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Special Report Online: 9/19/12

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    Debate over Obama's 'redistribution' remark

  • Duration 25:35
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Do another additional special report on line I'm Bret -- You haven't been here before welcome aboard this is a place you can ask questions make comments.

Don't worry if you don't seem right away were putting them into the middle section as fast as we can you can also vote in the polls lists scroll across your screen.

On the panel bill morrow and Jonah.

We'll continue our discussion we got cut off we -- breaking news in fact I'm sweating.

Drama all the stuff that was going on that show -- one about the precedence.

Audio tape from back in 1998.

They re distribution.

Narrative.

It's basically the same theme that we saw in the last campaign with.

Joe The Plumber plumber he's -- Joe The Plumber rather well and Ralph so it's not completely new is it -- people around me to to attack.

I think it's right for Romney for this reason Romney has decided.

To double down only be more articulate about it.

On what he said at that fund raiser and what he's wants to do is make this argument about redistribution.

And the culture of dependency verses a free enterprise free market approach to growth.

Which I think is a completely legitimate argument to have but he has to sustain it and develop it.

So he can use this tape is kind of a launching point but he has to do a lot more than that because I think when your president.

-- things that are fourteen years old are not as relevant as things that happened while you were president.

And John McCain tried this last time.

And it didn't seem to have much of a purchase I mean we know that Obama believes in redistribution because that any tax code that's progressive -- re distributor of and and that's -- social programs are and that's the Democrats believe it.

You know I just think he has to do something more with that than he has done I think the the thing that that I wonder is now that he's decided.

To to kind of make the argument.

About redistribution is he gonna sustain it because he's done this before where he doubles down on something and then there's -- follow through.

Don't ya I was slightly different take on -- about -- point out that.

Everyone likes that you're here they are ask -- about Charles he's doing fine he's giving a speech out of town.

When you're in that position I understand.

That is what's you know Charles seed but they like you there but -- it's also like the dome in the Star Trek episode of -- brain it gives you -- -- -- -- intelligent.

Amendment does this seed itself it does -- and to -- this schedule is not.

-- dubious about that.

I don't slightly different take on the would -- Richard I agree entirely that it's.

Sort of a nothing burger.

In and no one no one -- shocked that Barack Obama particularly fourteen years ago believes in redistribution.

-- Steve Hayes the other night was talking about his answer to Charlie Gibson in.

The 2008 debate where he's in favor of the capital gains taxes even if they can raise more revenue just on account of fairness.

This is -- Barack Obama is you spread the wealth around all the rest.

Where I think it's actually been surprisingly effective and I wouldn't have predicted it is that.

In a sort of Clouseau kind of bumbling way it has allowed Romney to -- it off of his own remarks and say.

We'll look.

Here's what I was an artfully saying here's what he is -- saying.

-- about redistribution and it's forced him to sort of use it.

As a good offensive talking point for day two of the story it catches a lot of the media which -- just been hysterical.

About the Romney's secret video -- a lot of them who's sort of out of due diligence cover it.

At least a little bit as it with the appearance of balance.

And helps frame the issue away from the specifics of what Romney were saying where I -- builder largely indefensible on the merits.

Can get up to 30000 feet where you can -- defense of the Romney vision vs the Obama vision.

Did he get a lot of nasty and with a nasty he's critical -- some.

Now -- in this why my colleagues at the weekly -- the guys who actually take care of the house editor at weekly standard account don't fortunate -- that they think this through.

If you're feeling well that's that's very well -- I'm very.

I guy gets a critical alliance and not -- -- it to burst but there are a lot of people who.

We're just kind of thought that you -- way off base for now wall they.

Some of them agree that the that Romney was.

Not in the right frame of mind in as far as when he was present -- things they don't think he was stupid and arrogant.

Outlook made I watch a video registers for people to make our decision their own judgments I never claimed to speak for anyone else is just my just my opinion to you know on this I think it was Dave Riley Kennedy did it pretty good job surfacing missiles.

Obama video and getting the media -- -- -- Dave Wright -- he is president I say it's.

As present as this is done certain things I really think the -- campaign they're tactically pretty good sometimes but they did today that.

They need to get back step back a little and say what are the two or three major indictments of Barack Obama as president I would say two or three are Obama care the debt.

I would say foreign policy in the Middle East so let's take those three and let's have.

Advertisements on them and let's have serious speeches on them I think that is the way to run a campaign -- challenger.

