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Power Play 11/2/2012

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    Closing arguments on campaign trail. Ohio cliffhanger? And ground game versus enthusiasm.

  • Duration 24:35
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-- -- Is on Simpson's.

But with gas and -- that is -- -- Attacking me does -- make an agenda doesn't get people back to work.

And that was a step at a slice eight.

Little taste if you will of the closing arguments of the two gentlemen who seem to be running for president.

And this is power play.

And I am Chris Farrell -- you heard -- President Obama there at the beginning in Green Bay, Wisconsin you may have heard of their football team.

And he was talking about how Republicans are cynical and they think that they want to hurt the country and do bad stuff.

And they don't give into that he says keep hope alive was the underlying message for the president there is he goes around battleground states today he is hunkered down in Ohio just really within a few counties that.

Could be the swing inside that most important swing state that was -- running in Roanoke Virginia.

Accusing the president countering the assertion that the president is the cynical one who is attacking him instead of laying out a real agenda.

So -- power play we'll stipulate this politics and politicians are very cynical people that's the nature of the business so we'll stipulate that.

In an effort to get on to bigger and better things.

Better at least.

His defense he's -- senior writer for the weekly standard and can I tell you something Internet.

You something you ought to know other -- the fact that Stevens from Wisconsin.

And knows a lot about -- it's it's been about it's his birthday.

Happy birthday -- this is out of that's the power play research department has experienced soon.

And we're basically I'm not gonna say NSA level phone tapping trees pretty simple but it's -- pretty solid -- -- solid we do a lot of banners that say it's 35 makes you feel really old.

No questions we are not asking any questions power play has a birthday coming up soon and knows better than to ask questions.

Four gentlemen who were teetering.

That scary break middle and -- ships.

So all right as one middle aged white due to another I say -- -- -- -- all right so here's the thing.

I -- about this I was going to be something else that segment.

-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- And you could do that you couldn't read it it would be there for you haven't tweeted it gets to have been very busy and I'm sorry but I will soon.

And from what I said was Obama decries and embraces cynical politics president making his closing argument.

Says don't accept the cynicism of the Republicans.

But what I found funny in this is closing argument is the idea that I don't know that there has ever -- A more cynical old president.

That Barack Obama -- -- and can't -- me -- campaign has been hugely negative and we Steve croft from CBS asked him.

Why do you sometimes say things that are kind of like not true issue and why do you what's with all the attacks and everything.

And Obama basically -- we go overboard but that's politics -- that's how you do it it's a rotten business right I mean.

The -- cynicism argument is seems a strange -- to me.

What's this it's certainly a strange one to close I would think you mean then that this is safety and the president's been.

So he took a several days off the campaign trail to go and so do the job president -- preside over.

The disaster that was that was the aftermath.

-- -- -- -- -- Ended.

And now he's back on the campaign trail and immediately switches into this negativity which is something I honestly don't.

I don't understand why the Obama team wants -- to be giving this speech.

What do you think well why why is the president's when he switches into these attacks on Iran if it winds -- by eight by eight.

Like being president.

After standing after this month of October where he lost that sort of glow that you have as president through the debates by being mean and nasty and petty and I think he lost seemed rerouted some of his -- -- comes back off the campaign trail -- off on the campaign trail after having presided over all those that are having been presidential after having.

Gotten the praise of Chris Christie and Michael Bloomberg and others.

And then he jumps right back into this -- cynical negative politics that that you're suggesting.

-- and -- as president through the end of the election.

Well especially when what it has to happen at the close here.

Is if we take the latest Fox News sports and we we acknowledge is a hard week to pull the hurricane and everything else and people also hate the election -- hate.

Politics and -- Except for you obviously you wouldn't be doing this right now product.

But the when you have essentially.

A -- race.

With here's what's left.

16%.

Of independents still describe themselves as under Sutton.

That's it that's the universe 16% of 26%.

Is is what's left a lot of those people are going to go vote.

And that's that's the only way it in a tight race that's the only way to a clear victory for anybody is to get the vast preponderance of those folks right.

The president seems to have had a strategy this year.

That was based on.

Reducing the turnout among disaffected independents -- it got ugly regularly you go -- you start basically torching the other guy.

And do all of that.

Can he is that is the hope for Obama that that 16% of unaffiliated undecideds at the end says.

I'm -- but I had enough.

And oh yeah and I guess -- -- would be that they don't that they are not so disgusted by the fact that he's making these kinds of attacks that.

But it doesn't turn and turn them to governor -- go vote looked at -- right I mean that has been.

Their strategy from the very beginning it didn't matter I mean they have the strategy before we knew that Mitt Romney was going to be the Republican nominee -- they were going to demonize they don't.

-- talking about backing.

The spring of 2011 former colleagues had a field right we just had a Republican field.

