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Romney goes all out for Ohio, Obama faces heat for ducking diplomacy at UN and taxes weigh down presidential race.
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Mitt Romney attacked 47% of Americans who pay no income tax including veterans and elderly the disabled class.
Doesn't the president have to worry about everyone Mitt Romney -- just fourteen point 1% in taxes last year.
And that was a new ad from Barack Obama talking about Mitt Romney's tax rate.
But what about your tax -- what about taxes than Americans and businesses -- how come we're talking more about Mitt Romney's tax rate -- you worse.
And this is power play and I am -- -- and welcome.
Internet to a very special Tuesday edition.
Of power play we're going to talk about the role that taxes are playing in the presidential campaigns this year we will we will we will we will also talk about these speeches the dueling foreign policy speeches laid out today by the principles of those campaigns president about it the United Nations.
And Mitt Romney at the altered the shadow United Nations the Clinton Global Initiative.
And we will also have.
What I guarantee -- will be a magnificent handle.
On talking about what the heck is going on in Ohio.
And why Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan are going to be rolling through there.
On a bus tour -- would do all of that today we will do much of it with my friend and former colleagues from the Washington examiner Susan free trio.
Who is that fine newspaper's chief congressional correspondent Susan welcome.
Great to be here are you -- senior.
She's I think she's more -- seniors by having them that you know you're you're a young woman for the sake of your life you don't need to be called senior night -- -- exactly say that.
Save that for later what ensues is gonna help us do a lot of this heavy lifting today but picking up the first breaks today.
Will be congressman Henry -- are from the great state of Texas he is a Democrat and he is much beloved by the Internet.
-- joining us via Skype congressmen welcome.
Took you so much how are you.
Now we are great we are rated the indirect hit the Internet is in five battle today.
-- so here's the question congressman.
We have talked.
-- -- About taxes in this election cycle.
And it is.
Mitt Romney has talked about his plan that he says will lower taxes for everybody President Obama has talked about.
What should what he wants to season increase a return to.
Clinton Era tax rates for top earners.
But most of the discussion has been about Mitt Romney's taxes.
Are we doing a disservice to voters by focusing so much one person's taxes instead of tax policy at large.
Well I certainly feel that we ought to be logged in at the whole tax system that we cast.
-- it's one of those things that I know at the end of the year is known secret George -- experts expenses will come.
Into play and then of course -- -- -- -- racing community.
But when -- the other thing we ought to look at the -- actors would sort of focusing on one particular area.
Well that's what I wanted to talking about it today because you're one of the people as -- as a moderate Democrat from Texas.
I think you're one of the people on their moderate Republicans from especially from Blue States who are -- -- -- double club that say.
Look it's time for people get serious about tax policy and sort of clean up the tax code go through it from and house.
And fix it up.
That's something that Mitt Romney says he wants to do but he doesn't really want to talk about the specifics.
Well you know I don't think both the -- And it looked at an -- at.
Literally -- to -- specific.
I think what they're gonna do is afterwards.
Will be a -- go ahead and talk about but that just the nature of the -- you don't going to select specific.
Right before presidential.
-- election especially at very tight election we have.
But it ought to be fair we ought to look at everything we ought to look at what loopholes the kid -- what loopholes that close.
If you recall at one time what we were looking at the -- -- although it took last year.
President Obama was spotted about one point or -- -- the new revenues.
Based on the -- said that he was willing to look at 800 billion dollars in new revenues so let's look at where we need to.
Make changes but we got to look at it from by the beginning to the end enough focus -- one particular area.
So you I noticed took a forgiving nature to you and you for both campaigns holding back on specifics.
It.
Why is that a case shouldn't vote for president Mitt Romney be coming out with more specifics on their tax policy now.
Well I'm happy go I think the voters should know specifically what they have guys that do know is that up after November 6.
But again that's up to the precedent so candidate both the Democrat the Republicans.
But I say I wish we would see a little bit more about that you know you go to specific than one -- gonna affect you.
Come up with a 32 spot but again about the nature others presidential elections.
But nevertheless after November.
We got to get it to specific the problem is.
Our worst enemy is going to be and that time that you had actor I'm because that's you know what the next after the election.
Bit lame duck or whether we become -- the -- the NFL and on that book later.