You get the -- tactical back and forth you win some of the exchanges -- -- and he'll fight to withdraw.

But I think at that point and incumbent president just has -- advantage the end of the day if it's a very -- if it's small ball back and forth.

Pretty hard to jostle attempts to remove an incumbent from the White House but there's big issues to raise against -- Obama one of the frustrating things for people like me who we're gonna vote for -- how many.

Is that he hasn't done a very good job of raising and sustaining the big issues of obamacare the debt and Obama's foreign policy just a victory here.

Bedford North Carolina -- first time watching.

Online -- great watch all the time now Bob enables polls -- me for an emotional rollercoaster round.

Marat you know we talk about polls and we we put a -- and we.

Explain the difference between registered voters -- likely voters and the sampling of flux Democrats.

It is frustrating for some people looking polls and try and interpret whether those polls are more accurate or other polls -- more accurate.

Because we don't know what the -- going to look -- Don't know what the turnout model is and if you want to really be a student of polls you're gonna have to look at the turnout model in wheat that's used by every poll.

Now if you believe that the that the electorate is going to be the same as 2008 which I don't.

Then you would agree with the polls that have plus seven.

Democrats.

But if you think it's going to be closer you're gonna pay more attention to the polls that have it weighted more evenly.

That's one of the problems with polls however what was 2000 it was that plus seven night thanks to get -- seven -- -- they said let's say democratic turnout.

And it's and identify democratic identify turnout if you assume that it's going to be less than that.

You shouldn't pay too much attention to polls that that that assume that is going to be enacted a -- is identical to 2000 and they put that would be a big democratic turnout to -- 2008.

And nobody thinks it's going to be -- RS mission has a plus to -- putt right in.

Well now that I don't know if it's going to be that either but I don't think it's going to be plus eight it's not going to be 2008.

It's probably not going to be 2010.

You just have to -- now some people I know the -- and seltzer who I think is very good poster and I like she takes just the population she doesn't waited at all she just.

Does partisan way to -- partisan waiting at all but but but when you look at these polls the polls are interesting because the race is still very tight.

Obama does have a small and steady lead and a lot of the battleground states.

And in some of these internals which tend to follow that the top line is Bill Kristol of and says.

I'm you know they do show him doing better on taxes and the economy the deficit those for the areas where Romney was just beating him -- you know consistently.

And that and that's starting to change however you do see the people who are the most interested the more likely that more excited people are the tighter -- Yeah let's put up our new staples and by the way control or do we know are on the -- staples what.

Partisan -- of us know what it was.

You know want to check we'll put them up and won't get it on -- -- -- -- -- -- fox does because fox is not far off from any from anybody else and on how much worse.

So these are are likely voters this is Ohio Virginia and Florida.

And they see big leagues for the president in all of those places.

Ohio Virginia -- seven point lead Ohio seven point lead five points in Florida but now you go as more I was mentioning.

Extremely interest in voters.

-- take a look at this.

And right there it's time within the margin of error.

Even tighter than that margin of error in the staples is plus or minus four.

And that's right there now.

That suggests that perhaps you know that turnout.

If you -- enthusiasm gap.

Those towards Republicans that perhaps that's -- war.

-- -- -- -- president and -- extremely interest to vote doesn't count any more than likely voter fraud and the reason they have likely voters who is trying to capture people -- gonna vote.

I you know and so I think it's better to have the real enthusiasts that he -- it's -- out of some of -- likely voters won't turn out so the truth is trying a little bit.

Convert between them but it I mean there's a reason elected bush beans and there -- because that's what people think about what's community.

And in the extreme view the extremely adjusted does show that there really are more people really want Obama out I think that's true Republicans are more motivated.

But you've got it to really put too much.

Heartened that honest I mean several Republican pollster today.

Who's worried about the polls is to put a lot of weight magnificent that Obama the Obama campaign isn't competent enough to turn out it's.

Mya -- likely pro Obama about balancing the Obama campaign probably can do is fight every -- being in America who's inclined to vote for Obama and get them through social media and email and you know volunteers and paid.

Union guys it's -- try to at least get into the post I wouldn't put too much.

Hoping that and the other -- the -- also said that at some point these states -- settle in and does something it's sort of in part to put your finger on it.

But -- -- would vote went through these races and they're kind of competitive than some of opens up a little bit of -- lead.

