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Power Play 11/12/2012

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    General Petraeus: Who knew what and when?

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I talk to a date pushed Petraeus twice on Friday.

And he said to me you know I've done an egregiously dishonorable thing and I need now to do the honorable thing.

And and -- I thought about it and for me it's a heartbreak I mean -- ferry that that this is a truly.

Bright man a credible person.

A great leader and could have.

Really -- a super transitional figure for the CIA this is very very hard and -- I do think he did the right thing.

And that is Dianne Feinstein chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee who initially said that she regretted President Obama.

Accepting David Petraeus his resignation as head of the CIA and then yesterday on FOX News Sunday.

Explaining now -- thinking after speaking with -- -- yourself this is power play live on Mike Emanuel.

Sitting in for Chris to -- -- who after a grueling election season gets a well deserved day off and I'm thrilled to be here joined with -- Legendary Michael Barone.

And mr.

Barone -- -- almost forty years here in Washington.

Where do you rank the -- scandal so far.

Well I read -- I've I'd -- it -- you know could this be another Watergate.

I don't think it could be quite another Watergate but.

There are some very disturbing questions here.

I don't feel confident I know the answers -- all in.

I hope the answers are a lot less disturbing -- the questions but you don't.

That's evidently we are told that General Petraeus.

CIA director.

Testified in closed session to members of the of congress on September 14 three days after the big -- he -- taxing characterize them as arising out -- was spontaneous protest against an anti Muslim video.

That's what ambassador Susan Rice -- on the five Sunday shows on September 16.

We have independent evidence from State Department and CIA sources.

That those sources did not believe that to be the case on September 14 through September 16.

And so the question is why didn't General Petraeus -- that testimony did he give that to us.

Why did he do so -- so.

-- on what basis so we know he's not gonna testified.

On the hill this week at some point presumably he may come in on his own.

Free will or may be subpoenaed to testify to congress congress has subpoena power should -- It sounds like you're.

The you know the Republicans.

Control -- House of Representatives they can get a subpoena power Mike Rogers the chairman of the intelligence committee it.

Senator Dianne Feinstein sounds like she may very well want to hear from.

General Petraeus.

Some of these matters as well so.

It may very well be -- -- remember Watergate there were Republicans.

As well as Democrats who.

Joint in -- it is critics are questioners of President Nixon and his aides.

Lots of -- questions in terms why did come out.

At this point.

You know when you get around an election people get crazy saying well as the timing a little fishy that.

Magically Friday after the election he would he resigns is also I suppose a question that the timing and terms of the world we live in we've got the Iran threat out there it's probably a terrible time.

For this leadership vacuum at the top before.

Central Intelligence Agency.

-- -- -- -- Newspaper accounts have -- that General Petraeus was aware of this investigation.

Of the FBI discovery.

Quote months.

Before his resignation so that would dated before the September 11 attacks I've been costly for example.

-- he'd you know did he have a duty or responsibility to bring it to the president's attention and take.

Action at that point.

That's a question that some people may want to.

-- and you know it's.

There are a lot more questions here than answers there -- a lot of disturbing questions and there may be some disturbing answers the unfortunate thing we see is -- Going public life.

Some of them fall at times.

The fall of General David Petraeus who really was an American hero and rock star and and obviously.

The Obama White House is worried about the possibility that he could be the Republican nominees in 2012.

Obviously that did not happen but in terms of fault.

-- falling star or somebody -- phone from prominence.

How you rank this one.

Well.

I rank it pretty high I mean basically you are gonna admirer of General Petraeus never met him never talked to my knowledge.

I felt sick to my stomach when I heard the news and I think very many Americans of all political persuasions felt that way as well.

Absolutely and I will -- -- have -- General Petraeus and and when I heard that he resigned Friday I thought OK he's just exhausted.

From his tours of Iraq and Afghanistan -- -- -- the CIA and obviously was upset to hear the news.

So where does the Obama administration go because we do live in a dangerous world Michael groans that you go with the known quantity inside the agency Michael morale perhaps.

