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Al Qaeda's role in Libya attack sharpens debate over Obama policy. Romney courts Hispanic votes as part of the "100 percent". Fast and Furio...
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Certainly on that particular question I would say yes.
They were killed in the course of the terrorist attack on our embassy.
And that in very brief relief.
Is Matthew Olsen director of the National Counterterrorism Center testifying before the senate homeland security committee.
And saying what many people had been suspecting all along.
Which was that in fact the attack on the US consulate in Ben -- Libya.
Was a terrorist attack and that.
The spontaneity.
And previously claimed.
It's -- mentality of that event.
It's not the case this is power -- and I -- Crist are all.
And there are big doings in the world of foreign policy.
As it relates to this election.
As the Obama administration is moving back from its previously and adamantly stated position.
That what has been going on across the Muslim world the protests the killings the unrest.
Are short of coincidental only two coincidental to September 11 and coincidental -- what the United States -- general but triggered by some clips of -- movie that appeared on you to.
So things are changing so we need to pay attention because it's gonna have a big impact in this election.
Bret -- It's the -- special report with -- there and he also I guess because you don't have enough to do decided to break -- big story on this yesterday.
Which was not just that this was as we heard in that senate testimony for the first time -- -- terrorist attack.
But who might be involved -- we bring Internet have to speak sure.
You know it was a group effort because Catherine -- and James Rosen have been trying to get pieces of this quilt.
For a long time they've done a good job about painting this picture we stipulate their -- yes but I -- a -- that that this guy.
Who may have led this attack and was likely involved in it was an al-Qaeda member released from Guantanamo Bay in Cuba.
In 2007 under the condition that the Libyans continued to hold him and that the US was.
Able to get intelligence from him after that can deliver this is -- -- adopt these government in Libya right at 2008.
At that times this guy -- -- young Dan who moved out was a bad guy.
He.
Was tied directly to al-Qaeda operations around the world.
He actually according to his get -- -- Was tied to the 9/11 financiers his name appears on laptops of 9/11 financiers as being one of the people that al-Qaeda was sending monthly.
Checks to pay -- monthly stipends and support to this -- OK so there's the big picture so this guy is in Libya training -- on the ground.
It turns out and it's not just this guy it's what we knew about the Libyan operation for al-Qaeda that is really stunning.
There's an unclassified report now that details.
How much it had grown in the past two years and it is essentially Al qaeda's number one franchise.
And it's the hope.
That al-Qaeda can train -- hobbies and -- them around the world for terrorist attacks they were sending them to Iraq to Afghanistan.
To Yemen all over the place and this guy was at the center of it and this guy is believed to be.
At that attack despite the fact that the administration was saying that this was -- -- -- well and something we talked about a long time ago when did this too well a year ago.
Anyway win the uprising I guess that would have been about -- -- -- of 2000 and eleven when the uprising in Libya was taking place eventually ended up NATO's intervention there in the killing of Qaddafi was that the place where.
The rebellion was beginning in Libya was its.
Part of the country that is called siren nation Ben Ghazi -- the capital there's a longstanding feud between the folks who live there and the folks who live on the other side of the country Tripoli.
And -- these people who -- sort of in the desert mountains to the south.
But that the people and -- Asia and around and -- that this was the number one recruiting ground for foreign fighters in Iraq that when al-Qaeda was going to look for people there hatred and animosity toward Qaddafi.
Who was it cool -- -- of islamists.
They weren't they were eager to go to Iraq so American.
This guy -- -- -- sumo was mr.
recruiter and he was the guy that was and we're gonna send you you know Bob you're going to.
I -- it got its big divergence because we're sending you -- the other way exactly so.
As you get more and more these pieces.
Not only is uninteresting to get into the weeds of how extensive this terrorist organization is in Libya.
But it's also.
Two things one is the administration's story.
Completely -- I mean completely from the first two now.
And what happens politically.
Two is how does the press coverage that cover this and listen I'm not a big.
-- on -- so I believe in the fair and balanced thing I think we.
Do it better than anybody because there is a niche here that other organizations don't do and that's provide another side.
But this is just think that.
