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Power Play 9-28-2012

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    With voting underway, is Romney ready?

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And that was the scene outside of the US consulate in Ben -- Libya in the aftermath of the September 11 attack.

That took the life of the US ambassador to that country as well as three others and this is power play and I'm Chris -- at all.

And indeed long shadows of that attack continue to drop across this 2012 election.

As the Obama administration.

In more and more ways coming forward to say that in fact.

It was not a spontaneous event and it was not the result of a ride over cartoon.

-- video but rather -- Was a premeditated pre planned attack that we've now learned included some folks involved in al-Qaeda.

How does this affect the election.

How does this affect are standing in the world how does this affect what Mitt Romney and Barack Obama will say and do in the upcoming debate.

We will talk about that today we will do that we will also talk about so -- -- -- which is -- of course the name of what should be the name of -- bond -- vote.

But he's in fact a failed solar company that got a big big check from the federal government in the form of -- -- well there's another similar enterprise starting out today we'll talk about that.

What the politics of that are for the election year we will also talk.

About did you know that the election -- already begun that they're voting and Iowa.

Mitt Romney it is he on his feet enough -- his organization in place enough to deal with this he's been trying to catch -- the president who's got a ground game that he's been building.

For -- I don't know -- four years so can he catch up we will do all of those things we will have our points we will hear from Charles you'll enjoy your Friday.

You'll enjoy it all the more be -- because Bob Cusack.

Is here is managing editor of the -- Bob welcome back thanks -- OK so here's the deal.

The president went into this election.

With terrorism as one of his very strongest.

Calling cards.

The killing of Osama bin Laden by the Navy SEALs.

Was the best thing that happened in his presidency I think we can rest -- -- -- things -- that was great.

Yes to health care he got done the stimulus packages he got through the bank.

Regulations he got through but those were.

Partly good mostly bad politically unpopular everybody likes killing Osama bin Laden -- and he was definitely doing that.

Is that why do you suppose that it took so long for the administration -- use the T word and say terrorism and bad guys -- I guess I mean I think it's somewhat inexplicable why they did this -- fox was first to report that this was a terrorist attack.

It was on September 11 maybe they didn't want to look.

Like they were ready on September 11 -- -- -- -- eleventh anniversary of why didn't have additional security they're pushing back to those initial reports it was terrorism.

They're not briefing members of congress members of congress are still theories of any attempt at a better briefing that they did.

Last McNabb got bipartisan Democrats aren't so yeah -- that's right Democrats during the course and so that this is.

This is a problem I don't think you see major major problem however it's gonna come -- -- is debate on foreign policy this is gonna come up without it out.

And I think they have to explain.

Why they did descendants timeline and then the other thing that you know I think about -- him a lot of people talk about Hillary Clinton when he sixteenth.

Well I mean this is this could tarnish the legacy I mean this is something that she's not -- -- and a second term of the loan well come up and -- only sixty but don't.

But if you don't you figure that is like Hillary Clinton Kate was -- did not wait as long as others it might be like oh yeah tears to yet -- I don't.

Those -- terrorists estados.

Yeah I'm I'm sure that she was not going to be the one that that -- backed over.

The president himself though.

And -- -- to your point this is not an impossible moment in the election it's a thing it is it has been the most watched news story of the year we know.

And we know it was a big deal.

But for the president wouldn't have been considerable advantage in sort of George pushing this thing and the day after instead of the day after saying.

We deplore the bill blasphemy but we deplore the response to the blasphemy etc.

it's -- it's that are coming in being liked.

We're gonna kill you yet and we know what she did al-Qaeda and we're gonna come and kill you.

Yeah they've been very defensive from.

From the get go and you know that the president said justice will be served in this situation well until it does spreading the administration is going to be on -- -- how they handled that and and you know investors -- as well as others.

And it was on US -- technically.

It's see it's a political problem that.

I think when you have Democrats.

Within forty days of the election criticizing administration foreign policy that is a problem.

So here's -- here's what I figure.

