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Power Play 10-02-2012

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    Obama looks to restore stature on foreign policy, Romney to focus on high price of Obama policies

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-- setting of a timetable in Afghanistan.

Seems to me.

All our.

Examples of of a withdrawal they decline in a pullback by our country.

And I think that that that's unfortunate because I think that the that vacuums being filled and it's being filled by people who don't have our interest at heart.

And that was former secretary of defense Donald Rumsfeld on the record with Greta Van Susteren talking about what has become essentially.

-- garrison force for the United States and its NATO allies in Afghanistan.

As friendly fire not very friendly fire attacks continue from the purported allies inside that country.

And this is power play and I am Chris -- -- And we didn't expect to be here right now Internet and President Obama and -- entered the final stretch.

Of the 2012 election season with.

His foreign policy in his response to terrorism as one of the very brightest spots in his issue portfolio.

Whereas governor Mitt Romney former governor Mitt Romney of Massachusetts.

Had a serious deficit in that area never having -- any troops and with foreign policy experience limited to his money in business dealings.

President Obama.

The order of the slaying.

Osama bin Laden -- to be pretty good position but in the past month.

Things have turned decidedly against American interest abroad can Mitt Romney turn that into electoral advantage.

We will talk about that we will also talk about what I wrote about -- power play today which is that Romney advisors.

Point to this fact.

Whether you think Mitt Romney or Barack Obama have better policies to turn the economy around.

One thing that Mitt Romney wants you to know in Wednesday's debate.

Barack Obama's cost a whole lot more than is we'll talk about that too and we will also talk.

About what matters more to debate style or substance.

So that sounds pretty -- that sounds pretty good doesn't it and what if I told you that Bill Kristol who is the editor of the weekly standard will help us do that.

Bill Kristol who of course is also a Fox News contributor and who was -- no doubt by Fred Barnes.

And was warned about by Steve -- to stay away not come back to power play we appreciate you coming back.

Totally false.

There -- yeah.

He wished -- well I just talked on the phone is in Israel to Colorado and I offer my condolences exaggerated this to the -- you can you know -- he's out of town somebody's got to pick up exactly good about -- -- -- -- it is a good plausible stand in the breach.

OK so.

The good president certainly.

When we were in Charlotte.

The line from the Democrats might joke was that I thought that they were going to have a summit Laden's bloody tunic.

Lowered down on a from the rafters during the president's speech.

They really thought of foreign policy as a real bright spot for him but given the -- -- In the Muslim world and given the reversals we've experienced Afghanistan a place that looks a little more question.

It mr.

Fred Barnes wanted to do the things he likes always say about politics this was on the young people to look at this whole -- this.

Politics is fluid things change.

And -- -- mistake you can make -- analyzing politics is to assume that a snapshot will hold for thirty days sixty days.

90% of the -- -- get a bit of that mistake.

They held off and really engage in -- foreign policy.

He hasn't really given a major foreign policy speech why well at least you weren't interest that it and it looked like Obama was reasonably -- -- Now they're getting -- -- price because now what he gauges on Libya or Syria or on.

Afghanistan looks a little bit like he's just a hot shots right at President Obama instead of saying hey I gave a speech -- six months ago I laid out.

Several -- best I laid out my critique of where President Obama was leading us work with the price of -- this would be an outlook we're paying that price having said that I think it's not too late.

I think Mitt Romney needs to engage our foreign policy.

Voters do becomes -- -- issue with voters to understand that a president has -- whole host responsibilities.

And I do think President Obama is vulnerable because of reality out there things are not going well.

Well that indeed.

Advantage for the president Afghanistan is that voters seem overwhelmingly -- us not to be there he seems to be.

Do the faster withdrawal that it seems to be necessitated by the inability of the current mission which is sort of build up the Afghan troops.

Out of central base -- -- at Bagram air field.

It seems to be pushed aside now we've heard a lot of frustration.

Over the weekend Hamid Karzai the president of Afghanistan.

As well as John Allen the top US commander.

Basically saying this is not going the right way.

But what has happened in North Africa.

Especially in Libya seems to have really they really seemed to have box that -- not embracing.