-- number one problem your sons to death yesterday let's take our reporting aside from special report and what we broke.
That and CTC on the hill the director of national counterterrorism -- you just played saying it was a terrorist attack.
Right open hearing public hearing led three papers.
There are times.
There is no one word about Libya in here.
Let alone the they're calling it a terrorist attack there's not a word about -- International section goes from 85812.
There's not a single story about Libya and the administration's story is changing completely and yet.
All the news that -- that's fit -- -- doesn't burn fat and excess.
-- can you read this.
Obama's doctor -- foreign policy move along here there's nothing to see here you don't need to know about that.
And certainly you know when you look at the coverage when you look at what leads the network morning shows today are you look at what is on the front page of the paper.
There's a lot of reporting about Mitt Romney's.
Damaged campaign.
Lurching forward trying its best to battle back as it faces inevitable defeat kind of narrative stories.
But there wasn't room for this and I think you know.
I -- we don't yet we -- get it in some sense but it seems different yes it seems more egregious it seems more in our case.
At least from my respect.
No IIII I have to say and -- -- consume a little bit more loose.
-- clues -- forthcoming than I usually am.
I'm with props and I've got hurt it there's always there's no rubber chicken the I -- it something you know in 2008 as is well documented and talked about it great night.
Was there was an urgency in much of the establishment press for Barack Obama's candidacy in the primary and the general.
Just even if only because it was this historic story to cover the first black president he's a liberal insurgent in the Democratic Party there was a lot.
Of gusting behind it and then in all these postmortem news which is always funny to hear at the end.
These reporters and journalist things well I guess we were kind of biased for Obama over Hillary Clinton and then for John McCain but what can you do with such a good story we couldn't help ourselves.
And now it there does seem to be a very strong indication story selection where things are going that that is.
-- itself on what effect does it.
These seals Navy SEALs already where there they were not there to provide protection to investors Stevens they're there and -- different.
Duty one of them apparently was there that signed weapons of mass destruction.
And they were -- other operations.
So that whole thing -- security.
Is really the question how do you have an ambassador in a place that we know al-Qaeda is gaining in significance and we've known over the past year.
And are unclassified reports that The Library of Congress is putting together so I can imagine what the classified reports today.
And we know all of this and yet an -- ends -- and consulate without security.
And then it gets attacked I -- -- -- -- Well and you know the other thing here BA and I heard about this and -- by which you can have -- for the cost of Twitter follow it ceased fire walls.
But that.
-- one of the best things president has going form had going form into this election.
The strength on foreign policy and unexpected strength Republicans thought they'd be able to say that this -- -- he can't do it.
And people will always remember your question -- Tim Pawlenty.
In the debate that was an Ames Iowa after it was -- does he look weak now which was right after the killing of bin Laden.
Republicans thought they were gonna.
Have that on and they didn't kill bin Laden.
He's mr.
drone strike he's mr.
kill list.
This narrative seems to undercut some of what the president and his team yourself.
Well if you look at the Wall Street Journal NBC poll the foreign policy questions.
He drops significantly.
On foreign policy -- he was fourteen points with independence.
In just one pull over the very short span this is after the protests started around.
The world after the killing of investors Stephens.
So I think there's a foreign policy vulnerability here and his overall view.
How to run foreign policy.
I think for the Romney campaign.
Would be something that Mitt Romney would be jumping on but we have not seen.
This foreign policy speech -- mean to be honest with the I expected sometime between now and this first debate October 3.
To see some big speech.
Maybe it's yet to come but I haven't heard about it.
It's a process says DSL senior Bret if we don't get it we wouldn't be fighting over who will be the next president.
So -- -- Washington but not everyone apparently gets faster we thank you very much gives -- in the we thank you very much for your doctor what can we watch prospect.
Report.
Well tonight we'll have the latest we have more and stuff that's coming out from our original reporting.
Want.
Political fall out and then we have also a lot about the back -- for today and track.
Our gracious and generous health -- are you watching tonight at 6 o'clock eastern if you know it's important things that you -- Okay will come back in a moment because we've got a lot more to talk about -- can Mitt Romney talk about a 100% instead of 47% what about Hispanic -- what about that stuff we've got.
