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PowerPlay - 10/10/2012

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    Libya stories get sticker for Obama. Hey, ho, where did you go,Ohio? And Ryan and Biden ready to rumble.

  • Duration 25:53
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And that was the scene a month ago in Ben Ghazi Libya.

As the US consulate there after it was laid siege to by attackers.

The aftermath there and this is power play and I -- Chris -- -- And welcome.

And it's a big day for foreign policy it's a big day for developments on foreign policy as they relate to the campaign.

And we have just the person to explain it to us we have Chris Wallace -- Sunday.

-- the host of the aptly named FOX News Sunday with Chris Wallace -- welcome back.

Good to be -- okay so.

The I like it when a story comes back to the fox news bureau here in Washington.

And the moment and I'm I want them to -- for you now the moment that Susan Rice appeared on your telecast.

And explain what the cause was for an attack that killed the US ambassador to Libya and three others let's take let's go.

The information the best information in the best assessment we have today.

Is that in fact this was not a pre planned premeditated.

Attack.

That what happened initially was it it was a spontaneous.

Reaction to what had just transpired in Cairo.

As a consequence of the video.

That was Susan Rice she's the United States ambassador to the United Nations that was on September 16 holding the position that said.

Yes this attack and have him and -- -- to the best -- their knowledge was spontaneous we learned subsequently thanks reporting that you're probably Bret Baier and others.

That in fact -- the administration had information that the attack was pre planned premeditated and that al-Qaeda affiliate was involved and.

Organization doesn't -- us in -- -- to say even at the time that I interviewed her there was that information out the the president of Libya the acting president of Libya had set the day before that it was a pre planned attack.

Al-Qaeda in the Islamic -- -- al-Qaeda in northern Africa.

-- sad that this was revenge for the killing of a Libyan.

Was sort of the top leaders of al-Qaeda and as a follow up I asked Susan Rice about that said no no it -- no signs it was pre planned.

It was a spontaneous protest that.

-- -- There was a bit of incredulity I would say in your question but it -- in his -- it was Jake Tapper and others negotiated a whole fox show's final Sunday shows and she told the same story on all five Sunday she does Fox News and and -- lesser.

-- drives like I include them.

The but the point being now we've learned today with that we're gonna hear testimony at the noon hour.

From two key security officials for the State Department in North Africa in Libya.

For the region that say that not only was there an awareness of -- growing threat.

But that the administration declined.

To provide the additional security or maintain the additional security that those folks thought was necessary and also very telling late today the State Department.

Said for the first time we knew this before.

But the State Department is -- -- -- -- not only were -- not the result of spontaneous riots that that there were no riots prior to the attack.

What's the political implication well.

I think there are really three aspects of the story that I find so interest -- first of all and most importantly is the question.

Not of the the political what -- -- Susan Rice -- when she went on the Sunday shows but what did the State Department know what what they've been told about the security threat.

In Libya in both Tripoli the capital and and -- -- to the eastern part of the country.

And it appears that their work ample repeated warnings from security people on the ground.

This is a dangerous situation it's a powder -- we can't protect American diplomats let alone on the US ambassador.

And we need -- help and that those were repeatedly rejected.

By the state -- that's the most important thing that they were told in advance.

And they rejected the these warnings the second story which is politically embarrassing but it it's after the fact.

Is that Susan Rice went out and and I can't say lied because I don't know what -- up -- new I don't know.

To what degree she was a victim of this misinformation or not but she went out -- Sunday shows and very much all the story it was.

A spontaneous protest -- -- -- it wasn't.

A pre planned terror attack.

We even got to remember the conference's lesson that day after you'd say well OK did the fog of war this is five days after the event as of September 16 about a September 11 attack.

She still selling that story.

-- -- and now as you -- a lot yesterday last night.

In a conference call with a bunch of -- reporters but not -- that news organization.

There's been covering at the most fun business and that we were and tell the story and could have been and could have called people on that.

Says guess what the ambassador -- -- cast -- the consulate in Ben -- at 830 that night saw him off was out on the street there was absolutely no sign of anybody -- protest nothing about the video and at 930 people came all over the walls and a clear pre plan.

-- attack had nothing to do with any protest over the video obviously they're putting it out because they knew it was gonna come out today and this would make one more point I'm really.

Yes we see riled up -- I -- -- -- -- so I look at the New York Times today.