Or is there or somebody like Joseph Lieberman or whatever who's leading.

The United States senate who might be the next CIA director I don't think they see Joseph Lieberman is that are kind of guy on foreign policy.

I think it's more likely that you try to.

If you get somebody.

From the agency who the public doesn't have a great reputation positively or negatively with the general public will be respect.

You know elicit comments of respect -- disappointment that.

That would be my guest but I think.

That you know president and his aides.

Are going to be asked some uncomfortable questions about this.

-- some and there are some disturbing questions out there.

In the -- -- better prepare.

Two.

Answer.

We know coming off the campaign in the present United States is scheduled to do a news conference Wednesday as he can but there's going to be questions about Petraeus.

-- did the president know about this situation what did he know and it's certainly sounded like it was kind of late -- getting to him but.

Well White House spokesman -- he learned about Wednesday the day after the election that.

Director of National Intelligence James clapper heard about it from the date of the election at 5 PM just before polls started to close.

In Indiana Kentucky.

Idea.

You know to the FBI director have a duty to bring this to the attention of other people did he have -- -- to bring it to the attention of the attorney general.

These questions which I don't have ready answers but I think their questions and we'll colonel great many people.

Obviously this shows on the Internet you know that we know that and oh we are looking at your chats here -- -- points is Petraeus bowed out to run for president.

In 26 team.

I think I think his future in that regard is is -- -- future elective politics.

Canyon one read this says to put a professional news service General Petraeus who knew what -- and to add to that.

Why didn't we try to save those Americans clearly referring to Ben -- Ballistic cases betrays hasn't done the right thing at all he's been telling the American people what he knows about the terrorist attack -- truth.

And all of -- so obviously.

From our viewers a lot of concern about.

And -- which you know well -- my question is did he mislead.

The members of the Intelligence Committees and members of congress who -- -- three days after the attack him.

If so why.

And where does that thing -- investigation go in and I suppose when when will he decide to come forward he's obviously got a -- some things up in his personal life right now and well he's -- who you know the the big guys scene investigation I mean the the -- house foreign affairs committee the the investigative committee headed by Darrell ice and the subcommittee it by Jason -- it's they're going to be asking a lot of questions about this.

And the intelligence committee OK finally.

Before we let you go.

You've had about a week since the election -- what are your reflections now.

My reflections is that.

At the top of the ticket this election look more like 2008 and I and many people expected it to look like.

He was you know when narrower win for the president than 2008 but many of the -- that as you go down the ballot.

The Republicans to better better.

Lousy in the senate races they lost two seats totally.

Unforced errors by weak candidates.

-- -- Had very minimal losses in the US House of Representatives they looked to be in this strong a shape as they -- -- that twelve years from 94 rose six with a controlled house.

In in state legislatures when you compete here.

Where we -- state legislatures were going into the 2010 elections.

Mostly as a result of elections held in 2008.

We're Democrats held.

You know -- I think 53% of the state senate seats 56% of the state house seats.

Now it's Republicans in the majority the president to conspicuously did not raise money for.

Our congressional candidates he did to -- -- hundred plus fund raisers for himself.

But he if so this has not been a presidency.

That is as good for his party's best at this point in George W Bush's career.

His presidency was good for his party which had majorities in both houses of congress and had made gains legislatures Michael Brown Washington examiner thinks you're.

-- you can read Michael's latest reading on the Internet -- Obama wins by going negative and turning out based check them out.

We'll be right back looking at the GOP loss where we go from here -- -- -- this.

When I -- your motor not.

I have listened to you.

I have learned from you.

And you -- -- a better president.

-- your stories.

And yours yeah.

I returned to the White House and more determined and more inspired -- That course -- Obama celebrating reelection after a hard fought bruising campaign.

-- Mike Emanuel sitting in for Chris -- -- gets a well deserved breather after this election season joining me in his studio.

Did you get out.

Although the road for the friendly -- Max left former White House political director under president George W.

Bush.

And chuck roach of president of solidarity strategy and director the Latino project -- I want to make sure I got that right there.

