problems in -- -- it's complicated.

We'll talk about that an ambassador John Bolton -- -- you get to hear from him on that.

We'll also talk about whether Mitt Romney needs to reset his race -- his campaign that's been discussed a lot.

But we're gonna look at what the latest polls say about what the real state of the races and also because I am a hillbilly.

We will talk about Cole in the election Mitt Romney has a new ad out on that.

Making much of it does Romney's new embrace coal port and electoral success in Western Pennsylvania and southeastern Ohio -- -- well.

We'll do all that.

First let's do this let's say I don't ambassador John Bolton is a Fox News contributor now that he was.

The US ambassador to the United Nations.

And one of the biggest -- -- -- policy so welcome back and thank you let -- do it again OK we'll see if that holds.

The question is this.

You have dealt with.

This dance with the Russian government you -- with that -- -- time where supposedly the relationship was so dire.

Between the United States is unsolvable in the in the bush here and then we're gonna reset it.

-- -- going to have to reset in the election but we heard.

News breaking last night and today.

It's still evolving that USA ID usaid which is basically.

This smiling face of Uncle Sam that we beam around the world try to help people in other countries that has been a big part of trying to get.

Russia to transition into democracy into capitalism.

That they're getting booted out.

Yes well I think this is another reflection.

Of Putin's efforts to -- centralized both political and economic authority in the Kremlin.

And what the AID people have been doing and I think very successfully I say that is an -- alumnus from the Reagan Minnesota.

It is you know is provide opposition groups with the wherewithal to conduct public opinion campaigns to help create systems that provide for free and fair elections.

This is anathema to prove that he's he's showing his KGB roots here.

He wants the US I'm sure he's going to do the same to the Europeans and other foreigners.

So the day he can help cement his authority over what he has been calling a guided democracy in Russia.

Got quite guided -- and then the last election and where he -- sixty some percent of the votes there are a lot of questions about that but.

Is it fair four -- and certainly there's great patriotic pride among Russians is it fair for us to be trying to guide their democracy in another direction.

Well I don't think the aid programs are intended to do that I think they're intended to help people evolve toward a democratic culture and I think what's happening in Russia now what -- is doing.

Really has relevance across the world and including in the Middle East because he is showing that you require a culture for democracy democracy is not just holding elections and counting votes.

Anybody can do that and almost everybody does.

But to have that the prerequisites for a sustained.

The ability of the people to control their government is something that takes time to build -- and is trying his best to make sure it does take group.

And we talk often about that about the difference between democracy and real liberty that is -- enshrined in protected.

Democracy could be one vote one time liberty reflects last thing institutions of laws and not -- I I think this is absolutely critical I think it's not well understood even in political circles in the United States that democracy is is an important piece of an overall free and open society but it's not the only piece.

No and now they're just for fun because we do have a bit of a prudent thing here.

Let's take a look at what he had to say about the US political scene and the presidential election.

And he says that mr.

Romney considered us considers us enemy number one.

And apparently has bad feelings about Russia it is a minus but considering that he expresses himself bluntly openly and clearly means that he is an open and sincere man which is a -- so we've heard in recent weeks prudent.

Kind of seem to endorse Barack Obama and now kind of seemed to endorse Mitt Romney.

It is he really tried to have an effect or is he just playing for the audience.

Well I think he was trying to back away from that earlier endorsement he realized he had gone a little bit too far but I tell you did say one thing it's a very true and I think important for Americans understand.

When he said Romney speaks bluntly and that's a plus.

You know they can be hard to deal with the Russians but if you put it out on the table what your position is they put there's that you'll see if you can work it out sometimes you can sometimes you can't.

But when you're constantly pressing that reset button saying oh please be nice to me.

-- on the other side of the table is saying I can -- these guys and that's exactly what he's done for three and a half years to Obama.

And the diplomacy as it relates to the Russians and this is something that as a -- I have seen from the outside.

I wonder what your take is from the inside.

With some cultures in some countries the requirement is for.

