You're watching...
Taxing times in Congress, immigration changes easier said than done, and Republicans try to diagnose the problem.
Also in this playlist...
Auto-advance: ON
Auto-advance
This transcript is automatically generated
I've had a clear we can put revenue on the table out of tax reform.
All but -- remarkable -- on the table unless we get our entitlement crisis and are spending under control.
Get government more money.
Without putting real controls on spending.
Would be like giving a cocaine addict who wants to quit work okay.
And that is a strange drug reference from house speaker John Boehner still house speaker John Boehner talking with Bill Hemmer.
Whom you know from places like the Fox News Channel.
In a preelection discussion.
-- -- he would be post election.
With what he hoped would be president Romney.
But.
What might be president of -- and what is going to be President Obama.
This is power play.
And I'm -- -- -- and it's Friday of election we can you made it this far in and that's that you should be pretty pleased about that.
But just -- you are getting over your election hangover.
The truth remains that Republicans and Democrats in Washington are dealing with this new ratification of gridlock.
A Republican House and democratic senate and a democratic president as big issues have to be result.
House speaker just finished up talking the president's gonna hold a campaign style event later today.
Where he tries to rally support for -- tax rate increase or allowing tax rates increase for top earners.
As we hear that this school.
So what's gonna happen.
What's gonna happen and -- no seriously you tell me you can feel free to tell me.
Either you can follow me at -- -- firewall and tell me on the Twitter or you can just -- in the -- down there.
But somebody who knows.
Perfectly well what's going to happen but he probably just won't tell us so that will keep reading roll call is David Drucker you follow him at David M Drucker.
And you read -- roll call and David before you're going to want to plug one of the very best things that your publication does.
And that is before the ballots had even really didn't finish counted.
Counting -- -- together this fantastic guide to the new congress and it's got all the people and it it's got all the -- and as Smart pieces.
You guys must not get much sleep election now.
We really just people it's just keep the lights on several -- Yeah okay well it's very it's very good and -- in today's local.
Correct yes that go get a copy roll -- and and it's an.
All right so here's the thing.
The Republicans say.
Tax rates can't go -- they're not -- the house Republicans say can't raise taxes.
The government can get more money from taxpayers by closing loopholes perhaps.
But they're looking for as close to revenue neutrality is possible.
And that's what they want to do no tax rate increase.
President we expect today at this event this campaign style that he's going to -- here is he did.
In -- -- with middle middle class stakeholders.
Around -- -- so you're telling me the election isn't over.
Mean nothing is over and the president is going to go out and say we assume it's time for the tax rates on the 250 and up crowd.
Or I think it's 200.
And for individuals -- 200 for individuals to fifty premiered right.
For their tax rate to flow back out.
We looked to be headed to impasse and if there isn't as everybody's taxes go up at the end of the year right -- -- so what's gonna happen.
You know it's deja Vu all over again even that I remember the -- twentieth eleven debt ceiling negotiations when this was exactly the fight they -- happen.
The president wanted to raise.
Income tax rates on.
Higher income earners which he is designated -- 20250.
Levels for individuals and married couples and Republicans.
Are very.
OK with more revenue but they want them through tax reform we're broadening -- the base.
-- elimination of loopholes and and special interest carve outs and things of that nature.
I think one thing we do.
We should step back and can understand Chris this I don't really think anybody in Washington is against.
More revenue because let's face it if unemployment -- dropped from 8% essentially where it is 4%.
The government would be -- wash in revenue from people back at work paying taxes -- and nobody would argue with the idea of revenue it's how it's achieved.
And for Republicans there are two things that they're dealing with philosophically they're opposed -- raising taxes.
And it didn't they also.
Can't have any issue with the idea that they think it's gonna hurt small business owners who file as individuals.
And they think that's bad for job growth and and so they've got that and then you know then we can then move -- the politics of this.
The politics of this are that.
Republicans are in a tight spot.
Republicans in the senate lost -- -- right democratic president incumbent won reelection running around saying he was gonna raise taxes on.
People at certain levels this is different than coming out of 2010 when they were able to reach a deal more favorable it's because it was the Republicans won a big victory.
And so I think that -- -- It puts the Republicans -- a little bit of a tight spot because I don't think the people who voted for them export them.