He's gonna you know we are gonna.
After address that castration.
That 30% cut to doctors we don't have -- farm -- also have that debt limit that would be coming up back again.
We still have the the extensive George George was fact that.
And whether we go to the -- doubtful or probably more like -- not would do it afterwards.
And -- that -- -- immigration reform we got a lot of issues the problem that we haven't congress it's very simple.
We work on that crisis by crisis that's wrong I wish who would that -- strategic goals.
What we need to do it the nation and address some of the very systematic way but unfortunately.
They themselves don't look that way up there -- them that's one of the reasons I feel very frustrated by what happened and Washington DC.
Well congressman we we appreciate you -- your optimism tinged with reality and we thank you for making time for us today have a great day thank you have a good day.
All right and if you think you congressman.
One of the great things that I love about congressman is that he is -- straight talker but the other thing is of course that he represents one of the best places in America which is on the of Blanco river.
Up by.
The New Braunfels part of Texas they've really gorgeous part of him that the country it's really one of my favorite is -- response it's very beautiful.
And lots of good Czech beer I am very quite delicious this isn't this quite so so -- Susan.
The what the congressman was alluding to there and you.
Dealt with this a lot.
We -- a continuing resolution to keep the government open at current spending levels for march.
But we have so much in the fiscal cliff now I'm one that says when they get back after the lame duck or for the lame duck they're gonna just do whatever they're gonna do.
And it'll depend on who wins the election I don't see the fiscal cliff in its place in formats come again.
But doesn't is there a danger that that tight timeframe.
Creates bad decision.
Yes yeah.
This was this is different this this lame duck is different and that there's a lot more than there typically is even impact -- -- We've stepped out of if you place yeah.
We've never kind of fiscal cliff like this before where you -- me who's ever -- sequestration is never benefactors of illness concept.
A forced cut across the boards you know these -- never happened before because they voted it into -- -- unique situation when they're fighting over the debt.
A year ago so.
Now -- that Fiat mountain only there having -- six weeks to figure out -- to get one point two trillion they have already been.
And evil to agree on how to make those changes to stop the cross court cuts and they've had months.
And months.
In a bipartisan panel.
You know -- -- over and they still an analyst figured out so.
It's going to be last minute you're right so it's gonna happen sometimes you know people do better under deadline -- forced to make compromises that they wouldn't -- meaning.
That's definitely a possibility here but it's so much -- so little time.
That I have a feeling that they're not really gonna get it all done and then to have to find a way many excellent yes they do some kind of form of -- just to keep it economy from going into a tailspin in which it will.
As everybody has rightly pointed out if we let all those tax cuts expire on these cuts take place.
Things are not gonna go well for the economy so they're gonna do some kind of -- willing to give themselves and buy themselves more time in.
And as a congressman sat there there outcome of the election was shaped whatever happens when they get back.
It's gonna she'd been hugely ambulance -- you know your opponent is an animal in -- really compromise that they -- I'm not necessarily we're still gonna have divided government we're still gonna have in most likely even if the president keeps his office.
We're still in house Republicans running house and we're not quite sure what's happening in the center right now but it's going to be divided -- now -- things.
And to him now if that did not depression enough and I want you to think about this here's something to think about whomever whichever party wins.
In November whoever comes out on top the losing side is going to be strongly motivated to stick it -- them.
Next year so that when you go into this lame duck session of may be less -- more of a swift kick when they try to watch it down the field out with as much velocity is possible hoping for -- fumble on the other side of the first the year so.
Gay.
America.
We've got to take a quick break but when we come back we'll break down the foreign policy speeches today and what.
President Obama had to say about free speech what Mitt Romney had to say about being shoved around in the world we'll talk about it when we come back so stick around.
Happy that you can -- -- this mrs.
Obama and brought to date I have -- Maybe he was did a few minutes senate -- -- I told I told folks I'm -- -- BI candy here for you get.
And that was President Obama saying perhaps what he ought not to have hanging out with the ladies of the view saying that he was.
An eye candy.
As they really were there to talk to his wife Michelle and this is power play.
And president has come under increasing heat including from the establishment press and even some on the left that at a week where the world seems quite.
Angry at the United States -- at least Muslim world seems quite angry angry at the United States.
We're finding -- new details.