And I look -- Washington Post today maybe deep to big newspapers in the nation's capital and on the East Coast.

You wouldn't think that the fact that the administration is finally admitting for the prison time.

Not that there was a small protest -- that there was no protest at all the streets were empty outside.

The post does a story about the political embarrassment.

Of all of this.

No accident posted a story about the about Hillary Clinton and -- -- an amateur like this I thought Hillary Clinton's legacy blitzer Jimmy -- the New York Times doesn't things sort of the back and forth saying while the Democrats and the Republicans are playing politics -- does the policy.

Republicans and the Democrats -- politics.

And they don't even mention this new revelation so again the only place you find this information out.

About the fact that the story about the spontaneous protest -- completely fallen apart.

Is on -- -- -- well that's why we are the place -- more Americans get their -- -- any place else perhaps.

-- if I may say.

Now the president it's -- -- -- about this and power play today and I'm about to tweeted I'm sorry have been negligent.

There was a traffic situation but I will tweet it momentarily.

It was understandable that the president.

-- is he tried doing the immediate aftermath want to downplay the role of al-Qaeda the pre -- nets and lack of preparation those are things that incumbent president running for reelection.

Doesn't want to talk about especially because -- narrative is.

I killed the -- loved we killed Osama bin Laden.

And we've got al-Qaeda on the run he just said earlier this week that al-Qaeda was back on its heels and all of these things.

But as we are now a month out.

From that moment.

When he was -- the United Nations and he was that the view blaming this on a clip on YouTube.

Of bad -- them what might have once been a movie or something.

That.

In hindsight it looks like he opened up the door for Republicans and for Mitt Romney to come in as.

We'll see their -- to do today and we'll hear Mitt Romney do again as he did in his -- policy speech.

To find a specific discrete -- specific issue on which to highlight what they -- the -- short it's well look in the end the most important thing is did the State Department ignore warnings from the people on the ground in the end that's the only thing that would have saved the lives of the ambassador and the three other Americans who were killed that's the most that's the biggest issue -- they ignore the warnings before the fact.

But yes the fact that it does appear in this you know but then goes to all the leaking.

Of information right after the bin Laden -- it is is this president playing politics with national security and in this particular case.

Did the administration's send the US ambassador to the United Nations out to talk to the American public to millions of Americans and spin a story.

That is now being on woven.

By the facts and that is going to be I think it very embarrassing today.

For these officials on the hill and very embarrassing going into the debate tomorrow between Biden.

Andrew and Brian is going to be an embarrassment for this administration.

And here's the verdict Internet here's what to remember you better bring your a game when you come on FOX News Sunday because if you don't and you do it wrong.

Somebody will remember.

Yeah I want to -- remember that every year -- came when you come on fox is better now because -- maybe mr.

Sunday but he also -- an -- better than anybody in the business.

Chris you're a big Washington Nationals fan.

I've been keeping it from you and everybody else here in the bureau.

But in my formative baseball years I lived in Saint Louis and came to love the St.

Louis Cardinals with the great and abiding passion.

As much as I want to see the Washington really come into its own as a baseball town I got to admit I'm pulling for the cardinals.

What's gonna happen today.

Well.

And folks you gotta keep this very quiet and I haven't been this excited since I played -- In grade school and went to buy products and they do a yankees World Series game.

I am leaving right after -- -- -- be on the end of the show I said can we don't put me on the beginning of the show it's now 1139 -- the tropic you're talking about.

Is everybody going to the game.

I am going to the game I will be rooting the national so -- might nationals have gone with the curly W looks like a dope.

I -- Obama on the Washington sports fan so I'm always worried I'm always negative but I'm just hoping we would.

There is something about October that turns every man back into a twelve year old -- oh absolutely happen absolutely couldn't be more excited and it's totally awesome what we're so excited you make time for us on this very important it was Ross.

My pleasure -- -- and -- we're gonna take a break but we have a ton of stuff for you today you'll like it a great deal we will talk about what's happened in the polls and we will talk about Ohio.

And how this state which was previously the biggest warning sign for Mitt Romney.

Is now acting like the rest of the swing states and we're down to less than a one point lead for Barack Obama -- -- in the latest on -- we will look ahead there's more Fox News polling coming out later today.

You'll like that because it will be an excellent well produced poll.

And also know.

