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GOP VP nominee previews first presidential debate, reacts to most recent poll numbers and talks foreign policy and the economy
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Hello again from Fox News and Washington.
Would just five weeks -- election today a new poll showing President Obama leading in key swing states.
The presidential debates may be Mitt Romney's last best chance to turn this race around.
As -- wanted to find out what the Romney Ryan plan is -- my face off against Obama and Biden.
We caught up with running mate Paul Ryan Saturday in -- New Hampshire.
Before we sat down for an exclusive interview.
We spoke briefly as he was about to take the stage for a campaign town of.
Poll what do you thing.
Just before you go out on stage -- time but Obama's taking us in the wrong direction.
Mitt Romney and I are offering them a different direction and I'm excited at the opportunity to -- people.
The chance to pick that choice that's what.
Gets me excited about.
And -- Congress -- welcome back to FOX News Sunday -- actress welcome to New Hampshire.
Thank you what does governor Romney need to do Wednesday night in that first -- that he needs give the American people the choice that we're offering.
That's what we're doing we over the country.
And very clear choice of a different future.
We cannot -- half a dynamic growing economy.
Produces opportunity.
Well we're gonna have a stagnant economy that fosters dependence.
We can stick with the failed policies before last four years -- the next four years.
-- in a brighter future stagnation verses growth dependency -- opportunity an upper mobility.
That's the classic choice to clear difference that we're offering and so what we hope people get out of this debate is actually it's well it's interesting because for the last.
-- -- 06 months the Romney campaign is that this is a referendum.
On Barack Obama's record not -- saying it's it's a choice so it's not a change strategy it's -- phase of the campaign we've now entered into because I think it's important.
The president is trying to paper over his problems the president has been trying to mislead and distort.
The record it's a failed record we think it was very important point that out.
Look at unemployment look at our poverty rates look at between three million people traveling for work.
But now at this phase of the campaign we think it's critical that -- people understand it doesn't have to be this way we can get our country back on track.
But Romney is often the leadership and the policies in the principles that enable us to do.
It is clear that you -- -- Romney are trailing.
Ian the polls especially in the key swing states and there are -- growing number of top Republicans who say that Romney needs a clear victory not.
Watched a clear victory on Wednesday.
Arouse the donor support will start to dry up and -- -- grassroots support.
First of all the polls are close this is going to be a close race.
Second of all I don't think that you are -- -- we're running against an incumbent president -- running against incumbent president with incredible resources.
But more importantly I don't think one event is going to make or break this campaign look pres Obama is a very.
He's very gifted speaker.
The man's been on a national stage for many years he's an experienced debater he's done these kinds of debates before.
This is -- first time on this kind of stage I think what people yeah I'm going to see -- -- three debates during the primary I think what people are gonna see is who is -- What kind of a president is going to be and what are the choices -- that to me is what matters in this particular debate in all the debates.
Which is I know what president Obama's done an all of these empty promises broken promises I know about that ugly stagnant economy.
What is Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan offering.
To get us back on track and I think that's what we'll get out of Wednesday and if we get that out of -- in the country understands the choice after me.
I understand that governor -- plans to make a major foreign policy speech in the next few days.
Did the two -- you think.
That the president has engaged in a -- brought.
He and his and the administration's explanation of what happened at the US consulate in the Gaza well I'll let others decide that I'm there are Republicans and Democrats in congress they're calling for an investigation as we need to half I mean.
Their response was slow.
It was confused he was inconsistent.
They first said that it was YouTube video and a spontaneous mob we now know that it was a planned terrorist attack.
If this was one tragic incident that would be a tragedy in and of itself the problem is it's part of a bigger picture.
Of the fact that the Obama foreign policy as a is unraveling literally before our eyes on our TV screens.
It's -- what Mitt Romney's going to do is lay -- a very different vision for foreign policy.
One that is a policy of American strength vs what I would articulate ever claim the president's policies one of weakness we're seeing.
Big ugly fruits of the Obama foreign policy unravel around the world on our TV screens.
Syria -- 20000 people Iran is closer toward nuclear weapon.
The Middle East peace process is in shambles and and we have our flags being -- all around the world.
Russia is thwarting us at every stage in the process.