About what happened with the murder of the US ambassador to Libya and Iran is making some very menacing noises about nuclear weapons and Israel that the president is -- -- With Whoopi Goldberg and Barbara Walters.
And not making time for special meetings with people -- say I don't know Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
So the -- -- coming down on the president.
To do something about this and -- more active was he able to get that done with his speech today.
What -- -- Romney have to say Susan appreciate I was with us still because she is Smart and obliging.
And so here's the question Susan let's.
Let's first.
Hear from President Obama.
Are no I'm sorry let's first hear from Mitt Romney who addressed the Clinton Global Initiative today and -- -- -- effort for the president's United Nations speech.
To Foster work and enterprise in the Middle East and other developing countries.
-- initiate something up call prosperity tax.
Working with the private sector the program well identified the barriers to investment and trade and entrepreneurship and entrepreneur realism.
In developing nations.
And that was Romney season basically making an economic case talking and he and he did.
The the part of Romney's speech where he hit hard on the president was where he talked about the president being controlled by events rather than controlling them that at this moment.
People -- the United States seem to sort of be a drift as the world was burning.
And it's something that.
We've heard a lot of lately.
It it would be wise for -- to continue to hit hard on that right now that's it -- -- a real opportunity for him at this point because.
-- the president is looking -- lucky even if you don't like you said mainstream media is questioning his decision to go on the view -- not meet with world leaders.
Dana Milbank Stephen was well let's -- should she say even though Romney's -- terrible it isn't really cool that the president does this stuff.
The right because it just the stark contrast here because here you have the terrible events in Libya the death of his ambassadors -- the it hasn't happened since 1979.
And he's really not acting like it's an emergency.
And you know all of -- who -- -- speech aides say -- -- he brought up.
The attack but he didn't cut in -- and a terrorist attack -- didn't define it that way he did find it more.
As something -- just transpired in the course of these nations move marching towards democracy which is in itself.
Question of all I really happening and they're very conciliatory speech I thought.
I'm not one that really showed that America is not gonna take this anymore Iranian and mad as hell and we're not going to take -- -- On you could just seize the moment himself and and and and -- that that.
Its stance but you know we'll see again a whole question goes back to how big -- -- -- -- policy in the minds of voters this is all about.
Well we've said here many times Susan it the most -- study that was at the beginning of the months that this was the most watched story.
Of any this year.
Says I saw that and that's that's simple that's important -- -- that you watch the power play.
Every weekday at 11:30 eastern let's hear what.
Let's hear what the president had to say to the United Nations.
He did talk a lot about.
That we -- that we embrace free speech and that he wanted nations that.
What's so cool with free speech to understand why we did and that it was OK to have free speech because he a lot of this discussion was in the context of a controversial.
Clip of a movie that was almost made -- bit insulted the founder of Islam Mohamed.
And -- all of that stuff but let's take a listen to what president had to say.
We are home to Muslims who worship across our country.
We got -- -- respect the freedom of religion we have laws to protect individuals from being harmed.
Because of how they look or what they believe.
We understand why people take offense to this video because millions of our citizens our -- up.
The president as sort of striking making and at the Lucia for.
The First Amendment and explaining why it was good.
And a good thing to have and that -- in fact we had laws.
To prevent discrimination against people.
The president's message today -- sounded.
He had but sure he was trying to make a lot of points.
What came out of it.
Funny sounded frankly.
For that video mean that's not the only part of the speech where he brings right.
There was it's it's like saying look what's he was sorry we're sorry we made a video we're sorry we're not allowed to -- there's nothing -- the president saying we don't really feel that way.
Right it's -- it's that was that the predominant theme.
Instead of the more minor seen him more in the -- scene might have been.
If say it was Mitt Romney or senate.
That you're not gonna come in and kill our ambassador to miss some major -- that -- -- Our embassy was attacked by the consulate -- and got it well essentially.
Out there and see because he ambassador was there right you can kill the ambassador.
With presenting -- United States.
And he's getting out there and really focusing on we didn't mean to say that might not to me is again a stark contrast can be made between his -- And the way it is Mitt Romney might have handled it if you -- president again at some moments he can -- -- time right now to make his own case we'll see if he would be dust.
To take a turn of course cynical politics -- where driver's side.