They -- two they had no other choice but to run against.

Whomever the Republican was demonized that person is unacceptable and ideologically out of touch even though that's I think a very difficult -- -- them to make.

With Mitt Romney that's what they've done anyway because they have this sort of mold they had this formula and they were going to executed and I guess.

In that says give them points for for consistency because they're doing it till the very bitter and.

I mean and bitter end -- better in -- bitter clinging to the bitter end.

-- you know when you look at.

The dichotomy between the way -- Obama ran for president 2008.

We can unite -- larger issues we can tackle the big things that's certainly the Republicans didn't exactly roll out the welcome mat when he came to town.

But is taking it -- pointed out today.

And it was very good -- -- recommended very highly when you're done reading everything at Fox News in the weekly standard you should then go over the Wall Street Journal and read Peggy.

But what what she talked about today was -- Squandered opportunity when you have almost 70% job approval -- you were the first black president you are transformative.

Figure in American -- or about to be transformative figure in American history right -- all of this stuff.

That you didn't take the chance that he missed that case it was really like march of 2009.

That you didn't take the chance to say I'm gonna be the bigger man needed and you Eric Cantor and you John Boehner and you -- -- -- can say whatever you want.

I'm gonna kill you with kindness and you'll have no choice but to eventually give give me something -- right.

Yes well look even even in the stimulus negotiations he could've done more than he did something and he.

It is interesting you go back to that time period in and there is -- -- it's become now conventional wisdom I've had conversations that with reporters -- -- New York Times and elsewhere that the Republicans immediately -- nasty on President Obama line that.

Yeah there was this on -- on election night and inauguration.

Night there was this media Republicans who said we've got to define ourselves from the president -- editor.

But I remember reporting out of peace -- and interviewing both John Boehner and Mitch McConnell and my question was exactly that.

How do you deal how as leaders of the opposition do you deal with somebody with 70%.

Approval.

And -- answer the -- there's strikingly candid answer was.

We don't want to attack in this guy and we're not going after him at all and remember when when there was discussion about the stimulus data.

Call -- Barack Obama's stimulus it was Nancy Pelosi stimulus so they didn't want to attack Barack Obama and he had that opportunity to go -- any justice.

Go trick or go home that's certainly what Mitt Romney hopes -- true all right we're gonna take a quick break with -- birthday Steve hey is when we come back he will be here still and we will talk about this.

-- thought.

Internet you're old enough to remember the Florida recount in 2000.

It was terrible you were 45 years old in those days probably keeps you up at night but think about this.

Ohio -- -- -- we'll talk about that when we come back so stick around.

And that is a look at the national nightmare that persisted in the year 2000 for more than a month.

As the result of the 2000 election between Albert gore junior and George Walker Bush.

Hung in doubt over hanging chads in Palm Beach County Florida lawsuits recounts wolf.

And this is power play welcome back Steve Hayes is with this -- Steve -- was down there he was making it -- -- 2000 I was down briefly I didn't spend a lot of time he was stealing ballots that's what he was doing because that's how it rolls.

But what about if it was an Ohio.

Ohio would be a much worse place to have a recount for a lot of reasons.

And somebody who knows about the perfidy of elections and how bad things happen in them.

Eric Shawn who is out in Cleveland today Erica we -- it.

Hey Chris and -- Steve and one thing one day visiting Florida back then and Ohio.

It's a lot colder.

-- not yet -- a point where.

Where -- Cleveland at the at Cuyahoga County board of elections you may remember this back in 2008 because of the acorn scandal.

I was on the alleged voter registration fraud that Freddie Johnson.

Who registered seventy.

Three times back then.

Be hanging chads of 2000.

The 2012.

Hanging Chad could potentially be an Ohio provisional ballot.

Because of the races really close in Ohio as it is now -- -- the polls show.

You've got.

About a 150000.

Or so.

At least provisional ballots that had been voted on a what does that mean that is still don't know the exit actual winner on election night.

People have ten days.

After the election until November 17.

Two prove who they are.

That's when November 17 they start counting and dealing with the provisional ballots then there's another day beyond that that goes -- December.

Before the election Dayton Ohio is actually fully qualified.

So if you have a race that's 50000.

Apart 801070000.

They have to go through all the provisional ballots and they cannot even start doing that and a dialogue until voters have that ten day period to come back and prove who they are there with the identification utility bill this sort of thing -- for their vote to count could you imagine that waiting.

Ten days.

Without even accounting starting.

Just just to wait for this provisional ballots -- to see which ones are going to be accepted.

We are now thoroughly depressed.

Not because do you -- just because we have just imagine that the long nightmare that could await us.

But that certainly we are very grateful that you made time for us today have a great day and get yourself to prove you're too while you're out there.

-- absolutely say we may.

-- baseball.

There's no -- look at the sport here is that look at this this is the sport grass that's.