The idea that this was a terrorist act and we're gonna go get him.

I think the general analysis system that is -- striking I -- slightly he is a total team player in the good sense and obviously general who loses jobs to help in the war that he's been assigned to win and -- of tidbits about politics and he's obviously frustrated by the fact that President Obama ordered a search for cheaper so which you preside over -- then.

Undercut it by announcing the withdrawal and an order premature withdrawal and now we're in rough shape as he said we're -- we're not -- to -- -- I really do.

I think it's an indictment of president Obama's Afghanistan policy Mitt Romney criticized that early withdrawal when he announced that and I think from the they're a little worried that it gave you an Afghanistan is important population say that you know he is absent in his right say look this is a test of the president's commitment -- soldiers -- -- command and he hasn't handled very well.

Living is even more dramatic obviously both what happened there.

The fact that it turns out of that is not dead unfortunately even Osama bin Laden is so that's not.

You know and dispositive that I mean -- know -- -- I didn't think you have a -- look at that you just do away with the terror threat.

Well -- wants the Obama administration.

-- over so perhaps the success of that respect for what is striking is the refusal to acknowledge what happened.

That -- attempted -- cover -- but I I don't think this is just accidental.

This interpretation of intelligence and they really wanted to sell that narrative that are for work for that.

Wacky video everything will be fine yeah North Africa and there are so insistent on.

Clients this session -- video with the president of Arlen mentioned what six sciences UN speech I don't think.

They really want people to try to think well that's the problem and have some crazy person we're making this video all be quiet there and that's -- not the case.

Well and I certainly for Mitt Romney.

One of his problems has been that his cabinet is if you will on foreign policy has been like he does not have the folks around him.

That can speak with real.

Gravity on this issue there's a couple.

But who does he need who ought to be who -- to be speaking for Mitt Romney on foreign policy and who -- -- be listening to.

-- that I had -- -- with this advises others but -- I don't know he's got the city John McCain Condi -- is that what it is that serious people.

Talking to us because -- at the convention but I do think this about him -- -- -- voters will judge the president ask mr.

chief.

More than I think circus overrated in general particularly perhaps.

If -- policy as everyone knows he can get former cabinet secretaries are senior senators on the armed services committee to come out and do did you -- with that doesn't really prove what you would do as president so I do think.

They'll have to get -- -- may first as -- there's a domestic policy that I I'm a strong proponent of engaging the foreign policy debate.

Early partly because I think it's important debate and probably I think it would show leadership on his part once Casey price he's paid that you sort of into this in your column I think to his.

He's -- so calculated in this campaign you know it's like what do the polls show what I've got to appeal to the swing.

But this particular demographic of you know swing upper middle class women who have two kids got three kids and -- -- moderate on social issues IV station wagon -- -- ranger really you know outs in the suburbs of Columbus a lot of different add to go to the -- in Dayton.

Immediately just leaves a little remorse if you know what I'm going to present.

There are three or four majors is that Henry Jessica just the economy about it that's -- -- -- thus -- policy.

Here's what I think you know particularly that I think that attitude would do it -- -- from well actually.

All right Bill Kristol has agreed again against his better judgment to stay with us for another segment because when we come back we're gonna talk about the debates and to this point.

DSL senior says that's why bother watching the debates -- I can listen to pundits.

Talk about what was said for weeks and weeks afterwards.

You don't have to wait for weeks and weeks afterwards we're gonna start that in just a couple of minutes so stick around.

19 trillion.

275901078828.

Dollars and seven.

That is how much money.

Was added to the federal debt in the fiscal year that just ended on September 30 and this is power play.

That's a lot of -- Internet I think we can all agree on that fact that that is a great some.

And it's something that you can expect Mitt Romney to be talking a great deal about when he and President Obama meet for their first debate.

In beautiful Denver on Wednesday.

So how do you execute that how do you talk about the debt and deficit.

In a way that doesn't just make you sound like you are Ross Perot.

How do you do it in a way that talks about growth how do you do and in a way -- defend yourself against what your party has done to add to the debt.

It's complicated but it may represent -- he's very best shot.