If you live in a remote village in Libya this is not a great time because pretty soon we're gonna have to shoot some missiles in choose some remote spots in Libya.

And some guy whether he was just a guy who's delivering -- warm up.

To -- the al-Qaeda meeting somebody -- you're gonna have to blow up somebody's.

Crib yes and then the president is gonna say justice has been serve yes and that'll be happy gets -- -- out of this -- if it is those people and of course -- -- and had a lot of people thinking wait a minute is -- playing politics here right before the election if it happened before -- if Bill Clinton can get away with having a split screen of a vote in the well of the house for impeachment.

And missiles cascading down on Iraq if if he can get away with that -- Barack Obama can get away with blowing up the village somewhere yes the market obviously it's not that bad guys it's it's not -- -- the full Lewinsky and I don't mean that the way that you took that.

Internet I know how you think I've seen -- -- you.

We'll yes I put myself and myself at the the the question.

Is foreign policy if Romney.

It's like heat he swung hard on Libya coming out he was criticized for over politicizing Libya.

Since then.

They've been they've decided that they want to get back on the economy.

And maybe were a little stung by the criticism that they received in the press -- What they did.

Is there -- way for Romney to capitalize on this more than he had.

-- -- I I think so but only in that the foreign policy debate I think he's still got a hammer him on the economy and in some of these as you know for some of these battleground states the economy in Ohio is better than is nationally as far as the unemployment.

Now may I take issue in -- basically -- this even though you have ranking is managing editor -- -- political editor I will say this.

The economy's better and Iowa the economy is better in New Hampshire the economy's better in Virginia and Iowa and Virginia both have.

Republican governors they both have new Republican governor's right and did better than -- not only is the economy better there than it is in Ohio.

It's better than it is -- -- and why why wouldn't there be a similar effect for Mitt Romney in those.

-- that's -- -- -- -- Ohio as a Republican governor as well quite and it's and that's but I I don't think -- I think he's just got to go back to that and make the case.

In the debates that you shouldn't settle for even if it is better in these states.

That's not good enough he's vowed to bring unemployment.

Down to 6% if he's elected president.

That you know settling for a mediocre.

Economy in some of these states is not enough but he you know he he's he just -- -- -- that he's an economy.

Well -- we very much appreciate you wearing your map near blue and gold today it's as.

Just for you as W view makes its maiden voyage into the big twelve play Baylor Bears this weekend we know that you.

Will be rooting for us absolutely will be -- take that you're confident you do not -- you you're not a practitioner mountain -- and we appreciate that -- season.

Okay we're gonna take a quick break to -- ourselves for more raw political excellence on this no tie Friday.

And when we come back we will talk about.

The election has already begun we keep saying it's five or six weeks away well in fact if he lived in Iowa you can be voting in person already.

How does this affect the race who does disadvantage the most we will answer those questions with a stellar panel when we come back -- stick around.

And those are people vote thing because the election has already begun and this is power -- and in fact.

The state of Iowa which is a key swing state this year very much in play between Barack Obama carried it -- -- Mitt Romney.

-- like carry it this year the folks there -- voting in person because of early voting the be voting in Ohio next week.

It's on this thing is already -- -- Are you ready.

Are the campaigns ready well let's find out and let's talk to people who actually know very good bit about this business.

Debbie -- she's the president of the two strategy -- -- a Democrat she is a Democrat in good standing especially because as we always -- when she is indeed the wife.

-- the dean of the house Democrat John Dingell of Michigan.

And.

You know and like gentry T Collins I'd like your inclusion of the -- -- -- T Collins.

He is the former national political director for the Republican National Committee but very germane to this discussion you're -- island.

I am indeed yes because because every -- all the president -- every four years presidential campaigns.

-- -- I would take the carnival comes to town and a certain number of kids leave with the carnival when it comes to town and -- weren't accused it was dictate what hey look you can write your own history choose your own adventure gentry.

OK so.

First let's let's lay it out and the service you gentry Mitt Romney has not had as much time.

Or as much money.

To get ready for ground game as -- from -- Barack Obama Barack Obama is basically capped an apparatus in place for four years.