That's -- that's early voting line they say the early voting line has been there have been very -- you're doing a pretty well by the way just in terms of problems here in the past.

2007 to election officials convicted actually for breaking the 2004.

Presidential recount.

But the officials here say they've.

Really taking great strides and great improvements in the election system here in terms of transparency.

The professionalism.

In this sort of thing with observers from.

Both parties Republicans and Democrats observing monitoring the process they do not believe they'll be -- -- -- major problems of any sort here.

Back -- that election two years ago you know it would not be.

That memory sticks with the boats from the most.

They -- taxi cab drivers.

First it's good.

They actually we are all.

Here we are all sunny confidence now we're totally reassured we thank you have a great debt and the strikers.

So Steve here's something you think about -- say it it's not -- being cold in Ohio.

You have an Ohio Republican governor and a Republican.

Secretary of state chief election official down in Columbus.

The county that is always the problem.

This is -- camera which is the great Democrat who asked yes it is that and has been since mark came out was knee high to a coal pile.

It is -- it is the place.

And so that the question is.

Imagine if you had this good.

Planes have more years -- descending on Cleveland.

And all of this stuff happening of all the states in the country you know we've been lucky that we haven't had recounts in -- stuff in Ohio before that we you know George W.

Bush won by just enough.

But I mean mind.

I was thinking about -- at Ohio race down to the wires like you know I noticed it it -- it really had.

Yeah -- if you believe the bulls it.

Not only can happen but it it might well happen.

And -- -- -- -- -- to terrifying prospect for the reasons that that you suggested I mean you can add onto that the potential.

It's certainly something that would be widely reported a potential racial.

Overlay -- on this that would be a big a big part of the story I mean I think.

You know it is if that eventuality happens that country it is already so sick.

This election and it has four year olds crying like.

This is little -- Right exact sound like cute little added that we'll have the rest of the country.

Do this and the the question then becomes.

In a place where you have as -- points -- you know there's a history of voter fraud and voter problems.

Camp.

And we know that and as we as we do our work on the decision desk on election night.

You know we're doing rehearsals and all that stuff to get ready there's all these permutations about what do you do what's the model if this happens if that happens and I want you to think about this and this is significant.

The number of the margin of vote in Ohio for George W.

Bush at a 120.

Some thousand right.

Almost triggered.

This right.

And that was that -- it sounds like a big number but when you talk about five million votes cast it's not that many business and you we could we could be drifting into problems here people complaining about.

Machines they're registering the votes wrong and I mean it's almost to the point now where.

Whatever party anybody's and that they just -- to decisive result is it seems like country couldn't quite handle an indecisive election.

The -- could really -- -- and if you look at did it the consequences and ramifications of the the bush gore fight and the fact that yet even he even know Al Gore eventually bowed out I think reasonably gracefully -- in his speech yeah.

-- you know didn't sit didn't put to rest all of the -- -- whipped up among partisans on both sides and now given the animosity.

Republicans for this president gets in the way that the president has demonize Republicans not just that Romney.

We read it sort of -- higher partisan pitched and we were in 2000 back could bode very ill or.

The future.

Steve it's.

You're going to be in New York for the big election coverage and indeed going to be awesome you're going to enjoy that.

And excellent idea.

For a man of fifty you look fantastic but that's a perfectly well preserved to thank you so much I appreciate that I can make authorities have to have a great weekend we'll see you -- -- New York.

And you Internet.

Don't you go anywhere you stay right where you are because when we come back we're going to have an all star I -- many stellar tiny stellar and all.

Here to talk about this question.

When week when we look at.

Voter enthusiasm vs ground -- we talked about this yesterday in our power points when we look at ground game store bought.

Turnout or organic enthusiasm homemade enthusiasm -- getting people -- the polls which one is better.

Talk about that when we come back -- -- ground.

-- -- -- Couple things.

Number one.

Early voting doesn't end till tomorrow.

So don't forget you can still get out in early vote.

Number two.

A handful of states will determine this thing.

Nevada -- you understand the place you have.

Interest in the role you play the opportunity and the responsibility.

Let's take it seriously.

That was President Obama encouraging Democrats in Colorado.

To go vote early and making sure that they had he voted early himself in Illinois I think you make a he -- carry that state.

And Paul Ryan there in Nevada telling the bad means that what they're doing his very serious and they need to be serious about it and go vote early.

Today is the last day for early voting in Nevada and this power play welcome back.

So Internet if I would've told you six months ago that -- studies would show that among early voters nationally Republicans would have an edge.

You have said no that's not possible press because Democrats hold the advantage on early voting but.

As Republicans get more -- climate ties to early voting and they really don't like Barack Obama you've seen a lot of voter enthusiasm.

So.

What -- that portend for the election.