-- almost a week after the election.

What happened -- what went wrong with the GOP.

Wow.

That's.

Long conversation with strong advocates who are right first thing is demographically.

With -- -- -- and agree me too readily.

Which is just getting too far to you realize that the coalition that was put together in 2004.

Our President Bush with a real appeal to work towards nonwhite voters my wife sometimes chastised me for using that term.

But for Asian Americans African Americans Hispanics.

Is.

Our party's got to be able to pull that together as a percentage of the electorate that's wider -- gonna decrease over time.

In the percentage that from these other groups is going to increase.

It's not just math though it's also more question for our party our party's message should appeal to all types of Americans especially new Americans people better start now.

In this country people that are starting on the economic latter.

Our solutions.

Are the right solutions for them but if we can't explain them that we don't have the right policies that they can understand.

And we don't even invited to the table talk about it -- got problems I don't think my party does that I think there -- voices within my party.

That unfortunately.

Have advocated for things that have resulted in -- I think we've got to turn that around chucked the Latino vote winning the Latino vote.

What's the key in terms and down the road just.

I think making them feel included I think that my -- exactly right you know there it was rhetoric on the campaign trail.

That was not the days of George Bush am from Texas -- grew up in Texas there's a reason why George Bush got 44% Latino vote.

He did as much include them in but he made a part of the conversation.

In this primary process every Republican tried their best to push them away from the process and that's that you get.

And that would 2627%.

Of the Latino vote as a country moves forward.

That coalition will stay together but now we will have to protect that coalition because the Republicans are very Smart people they know that there are certain things within the Latino community -- Us being very avid churchgoers to being very conservative with some of our other financial values of we're gonna have to fight -- this vote to keep -- this is not going to be able that we just.

Automatically get every time -- let me say he's exactly right look at the examples.

Everyone in my part of these are a lot of ways -- -- over its immigration and it is immigration is a large part of this is that's where respect.

We'll start.

But there's all kinds of others including on gay mayors and life in other social issues where.

Hispanics are gonna necessarily all I know with kind of a more progressive side of politics.

Including their -- small business people.

I don't care about taxes and such so they're all kinds issues that Hispanics.

As a group might disagree on and nobody should assume that there are reliable partner in some kind of left wing coalition.

Premiered it from here to eternity I think we got a real chance -- with these -- we've done it before we've done an -- by the racist he's got to do the national.

A lot of Republicans are still smarting after Election Day it's probably good time to be Marco Rubio -- -- Susanna Martinez.

Not to say that that's the only reason they're there but both very bright articulate stars up and coming stars the Republican Party and if the party has a Latino problem.

It's good to be.

Then and perhaps it a solution we also -- to be a Latino consultant in Washington DC and that.

Including young Castro or -- you know the mayor of LA -- our demographic is gonna continue to grow but our demographic looks like my story my great grandfather was an illegal immigrant as you some people would say come into this country -- announcement almost small business but I went to work in a factor when I was nineteen years old and I've got to live the American dream as more Latinos become more -- into American society.

Is.

They're they're mixed races they are people that come from all different sectors but it is that they -- to do better and right now because Obama spoke to this election.

He will be up to me it'll be up to other people to.

Manipulate that message to make sure that that message is loud and sort of Latinos -- who's representing them as we move forward now president Obama's gonna be held accountable -- lots of different issues just like the congress and the senate on issues at all Latinos care about.

We've we've heard some buzz about comprehensive immigration reform.

Odds of getting this done end is it.

Trouble for Republicans.

Because there's a segment of the base that gets a little bit anxious when you hear that topic.

That's okay.

This is an issue that faces our country's most important issues that they -- -- if you just look at it.

From an economic perspective it's okay for our party to have a conversation we're not gonna have -- to complete agreement.

I think that's a good thing I mean that you know chuck brings up some of the Hispanic leaders in our party that's true.

-- also just taken some Hispanic isn't gonna solve the problem.

Right we've got to make sure that we have the right positions on these policies McCain -- immigration reform before.