Much much subtlety.

Much much delicacy much much of this kind of nuance whereas the Russians seem to prefer it very straightforward very head on presentation of view.

Right well I think particularly for -- a former KGB agent you know you can be subtle and he may not get the point eight feet he knows what he thinks Russia's interests are and he's been asserting this is a man who said.

Last time it was president that the breakup of the Soviet Union was the twentieth century's greatest geo strategic catastrophe.

Most of us think it was a pretty good way to end the twentieth century so when you're dealing with that kind of person.

Subtlety isn't necessarily gonna get you very far.

OK so.

Let's turn quickly now to the question of what's going on across the Muslim world.

And this is continuing to go certainly -- seem to reach a high point on Friday these anti American riots around the world.

But now we are seeing that.

There is some staying power here what's your latest assessment.

Well I think if you compare what's been happening in the Middle East what happened in 1979.

Where we had not only the hostage taking in Iran but an ambassador killed in Afghanistan.

Embassies burned in Islamabad Pakistani and Tripoli Libya.

That that -- -- a period where the riots in the attacks could kind of rise and fall come ago.

I think I think I don't think anybody can really predict what the exact trajectory will be but I think we can say this with the killing of four Americans.

In Libya where a very dangerous period and anybody who thinks that because one day the demonstration level is down that the crisis is past.

Badly -- understands the environment that were operating in.

So in terms.

And you know a bit about domestic politics too little so what we see there's a Wall Street Journal NBC news poll.

That was out last night that says that for the president and his handling of foreign affairs for the twelve point -- In the months the -- that includes this week of troubles around the world.

We also saw earlier -- -- poll.

That said that this is the most watched foreign affairs story of the year that this as far and away above anything else about Iranian nukes but anything else.

What is the real potential and you have you have.

Hate relationship with governor Romney.

What is the consequence of this really for the election.

Well I think people playing in America are very practical when it comes to national security -- they're not gonna get into the details of what they expect from their president is somebody who's gonna lead effectively and protect errant priests around the world so.

In many respects foreign policy is a surrogate issue for leadership for judgment for integrity for perseverance.

And I think this could be a real plus for governor Romney I think the -- you referred to does show a drop.

In Obama's approval rating on foreign policy even at a time of crisis that is to say counter what normally happens.

When people rally behind the president because I think they see that.

These tragedies we've seen with our diplomats and our embassies in the Middle East.

Or a result in substantial part of Obama's weak policy.

John Bolton he was invest in the United Nations now he tells us -- fox world what.

We ought to be thinking and looking -- when it comes to the stuff ambassador we thank you very much -- -- -- okay we've got to take a quick break but when we come back.

-- Mitt Romney need to reset is all lost is the elections slipping away from him or clear things pretty much the -- they've been for the last five months.

Which is -- -- race with the incumbent in the lead look at the latest polls we'll talk to a good election prognosticator.

When we come back -- Iraq.

Residents view as one of the larger government.

There's a tape that just came out today with the president saying he likes -- distribution.

I disagree.

I think a society based upon a government centered nation.

Where government plays a larger and larger role -- distributes money that's the wrong course for America.

And miniature was the new standard in this presidential election -- choice election.

There you -- Mitt Romney talking to my friend Neil Cavuto.

And saying he it sees this is a stark choice between a president who is into redistributing wealth.

Chris is he -- -- interest it and re distributing freedom back to its original holders.

Where that President Obama said to David Letterman.

That interestingly enough that.

That Mitt Romney was advocating.

Helping the few at the expense of the many -- power play and welcome back.

And we talked about this many times before here's the deal Mitt Romney sometimes seems to want to be running.

-- competency -- stewardship election in which that he says that he's a better manager than Barack Obama and not really talking about the big big stuff.

That's when you see their theme Obama isn't working and things like that where they're talking about the president's core competency.

But with the release of the video that happened earlier this week for mother Jones just as it was -- the case when Romney -- Paul Ryan is his running mate.