Want them to raise tax rates on the other hand I think of -- -- broad swath of the country might look at this bill.
We don't necessarily disagree with you we might we might not let you guys just you know got your clock cleaned a little bit.
Even if you still holding call or -- I mean it was loud applause but I I think here's what we don't know -- -- -- -- Democrats clearly feel emboldened to let this thing go over the cliff because they feel like we won more than you did and therefore -- -- you will get.
Right but all of this is not about what may or may not be true this is about perception and how people feel right.
Democrats are just as attached to raising taxes on behind the murders and Republicans are attached to not to not quite okay nobody.
Says it that way but that's true that's the way it is.
Having said that if the Republicans and once the senate seats -- and Romney had won the presidency word that even though we had a lame duck where we still had.
You know democratic senate Republican House democratic president.
The perception would've been the country voted for the Republican message and therefore you really gonna let this go over the cliff when people just reject you.
But since we have a democratic president -- -- elected -- democratic majority in the senate being slightly expanded.
The fact that Republicans held their own in the house and yes people voted for what they said in those races right it's still too want.
And so right it's a little bit of a different scenario and so.
I think what Republicans have to figure out is.
It Democrats are really committed to going over the cliff because they think it's a winner for them -- of getting what they want to make.
Think that's better for the country right then.
And they have to decide.
If they think that they can win an argument and then even if they lose the argument it's worth it.
Well but -- but here's the question so I brought about he's gonna go out and do this campaign -- Barack Obama.
Don't I want to show a little.
-- -- -- -- Yes I do and no I don't why has he ever.
But why wouldn't you I mean this is if he's essentially why they're asking what you're asking.
-- question that's a good question but doesn't really matter because it's about who he is and how he functions.
If he was still going to approach this differently would he be having to campaign style event news this is what he's -- If this is what he's doing -- he wouldn't be having an event with middle class.
Taxpayers -- -- -- -- behind hands -- -- you know one of the things he said throughout the campaign is that he felt one of the failings of his first term was that he he didn't push hard enough on the outside.
Right he didn't tell his story.
Now this confirms to me that that definitely if this is how the event.
That plays -- I mean I would because it's what it's one thing to.
The -- it's never.
Obviously obviously still high on the opium.
But I had assumed that he would get and ends and say either.
I want to bring the guys -- to Camp David I'm gonna call McConnell and Boehner and I'm gonna take my Camp David for a little get together before we get started blowing each other's brains off.
-- -- You would even think about -- the beast up to Capitol Hill -- pay a call on John Boehner and say mr.
speaker I'm here.
Were both here we're gonna do this again.
Why.
I mean I'm not saying it's not a good idea I'm just saying that he never he didn't do that after 2010 right -- surprise a lot of Republicans and -- whatever you think about his style and what he did.
You know most Republicans thought wow we just we really want big so we're gonna see a different president right.
And no and the president said throughout the following two years after that point in elections well this that's -- -- -- so whoever was -- twelve.
-- that'll tell you you're -- we get to do.
This is what the president believes this is what he wants.
And there are a lot of things he does.
Really well there are some things he doesn't do so well one of the things I've never seen him do period is really neat deal maker and the corruption.
-- Bill Clinton in recent memory both Bill Clinton and Ronald Reagan.
Were negotiators.
They were dealmakers.
And use you can look back at the present -- presidencies and see the evidence of that yet and and -- just not seen it with this president is just not his style.
It's not the way he he.
But he's an F and I know we have to -- I can't I have -- old.
That is all for America today.
And I know we could Yiddish word religion I've got it I mean for -- from a for a guy who grew up in Clinton West Virginia.
It's not all bad.
But the the question is this for the president doesn't -- more to lose in this sense let's say.
He.
Demonstrates Republicans are in Trinidad and he has these events and does all this stuff.
He's the one with the economy I mean -- you what it would do to the economy even if people would punish your classes -- mid terms my god.
-- so that no look that's the key then faces the same balancing act an unknown as does speaker Boehner and house Republicans.
Who's ultimately gonna get the -- I'll tell you this if they both get the blame.
It's the president who really loses.
But if the president can can create a situation.
All Bill Clinton and Newt Gingrich and that famous government shut down where it was Gingrich -- Republican to get the plane.
Then it's a different story.