There were a lot of disagreements but I notice you -- Charles Krauthammer Sean Hannity other voices.

That our very credible in the conservative community you're saying hey let's -- look at this issue and I think -- got a lot of folks.

Within our party you know what they want Mike.

They want to win the presidency.

With the conservative and they want that president to make conservative strict constructionist picks on the Supreme Court -- conservative judges.

And -- have good policy to never gonna have a chance.

To have -- president -- can do that unless they can reach out these kinds of issues I think there's a realization.

Pretty good idea of comprehensive immigration performance this time around I think that it's a slippery slope but I think the people's harder in the rough place it's just politically either side can get their act together to make it happen right I would remind people that Latinos and what we called dreamers -- -- -- students were protesting at Obama headquarters prior to the election because.

In this group of young people are -- to have their voice be heard I think that there's a decent shot because I think that.

This election more so than any election -- show that power of the Latino vote.

As you mentioned in my bio I ran a Latino super -- this year we were out lifting up the voices of documented and undocumented workers make it true that if they're part of America they've only -- -- -- one flag their voice should be heard and the -- should be counted so I think that the pressure.

From the grassroots level will be the key to this.

Take a look at the chess.

We've seen out of GOP throughout the Clinton playbook -- the GOP be pumping.

That's an attack from exile from Kansas -- The 47% were the most valuable players the last presidential election that's what can anyone read this says.

Did you appoint Republicans ran from the senator rather than embrace it.

The -- demanded too much I think or to knock him out I think.

One thing that's.

Interest -- to discuss was did the cast of characters who were running for president against Mitt Romney.

In the end do him damage in the general election well I think we have started before that -- which was.

Mitt Romney had wanted to blue state which we all clogged with people from our party wouldn't it states -- So he won in Massachusetts but he had to deal Democrats and really his record was much more moderate.

But what you would have really liked when you run for president is really a center right where Conservative Party so one of the issues that Mitt Romney had not really have much voice on this immigration.

It was one of those issues where he went so probably.

With an appeal to the base and two people that vote in states that don't.

Maybe I have higher populations of Hispanics and he did it hard and I think it -- -- -- consequence -- let me give -- chance for last word -- things go from.

Here I think that you're gonna see this coalition try to stay together as we -- Ford and have some accountability there's lots of groups of people out there whether you're the single mother like I was raised by a single mother or you're -- young Latino or -- that mill worker and Ohio whose word about his job being outsourced I think that coalition has to stay together for the Democrats and -- win.

Beyond this election but it's going to be tough to keep them together when you still have -- 8% unemployment.

When -- needs to be a solid message corner to every working man and woman no matter what the color of their skin is is that there's somebody who actually get you -- will do something for you gentlemen.

Thanks very much -- -- interest in seeing where things go from here.

-- -- Stay let us back with a final segment and of course this being the day we honor our veterans day after veterans day.

We'll have a tribute to our veterans and -- -- stay with us.

Of that settlements there.

This is an opportunity for the president to -- This is his moment to engage the congress and work towards a solution that can pass both -- That of course speaker John Boehner who -- made the point several times since Election Day that he's calling on the president of United States Barack Obama.

After being reelected to lead.

Where all that take us joining us live from our Miami bureau where I'm sure it's a spectacular day because.

Miami is known for that is Al Cardenas chairman of the American.

Conservative union -- how you doing today.

Doing all right I could've done better was a different result last Tuesday but we're blowing off.

Your thoughts your reflections.

Here we are almost a week after Election Day what do you think went so wrong before conservatives.

Well look -- -- -- market share issue by thunder and number -- -- highlight is that we've got him moving demographic and America and we're being less successful rather than more so where this changing view of our country second reason -- I thought too many of our leaders -- -- senator -- And they conservative -- were criticizing the candidate and I thought that cause some significant vote suppression of swelling.

You know you could come up with a hundred -- Unser.

Or analysis as to what the Romney campaign could have done better but.

But the key factors were too much dissension within our ranks and -- -- -- home stretch and frankly.

Our failure to properly compete with a changing demographic or America would be.