Bigger issues have inserted themselves into this campaign on -- -- to talk about larger government vs smaller government tipping point moment a big choice election.

So which way is trying to get ago which way does he need to go and all that stuff -- -- Is a friend of mine Clinton -- -- is also a wonderfully ink stained -- who has worked at the newspapers and mobile.

And Little Rock.

The Washington Times -- the Washington examiner where I got to know him.

He is of now the center for individual freedom which you sense good I don't know what you guys do but that sounds good that that sounds good.

And you are -- senior editor for the American spectator.

You have fled Washington.

You live on the Gulf Coast or native Gulf Coast again and we're jealous welcome back well thank you very much Chris glad to be back.

OK so.

You.

-- first let's let's look at the state of the race a little bit and let's go through the quinnipiac which does some of the very best state level polling that somebody that you should always watch -- Quinnipiac University.

And they've been brought on by the New York Times.

And I think CBS news -- staples -- Colorado.

That's President Obama 48 to 47 over Romney and much smaller gap than it was.

Earlier.

Or at the beginning of last month and when it was 45 to fifty.

-- no I'm sorry it flipped around Romney is now trailing by point instead of up by five in Virginia which is crucial crucial crucial for this election cannot overstate the importance of Virginia.

The race is substantially unchanged with the president holding four point lead still.

Over Romney.

And then up to -- Wisconsin.

Where you see the race six points pretty tough for Romney looks pretty tough for Romney there with the margin growing by three points.

So first Quinn.

What's the state of the race.

The state of the race is that.

Mitt Romney has not taken advantage of a whole summer full of opportunities and now getting into almost a fall of opportunities.

And he is definitely behind -- he's not way behind he's still within striking distance.

But it has not been a very effective campaign the only thing that he's been effective performances.

Choose -- running mate in Colorado.

The only thing effective and here's the problem okay Ronald Reagan had believers.

Mitt Romney has consultants.

And you've got to have yet you've got to have talented people who know how to do campaigns.

But they have to be believing in something.

Bigger then there consultancy.

And you have to have you have to give them.

Something to believe and and that so far it's just somebody said last night at a dinner where -- was it's a first time they've ever seen somebody who play Preben defense when they're behind.

And and the belief that the strong belief.

And we've seen this we keep talking about this person I don't know.

Why I think you would care about this person so much but his name is Stuart Stevens and he's the chief strategist -- sort of the Karl Rove.

Of the -- operation.

And been a recent article that was trashing him he gave an extensive interview for the -- -- trashed him and basically said.

Ideas aren't as important strategy isn't as important as these things you know the concept is important just got to pick something and stick with it.

And Peggy Noonan today who of course I -- Peggy noon today were piece that said wake up.

You've got to snap out of this thing whatever your doing stop doing it and start being bold and start being bit.

I saw that piece and I loved it so -- in an email this morning saying -- just great work it was -- absolutely right on target.

Earth elections are out ideas.

There about -- direction of -- country and what.

Always I don't know 2000 that was in a battle of ideas that was a muddling of the model.

Well it was remodeling of the model but especially if times are bad they're bad -- and it's not just.

Sort of a vague general direction I mean Romney is starting to get.

Well he's for government and -- for freedom.

It's also how how do the ideas apply.

How do you explain to people.

Why your policies will work you don't have to sound like a huge policy -- But give them something they can hold onto and right now the -- he's not doing that that doesn't mean that he can't.

Mitt Romney's got a lot to offer.

If he will only get out there and offer an end and do a little bit more of this.

Of this turnaround specialist.

You can explain why he's gonna turn something around and how mean a turnaround specialist and just walk in and say well.

I'm a turnaround specialist therefore you turnaround he's he walks -- says we didn't do a B -- C.

You know what you do when you -- two points down going into the fifteenth hole on a match play.

You -- it and you've -- it you bingo you grab it you you don't go for five iron off the -- you go for the near Little John Daly knew John Daly -- -- action Diet -- in your cigarettes.