We will forecast what Joseph Biden and what Paul Ryan are doing to get ready for their big debate on Thursday.

And how they do that we'll have our points we'll have Charles you're gonna have fun so stick around.

-- election season that it's gone wrong -- now we're down to the short strokes.

Our doubts and retirees paying attention.

-- got some time with a bites of the brightest.

The American people have to decide.

What's your future.

We're -- has a country.

Is that just for us this I looked at faces in this audience and I know that for most of us we've already.

And that.

That guy hey you know perfectly well is New Jersey governor Chris Christie campaigning today.

With Willard M Romney in where else but Ohio.

And this is power -- and welcome back.

And here's the deal Internet here's what you need to keep in perspective.

So the trajectory the the shape of the 2012 race has essentially been the same throughout.

There have been small changes within the bandwidth up until yesterday in which you saw a durable but small lead for Barack Obama across the country and in most battleground states.

And battleground state -- that was reflective of what was going on nationally but Ohio.

Which we always are explaining to you Republicans cannot get elected president without Ohio.

And in fact if -- Republican wins Ohio he's almost certain to in the president's state big -- -- electoral votes and it acts like the rest of that part of the midwest.

And it's a good harbinger of other things around it.

So there's no way forward for Mitt Romney and he was doing worse in Ohio which tends to be more of a true swing state than others like Michigan or Wisconsin or Pennsylvania.

But in fact usually more to toss up at one point he was down by almost nine points in the real clear politics -- also let's take a look.

Here is the real clear politics average of polls for Ohio today.

47 for Barack Obama 47 point eight for Mitt Romney.

Just five days ago just five days ago I was 49% President Obama 43 point 5% for Mitt Romney.

So why is that and why is Ohio which had previously resisted the trend of the rest of the swing states in the rest of the nation now complying with the model.

So let's have Smart people explain this to us we have a Smart.

Member of the blue team.

In Ellen Ratner who joins us from New York from the mother ship there on the fourteenth floor.

And I'm working on my pronunciation but I'm going to -- I'm going to give it shot -- -- you can say it correctly.

David for -- are.

That's -- -- partly on his first thought yeah this has a lot better it sounds a lot like a baby.

Our sunny.

He's a senior reporter for human events he is a man of the right she's a woman of the -- they are Smart and we stipulate that they both of America.

-- let's start well -- You first just start out the caveat I am from the great state of Ohio and my cousin who -- and by marriage why not supporting.

Is the senate candidate in Ohio Josh Josh Mandell itself I like I have to be I have to start out there I'm his -- Anyone is playing in in his favor you may wanna swing in his face relatives he's he's getting his behind -- to -- incumbent Sherrod Brown so far.

All right so -- let's start with this question.

It seemed very clear that Barack Obama's strategy nationally was also the right strategy for Ohio which was dumping tens of millions of dollars a month on Mitt Romney said saying he was an outsource -- A greedy tax cheat and general vampire.

And it seemed to be working -- they've given intense focus there.

But something snapped after this debate and now you see Romney closing the gap and more importantly see -- and act like the rest the country.

Well first of all we have almost four weeks and as as Ben Franklin said a week as a long time in politics.

We have two more presidential debates and vice presidential debate.

-- the Ohio factor is a couple of things the woman factor.

Minority factor and people a lot of -- factor and those are very very important in Ohio and just like you -- Ohio is a very interesting -- It doesn't conform to well it's really a swing state but it's blue -- it's really -- swing state but it's red.

Because there's so many different pockets in Ohio I mean you have Cleveland Ohio is a lot more -- liberal left.

You have a Cincinnati which is -- it's a very mixed state.

And it can swing both ways very very quickly as we've seen and -- we're not done yet.

OK so Ohio is -- points out.

David is really it's two states it's a very democratic state north of interstate seventy.

-- and it's a very Republican state south of interstate seventy with Columbus.

As the swing metro region inside the swing state if you think about it this way and at the simplest way to think about Ohio as Cleveland and Cincinnati cancel each other out.

And then it's up to Columbus to pick.

Why you I have to lead all and you even lower I know where you can always -- in broad generalities broad generalities and so the question is this.

Why wasn't Ohio -- I have my theory that I expressed about the ads that were so effective against Mitt Romney.

But why was in Ohio importing with -- -- -- before and why is it now.

Well I think that you're right if your theory is that.