He had early money and they focused a lot of ground game and organization getting people -- the polls.

This year they'll be more early voting than ever.

And that's a big advantage for Democrats who may suffer -- one to one turnout on Election Day but given enough time they can get many more there.

People to the -- Well look I think first -- with respect to resources.

Which is not the only part of this game -- you guys who have certainly social acknowledge but with respect to resources the RNC is always the DNC I think every month -- nearly every month over the course of the last six months.

That's unprecedented by the way in 2004 I think.

Democrats -- -- the Republicans when President Bush was -- her party something like one time in 24 months right we didn't the election.

There there's a cash on hand to a gap for the RNC vs the DNC.

Something like a hundred million to ten million some something -- that -- -- -- precisely but Google is that is this latest whether it is going to be deputy that the phone calls.

The direct mail the collateral materials all of the things that go into apps and usually voted early voting.

Turnout program.

Are are well.

Established appearance -- today and I think if anything it's the DNC it's gonna have a hard time resource of those efforts in the last days.

-- -- You gotta have people to do it you have to have -- and the and the team.

This gentry was hard -- at the RNC.

And the team Ken melman.

Was the maestro.

72 -- plan late game turn out.

The bush campaign in 2004 did better with their ground game maybe than anybody ever has done they did -- that micro targeting they got every voter out of the woodwork.

And came in and want to close election.

The Republicans don't have that same organization.

That's absolutely true and in the states -- we're talking about with early voting very clear the Democrats have an anti -- Have a better ground game and can't get bodies in the organization.

At the ground level we've known.

Happy you know I think now expects it to us -- it's -- -- be far.

More competitive than everybody thinks MO everybody's saying this race is over at the polls are showing that it's breaking the Mitt -- not had been two weeks but I think that didn't Democrats have to worry about complacency.

They've got I mean -- rather be where we are maybe sometimes -- worry are Democrats peaking too early to weather is that.

-- ground game for the early voting is definitively I think in the democrats' favor debates can change everything.

Now I know it's Friday and out of it I'm supposed to be loose and tireless today and very cheerful and I'm very much you know got -- -- the weekend looking for great super but let me complain bitterly and if you allow the -- complaining.

Incumbents and I know you're married to one.

And -- but incumbents.

Love early voting because it shortens.

-- we see people at office say well let's start the voting here and let's make it easier and easier for people to -- minute vote.

That shrinks the amount of time that challengers in both parties have to make their case because the sooner people go to the polls the last time.

Challengers have to make their case against the incumbent is this not so.

Well it's true let somebody else is interesting if you look at Iowa early voting.

Early voting in Iowa really was really led the way the country's Democrats.

Took advantage of -- was an island as early as 2002.

My recollection.

They're everywhere in the gubernatorial candidate -- did a great job on absentee turnout and it really became a model for what's happening in the rest of the country.

What's interesting is that since that time.

For the first time in in several decades they lost a statewide race they've been lost in 2004.

And they lost again to -- to Terry Branstad the first is sitting incumbent governor Chet -- time when and where you're talented and I first since 1956.

52 were somewhere -- that it is an outrage.

So so I think what we've seen in -- at least is that all of the investment and absentee and early voting.

Has been to -- database that traditionally turned out anyway and that it has not done that new voters that if it -- easy to Republicans vote focusing on is finding that new voters brought out people who wouldn't have been have been coming out during -- 72 -- a program.

We're by the way it is not only easier but also far less expensive turn voters out.

And so rather than the rather than moving those people -- an absentee generally vote program Republicans I think have.

Have focused and -- I'm finding that new voters which I think.

There will be some story of America to politics for 75 year study group includes one constant -- Republicans have -- the polls by a couple few points because they've whether they don't like to participate in polls or whether they.

Whatever else they do we know that -- -- for one basis Republicans vote with more regularity any given Republican votes with more frequency and regularity than any given Democrat.

Isn't longer time to get people to polls -- substantial advantage for Democrats.

I eat you know I I I actually agree with me thinks that apple tried to set that fact -- -- -- yes.