A all star panel in miniature.
On that subject will also talk later with one of the lead it watchdogs.
From the house on the fast and furious investigation -- find out if this thing's over just getting started.
-- stick around.
Willard Mitt Romney the Republican nominee for president.
Talking to movies you -- the Spanish language broadcaster.
About what he says is not a 53 vs 47% election but election about the future of all 100% of Americans.
Which he hopes I assume that a lot of Hispanic voters who might have been watching would take to heart and this is power play welcome back -- President Obama will be.
-- and I'm gonna go back to my regular West Virginia pronunciation now with Univision today.
And he's going to be part of this same candidate form process.
Where he will talk about this.
He is likely to get a much warmer reception because he does much better more than 60% sometimes 65%.
Among Hispanic voters so what's up with that and what can Mitt Romney do about it and all of those things.
Now -- here on the left side -- characteristically.
It's Ford O'Connell you know him he's he's with you often and always -- you he is at a specific form act.
He's a veteran of the McCain campaign and many other Republican kind of things that he likes to do around town.
And then welcome Chris John.
-- yes correct a contract I did my new Vizio are trying to get my best if I'm pretty much best Spanish accent here.
He is the policy director for the new Democrat network and we should expect new Democrat network is you know it's Simon Rosenberg and others.
This is a moderate Democrat think tank group that it's looking to find it create a center left coalition in the country.
To advance their policies that I get that I was amazing.
I think our CNN doesn't they are gonna do this -- it's -- -- -- is -- mostly -- -- -- -- -- OK so.
Here's the question.
And I wanna start let's look Fox News that out yesterday.
A new poll in Florida that we took because we want you to know stuff.
-- among likely Florida voters.
We see as strong.
And the strong favorability for President Obama among.
His voters now the overall we're looking here at the strength of support.
Now overall the president is leading Romney by I think five points down there but when you look at the strength of support 74% strong support for Barack Obama.
Purse is 53% for Romney.
And favor with reservations -- dislike the other candidates.
Much more important for Romney.
In Florida a big problem.
That Mitt Romney adds is that in the of all things.
Demographic.
Picture of Florida used to be that Cuban Americans who are strongly Republican or haven't.
Traditionally been strong Republican because they hate communism and -- Republicans.
They share that.
That the that the -- quilt is getting a lot patches in it in Florida now not just Asian community but also a lot of Puerto Ricans a lot of people from Central America etc.
etc.
okay.
To the question is what is Mitt Romney do.
To change the discussion change there and again.
You say nothing.
-- -- has to he's been running.
Lately -- any of -- up his Univision debate saying.
I wanna run for a 100% of the country and I think the problem that is have thus far is that even asked to say I -- on -- -- percent of the country this late in the game.
On on social security and education in.
On health care on a lot of issues that are important to Hispanics and for the product country.
Overall the issue becomes.
His answer is you know we need to privatize this we need to cut taxes.
For that and it's not really based on investing in.
Those specific issues which people care about you know it's an across the board.
On the economy let's cut taxes for rich people let's privatize.
This -- that and I think that's a real problem for everyday voters who feel like.
-- what he's there in the.
-- -- why -- I instantly I agree with you I think that he started to do this after -- -- -- having McCormack state between what lines you ditch he has to say how his policies will improve the lives all Americans look let's be under no circumstances Mitt Romney lose Florida and went away and also accused president yeah I know that it is definitely true and -- his best bet right now.
Is to drive up his support seniors and actually close the gap with Hispanics that's receptive right now the president is making demographics election.
Or -- it's been trying to make an economic election he needs to explain his economic policies.
Hello all demographics or.
Interest and that you would mention Ford because -- just so happens that the Romney campaign as a targeted ad out in Florida that he's doing a demographic double shot which is that it features Hispanic US senator.
Marco Rubio.
And also talks about Medicare -- Nicholas.
We can save Medicare without changing hers but only -- younger Americans accept that our Medicare will be different than our parents when we retire -- thirty years.
But after all they did for us.
Isn't that the least we can do.