Populist sort of you know anti you know protectionist -- child anti China speech things like that work also the Mitt Romney probably.

Doesn't have the sort of working class.

-- DR bailout of the auto companies that means a lot of Hedo being -- plant in Toledo -- Wood county outside of Toledo is a key place.

Exactly so it's it's not your typical swing state though I -- I would say that it's not unique in swing states and you know I look to Colorado for a long time they're -- you have sort of split north south kinds -- and it happens elsewhere I think Ohio is.

It just -- a lot more complex.

It in that regard and I think Romney was reaching people because those ads were effective and he simply they didn't people in Ohio voters who were paying attention yet simply you know.

What kind of guy he was -- what he was saying and it you know you simply defined as this blue Democrat do.

Who -- undermined.

The owner of this and -- that auto industry undermining the Democrat.

Is in Mount Vernon Ohio which is essentially.

Metro Columbus it's right in the middle of the state -- -- It's right where he needs to be it's right where he needs to be doing well.

For Mitt Romney he's back he he's feeling good today.

But he can guarantee that the blue team is gonna come back with a vengeance and they're going to be hitting him are there to call him a liar who wants to -- big bird.

But -- question is for Romney what does he need to do for these moderate swing voters there in metro Columbus what does he need to do well.

Interesting because the president yesterday was in Columbus and Mitt Romney was in my area Cuyahoga county and I wanted to go why are you they are.

There are also up slices of course New Year's saint Claire's there'll -- Wesley and -- Looking -- yeah.

I -- I.

Alex Wilson is running it it isn't what why I think -- despite the debate performance which we all know about is that.

Mitt Romney I remember once President Clinton.

Was talking -- a bunch of reporters and he said.

Added that -- and this was into that before the 2000 election he said you know McCain.

Looks like a president well Romney is looking very presidential -- can these days S&P.

Does for president -- and wanna invite their living room in the next four years.

So somehow Obama has got to make that sale.

That he wants to come back in people's living rooms for four more years.

Last word David -- and the question is this for Obama.

He had a strategy that was based on Ohio which -- marketing keep Romney from winning Ohio.

You can keep them from being president is very Smart.

What do you do if -- Barack Obama.

In Ohio now to try to put the stake in the heart.

Well what you said before you have to win Ohio there's no way around to complete the map all the along is this really no way I think Barack Obama simply has to redefine and define Mitt Romney in the -- -- -- before interest pile on with the let Detroit go bankrupt and and things like that.

I think he'll he'll probably chip away at this -- bit.

In the coming weeks we'll see what happens the next debate Ellen Ratner who has won -- place in my heart forever for finding a way to mention my hometown of Wheeling, West Virginia power -- We thank you and we thank you David for being with us and we hope that you -- -- come join us again soon.

Now look.

You guys are Smart and I want to take you back.

Here's what happened 1953 cents in the State Department never blamed it on the video.

Was -- Hillary talking about the -- video clip during the welcoming home ceremony for the bodies of our ruthlessly murdered citizens -- she some kind of official with the State Department.

Haven't had a 53 I think I sense irony.

In your comments.

We've got to take a quick break but when we come back we'll have an old political hand -- don't know -- -- We'll have an experienced political and will be with us to talk about what goes into debate -- and what's gonna happen.

Men whom we have the rumble in the hillbilly firewall with Joseph Biden.

And Paul Ryan on Thursday so stick around.

If you.

Go home after this and turn on your TV.

You'll likely see the failures of the Obama -- policy unfolding before our eyes.

You see if you look around the world what we are witnessing is the unraveling of the Obama foreign policy.

He's good -- the big banks once again write their own rules.

And change.

Wall Street.

They're gonna put you all back and -- -- that's still kind of gives a person that he needed he's was there you heard last from last month vice president Joseph Biden.

Telling him mostly African American audience that Republicans wanted to put the chains -- you heard before that Paul Ryan.

Last week talking a very tough game on the president's foreign policy.

And this is power -- so obviously these are two guys who are not afraid to throw punches.

And we're gonna have a debate on Thursday down in Danville Kentucky.

That could see some real fireworks.

Terry Holt is a partner at HD MK his former spokesman for the speaker -- Boehner -- that he was a strategist.

Eight practitioner of the political dark arts for the bush -- 040 in 2002004.