That I think really voting is good for one reason that he wanted to Express Scripts patient don't I don't know how fast ground but if both candidates are playing with same ground rules you know that's what presidential races -- about right again I'm gonna look at trying to change -- this sure.

Nominated.

Say they stopped but what we want these people paid attention to both parties picking -- a level playing field.

And what we want.

It's humor people participating -- said both candidates know that they've got to start to -- with their ground game means for -- that put the voting starts to be it now.

What -- show you what it wouldn't crab apple I am I there -- I think I think we've gotten way too many people voted we have way too many people who don't know anything about politics.

Now we hope you -- -- -- I and it's the worst thing I've ever had.

Yeah yeah.

Pathetic and not participating.

And he got it didn't even you've got to -- that's when it hit me.

Well you don't -- -- learn and then -- you can get what you vote for if you're going to go well.

Other people become educated but -- everybody's gonna take the time that you weren't the three but -- if you don't need to go out they need even.

They don't notice that yes followed that -- pond are.

They get what they do isn't so hopefully they don't I just don't know we'd -- get what they deserve to and I think people give her more informed than you think you.

OK I would cheer up I was sure of gentry will help -- -- -- but we come back we were talking about.

The new solar panel maker that opening up and this unhappy timing of this and how this will affect the election when we come back.

So stick around.

Where they contact by someone from the White House to anybody in the DOE did anybody bring that to your attention asking them to take an unusual action relating to the loan guarantee or -- -- restructure now I'm aware no one no communication from White House to Department of Energy just staying true to make the loan.

Or to restructure it was a difficult decision and and we were always always focused on.

That path that could get as much taxpayer recovery is possible.

And and that was in fact this scene is back in November of last year.

But energy secretary Steven Chu had to make a round of -- -- testimony on Capitol Hill.

Talking about these solar panel manufacturer shooting that.

That went bankrupt after receiving a half a billion dollars in federal guarantee loans.

This is power play and welcome back and -- back court panel.

Gentry and -- welcome back.

Thank you didn't really go anywhere they they went somewhere.

But welcome please.

Our friend and colleague Dan Springer joins us from outside of solar power in Portland Oregon -- welcome to the big show.

-- -- -- -- We're living the dream right here in studio three.

So so low power do they make academic staff aboard red solo cups -- what -- they get.

I'm.

-- -- you -- we're talking able slender again because the comparisons are fair.

-- -- going to be your city about a 197 million dollars in taxpayer money I'll probably at the end of this year or early next year.

Course Solyndra got a half billion dollars in taxpayer money and they failed shortly after spending all that money.

-- it all the politics of this are obvious we're talking -- Solyndra again.

Maybe it's not fair to sold -- or because they are just opening up their first line now.

They have sixty employees inside their building they're just now firing up the the production and they say that they hope to have 460 jobs.

In a few years com we'll look we're talking at all Solyndra because they'd make.

Basically the same product they make this thin build flexible lightweight solar panel that will supposedly go on.

Commercial and industrial -- because those -- can't take -- -- -- that we get from China and about a third of the cost the US manufacturers.

But you know all the analysts that we talked to say it is.

I don't wanna -- likely but it's very risky.

Did did odds of this company -- -- very high because we just cannot compete with China on price.

I sold the two companies that the US government has invested in through this guaranteed loan program.

-- have failed this will be the third -- to draw federal funds a fourth one.

Has started up but they haven't -- that drawn any of the US money yet so other -- -- -- of this one goes down there all for three Chris.

Dan Dan if you see any of that lose money playing around out there grab a handful of its -- -- it.

-- -- do that Gloria it can't have a great day.

All right so.

Handle.

The truth is this.

As Dan points out private investment wouldn't go into a firm like this because it is so hugely risky because.

Competition from China where labor is cheap and environmental regulations are nonexistent.

So you've got that.

But at the same time people feel like it's not cool when you take taxpayer dollars and sink it into a failing enterprise.

Mitt Romney today.