Because Democrats certainly say that they have a superior ground game that they're gonna get more people to the polls not only before election but -- Election Day.

We have good people talk about those subjects because you're -- lucky Internet Internet.

So you know Michelle -- We're go back which is the recruiting arm essentially of the red team they find identify train and equip.

People to hold they'd -- office holders of the future the Paul -- of the future.

And chocolate shop our friend one of your very favorite who's wasting away to nothing I'm a little concerned about the slender -- general election time.

Is it time we don't have time to eat shock is -- Democrat in very good standing is the president of solidarity strategies and the director of the Latino project that's because he digs.

Latino voters and he digs labor unions yeah.

Boom he is that he is an act -- CIU happy place.

And he once upon -- time it was a senior advisor to John Edwards.

All right so I'm gonna start with -- just because your team is.

Four Latino voters and for labor unions.

Absolutely key to democratic -- game.

Absolutely key and in states like Nevada and -- Colorado but also Ohio right and we were talking about this before.

If you looked in 2010.

What labor groups were able to do for Harry Reid in Nevada was on believable he was.

Out to see everybody had written him off for dead he didn't just win he won big.

Can you guys do that in Ohio for the president.

Yeah I think we -- I think that there's a lot of energy there within the union ranks and I think there are a lot of people there working member to member I think the most critical piece to this.

Almost a lot about it which had a lot more Latino influence is that the peer to peer organizing.

The man who works at the shop talking to the other man or woman who he works with is a big deal and in Ohio as well the last bastions of places -- there's lots of people who are working every day yet in manufacturing plant making cars making tires making steel and I think at that 101 peer to peer communications and mobilization will be the key to.

Okay -- Michelle Republicans.

Have done surprisingly well with early voting.

It's been better than anticipated but.

When it comes to ground game not only -- the Democrats have a lot of labor unions out there that -- this is what they do they organized for a living.

And not only do they have that the president's been running ground game for four years he never took down his organization before -- that -- you guys that it -- today.

All and that's why it's it's particularly frightening -- -- for Obama and Democrats is that this is Obama's thing it's what he's been doing for four years.

Books are written about what he did in 2008.

And now if you came out this week showing that Democrats.

Basically don't have any sort of edge in early voting and in ground game which is doubly exciting for Republicans.

Which doesn't have branding she means voter contacts and our how does the percentage of the electorate who says they've been contacted by one campaign the other.

They found it to be -- wash it.

And so in addition to this ground game that is stunningly good on behalf of -- we also whom I was coming out of the first debate who's got both those.

Waves that I think -- gonna help him test and imprisoned in a month that's been a month but he's still -- -- and any need to look at Obama he is he's.

Counting only on his ground game he has to turn his core constituents as Hispanics African Americans and that used.

But if Romney is matching that and embracing a -- -- advantages in early voting and the ground game.

Plus Romney has -- this -- have.

Ten seconds each -- you what's the state where -- game's gonna make the difference -- Virginia.

I really believe -- we got into an Ohio for a long time we've got Ohio down Virginia's a new -- that -- Michelle.

Ohio she took the easy way out but it's Fries.

Where it's Friday so we're gonna we're gonna let her off the folks we thank you so much for making time for us today.

So Lauren green is going to talk to you next you dig that kind of excellence that's good for you.

And there's no Charleston he was off the analysts think he's preparing himself for a week of excellence as we get ready for the election.

But there are some power points for you today and this is really.

Really undecided.

So what -- baffling -- that 16%.

Of independents that we talked about who feel genuinely undecided the election is almost here how could you be undecided.

Between the president who is more liberal than any Democrat since Lyndon Johnson -- Republican businessman named Willard Mitt Romney how could you possibly look at these do and say I'm not sure I can't really make up my mind.

Well that's because your political -- Internet you wouldn't be here if you work for people who are disengage from the political system and don't pay that much attention the situation is different.

Here's the thing for that 60% if anything.

That is an expression.

Of despair despairing in the political system despairing in the thought that anybody is gonna do anything -- materially benefits and their family -- their lives.

That's what they're saying is -- doesn't matter who I vote for I don't care because neither of these guys -- -- anything to make my life better.

So you know sad trombone -- I'm sorry about that that's true but that's why they are that way and you can't really blame them because Washington does at -- so here's number three there are three options for these voters.

Obama.

Romney or stay home.

A lot of them are gonna stay home what Mitt Romney needs is for enough of them to go vote because he figures he's gonna get the break on them by ten or twelve points.

If that happens that's is only have to win is that those folks are just to spirited enough.

To vote against Obama but not so dispirited that they stay home.

And -- onions so -- -- power points that's your Friday show I hope you enjoyed it I'll be back with you on Monday from new way that you work on the fourteenth floor of the mother ship.

With three great days of election coverage -- gonna like that -- that have a great weekend.

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