Bill Kristol of the weekly standard is -- -- still and we are happy now welcome Aaron -- you -- hurt real real clear politics you go for the polls -- from -- -- So.

So let's start with you Aaron.

I talked to some folks in -- and and they said that the new slogan that we've seen it Romney events which is we can't afford four more years.

Is going to be very central to what the governor trying to prosecute.

Against President Obama and say look.

It didn't work and it was too expensive what you -- -- your only offering more of the -- Yeah and this is the message that nit Romney's been pushing for the past week or so I discovered in last week in Ohio and he was speaking in front of them being sort of score board.

National debt clock sort of they roll that back yeah yeah yeah using it very heavily in the interesting thing though is that isn't message that he's working with undecided voters I talk to several undecided voters.

We think that there are no undecided voters left that there aren't it would have to CNET running Columbus last week and one of them said to me that that doesn't one -- holding and background casting his vote again for President Obama.

Is the national debt and they know this and that's why they're on -- to continue to push that harder.

Now -- one of these things that we know the president will say about the way I should point out I should not fail to mention this you can.

You could birdie and you -- column if you followed me on Twitter and -- he startled it's just right there I mean gosh it's just Clint what's it to you Internet.

But the one of the things that the president says all the time.

It is.

I inherited a Baghdad that was spiraling out of control he had -- -- the days -- like George W.

Bush and added 90% of the -- can actually it was not really that much.

But I certainly blaming bush and Republican policies is something that as -- tries to prosecute president on this front you'll expect your President Obama say.

George W.

Bush does Mitt Romney therefore need to do some.

Breaking with his Republican.

Predecessor.

And say I didn't agree with everything that -- -- -- and and those Republican -- -- Yeah I think he's.

I've always thought that he needs to separate himself more from bush I think Republicans -- conservatives like bush as I do.

Tend to underestimate the potency of the Clinton the Obama response actually became Bill Clinton's core line in his speech -- the Democratic Convention which is.

-- who was president September October 2000 what was the worst moment you mr.

and mrs.

middle class America.

Ever experienced would you open your economic case like you know what you saw the market going down -- points that you thought your housing.

How's that -- -- -- -- present value which is so merry go away I mean that.

And and that's a potent.

Line I think the way to do is find and he criticized -- a little bit that the key there's have a forward looking reform conservative agenda.

Please separate you haven't what happened -- -- -- that was a two years after bush revenue 2009 there was only one year after bush -- Bob McDonald Chris -- separate themselves.

People didn't think -- that's back to bush they thought hey they have a forward looking reform conservative agenda.

So I've always thought -- would do better to have more of the Mitch Daniels Chris Christie Scott Walker and forward looking agenda and I still think that's the way to go.

When he contrasts his proposals.

For those of President Obama.

But we can certainly expect Jim Lehrer -- good afternoon the president and both the moderator Jim Lehrer PBS to -- to put your mommy this proposition.

You complain about the president's spending what about Medicare part -- what about the debts under.

George W.

Bush will -- you.

The big problem that -- he's gonna face from President Obama this is that President Obama has spent.

Running around saying he cannot get them have to work so Mitt -- will have to have some kind of answer on that.

You will he be open to raising revenue and semi wide wow -- really taxes that they.

That's that's right but he he has been saying he did say in Ohio last week that don't expect attacks though the good and that much because and also looking to cut exemptions and deductions and that sort of thing but.

The president how to keep saying it.

The Defense Department is not -- Asking for the increases that -- Romney wants to get them so you know he's gonna have to answer something about about making and that marketing that -- the onus is on Romney on front.

The people that President Obama put in charge of the Defense Department aren't asking for more money from the press -- OK okay -- now.

How about this.

We know this here's here's a gap in the polls that I have struggled with and I think I have an answer to.

We see Gallup last month asking the question.

We think the government's doing too much -- not enough basically the size of guy a broad size of government question.

And even though it's lower than it was -- reached him.

All time peak of like 65% at the beginning of the year but still 54% to 39% fairly consistent.

With what we've seen for the past couple of years people think the government's doing too much.

And yet Mitt Romney is losing.

So how does it bill that you have a president who is most important -- people say is more liberal than it should be.