This is a weak foreign policy.
With terrible results which makes us less safe than just picked up a couple of Syria.
Governor Romney would not put US troops on the ground in Syria Iran governor Romney's -- lines seems to be about where Barack Obama says there's no big difference oh sure -- -- First let's go to Iran that's probably the most important -- the biggest threat we have to.
The difference is credibility.
The president's Iran policy lacks credibility what I mean when I say that is.
The Ayatollah in Iran they have to make a decision to stop pursuing a nuclear weapon.
And pursue a peaceful resolution.
But they're not doing that.
And our target -- not doing that because the president doesn't have credibility he fought and resisted tough sanctions until the last moment.
He was silent for too long on the green revolution while we had a chance for peaceful uprising for democracy that crack down.
When he puts the military option on table he does it in a way that doesn't have credibility because he that his administration sends a mixed signals such as they're more worried about an Israeli attack that Iran getting a -- What we're gonna give you an opportunity does establish instant credibility and and a difference.
Benjamin Netanyahu the Israeli prime minister give a very dramatic speech at the UN this week he had a drawing of a bomb he -- a rat line all that and he said if Iran -- masses that amount of medium enriched uranium which would be enough to make a bomb.
We have to strike.
Would you and governor Romney put the Red Line the same place.
That Benjamin Netanyahu did so what Mitt Romney and -- said.
Is a nuclear weapons capability.
Is what we have to stop now we have to speak with credibility.
That means -- -- -- administration will be one of credibility what we don't established daylight between our allies especially Israel.
Where when we say what we -- going to do it is it is believed.
That's the issue here.
The Ayatollah -- by virtue of their conduct.
Don't believe the president when he says his interest is a stop Iran attorney -- and -- -- -- -- place different.
Then then the -- president has moved his rhetoric a bit to look more like hours.
And that's good but the problem is it's built upon mountain of non credible action.
-- congress for -- we've been fighting for tough crippling sanctions since 2009 in Iraq the administration resisted us Tim Geithner tried to stop us from doing this.
Until overwhelming bipartisan support for this -- and engines -- the administration came on board.
When we send those signals oversees.
The Ayatollah is.
Don't think we're that serious because -- racing toward nuclear weapon their four years closer toward nuclear weapon series a good example when you hesitate.
When you don't speak with clarity we don't project your confidence in American values.
It projects weakness in equivocation when -- got the military as the president's proposing to do that shows that we're weakening our resolve -- -- our military.
And when you project weakness like this bad things happen and look what's going on around the world Wednesday's today.
Is not gonna focus on foreign policy by the rules is gonna focus on domestic policy especially the economy looking back.
Over the historical record the question is why aren't you guys.
Running away with us rights we put -- on the statistics.
Unemployment is eight point 1% no president has won reelection with unemployment at a high.
Since FDR in 1940 GDP growth in the second quarter just announced one point 3% we -- no president has won reelection.
With GDP growth -- since they started measuring.
Growth in 1930 question given all of that why are you and Romney -- -- -- We're gonna win this race given that we're gonna win this with such are not at this point you're -- look for we can we can debate polls.
I can tell -- this.
The president's offering four more years of this thing.
The president has been very good at distorting the issue at disguising the truth.
He's been very good -- correcting people.
He can't run on hope and change anymore so he's running on division and distraction on distortion to try and win election by default.
Mitt -- and are gonna give people -- very clear choice.
Usually need to do here the pro growth policies to get this economy -- to get economic opportunity to increase more take home pay for the middle class to get people out of poverty in the middle class.
To get economic opportunity job security we're going to show the country here's what you need to do to tackle these pro.
But congressman.
Mitt Romney's been campaigning for two years there are only five weeks left in this campaign forget me.
But I want to look at a couple of polls here according to a Wall Street Journal survey 42% of Americans now think the economy.
We'll get better in the next year.
18% think it'll get worse 32% since the say it'll stay the same and in a New York Times -- when asked who can handle the economy.
The economy better Obama now leads Romney by six points in Ohio and five in Florida.
With five weeks left with months and years of campaigning already.
-- does isn't Romney in danger of losing the rationale for his campaign that -- the better Steward of the economy well you know.