That is the -- swamp in which I dwell.
I wrote today in the power play which of course Internet as available to you -- for the cost Twitter follow acts these are all I -- you -- -- -- -- a big V.
Follow me at -- startled and you shall have my power play.
But I -- today that that.
Knock on Romney for a long time as bad.
That he wasn't big and bold.
But the president has seemed to be sitting on the ball for a long time himself and this week as the -- the last two weeks is the problems overseas have gotten worse.
This approach.
Sort of trying to.
Be on a glide path to Election Day is sort of come come up -- -- -- certainly is he's avoided -- He didn't want to meet with Benjamin Netanyahu it seems because he was afraid that he would offend or that the Republicans.
Wouldn't use that moment that Netanyahu would say something coming out of it compares president but not being able to meet with Netanyahu that he can't meet with anybody else -- they say how can you met with a guy from Egypt but not -- -- I think what this does at least at the very least for -- -- Let's face a few weeks everybody was was picking on -- around -- thinks his foreign policy stance and don't let's think back to the convention.
Where a good part -- of Obama's speech in Charlotte was about foreign policy.
And he was knocking Mitt Romney on foreign policy he he he he made some pretty good -- I thought against that -- based on sound as gas when he during his European trip.
Now a lot of -- -- has been erased because of what's just happened over the last week so again this gives -- a chance to seize control of foreign policy front at the very least.
Take away in a -- his own vulnerability.
In that department where -- let's face -- few weeks ago he would talk about Romney and and picking on him over the way he you know talk to the prime it attracted a British over their handling -- Olympic security.
And yes some other issues are happening over overseas.
Now he didn't that's kind of in a race now they're back on neutral territory.
And -- can really start talking about his strengths verses obamas and he can make it you know.
The big beat that person with a big bold ideas on form.
Policy.
Six weeks he's got six weeks ago it was a lot of time to allow all its not as long as you thing -- -- and as long as it's not October 15 you know.
Definitely not -- stipulate that that it's not October 15 she knows that she knows much more Susan we thank you so much for making time for us today besides.
And I want to give -- sharp who follows who did the right thing and followed me a Twitter.
And said this unfortunately being eye candy will work for him.
Because the press will make sure -- -- well maybe so -- but for Mitt Romney he's got to find a way he wants to win to get around the narrative.
And get his message shoot the American people and that is probably just through blunt force -- a couple things may be just one thing and go after it doggedly.
Regardless of what anybody else says okay we have to take a quick break when we come back.
We have a all star panel in miniature to have your favorites they'll be here -- delight in their observations and and -- discourse it will be totally fun -- Iraq.
The president has no idea how to create jobs because you know what is promising.
Just more of the same.
You see the Obama economic agenda has failed.
Not because it was stops but because it was past.
And that having a little fun at the president's expense congressman Paul Ryan of Wisconsin who is the vice presidential nominee for the red team this year.
And this is power play and congressman Ryan was an.
Lima Ohio not Lima Ohio as some -- apparently said Lima like Medina Ohio.
Happens to be in a key part.
Of the key state for this election remember this.
Only two people in.
History -- cents or a -- Ohio became a state have one.
The Buckeye State.
But not gone onto win the presidency that was Richard Nixon -- -- weaker in 1960 when he was vice president and Thomas he do we who had a lot of bad luck and a lot of things but generally the -- maybe win Ohio you win the presidency certainly it's true for Republicans.
Who can't get there because of what we -- the blue wall.
States like new York and California that ain't ever coming back into the red column and so they gotta have it in the heartland.
Mitt -- not do it real well there.
He's struggling in that state in fact.
And this is a cause for alarm among conservatives that's why.
If Romney is after he gets done.
-- the presidency -- on foreign policy in New York is headed out.
To the Buckeye State to meet up online for a bust a motor coach I think -- to work across that state so who's gonna win Ohio.
We have people who would tell you Garland Nixon you know and -- -- he is a radio show host on WP FW jazz injustice.
Which one it's on my preset it should be -- you worst.
But and it's a good show and we and it's always -- -- have you on.
-- -- -- He is many things you as the former chief of staff to the senate Republican conference every time they put something different because you have such a very -- made it put something different here.
But the thing that -- -- about was that he was top communicators.