And get ready to make it happen.

-- one of the reasons I wanted do you talk to the Internet today is.

You are superb prognosticator of elections you have a tremendous track record matches on winners and losers but I presets so carnac do tell.

What will we see -- November 6.

Unless Romney does a major reset and I still think there's a chance for him to do it.

But I'm got Obama winning two engines suddenly forwarded to engine 64 electoral votes.

And with a mind -- or with a plurality -- popular -- -- -- short -- -- falling short of fifty still more votes than Romney but about 49% to about 48 point 5%.

When Hilliard is often right and always welcome thanks for being with us thank you Chris -- -- a quick break but when we come back we will talk to a young Democrat and -- young Republican we'll talk about what the heck Mitt Romney's trying to do about coal.

I'm expecting to see him with a late turn on his head at any moment now.

We'll talk about that we'll talk about the -- -- we'll talk about what that's going on with that.

You'll enjoy it -- stick around.

Policies that the current administration's guys -- My lovely.

Never want to close these -- down.

Only had 250.

Years of -- why -- we use.

And that if you listen closely to the accents.

Was a new Mitt Romney and focusing on the -- vote.

Focusing on voters in Western Pennsylvania certainly focusing on voters in southern Ohio.

Where coal production has been on a terrible slide -- -- a new round of layoffs this week 12100 more folks laid off as is -- energy markets and what the industry says are restrictive policies from the government are creating wonderment.

And that could do something if -- an Allegheny County or -- Jackson County Ohio.

This power play welcome back and also welcome back to two of our very favorite guests.

People that you like and it is probably.

But court order that they have been separated.

But welcome from our Los Angeles bureau Alex Shriver.

Who's the head of the College Republican National Committee.

And rod -- and West Virginia and and that's not the only reason he gets to come on the show who is the president of the young Democrats gentlemen welcome.

-- thanks -- are you back.

All right Allan just making sure you're glad to be back OK so let's start briefly on this -- question and -- -- and I were talking before.

Four Democrats from coal country this is a tough.

Issued this is not an easy issue.

But Alex I want to start with you that -- didn't used to like -- -- pretty clearly did not like Cole talked about its deadly -- and talked about the need for cap and trade and all that stuff.

Now man he is like he's in it so what's up with that.

Look at this this country is an energy crisis and Mitt Romney recognizes that.

And as -- and as governor runners -- around the country talk about his energy plan he is truly talking about and all the above plan.

The law as the president seems to have an all the above plan as long as it benefits his friends like Solyndra.

And this president has really waged a war -- we saw the affect you mentioned 12100 layoffs this week in Ohio and Pennsylvania.

And it's not just obviously -- in swing states.

Those are American -- lost their jobs this week because the president has demonize this industry.

And I think you're seeing a ticket -- arrived who's going out there talking about clean coal.

You're seeing clean coal on the and that ace group around the country saying this is a viable solution a viable alternative and we need to be promoting it.

As a country and have -- have government officials.

Who -- supportive of it and don't look down on an attack it like President Obama house.

All right and they're rod the for the where the president.

This has been there have been sort of -- back and forth on this he has funded some clean -- stuff in his home state he did it.

Future gen plant back actually in the native in the native county of power plays granddaddy.

But I didn't has done some stuff in coal country but -- large.

The verdict of the industry is that even even among Democrats.

People like the governor of West Virginia people like the senator -- -- junior senator from West Virginia -- the president has has done and things.

I think what we have to look is what are the actual factors that are driving.

The downturn in the industry.

Most of these regulatory issues.

That also sort of reference thing.

I'm mostly things haven't actually taken effect -- right honest about the state of the industry right now in this in the fewer jobs that are occurring are actually probably economic drivers that are -- -- that point and so it's I just would like to one they have an honest discussion about what's happening with in the energy sector.

I'm certainly West Virginia is -- a top spot around this issue.

Energy needs to -- to Nicole he's a deal long term part of our you know countries future energy mix.