I won't guarantee you I will guarantee you cages -- that the that Mitt Romney today is gonna talk about here is -- they're gonna talk about Solyndra.

Does this actually mattered it.

First let me tell you this they cherry picked.

It needs to handle.

Of something that is one point 5% at an abrupt broken -- actually tell you began under President George Bush.

Attacking an excellent.

The -- -- is we all want to see us listeners and it's time for our oil we -- -- six times year low of where we are on importing foreign.

So where and we're gonna get there by using wind and solar and we've got it in -- different and we don't want to give it to Chinese journey so.

We got to start to do something this and both Republicans and Democrats have agreed upon that and -- -- governor.

Romney when he was governor of Massachusetts -- in too.

Energy firms that went bankrupt as well so there risk this was not one -- any for selective seeing.

But the end result is we are reducing our dependence on foreign oil and creating jobs more than 225000.

In this sector.

I think it matters for a couple of reasons in the in the political context of a number one.

Though I would certainly consider there's not been a lot of great -- -- -- for governor Romney over the last couple weeks one of the one of the real generous to the Romney campaign.

Is that he now has something like a ten point lead on which candidate would you trust more.

To fix the economy the Rasmussen people I think edited 11 this morning.

And so so why is that because people have more confidence to the private sector to make these decisions.

Then that the government without government to make these decisions and particularly the environment we're spending I think is going to be.

Such a powerful issue we talk about jobs and the economy with the campaign hasn't talked enough about yet.

Is spending and I think there's a real gold mine for the Romney camp and we'll take advantage of that issue.

Secondly secondly.

Just one that -- one I don't get the other reason.

Everything -- I think there -- a couple semi colon and the other reason matters is that energy prices are -- or through the roof vs yen particularly gas prices through the reverse is where.

You were when this president took office.

Yet he I held up the pipeline offshore drilling has not been what it what it could have been.

And solar prices are five times those of a fossil fuels today and so it's not that no voter in the midwest is gonna see is that your pocketbook I think your way right now I continue to subsidize via companies.

Right and I was just let's say that twelve under 100 dollars and one -- -- you're cynical it's the the deal is it Republicans took a beating in the Bush Administration because Dick Cheney and George W.

Bush were oilman and they they were doing this for the oil industry.

It does seem that a lot of these solar companies happened to be led by people who are big democratic donors well.

It but the Republicans haven't investigated innocent when you get to meet -- -- HP that's -- doing it when he was governor of Massachusetts.

I think we would all like to see the crappy thing to do it because you said it very effectively.

That this -- -- private sector doesn't want to invest in this because you can do it cheaper in other countries handle we have to do is become competitive.

-- she's good and you are to -- we thank you we thank you for your time today.

All right so now for a few power points for you today.

And today's game not set in stone.

Look don't believe the conventional wisdom on this race this presidential race is very much in -- It is not what Mitt Romney is described and others have described as a race where there's just five or six points in the middle where people are truly undecided or independent.

No in fact the electorate is increasingly independent and distrusts both parties.

That's your PowerPoint number two when you look at these polls and you say -- why -- -- more Democrats and Republicans it's because independents are fleeing.

Both parties.

The thing to look at in the polls as it is.

How many independents are these -- and in poll after poll after poll after poll people are abandoning the political status quo and they're abandoning both parties show hole.

Those people will either swing one way or the other I think there's probably a lot of volatility in this electorate -- -- as much as 1215%.

Out there -- people that call pox on both houses and say somebody give me some good answers.

They also may not vote and that's our point number three.

That's why voter turnout matters the very most.

Republicans usually outperform the polls but the Democrats are gonna have a heck of a good ground game this year if those independents stay home.

It's going to be up to the parties to win a base -- base election we will watch every bit of that for the next 39 days.

And we'll have fun doing it you'll have fun watching.

On the hunt with Jonathan Hunt is up next and now as we like to do every day especially -- Friday's.

We'll -- -- the word from our friend Charles.

-- -- tone down claim there is ready.

They're sitting again.

I'm glad lines here so -- can gratuitously irritating him again get the year off on -- on a good fighter --

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