For the previous Republican speaker -- -- -- welcome back.
Okay now get ready to entertain the Internet.
Let's look at the poll let's start with the numbers real clear politics average for the state of Ohio.
Obama 48 point eight we'll call it 49 and Romney 44 point seven call -- 45.
That has been a pretty consistent.
Four or five point gap for about five point advantage President Obama in Ohio.
It has been attributed many things from this popularity of the auto bailout metro Toledo.
-- the amount of money that's been poured in on negative ads.
From your points of view service you -- -- Mitt Romney been struggling to close the gap.
I think there's a number.
Think -- think that the least of which being statements that he made regarding the auto industry I think -- one in every five citizens and adulthood when every -- work but worth is that for the presidency and -- and so I heard anybody in -- to have at this a lot of people thought I had a lot of -- money from the Americans are.
And they're not sort of forget that.
And you know let's not forget when we say within the margin of error that's plus or minus five proceed could be tied for the president could be up eight point or we should.
Point out just have been just because I want to be cranky about this point the like from Washington Post Wednesday or today.
It's an Ohio Ron -- president up eight points I doubt the president's up eight points especially because -- in 2008 turnout models as a lot of these staples and.
Well I think that Romney has his work up from Ohio still I mean one of the biggest issues that I think he knows that he needs to get that is.
He needs to connect with people emotionally he needs to say he needs people.
Are saying he doesn't care -- he doesn't care enough about my problems yet.
He needs to get there you know it's the rallies have been great okay because it gives them a chance to talk about their policy and -- -- -- has they have sister doing some wild ones.
They have to search talking to real people having them talk what what they're concerned about to -- in town hall stuff.
Our whole style stuff yeah and that's just what you know a series of people and have a conversation.
With them but they also need to localize their messages -- mean.
It would -- beyond the negative attack yet there's supposedly a beautiful -- -- Mitt Romney that they have been really playing very much by fifteen minute blocks.
And -- it on television and put our program targeted.
And that's you know that's really think one of the challenges about Ohio Garland is.
That it's really two states you have a Northern State that is heavily union.
Places like Toledo places like Cleveland where the Republicans can basically just -- to cut into democratic advantages in the suburbs.
And then you have the southern part of this state south of I seventy which is -- Republican state which is a lot more like West Virginia.
And Kentucky.
And so that Indiana and those states that it borders.
But it all comes down to Columbus where there -- bought.
Middle class.
Moderate than it it is a pool of the very voters that it every election is about.
Four Romney.
His message is not penetrating their -- -- and part of that may be the success those people who haven't what can he say to bring them to this.
We don't think it's going to be -- really tough I don't know I can't because you know paradoxically here the most effective message for the president is.
Were you better off for years ago because let's not forget in Ohio four years ago we moved there were bleeding jobs more so than other parts of the country and they were scared to death that there auto industry was gonna go off the cliff so really it's tough because people are feeling better at least -- -- -- -- personally I don't them.
Barring some you know that they had some unforced -- sort of says I see how he can pull that we can be.
Early next July clearing he's calling the election right now because he's been around him and -- pictures -- cannot win the presidency Bryant.
The current speaker of the house John Boehner has said that perhaps the great success of his war -- colleague John case it.
Now the governor of Ohio and -- the State's economy around is actually working to Mitt Romney's disadvantage.
So I think there's a lot of truth to that.
But that's why you see round eastern -- which -- message out and going after China unfair trade practices in China and in the manufacturing base in Ohio that's one issue that.
-- they're -- must say you can move the dial I don't know just started see the ads we'll see if that's work.
-- -- gentlemen you are kind lies and insightful as always DSL senior says I hope Romney does a good job in the debates but I wish it was -- against Obama and the debates that would be fun.
Only if Juan Williams was one of the moderator and you know that's right.
-- guys -- do you like Internet Uma Pemmaraju good.
Because she's up next she's filling in for for Jonathan Hunt on the hunt you'll like that.
And now as we like to do every day we want to leave you with the word from our friend Charles.
His objecting -- -- now and a memory is that nothing happens in the world.
As if he can stop it but ignore the Middle East.
Ignore the Iran -- problem ignore the debt ceiling in the cliff ignore everything so you can get over the finish line.
And then expect the world to respond to us.