An electorate that's as the government's doing too much is beating the guy who says it's.

I'd want to make -- smaller.

Well doesn't said that does he say that the president's -- -- -- quite efficiently as it was worth little mention in Iran is acceptance speech was murdered were conservative mentioned no.

He's been persuaded quest to receive -- and his top brass can't run an ideological campaign -- too conservative -- seventeen cars this that's -- -- -- with the audio and different.

A cycle around us just want to hear back some Robbie doesn't say that you covered as a speech whether he necessarily government smaller.

He doesn't this government programs and let's get rid he doesn't tell stories as Ronald Reagan did it can you believe that there 86 you know hundred bureaucrats in this building here doing nothing but they may be your -- that is not his.

Message so the Tea Party.

Sort of Scott Walker Mitch Daniels.

Chris Christie type message that hasn't been that prominent in in the Romney candidate I think that's why he's not capitalizing on the what as you say remains a pretty conservative you have in the country as to the size and scope of government.

In the past said he wants to cut government but he won't say what -- there you know you know we are remembering that he said certain agency if you want to cut at a fund raiser but he won't tell people as soon.

And the fact he won't be more specific about that it is roiling some people -- for sure.

Maybe he's afraid you'll end up like -- period.

We thank you both very much for being with -- you were both gracious and bill Steve exemption one issued by doing good with -- and the -- to do this fairly crisp as we've -- is always some of those other -- some.

-- -- -- -- -- more predictable than others and that is one that we will read -- -- we thank you very much says fair tax organize them proponent of the fair tax suggests a new slogan for Mitt Romney.

Are you kidding me what we'll see how that goes when we come back we will talk about this.

Style or substance what matters -- debate I think you know the answer because if you're cynical enough to be enjoying this Internet telecast you probably already know -- we'll explore those questions with some Smart folks who know how to help people win that.

So stick around.

I've had a record of appointing judges in the state of Texas governor -- to do.

The governor gets to name -- Supreme Court judges.

And that's meaningful -- came from Albert gore junior former vice president of the United States former senator from Tennessee as he was debating.

Then Texas governor George W.

Bush in 2000.

And this is power play and don't do that Internet if you are going to debate somebody for the presidency definitely don't do any meaningful size definitely don't touch them.

Definitely don't go behind a podium try -- to -- we are clean shirt these are basic things that you think ought folks ought to know.

But as we've -- certainly since 1960.

With the first televised debate between John FitzGerald Kennedy and Richard -- aspects and when mister Nixon.

Used a product called lazy shave so that he did not have to shave off his prodigious evening whiskers going up against the attractive.

Youthful candidate.

What you see -- matter much more.

Then what it is that is shed by the two candidates so let's talk about style vs substance -- people now to.

There isn't a very stylish very stylish -- and al-Qaeda is a strategist at big shot democratic -- SDK and SKD maker -- And his former spokesman for the and Brett White men.

Our stalwart friend he's -- former deputy assistant to president George W.

Bush he would advise bush the elder bush the younger he.

As -- if it -- horse of Republican campaigning.

Who is now found a happy perch at the Georgetown University where he -- young minds with them.

That's -- that it didn't let the tell him to wait till they're blue looks that way doesn't it George H.

W.

Bush.

Debate moment where he looked is like oh nice -- Hillary Clinton the Clinton.

Below.

George H.

W.

Bush George H.

W.

Bush of course -- that moment I love that no because George H.

W.

Bush was like I was envoy to China.

I was the director of the CIA.

I it was -- vice president of the United States and I -- the incumbent president of the United States and the iron curtain just fell and I just staged the first successful military in event large -- military intervention and I'm with these two guys who got that one guy from.

From -- adelphia Arkansas and another guy from Hot Springs, Arkansas who can't hold a candle to make and it played badly yet I mean if -- Member there is the watch but there -- also that question about it believe that debt or the deficit.

Where Clinton answered by walking over to the lady speaking directly -- -- Really showing a personal connection and I believe Bush's response was you know very kind of take -- crack.

And unfeeling and so there are those moments where.