He's a Smart guy and he knows stuff so -- yes we have had the most intensive vice presidential debate preparations ever these guys are they've had Joseph Biden essentially like like locked in a -- in Dick Cheney's bunker -- for two weeks.

Trying to get him ready Paul Ryan has got more sharp -- and -- cards and all this stuff.

I think he needs Karl Rove white board yeah si Mon frequently in net and -- -- -- perfect idea yet what's gonna happen others.

I look heard Joseph Biden to be.

-- gel yeah trying to make up a little lost ground you know Barack Obama.

Booted the last debate everybody understands that now did and now he's relying on Scranton Joseph Biden to come out.

And be more aggressive and land some punches on Paul Ryan.

The problem is I think Paul -- pretty wiry pretty quick.

And knows the facts so he may be litigating the economy but Joseph Biden's going to be trying to demonstrate that this administration still has the muscle it.

Isn't there a danger.

That the last guy that you really want to be telling -- swing hard and land some punches.

Is -- and you heard that in chains you've heard.

Vice president has such a penchant for over swing it right and getting himself into trouble this is -- he is not and this is not Ali this is strictly Foreman you only throws hard.

He's not he's not one -- slices -- just -- I think.

I X I'm gonna put high expectations on Joseph Biden because I do think that the Obama campaign has backed him into a corner where either -- -- To cover -- -- come out swinging and in this case I think the Joseph Biden.

Remember you did pretty well against Sarah Palin now.

Maybe it's not a fair comparison your pick on a girl but.

In this case.

Joseph Biden is being looked at as the savior of the Obama campaign at this point I think that puts him in a position to do pretty well you know it -- to be fair to Joseph Biden.

For decades in the United States senate.

The -- on deliberative body in the world quite so he knows how to blow hard and hot.

And I expect that's what we'll see OK so for a lie and the test is not to look like the juror not look like a young slick kid who don't -- Dan Quayle.

You know offer a moment.

Like game Quayle did where you're opponent it allows is allowed to get a little groggy -- on your little experience -- and you that you know Paul Ryan.

Can be a fairly.

Aggressive guy -- so -- from the heartland he knows how to win a tough campaign.

And he knows the facts he's come of age in this time of debt and deficit in the economy.

And I look for him to take take that argument back to the economy debt and taxes every single time Joseph Biden tries to get away.

Terry -- he fixes problems for people who have problems that -- fixed in the political world and you have helped us out today as we thank you.

Thanks Chris okay Internet.

Here's -- power points for you today.

Four and it's sounding is our theme today bella.

This is election in which job number one.

It's still the economy and the government's role in fixing it out so whatever happens and these hearings -- whatever happens on them guys in all these other things yes we know.

Job number one for Mitt Romney and Barack -- to make their case for why they are the guy with a prescription to get the economy turned around and have the government -- right what was that it stipulated.

Foreign policy still matters on -- on substance and on stop people care about the substance of foreign policy because they're concerned.

That Americans are getting killed in other places in our situation in the world would be manifestly worse but also it's the place where you look the most presidential.

As an incumbent or somebody challenging and win there is live fire going on -- the world as there is right now for the United States.

It's an opportunity for challenger tried to step up but it's certainly more of an opportunity for incumbent to look tough.

Because here is the third and most important points from its foreign policy and presidential election.

What does the world think of us and that's the question that American voters are asking themselves is they way these two guys do they think more or less of -- than they did four years ago as it relates to Barack Obama and what would they think of us.

If in fact Mitt Romney was our president that's gonna come into -- and start relief leading up to the final debate in this election which is about.

Foreign policy so watch it be aware and you'll be smarter than everybody else you'll enjoy that on the hunt with Jonathan Hunt is up next which I know you also enjoy.

And I know you enjoy this most of all and now as we like to do every day we want to leave you with the word from our friend Charles.

-- And then these -- that women and then went on for ever.

He wants to raise taxes on the middle class lower among the rich now what Obama would Romney did in the debate in six minutes he demolished all that because he showed -- not true.

So what are you that's what all they left with and accept apart from -- have been very bad.

The other ads which show incessantly during nationals games which ruins them for me.

He -- to say that Romney lied in in the debates.

So everything you said to explain his position which are his physicians our -- That's the -- the bottom of the barrel and I'm not sure it's gonna take I think it's not gonna take.

And -- and have to find a strategy which isn't easy with a month ago.

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