And sometimes -- reverses and -- -- and you go right back to competitive race and other times states for week two weeks and weeks and somehow you just get the feeling this raises -- can change much.

And that's where I think the first debate is so important I mean I think Obama army does have a couple weeks here to change the momentum.

I think going into the first debate -- those numbers that we had in the -- profile industry he states are expected to be able to reverse that one debate.

Is very risky so I come back to what we're drug went earlier on the on the radio show and I don't know much of this is an important two weeks.

These Romney needs to recapture should get some momentum back to mention he had -- picked Ryan if those two and a half weeks or so until the convention.

Does that does close the gap entirely doesn't have to do you know -- Obama and have a killer video battery he just needs to reverse the momentum.

That exists right now I think he needs to do that pretty fast.

Pretty pretty fast these.

Joking he hasn't changed the storyline from look at all these problems probably campaign.

Tonight is this in place we were with McCain amendment he needed to change the storyline when Joe The Plumber started.

Remember that you know we had Joe The Plumber and and they pounced on Joe The Plumber right and it was.

Narrative and I hate that word that that became.

-- good campaign.

Is this the place that we are right now on her day.

Or is this within striking distance you know Republicans that -- talking -- and others are who are a little bit down -- day.

You know.

I think you know whether reasons why.

-- many people on the right had -- some problems with the secret video was that I think.

Even before the -- -- video we were at.

Low end of our optimism for how Mitt Romney was going to do -- a lot of this faction the satisfaction.

-- -- Stevens Mitt Romney's chief strategist and campaign manager who.

Has run a campaign that sort of defies all the rules of American politics going back forty years where Republicans have had a distinct advantage of the presidential level you look at those two conventions the Democrats ran.

-- more proudly pro abortion more proudly pro left wing proudly -- distribution.

Than anyone thought was conceivably wise for a Democratic Party and the Republicans never -- and pro military and -- -- -- -- -- from military.

But the -- and the Republicans meanwhile.

Didn't mention military in their nominee's speech are -- -- -- mentioned Afghanistan at least.

And didn't -- the speech Mitt Romney gave you have no idea that Paul Ryan was had been picked.

And it was shockingly substance free they never use the word liberal and almost any of those speeches.

And Mitt Romney's -- was essentially sort of Michael Dukakis argument -- I've got the better resonates about competence not ideology.

And when you listen to Steve Stephens and interviews explain his theory of politics in this period of election.

It's all about we're just gonna win because no one -- Barack Obama and if you have that strategy going in.

You don't give people -- reason to vote for Mitt Romney it allows.

The other side to completely manufacture.

-- what the choices rather than.

Cover your base there and say no here's what we're gonna do affirmatively but still you should vote against a lot of -- about.

-- -- Jim Lehrer the moderator for the first date October 3 in Denver.

Obviously he's from PBS he's done many times -- four.

Just today put out the -- -- for the -- there are six.

Fifteen minute time segments is a little different format in that they'll have these segments and then.

Bill.

Have a statement and then they'll have a discussion.

Where -- can kind of steer the discussion he's put it out.

The economy won the economy to the economy three health care the role of government and governing.

Now see if I was doing -- I would have gone with the economy 31.

I think it is -- made good.

But but a very but -- the good thing about that is that I think is what their intense.

It's pretty open it's just a domestic policy debate and they can pretty much to sort of decide how they want to talk about it.

You know a couple things about comparing this to McCain.

A Smart Republican said to me the other day you know there's a big difference between running for senate and running for governor running and running for president -- If you're running against a fairly.

Unpopular incumbent with a terrible economy you can't just kind of stand there and be the alternative but it's completely different when you're running for president and I think -- that's at the Romney campaign.

Hasn't missed a couple differences I don't think it's equivalent of McCain McCain was in terrible shape is being outspent I curvature here and I thought -- -- -- -- and better.

And handle Lehman Brothers -- -- you know there was there was.

The content that's -- -- system was collapsing he was being outspent Republicans were were sick of bush and the big government conservatism they weren't excited about it.

Didn't matter who the candidate that was that's right but this is different and that is why I think conservatives are so anguished because.

This guy had -- Mitt Romney has a real chance if he can't work with the material of this environment which is extremely anti incumbent.

It's gotta be his fault 48 -- bottle of that poll did not have subgroups for parties who did not drinking holiday.

On the state level.

We -- just getting this report.

From mortars.

Which is very detailed.