You know style I think south certainly matters that's in this instance -- -- -- style and substance you were married together and getting answer.

But you know.

Most people don't remember the moments where people are talking data and facts they remember these album is not -- years -- these moments for someone Nash who's.

You know some you know some qualities that are a little bit on the track.

I would I was literally steps from George W.

Bush at Boston College yeah.

Gore invaded his space he walked already Lazio and yeah before it was cool yeah and -- and we saw that happening we were like what the heck is going on and then.

All bush did was he just looked gave an outlet for that you don't read it yet and it -- it was at this first debate that was the search today yet.

And I'll take it it was the mistakes that are made by politicians who are you know they go through intensive.

-- But sometimes a little smarter for their own good yeah I can guarantee nobody told me do that right -- -- something he thought.

-- whatever Naomi -- told -- to -- do you know what you're supposed to Collins -- -- personal -- and your taller than he is you know those three debates are really good example I believe watching them I think substantively I believe Al -- -- stylistically George Bush did -- if you remember Al -- never really could get it correct use a little bit too -- the first -- a little -- to bring it.

-- to hold in the second line in any couples got it right on the first when he showed up like Ronald Reagan his make up.

Was scary I guess I thought I.

Our Reagan walker I -- I think you're debating -- -- because he just walked by Al Gore was thought.

-- that style could trump substance in the end it didn't work.

The -- the make up was a little bit.

Much no doubt now we saw in 2008 and it -- that.

For Barack Obama.

The moment that he won those debates as you can square the debate he had with John McCain however you want that the way that Barack Obama won the 2008 debates.

Was but he stepped out on stage and they win in the same space Brack Obama just looked more like the president.

Then John McCain who was older.

Shorter.

And because is.

Because of his war wounds.

Not nimble not graceful and did not seem call.

For Mitt Romney he has a bit of the wind around her and him and he tends to get excited.

And we saw that his worst moments Doug came.

During the 2012.

Republican process but he would get over excited and laid his hand upon Richard James Perry who looked like he wanted to Chuck -- him right there.

Or getting too deep doubt.

Strong -- the name of the game is try to match Obama's cool or do something different.

He's actually I think and it very challenging point because I do think he's gonna have to.

Show some spirit I think he's gonna have to go after Obama a little bit but it and I think part of that is to.

And we could provide some comfort to the base of the Republican Party that is now a little bit concerned about his prospects.

But how does that play with undecided voters do they think that he's.

You know overzealous over aggressive he wasn't a great attack dog during the primaries I thought that.

In -- many of the debates -- a lot of the other candidates doing his dirty work in so.

And so that in so I think it's it's going to be interesting to see how he handles a one on one encounter was with with the president.

And whether or not he can.

Level creek criticisms criticisms of the president's policies but not appear as though.

He is you know angry and unattractive and I think that's -- that's a huge challenge she's you know I think he he wasn't.

He didn't have that during the primaries.

And give you the last word Brad four.

President he has a tendency sometimes to be aloof and look like he is a bit too detached too cool too cool for school.

Is.

What does he need to do in order to look like.

He is urgently engaged without looking like he's losing.

Well I think what the president needs to do is is not to do -- his staff has done and lower expectations he -- the United States.

He's been the president.

And we have to do is use that office to his best advantage.

And Romney has been a governor he's been a businessman but he has depressed and even though the presence could be attacked -- this record he cannot lower himself.

To the attacks.

To respond like Romney is seeking to date and I don't give -- very good advice to Democrats but.

Full -- full -- maybe I probably need to do is we all know how bad things are.

He has to tell us how good things can get.

All right okay speculated gentlemen you thank you for your time counsel and your wisdom the Internet is obliged -- you.

-- now no -- states we make extra time for all that's awesome that's but some business to execute.

Here.

Number one.

Tomorrow night if you watch here you will see in fact.

The presidential debate you'll see coverage and you'll see analysis from very Smart people.

Including cripple them and Harris Faulkner will be posting.

And they have been kind enough to include me -- that process that you like that you'll also like that Jonathan Hunt is back at long last from his sojourn to turtle bay.

And he will be here to talk to you just on the other side of what you know and have -- was coming up next.

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