In these kinds of races people really focus near the end and that's happening now the president and a very good job of trying to distort our record book are pro growth tax reform.
It cuts tax rates by 20%.
Higher take home pay for middle class pro growth economic policies that get -- that right there creates about seven million jobs.
So but in the final analysis people are gonna realize all the president's offering is more the same but with another round of stimulus and higher tax -- -- job creators.
We're offering.
Very specific reforms Heidi save and strengthen Medicare and Social Security -- prevent a debt crisis but -- grow jobs I have an energy policy that unleashes American energy.
And -- energy independence OK well here's my quick fact that the message hasn't gotten through.
As effectively as a good so far is not.
Your fault Romney campaigns folder is -- the voters -- some voters hold its look I think the president and have an effective job trying to confuse the issue.
And trying to restore our positions.
And trying to distract people.
But in the end of the day I just don't think that's going to work because -- when he responsibility that look we are going to prosecute this campaign in the way that we have always plan which is we're gonna give this country it very clear choice.
You want stagnation and dependency.
You want growth -- opportunity.
And so we're offering the specifics the problem we've had guys that are -- knows -- -- specifics we put out -- not everybody knows these plans.
Our five point plan for stronger middle class.
That are -- knows that we have these solutions that will get people better job security let's talk specifics.
No matter how -- time -- try to tell you they're gonna start talking specifics really -- They don't know what.
And the reason is does the math doesn't work.
You're the master of the buckets of briefly let's go through the plan.
The Obama camp says independent groups say if you cut those tax rates for everybody 20%.
It cost five trillion dollars over ten years true not in the least bit true.
But this just goes to show if you torture statistics enough -- confessed to what you want from the confessed to.
That study has been so thoroughly discredited it wasn't even a measurement of Mitt Romney -- policy.
Here's what we're saying.
Bahamas would it cost.
Its revenue neutral it doesn't it I'm just talking about the content we'll get to -- -- but no luck so lax right at the cutting tax rates is lower all Americans -- -- are twins how much does that cost.
Its revenue neutral but -- not it's not revenue neutral unless you take away that the stock that's that that's -- I don't I don't know the only time we're gonna get about the second the first half lowering the tax rates.
What does that does that -- five trillion dollars now noted look.
I -- get into a baseline argument with you because that's what a lot of this is about.
We're saying.
Limited deductions taken lower tax rates for everybody start with people at the higher -- here's the way it works I've been -- -- means committee for twelve years.
Both parties Republicans and Democrats have jumped up the tax code with so many giveaways and special interest tax breaks it's what we're saying -- You keep your money in your pocketbook in your business in your -- in the first place the way it works today as.
You send more of your money to Washington and then if you -- a Washington approves you can have some of that back we're saying.
Keep it in the first place and every time we've done this with a was Ronald Reagan working with -- -- The ideas from the Bowles Simpson commission and how to do this there's been a traditional Democrat and Republican consensus.
Lowering tax rates by broadening the tax base works and you can't but I have to come out and obviously haven't given me the map that we you can well I don't -- it it.
-- it would take me too long to go through all of them happen releasing it this way.
You can lower tax rates by 20% across the board by closing loopholes and still half.
Preferences for the middle class for things like.
Charitable deductions for home purchases for health care.
So what we're saying is.
People are gonna get lower tax rates and therefore they will not send as much money to Washington in the keep it and decide for themselves -- what we've done this we -- economic growth if there's supposed.
That the doubters -- right president Romney takes office and don't math doesn't -- it.
For example -- the numbers I've run them in congress they do.
We've got about five other studies that show that you can do okay but let's assume it doesn't the question is what's most important to Romney when he scale back -- the 20% tax cut.
For the wealthy what he scaled back and at and say OK you don't have to raise taxes for the middle class I guess the question is.
What's most important to him in his tax reform plan if -- -- tax rates down.
By lowering tax rates people keep more of the next dollar that they earned.
That matters that is incentives that's pro growth policy that -- seven million jobs and what will you go first so that's more important that's more important than anything and more importantly.
It's not what.
Deductions in the tax code but it's who gets them.