We'll -- you don't know yet.
-- -- -- -- Read and follow him.
Be around him drink drink deeply from a couple of Drucker we thank you we any kind of thing you can go get go -- it's going to be especially here in Washington.
Get this is it's useful.
And his publication is as useful every all right David thank you when we come back.
We'll have overall political excellence will be breaking -- all over you and that you won't even be able to to see him get it will be so raw and excellent just different.
Don't want to hire friends.
Maybe -- mean a moment.
Maybe they'll want alligators in the -- They'll never be satisfied.
President Obama -- what was billed as an official trip.
To visit the US born US Mexico border down El Paso way.
Back in May -- may tenth of 2011 and this is our life.
And what the president was really doing back then was trying to call attention to the discussion that was going on inside the Republican presidential primary.
About who could be the hardest -- could take the most staunch stand on illegal immigration and it was the one issue that Mitt Romney.
Tacked to the right of the rest of the Republican field most of the rest the Republican field Herman Cain actually favored an electrified fence it sounded like from Edmonton was sorry about that and Michelle Bachman was hauling freight literally double -- -- with a no go zone in between the two.
It got pretty intense there for a while the president was trying to -- these Republicans are extremists on this issue and they'll never be satisfied.
And as we saw.
In what was -- typical election turned out to be very difficult election for Mitt Romney was made more difficult by the fact that we're Hispanic voters.
His positions were game.
But when it.
Oh how how do Republicans deal with this issue he's it is is it a matter of the complexion.
And sure names of the individuals that run for office is their policy fix this needed.
Etc.
etc.
it has been much discussed and now it should be discussed here.
By.
Too Smart people who know stuff about that -- behind -- and welcome back to show well.
Here's why -- don't -- you Ron.
-- is.
The principal who are you as a butcher and singer and bond gene which is a big -- Republicans kind of -- here in DC that used to be.
The top mouthpiece for the speaker of the house.
And worked with this Republican senate caucus pretty big deal stipulated and Christiane grumbles and grumbles Obama scramble -- Obama's promise of the almost eat at a almost policy advisor to the new Democrat network.
And as we always point out about this this is a center left.
Democratic group this is not like moveon.org.
This is like hey Bill Clinton did a pretty good job what do we do what he did that's who these guys are and they know stuff.
And -- -- question.
The Republicans on immigration is it a day for them.
Is it something is it is it perception.
And the the complexion and surnames of their candidates.
Or is it actual immigration policy what's the thing that left Mitt Romney's at 27%.
-- with Hispanic vote.
I would say it would be the policy and I think it was also that he broke with a lot of proud Republican tradition.
We're going Ronald Reagan and we're going George W.
Bush we're going John McCain he was totally off the reservation on this issue and he paid for it.
And I think.
That behind closed doors the Republican leadership and even over at the RNC understand that on this issue they were on the wrong side here and that they.
Absolutely.
Need to come back.
To the sensor on this thing and I'm talking about a whole reinvention of the Republican Party anything crazy like that but let's just go back to the values.
That this country was founded upon which is that Ronald Reagan -- which was -- -- this country you're willing to work hard and you're willing to to pay your fair share then.
Absolutely we want you to be a part of this country and I think that was something that you -- I was wrong with the Reagan again with McCain.
With George W.
Bush which was completely lost in in the Romney shuffle here and I think that.
Your party and prospects.
Not differences -- -- don't Wear now nobody who's putting them weak point of the so what are you guys you.
Well clearly was a miscalculation.
I mean Ronnie.
Did what he had to do in the primaries to get to get elected as the Republican nominee.
But then he didn't -- in his position and went way if you and yours forever and he tried but it was awkward -- torch really we -- that you want to predator drones on the -- want to -- those are on here.
And there -- more credit and it's whatever it is clear they're the they're campaigning in a political miscalculation now to try to appeal with teams at all.
That this is an economical action.
Right I have no idea what -- -- choice but clearly it was nowhere -- -- and they have to change clearly they have -- -- to be a policy change because you cannot just say nice things -- talk nice to write a demographic.
Particularly to Charles Charles Krauthammer yes that's Charles Krauthammer says this and you can working for now here's an idea from Carlson he's written this.
It basically says Republicans it's time to say the a word.