And the president's been clear that actually -- the national convention in Charlotte last week he actually use that blew the phrase clean coal.

He he expects -- part of -- energy future but let's be honest about the economic factors that are causing problems is it's not regulations right now.

All right I will not let my West Virginia and it's forces into this discuss.

Forever.

It's just -- with two generations my family that work in the industry it's something I watched closely.

The so -- let's ask this question I wrote about this Alex my power play today Mitt Romney is losing.

This is clear and I should also when -- get the power play every -- for just the cost of a Twitter follow its Planned Parenthood are for you it's just it's so easy I don't know why you would resist.

But I wrote today Alex that.

That -- he's losing but that the -- of the race is essentially the same as it has been for about five months there have been some ups and downs.

But Mitt Romney is losing the race but is close enough to -- closed the gap before the end is that still true.

-- -- -- seven weeks ago as of yesterday 49 days.

And I think as Americans really start to tune into this race especially the last thirty days we know that historically in politics.

The other side electorate really begins to shift in those last three or four weeks we have presidential debates to get through during that time.

I'm personally very excited looking forward to Paul Ryan debating Vice President Biden.

And I think that you'll see a shift in October.

As the Romney campaign pushes for the next 48 days.

Their arsenal great number undecided voters there was a poll last week to have 12% undecided voters and let's think about that first second debts we have we have a president going for reelection.

The voters know what he stands for.

-- this point undecided voters are not gonna break with the incumbent they know what he's had the opportunity for warriors he's failed them and so work confidence on -- voters will swing to Mitt Romney -- election that.

Alex's -- may be too -- in California.

0% undecided out there Hamas one goal at one point they always look there is still sizable -- on the thought about it.

There's a substantial -- now I want to ask you met the right rob which is which is the undecided -- And not just -- decided but the uncommitted.

And the uncommitted.

Fascinating thing that is Associated Press poll that's out today that among all Americans among all adults.

The president is crushing.

Mitt Romney it's like 5437.

It's like it actually was nothing but then taking them -- likely voters those who say that they are most likely to vote it's a tight race.

But my big problem that Democrats always have for that the constituencies that favor Democrats in general young people and minorities often tend to have -- much -- -- voting records and the folks who tend to vote Republican which are married.

Caucasian folks.

It's absolutely but the turn out.

Battle at this point so alone and that's that's -- I think it actually really favors that the Obama campaign because their ground game is so strong.

We sought for years ago he came out of when this -- sort primaries never because of the really superior ground game.

It we obviously wouldn't indicated -- put -- 2000 it was based on that that infrastructure on the ground is still in place.

-- and so when you're looking at strictly a turnout game I think it it really does strongly favor Barack Obama 32 ballots.

Look at the -- Republican National Committee has 63 full time -- of some 25 states.

Getting out the vote making six million -- voter contact.

Today we launched -- out of my parents come and issue advocacy campaign talking to young voters.

About the importance of getting on their own getting independent three -- ten young voters living at home the highest since the 1950s.

Young voters barring gays and god does not from the the president.

You're currently noted in Iraq we thank you for being here next time we're gonna make you sing I just found today that you were a contestant on American Idol in addition -- must have been -- guys.

He's a reason of Renaissance man multi level player Alex we thank you for being with us we thank all of our guests you think more watching.

And guess what Harris Faulkner is in for Jonathan Hunt up next so you'll enjoy that you'll watch that.

And now is we like to do every day we will use the word from our friend Charles.

Just look at they know -- features speaker of the Democratic Convention Sandra Fluke.

Here's a woman whose.

So from an -- our -- they're laying on his 60000 dollars starting salary in the private sector which have great command knew why was -- the big star.

Demanding that ordinary Americans average income 50000 dollars.

To pay -- contraceptives.

That's a personification.

Of the idea of entitlement.

Victimization.

That's entire idea that's not what you can do for your country ask what your country can do for you this is exactly what Romney's talk about.

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