And don't forget that the higher income people have a disproportionate amount of the loopholes that they -- so when you close a tax write off protect -- for a higher income person.
More of their income is subject to taxation so you can lower tax rates that's where we begin to where we go.
He's by denying those deductions in the post -- higher income people.
Which allows -- lower tax rates for everybody across the board and still afford important preferences for middle class taxpayers.
Governor Romney has taken heat for the 47%.
Feb told big -- a big donors.
That 47 -- of the -- actually 46% don't pay.
Federal income taxes and view themselves effective.
Fox -- did a poll.
This week and they found that 79%.
Think all Americans.
Should pay at least some income taxes.
Do you think it would be good.
If if every American paid federal income taxes had even if it's a dollar even if it's two dollars at some skin and again.
We don't think that imposing new taxes on anybody is a good idea don't forget Chris the only person running for president is proposing higher taxes is -- -- So our point is we don't want and it -- you -- have bush tax cuts.
-- yeah well tax rates.
-- -- -- obamacare taxes about a dozen of them hit middle income taxpayers breaking that promise.
He's proposing a massive tax increase -- job creators in January but to go to your question.
We don't think the idea -- the the solution is impose new taxes low income people we want to get people out of poverty.
-- -- the middle class and that's why our economic policies are designed to create jobs and opportunity so people can get higher take a look at that the key is this.
Get people from not paying income taxes because they have at incomes.
To the middle class so they have jobs to have higher take on pace -- -- they pay taxes we wanna create more tax haters we -- -- more people.
With bad tax policy we want to treat more taxpayers by growing the middle class but getting people back to work with higher take home pay.
The secret to this is economic growth Chris look.
The premise of the conversation the premise of your tax reform point.
Is as if the economic -- is fixed.
And that is the government's job to redistribute the slices that's not true that's not how the world works we -- -- the park we want economic opportunity.
We want people to be able to get a better job have more income security -- take home pay and you can do that -- economic growth.
That is what we're trying to provide.
That we can get if we put these pro growth policies in place.
A number of top Republicans.
Say that when Romney picked you as his running mate.
Little over a month ago that they thought that this indicated that you guys were gonna run a bold reform agenda campaign.
And they are now expressing some frustration that instead of you -- Romney.
You've heard this that they feel that Romney is changing you and -- running a much more cautious campaign and even your own good friend.
And Wisconsin home state governor Scott Walker.
Has gone on the radio to complain about this.
I -- -- haven't seen that kind of passion I -- that all has.
Transfer over -- or not the end and I I think a little bit it's a little bit of some push back from -- that the folks and national campaign.
Walker says he doesn't see passion.
He doesn't see reform he doesn't -- fire in the -- The Scotts are good buddy of mine he's always been a good back -- line.
Come out to me took -- with -- and myself to Ohio to Iowa to North Carolina to Virginia to Florida.
Attend our town hall meetings look at how we're walking people through.
How we fix Medicare how we fix Social Security how we create jobs how we reform the tax code how we have an energy policy.
And education policy a trade policy.
Mitt Romney has put out more specifics.
-- how to revive its economy how to get people back to work.
Than the incumbent president United States yes so I hear the hand wringing in Washington and Washington let's talk about process.
Come out in these states with us and see what we're talking about.
See the forceful case we're making for economic opportunity -- this specific plans were putting on a table the bold solutions.
Mitt Romney is never once asked me -- temporary thing down he said go out there and sell this wealthy you talk about the hand -- there was a report.
This weekend that you have been talking to conservative commentators.
And trying to get him to stay on board not to jump ship not to get too discouraged but in the course of those conversations you've admitted.
The campaign has made missteps question I think has -- I think.
First of all 47%.
Make enough and now -- himself that was an inarticulate way of describing how we're worried.
And the stagnant Obama economy more people -- become dependent on government because they have no economic opportunity.
It was an inarticulate way to describe what we're trying to do to create prosperity and upper mobility.
And and reduce dependency -- getting people off welfare back to work so you have those and we've had some missteps.
But at the end of the day.
The choice is really clear and we're giving people very clear choice we have these pro growth solutions.
For opportunity and upward mobility and dynamic economy.
You've got president.
Promising basically four more years like the last four years of stagnation.