And go ahead and and buy into the concept that amnesty.
For the illegal immigrants who -- in the United States some conditional.
-- the some conditional kind of amnesty is necessary.
Glad you brought this up because -- full quote was in need to embrace amnesty for border security in -- platform and this is always been the Republican line on this flight news for everybody to the Internet.
Border security.
The border has never been safer in the history of the country this may be hard to believe.
But there's less violence in El Paso, Texas which is across most dangerous city in the world -- -- otherwise it is real terrible place now will help us really safe don't know.
So I CJ I don't know why not I'll have.
So -- safer than speaker trainers district in Ohio this is a reality.
There are -- Mexicans coming into this country.
Than ever edited into Westchester it's not exactly a place of great -- -- -- -- to a fast so like if they actually sit there yet but my point here isn't going to.
What Charles said was it's time for Republicans -- -- those two concepts.
That prior to this what Republicans had said was you'll have to -- an amnesty or something.
But nothing until the border is an impregnable wall on the southern US border until the until we have actually -- security.
That -- satisfied with nothing else with Charles -- -- Is hey you know what you're not gonna get there -- so go ahead and deal with what's here.
And instead making it -- a conditional.
I think that -- -- -- they're Republicans are always going to be demanding stronger border security I don't know how much are going to be able to get him off of that but I do think that there's going to be a struggle within the Republican Party and eventual acceptance.
Some type of allowance.
Levels of amnesty there's no question about it something is going to have to happen on that level I I cannot tell -- to what degree.
But there will be some type of policy change eventually this is going to be huge in especially in the house.
My house Republican -- Possible is it possible possible possible this year.
That Democrats -- part of Democrats and listening to the president's.
-- -- during the Republican primary process.
That's important Democrats don't really want this all they don't really want this to go away because it is such an -- issue for them with the fastest growing demographic group.
First the president absolutely does care about fixing our immigration system I think that -- -- that was clear notice it's hard and unconscious so I don't democratic my.
Conscious about this because at the end of the day this this idea of amnesty this quarter we should just -- -- because we really need to do anything both parties agree and this is fixed the legal pathway for people to make because you become a citizen yet polite and also -- -- people -- -- people have to say they need to get to the back of the line look.
There's no peace four low skilled immigrants to enter the country that's just a reality there is no line for construction workers who want to come.
From Mexico into this country to do this and then leave because that is another part of this thing most undocumented immigrants -- come to this country I would argue would like to come work and then.
Be able to leave and -- know that they can come back in the future that's part of this argument that is completely missing.
When you use the term amnesty because I don't think that the majority of undocumented immigrants currently here will be here forever.
All right win when we come back on the look changed its name to them all -- Obama -- but in an effort -- -- his outrage.
But we will talk when we come back.
About this.
Who republic in the larger sense for bones are trying to diagnose the problem -- psychoanalyze and themselves their soul -- and they're doing all of this stuff.
I wrote in my power play today -- you can and by following me I'm over here but that's the type would be rather small.
You can follow me he's our -- -- -- -- don't waste your time.
Because nobody would have thought in 2004.
That's the correct answer for the Democratic Party with a guy named Barack Hussein Obama who just got elected in Illinois as the -- and -- going to be the most liberal senator in the United States and it no one would have said that.
So we'll talk about my group who wing when we come back.
Just Iraq.
What Mitt Romney did is he ran a campaign he wanted to run he wanted to make this a referendum on the economy.
And that's a big thing but it's not.
You know this sort of the basic foundations of our country.
And that was former Pennsylvania senator.
Rick Santorum and erstwhile flow of Mitt Romney's in the Republican.
Primary process.
On the record with Greta Van Susteren and the beginnings of the recriminations that are sure to follow.
And had to have already begun on strategy but on ideology.
And big picture stuff for the Republicans what Santorum was going on to say was that Romney should have focused more.
On the constitution and more on social issues and more on other things.
And been more of -- down the line conservative instead of trying to run as an economic mr.
fix it.
And this power play.
And that Christiane Ramos the blue team but it's the light blue team that's about the darker blues game and -- -- -- who.
It was a pragmatic human being and a Republican -- -- -- you -- it lets them tonight about it but right so.
-- so here's the good thing.
I wrote today.