-- Iran.

Using civilian aircraft to fly military personnel and large quantities of weapons across Iraqi airspace to Syria.

To aid president Bashar Al Assad and his attempt to crush.

The uprising there are in Syria.

There's an intelligence report obtained by Reuters.

Same and -- details and in great detail of these weapons.

-- all of these personnel this personnel from Iran.

Heading to Syria.

Yeah I entered a version of this that this might such reform might existence I'm glad to see where -- has gotten can apparently confirmed it.

I'm in Iran is just spending so unbelievably badly -- so many different ways range of its nuclear program to its domestic.

Oppression to terror sponsor terror war -- killing Americans in Iraq and Afghanistan.

And now and it colluding with the government of Syria to -- in the distance there Hezbollah of course.

Again they -- to restrict it how they should give a speech about Barack Obama's foreign policy.

Which started with the reset and Iran great hopes for diplomacy and the fact is that -- -- -- nuclear weapons than ever before and they have not curtailed their terror sponsorship for their trouble making abroad -- -- -- -- There is and what about the rest of the Middle East and again -- You gotta give you gotta follow up these into the good jab I thought it that President Obama -- the riots erupted -- and since then it's that all kinds of other issues I just think you need to make the case I mean you need to really sustain in the case -- -- both playing at your own agenda and also the full criticism.

Of of the Obama agenda I think gets murky and I'm ASEAN and the economy can do -- -- -- -- -- their -- -- bad.

It's bad on the go ahead as the Obama campaign put out a lot late last week on the fourth anniversary of Lehman Brothers.

You know the -- collapses before Obama was -- power and to the degree that they can muddy the waters is a -- maybe -- -- great -- but when you really terrified.

I was September October oh wait that wasn't me Barack Obama's present that was your party.

They had the White House that Romney just explain he's different from bush and -- -- -- -- back and forth and embodies the whole thing so there's a real case for if you lay out your agenda.

It just makes you the rest your life so much easier you know I mean I shot.

-- -- all the focus on the economy and there's a clear vulnerability there.

In the latest Wall Street Journal NBC poll the biggest -- -- -- pounds.

Yeah and it is off -- -- getting that passages so interesting fourteen point -- which is so interesting because it shows you that if Romney had decided to make a a full fledged argument about how Obama has bungled the Arab Spring or whatever -- -- want to call it.

And as opposed to just.

Putting out the statement that Obama.

The I think you know really over the top -- response when he got roundly criticized for and if that is going to be the sum total of his attack on Obama's foreign policy will then.

He's gonna leave that on the table and that's and he decided to there was no follow up.

There was just it was just about.

But -- and this there has been there's got to be you would think commander -- -- -- this development you've got bring Ghazi stuff that is self regulating them in.

What we reported to nothing I mean.

We were saying you know -- off camera foreigner -- that it would I don't I don't understand why he doesn't give.

Us.

You know -- -- of Santa speech once a week every week until Election Day I mean if -- Give the press something substantial color cover if they don't cover it.

Then you get the vote went against the liberal media and you say here I'm giving you all the stuff and you complain about process failures and substance.

It forces the Obama campaign -- -- to respond.

It's that's the way presidential campaigns are supposed to be run and I'd there is that this bizarre attempt to sort of maintain the vacuum of substance and a lot of debate is is bewildering and.

He has said in interviews that he doesn't want to talk about substance he doesn't want to be specific because the press will hanging around his neck this was -- absolutely strategic decision.

That the dead that's not what the subject of -- campaign that he's from Amazon had and I think that Paul Ryan and Bill Clinton both proved.

But you don't have to tend to stay substance for it.

-- people are ready to listen to it.

People white people want to hear the substance and -- -- -- important.

There's -- comparison between Reagan in 1980 and today.

Ronald Reagan in his acceptance speeches and Republican Convention that's something like.

12100 words on tax cuts and 800 words on the economy in the -- -- all but you know there was it was a substantial.

Argument -- Not interested and I don't know I don't compare your campaign is ready to Ronald Reagan in nineteen hey that's my point well you compare the poll numbers.

Because he was down the Carter at this point and others in the audience for this big speeches and peoples of this talk -- this -- -- -- speeches you -- Thoughtful types like speech is probably some really helps organize your campaign.

-- -- major foreign policy speech religion.

Okay you could also have advertising on Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday it backs it up you can have -- out there whether they fit I mean it's just a way to really sustain a message I think everyone agrees.