And that was Marco Rubio talking about his grandma and saying that she relies on Medicare.
And Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan are trying to save Medicare they're trying to say they're not trying to -- it is they know it.
But they're trying to save it.
So here's the question Christiane.
And it's this.
Can.
New faces like rubio change the demographic trend for Republicans because we all know this if the Republican Party.
Loses among Hispanic voters the fastest growing bloc inside the American cultural Stew.
If that happens if they lose more than 60% that I -- more elections.
You know I love these conversations about Marco Rubio being from Texas right in Arizona yes.
Born Texas -- in Arizona the thing this fascinating Marco Rubio farming is is a couple things that people need to realize.
He is not being new face in Florida he came up.
Through a Florida State Legislature.
He's had a -- allowed us.
Experience there with that also comes baggage she's heavily his best -- David Rivera who's under multiple FBI investigations in that state that relationship.
Missouri is not having children and and -- a bit limited as they as much broader I -- but is there an identity politics can Republicans by the identity politics game it as I can Democrats.
I don't think it's an issue of identity politics -- -- -- as somebody -- can speak to the issues that matter to the Hispanic community and they care about them.
And I feel like with Marco Rubio you know Hugh Grant is a Tea Party guy he wanted to run and budget cutting things like that.
So -- it's a -- it's not Hispanic but you know it's a good start OK but I told Republicans take control the immigration debate.
Put forth plausible solutions they're gonna continue to be it on the downside this is only a half hour I understand that -- that says though the best way to go forward as would Mexican Americans because immigration is not the most important issue it's a -- -- if you want them to listen to you.
One of the other issue it's a good start to come in tone wise.
-- you know promoting immigration his Republican idea.
If you -- -- get if you wanna get weird for a second Internet it's very analogous to the situation.
In the northeastern United States.
At the end of the nineteenth century where Democrats use the issue.
Policy relating to Great Britain.
To get Irish immigrants on their side regardless of what the other issues where they use that policy and it was very effective and they kept a very strong block.
-- Irish American Democrats for two generations.
-- I just feel like the Romney campaign again and -- Republicans general Ronald Reagan was great on this issue John McCain was amazing on issues you at a certain point there was a break here bright and not -- they're not reasonable but you know there's there's there's legitimate policy disagreements to be had and we should -- those and we should discuss those in and democracy.
But you know the party platform is a perfect example of like all you have to say is you know we.
But the party platform did had a -- guest worker component and that was a started moving forward what what -- McCain Reagan and the -- had become the southeast and southwest where where where Republicans had a sort of work with with Hispanics -- those areas those are the folks need to lead the Republican party for take control this issue because we don't -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- be wiped -- -- -- and really.
Think it would add to that is they -- total opposite with Mitt Romney and this achieved those people he just listed.
Are on the other side.
Of immigration their -- -- Barack Obama than they are a Mitt Romney right now that's an important distinction for independent moderate voters and that's the country to realize he is not moved.
To the center on this issue Mitt Romney final thought for.
I do you think that Mitt Romney made a big mistake -- when he made a right to our immigration which he kept a more open but right now his job is to basically tell Hispanics how his policies to improve their lives he can do that close -- capital when Florida is going to be very close risks.
If you -- will be very close race I promise in the end gentlemen we thank you very much and here's just a little word of -- based on some imports said.
Which is Republicans that come from places where they have to work with minorities and Democrats to get legislation passed.
Do better than.
And also Democrats who come from red states do better.
You wanna see people who are successful politicians.
Find people like Bill Clinton who had to -- a conservative state like Arkansas.
Or people like Ronald Reagan who had to -- a liberal state like California if you can get the other side over to your side it's pretty good sign that you're doing pretty well.
We're gonna take a quick break.
But when we come back we're gonna talk to congressman Blake -- -- told about what the heck is going on with this fast and furious investigation if it matters and if there's more to come.
Reaction is one of the critical people in his office required to brief him hand picked by him.
Resigned today and it's still only the tip of the iceberg the fact is that just because you're not convicted doesn't mean you're vindicated.
And back.
Was congressman Darrell -- a Republican from California.