Of dependency so yes.
Here in there we have we have we have not been able to.
Frame that choice is clearly I really believe by the end of this day people are gonna understand exactly what they've got the choices they have do you think the mainstream media is carrying water for Barack Obama.
I think it kind of goes without saying.
That there is definitely media -- we -- I'm a conservative person I'm used to media buys.
We expected media bias going in this that's why we're trying to cut through -- -- to people that's why we hear people Washington.
-- complain about media -- come out in -- states with us.
And attend our town -- -- with Agassi where have -- seen -- in this campaign where you feel.
They're -- -- you all of ironic I -- standard and Obama and Biden I don't think I I'm not gonna go into that a tit for chatter or or litigate this thing but.
As a conservative I've long believed that long felt that there isn't here media bias and I think.
Anybody with objectivity would would believe that today's mainstream media wants Barack Obama to win you'll have to ask me -- media know what do you think.
I think most people mainstream media are left of center and therefore they want Barry left the -- president verses.
A conservative president like -- so they want Obama to win and Romney to let -- I don't know how what you decide what people want what's in their hearts -- in their minds.
But obviously.
We.
Are offering conservative reforms that are proven ideas to work to grow the economy.
We -- re re apply our nation's founding principles to fix the problems I would argue the president is replacing our founding principles we've been talking about the presidential debate on Wednesday but the following week.
You have your round debate vice presidential debate against -- Mike and I know you've been watching tapes of Joseph Biden and I know you're gonna play the expectations game and say he's the greatest debater.
Sims who didn't want to start now he's got -- -- I don't I don't wanna hear that what do they wanna hear that we as you know -- football fan and you watch.
-- -- -- dude what are his techniques what are his tracks -- his -- he's fast on the cuff he's a witty guy.
He knows who he is and he's been doing this for forty years.
So you're not gonna rattle Joseph Biden Joseph Biden's been on the national stage he ran for president twice -- -- sitting vice president.
What I hope to achieve is to give people an -- and very different governing philosophy -- different policies.
And Joseph is very good.
On the attack Joseph is very good at trying to confuse the issues so that the person -- -- debate confused about who stands for what.
My job is to make sure they're not they're not confused about what we stand for what they stand for.
Now you have Ted -- perhaps the most respected very tolerant guy lawyer Supreme Court appellate lawyer in the country the guy who won.
Bush V gore as your stand.
What are the similarities between Ted Olson and -- -- the about the same age and Ted Olson is one really good -- that.
I hope I helped put Joseph Biden shows that more than titles and because I thought yeah there's one of the best litigators in America.
But what Ted has done.
As he is steady Joseph Biden's tapes still Biden's record Joseph Biden's you don't stop and Ted as you know he's one of the best litigators in America he's pretty good afternoon.
Have you got.
Lines already prepared to tackle I'm not really a line guy I'm more of a gut guy I'm more of yeah.
You know me well I don't try to be anybody other than who I am.
I I believe what I believe.
I do what I do and I really believe in the policies where we're providing that -- -- showing.
And at the end of the day understanding on -- -- -- And are you hoping that Joseph Biden.
Makes one of -- I don't think Dallas you know he doesn't do that in debate in the gas the -- he's kind of legendary for this.
That's not in these kinds of situations he does not he's a very disciplined person when he speaks.
-- these kinds of situations he doesn't produce gas in these moments those are ways off the cuff you know on the -- on.
In -- speech to not counting -- when I'm not coming again.
Thank you so much for talking with us safe travels -- the -- -- -- thanks Chris appreciate it.
Without interview we have -- -- with both -- on the Republican ticket but it's been a different story with the Democrats.
Each week for years now we've invited President Obama and Vice President Biden to join us here on FOX News Sunday.
When we last sat down with mr.
Obama he said he would be backs it.
Senator Obama thank you so much for talking with us I -- -- don't -- a -- I want.
But that was April 27 2008.
It has now been 1617.
Days since the president's last appearance.
And although Senator Biden appeared on FOX News Sunday 35 times.
It has been 1841.
Today is since the vice president last -- with us.
In the meantime we and you have had a lot of questions that I've gone unanswered.
We'll invite them again for next Sunday.