That the Romney campaign has been sort of tactical and responsive it hasn't really sustained a message since the one time they did actually was when they got thrown into the Medicare Friday after the -- -- Ryan.

They reversed it by attacking obamacare and they did pretty well there for about a week and they reaction would landing blows I think against the Obama administration against obamacare.

So again I very much I think this features were helped organize the scene and said.

He's doing very very extensive debate prep he's a good debater I think will be fine in the back and forth -- the question is -- we have an underlying message of the debate.

Will hold -- zone trap thinking well but I -- that I have nothing to that may not be enough.

But you know I think there's a -- on here saying the speech is what they get covered in this environment.

I will say.

There's been pretty strange.

That some of it some of the coverage.

Hasn't yet you a little different.

The best example I I just think it's hilarious justice but my media critic hat is Andrea Mitchell at another network with uncle who.

Is sort of wears the hat of serious journalist she refuses to -- the video distribution.

On audio of of Barack Obama saying the stuff about redistribution because it has its authenticity has not yet been confirmed Monty campaign put out the transcript in the I think that they and they happened before or show her show -- -- -- in that is just it is.

It is petulant sort of media bias and -- there's no rational explanation for it and there is you know there was either Walter Shapiro -- pretty respected journalists want and you don't want in the -- -- I mostly professional press corps doesn't like this campaign in the -- his campaign.

And I I agree with I have nothing -- something with them about that but he says.

No matter what we can't change the narrative.

And -- -- -- -- Does that.

You know is that we have this press corps in the press corps and for mom I'm not sure what the job of press corps is the change America considerable you -- change the narrative if you -- also focusing almost process.

My immediate times -- or covered Russell -- -- -- single paid advertising which actually gets too -- of viewers and as a reason Mitt Romney is doing this fund raisers like the one where he was videotape that was just to raise money primarily to -- to TV stations to pay for ads.

So I'm I am just I mean I'm happy that -- -- rising anywhere else but if you have hundreds of millions of.

I got you -- -- telling you it's a little different this time but it just feels a little and there are more media outlets available not just on me than there ever been for any Republican in human history.

And being in Iowa and all these places have been -- -- that.

At some point adds it just gets over that had it.

Especially if they're not distinctive and if they're all the same thing -- found is that the congressman because that I think can add that actually featured.

The very beginning clips what's happening in -- guys in Cairo.

Featured the story about Iran you know very -- -- -- on getting nukes and killing Americans and that have been Romney crisply saying this is that a film that would be that would get.

Some attention -- -- but I don't distributed media is a little bit different I don't William -- why they.

Dislike it probably so much which isn't he the kind of Republican is sort of tend to like more from basically a moderately conservative good government Republican and decent guy and -- what's there issue -- -- I'm a little.

Surprised by last.

Down the road here -- big story that.

We're probably going to focus on soon.

-- Tell me there is no story and I can't comment on and -- -- with me profits yeah that you are -- I think Robin will give a serious foreign policy speech and actually they made the chick -- made.

Change a little more thanks to be tough criticism they've gotten constructive criticism -- like to -- from some of their friends.

You know I agree foreign policy is going to be the next thing.

Yeah I think for -- is going to be an accident but I also think that.

I think that this weird moment with this hidden video has.

And sharpen their focus and put a little feared death and them and they they're their -- may come back a little bit.

Alicia says -- why is she reading her questions sorry -- my computer froze up a lot of questions flowing and now as we wrap up here.

The sound you heard was the screen behind us that we raise up because the lighting.

You're right I didn't have the same amount and make that today there you know.

Because yes a little pale because I didn't go to make up because I was trying to get that breaking news on the phone before -- and the studio and yes I am on a diet I've been trying to drop LV's it's amazing when you stop eating crap and you exercise how you.

Drop some -- in America and I -- Yeah -- yeah everything that's there are a lot of real objective to generals claim that he's gotten source harder at myself.

Nobody ever liked John I don't in this neighborhood you know kind of protection panel thank you very much -- report team jewel on -- Johnson's great job.

-- -- -- -- Zach Zach who used to be here has left us for fox sports he is now doing soccer for fox sports out.

Al west in LA so he is no longer in the control room but -- Brett is at the Helm so thanks for tuning into the online show tonight we'll be back next weekend.

It was back tonight tomorrow as it can choose from -- control room to see him.

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