Probably most significant reasons why we didn't do better.

You're there in Miami obviously Marco Rubio has been known to Florida voters longer than the national scene but there's a lot of buzz about rubio at this point it's very early obviously -- the president hasn't even.

Raised his hands -- to be sworn in for his second term but Republicans conservatives are already looking ahead to Tony sixteen.

Talk just a bit about rubio and -- weather's great opportunity for him right now but also some risk.

Well look I think a week after that election -- so are too early to talk about.

They had 2016.

Candidate.

-- that selection but it is important say that we need Marco Rubio and leaders like him to join us in.

Any improving our demographic escort -- -- -- Latino community look.

This was inexcusable -- three million Latino small businessmen and women.

There -- 150000.

Young men and women serving our military a good reminder on veterans day.

-- shall -- some sellers who have now served your country in the military.

And we've got a growing evangelical community that's well organized -- -- things.

Could -- told you that we would be doing better not worse when Latino community our record is this -- And I think we know why and we just need to put our heads down -- sit around -- table and and do the work that needs to be done to improve but at the head of -- ahead of that best suggestion list has to be putting people like Marco Rubio front with -- community and the rest of the country.

We've heard some buzz in recent days about the possibility of trying to do comprehensive immigration reform the speaker of the house.

Suggested he may be open to such a thing where are you want that and how important that issue may be for.

Conservatives in the elections ahead.

They'll look the most liberal position on immigration is the status quo meaning doing nothing having porous borders.

No verification notified of employment.

Identification.

And no law and order and no enforcement our current loss like depression is doing.

Immigration reform is a conservative thought -- to be done well in mesa border security law and order -- verification.

And I work permit process that's in the best interests of our country and inviting Dole's -- got graduate degrees an important Greece and science math engineering.

To -- to our country and help build up our economy that's a conservative immigration reform.

And one that we need to push and I think once we do that we opened the gateways to the Latino community.

And regain our trust and respect within it like Ronald Reagan had.

As you look at the dynamic here in Washington and you've got to present Obama reelected.

Harry Reid gonna be the majority leader with perhaps a couple more Democrats in his ranks.

And then John Boehner the speaker of the house so is their risk for house Republicans.

This time around and -- certain degree do.

Does this -- have consequences and do they need to do some things to show that they're willing to work with this president.

Well look we're back to where we were two years ago things haven't really changed if you look at it.

It's a status quo election Americans for -- -- you'll -- voted.

Keep things going in the same direction I thought the lunch or your comments on the very beginning -- speaker Boehner.

I think he's got it right look this precedent -- percent of budget for a -- three years to the congress.

He talked about immigration reform but never submitted -- proposal.

It's time he he comes up to the batting cage and starts.

Becoming a leader -- -- sending America with this view of -- perhaps he's been.

Hiding behind 16100 Pennsylvania -- -- gates and it's time that.

He tells America exactly how he plans to move forward I think speaker Boehner is his right -- and getting at the president to do the right thing and speak out his mind I'll let us react to a rather -- Let us make proposals sent haven't criticized some all the time.

There's been some buzz about tax reform speaker Boehner said you know I would be open to more revenue if we do.

Comprehensive tax reform he also wants the president to tackle entitlements.

Do you think he's right on message there for the Republican Party going forward.

Absolutely look the really that pressures on the precedent -- -- if we don't pass something.

The bush tax cuts will.

Will -- and in essence a middle class -- lower America would be faced with a tax increase.

Something that -- the precedent.

Ran against and so.

It's up to him to sit down with speaker Boehner and I -- your formula conservatives can live with -- that formally involves.

No tax increases.

And now we could deal with the with the tax you know the tax breaks side of the French which increases revenue trend that's been.

Long -- coming but increasing tax rate should be and no for starters.

How pretty this American conservative media thank you for your time and expertise sir and this of course being the -- that we are honoring our veterans because the -- -- on a Sunday.

Very sincere thank you to all who have worn the uniform.

God bless our veterans.

And god bless America thanks for watching power play and here's a tribute to our veterans.

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