In -- interview last night with Bret Baier you saw here earlier a talking about round of resignations inside the Justice Department as it relates.
To a botched gun running staying now infamous as operation fast and furious and this is power play and welcome back.
And Republicans have the Republicans who have been pursuing.
Attorney general Eric Holder.
Who is congressman -- was talking about there for his role in this certainly collected a -- scouts yesterday with a round of resignations inside the Justice Department.
But what about Eric Holder and is this case done over and done what have the those responsible being identified in cold out.
Blake -- -- -- is a congressman from Texas.
Who serves on the committee with the chairman -- -- and has been a big part of this investigation congressman welcome back to show.
Good morning.
All right so are we all done.
I don't think brought all done -- all the hearing today is going over the inspector general's report which does say that the attorney general.
Didn't know about it but does say he should have known about it.
I think we've got some serious management issues in the Department of Justice that still need to be checked into.
Okay so what's so today's hearing is basically putting it all on the record airing everything out what happens after two days here.
Well actually more today was about finding out what the limits are the investigation how far win.
Where they could and couldn't go.
For instance the inspector general from the DOJ was not allowed access to internal White House documents.
And I think and he indicated under questioning that those are some of the things he would have liked to seen.
So there were witnesses he was not able to talk to.
So that's an area that's that's still ripe for investigation.
Right so in terms.
This this argument that Eric Holder should have known that he that he should have known what substantiates that.
Well you what you got is even the executive summaries of some wiretap applications.
Indicated that guns were being allowed to walk which means they were being.
Allowed to go from straw purchasers.
Into Mexico.
And the highest level of the DOJ the people who are proving the wiretap applications.
Should've seen that and should have noted that it's against the DOJ policy and morally wrong for that to be happening and they should have bounced it up the chain.
-- they didn't it's almost a pattern of deliberate indifference from the top down.
So so it's possible though in this telling that this information was intentionally kept from the attorney general.
Well they're certainly was a at best there was a culture that.
Discouraged.
To bumping things out like this -- the latter.
OK so that's what you that's what you're going to want to know right you're gonna want to find out right.
About the culture and can you could -- -- be held accountable for the culture is that something that could that that could inculcate him.
Well that -- the culture starts.
At the top.
As a congressman -- held responsible for what my employees do anybody in the private sector of the managers held responsible.
For what their subordinates do and it's it's certainly a testimony to.
Eric holder's management who are lacking there that he didn't know about this especially.
When he came to light that some of these weapons were used in the death of Brian Terry -- -- law officers killed it's typically all hands on deck.
If somebody one of my employees or somebody under my watch had been killed I would want to know all the details fast.
Blake -- told if you lived in Corpus Christi -- know already but if you don't know now congressman thank you for taking time for us today my pleasure thank you for having me.
Okay Internet before we go.
We tell you what did a little bit of what you're saying here.
And a lot of conversation -- in the chat about all of these topics you guys are being very -- Smart today.
This is Greg -- says Romney needs that foreign policy speech the economy's -- slot.
Should have been filled with someone who cared enough.
To write a new speech.
Actually about foreign policy and they -- -- greatest talking about.
The convention speech delivered by Condoleezza Rice.
But do remember this Internet and this is important because of the Iraq War and because of that this favor publicly towards the bush administration's.
Foreign policy prospects and what happened in those eight years.
That leaves Romney with a thin bench there are people who know a lot.
But that he doesn't want to take out publicly.
Because -- folks who are associated with the Iraq War which is something that still very unpopular with voters so Romney does have a bit of a squeeze play on this issue as it relates to foreign policy and its optics.
And then we also this.
My take does not appreciate -- confidence point of view today.
And I can hear the sarcasm.
Coming from my take on this -- that's a good thing for Romney to do follow McCain on immigration.
-- at sarcasm and perhaps sad -- noise duly noted.
We thank you all for your generous time today.
It is my sad duty to report to use that Charles was not on the panel last night so there's no word from him.
But -- happy happy news to sit on the hunt Jonathan Hunt is up next as it always is for you.
Have a great day and we'll see you back here tomorrow.