All this soul searching is stupid for the Republicans where it's like we need to be more liberal we need to be more conservative.
Who knows what the world is gonna look like for the Republicans in two years who knows it's not like there's a -- it's not like -- previous as a big dial.
Over the RNC so turn up the conservative.
Were turned down the conservative.
Nobody would have said Barack Obama was the right answer -- 2004 the guy who just got elected to the US senate.
But the way things shaped up in 2006 in the way things were going forward it did so happened that he was the right guy for the job.
While I think that -- Smart Smart when you have avoided are now that we don't have a presidential nominee for -- previous didn't take on this project is a good idea in terms of sealing of the way to power.
He now can say doesn't have a dot gritty -- We -- can say.
-- he now with the authority can say where we have problems and where we have opportunities which is not a not a bad idea the second thing I have to say is look you know.
Mitt Romney ran a bad campaign is no question about it I mean when they're talking when they were talking about yeah giving their sake vote.
You know where they say to us that they're meeting their targets of their constituencies.
Who were there because they obviously fell short I would love to get under the hood and look at the grassroots operation turn of the vote operation.
To where they went because clearly we felt -- we've all.
Your friend and indeed there Christiane and you don't need to raise your hand and elevators.
And I thought about it a topic that I'm not about it.
The of their modest I -- about.
Do do the rich are the the defeats in part of this -- -- -- The call forties of the world the people on the Republican brain trust about.
Where you get the votes to Ken -- people who talk about the mechanics of running elections.
But I don't hear about the philosophical -- -- ideological.
Partaking of the get under the hood and looking at this sort of put Toro into politics here women 55% for the president -- -- 76% -- 71 -- -- -- fifteen to 2160%.
And when you're looking at this you have to wonder at this point who is still.
Left voting for the Republican Party and the issue here is there is no silver bullet I'm glad you brought up the Charles -- our thing because.
What you know a lot of you just call him Charles cramped for our I thought it that is going to come back and the good and they -- -- -- Sort of native salmon -- the silver bullet to solve this thing which is embracing a single motion and -- wanna take the Latino voters -- deciding where we're gonna we -- we -- and you also called him -- -- cellular immunity to your the last thing about from both be very quickly as we have to we have to -- -- Is Ron give me two games of people who could be.
The surprise not the end he gets it all I cancer Marco Rubio an -- -- not to be the nominee but we're gonna play a big role in the next two years.
And next two years John -- yeah.
And -- can.
It was Ted Cruz.
And take -- on the public yesterday it's a political videos doesn't -- Marco Rubio -- -- John soon.
It's power play is surprise all -- making -- fazed okay.
It was -- -- going to be very OK here we go gentlemen we thank you very much thank you for being with us -- -- gracious and collegial and patriotic is always.
On the -- Jonathan Hunt is coming up next by the way programming note I won't be here.
Next week I'm not going to be here for the Internet but my heart will be with you of course -- but before we get to our -- Charles let's have some power points.
-- points all you have is a hammer is the power points today.
At -- point one missed diagnoses.
Abound for the problems with the Republican Party.
And it's been misdiagnosed -- stem from whatever people that whatever people thank -- -- always the answer before the election they believe they've been proven right.
She's not moderate enough.
Not conservative enough where you stood before Rick Santorum.
And Tom Ridge are gonna have two very different views about what the answer for the Republican Party yes but here's point number two it's mostly about the personnel it's not about.
What these set of beliefs are as much as it is who's a good -- for those beliefs.
Barack Obama -- views on paper wouldn't have been palatable to the broad electorate after the 2004 election.
But you know what he sold it in a way that -- reasonable he made it work and he took advantage of a good situation and on the street Republican this is not a time for despair.
This is -- time to figure out what the state of play is now and how best to exploit it -- that's what politics is is exploiting opportunities sorry to break it to you.
-- -- -- That's it.
Enjoy glad you enjoyed your election week I know I did it.
And now.
We'd like to do every day.
We want to leave -- with the word from our.
Financials but I think one thing he might to have it's not going to be -- -- -- of -- treasury to Romney.
I'm sure -- probably turn it down but it would be the ultimate gesture on the left.
I agree John Kerry will probably end up from -- secretary of state I must say that my sources in the Obama White House have been rather quiet.
January 2009.
