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Power Play 11/21/2012

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    Mideast tensions and diplomatic efforts. Plus: The fiscal cliff threat. Join Mike Emanuel in the live chat...

  • Duration 24:37
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Bombing in Tel central Tel Aviv brings -- Gaza conflict.

Into a civilian area intensified fighting between Hamas militants in the Israeli military.

Raises doubts about the possibility to cease fire was secretary of state Hillary Clinton in the region trying to.

-- both sides for a cease fire to try to calm the situation tension in the Middle East.

This is power play I'm Mike Emanuel in for Chris -- Walt.

Enjoying Thanksgiving holiday well deserved Thanksgiving holiday we'll talk a little bit about Thanksgiving later in the show but.

First things first and Middle East tension and joining us is the weekly standard's Fred Barnes and -- Your thoughts on what you're seeing in the Middle East and the perfect perplexing problem continues -- Well I don't think they're nearest ceasefire after this bus bombing in in Tel Aviv -- -- -- you know call so money.

Terrorist actions in the past by Hamas and other groups and terrorist groups in a bombing cafes and buses and so on and end.

Look I think go with Hillary Clinton there.

It it's clear that it's the Americans support the Obama campaign's.

Support with the bombing campaign and he say Obama administration.

Crack myself is very strong behind Israel later that there -- Israel has a right to defend itself and Hillary Clinton said to -- the administration's rock solid behind them.

But on the other side.

President -- a bit of Egypt too is the other league guy trying to get Hamas to back off -- that and agree to a cease fire doesn't seem to have gotten anywhere didn't help when he sent his.

His about -- prime minister there are few days ago to declare solidarity with Hamas and what he's doing so.

It's did end and the fear that the administration has is a correct fear that this could spread to.

A -- larger war in the mideast so.

The player that won't cease right now I think is mainly Hamas.

It appeared -- Secretary Clinton leaving the president's overseas trip to Asia to go to the Middle East that the hope was that that there might be a cease fire that you might show long been essentially be there to announce we have a cease -- and we have.

More problems so what does this say about.

America's influence in the region if if this is continues to fight -- Well you know it's less than it was before the Arab Spring we know -- -- for instance where Mubarak was aaron's really client.

Of the United States are influence was very strong.

And Egypt is the most important country of course in dealing with Israel and and it's much smaller -- president -- he's a member of the of the Muslim Brotherhood.

The mother the coach of the Muslim Brotherhood branch in the Gaza Strip -- Hamas.

And again getting him he.

That doesn't want to have a as close relationship.

With United States.

By far as Mubarak did but the US has one thing other than just its persuasive ability to -- in dealing with him and that's the billions of dollars of military aid.

Good guy that goes to Egypt every year has gone and it's at risk now.

You know -- -- could lose it.

Depending on what they do.

-- -- taken some heat.

Over the years in terms of his support for Israel what you think in this conflict so far they've struck the right on that -- -- saying the right things I did little and I think the relationship with particularly with prime minister -- At the Benjamin Netanyahu has improved a lot.

Did give those clear during the campaign I went to.

With Mitt Romney on his trip to Israel -- The Israelis preferred -- broadly as the next president but they have Obama.

And then and he's been pretty strong from the very beginning.

And now with Hillary and what she said and of course the military aid to Israel has always been strong it's been more political.

Disagreements in dealing with the Palestinians that have divided.

The Israelis from the Obama administration but all on this.

I think the Obama administration has been very strong support of Israel and properly speaking -- prime minister Netanyahu we have a sample of what he's saying about the latest in the conflict let's take.

-- and we are in a battle to save lives.

One of the things we're doing is trying to.

Resists and counterterrorism -- which is appealing directly their civilians.

And doing so by minimizing civilian casualties.

-- you.

A terrorist enemies of Israel are doing everything in their -- to maximize.

The number of civilian casualties.

Obviously no country can -- Want to my -- harming civilians.

I think is that is this -- -- when pat posts.

No I don't Gaza.

They have -- conducting about a medical attacks against civilians just -- and out of being can divvy them -- moment that David did it.

Israel is using the Palestinian blood around even the president of -- foot of that election complaints -- this Israeli government does that mean they didn't -- that have been -- They have been -- that water and events and how they were ambivalent about northern Gaza well.

So there you have the Israeli prime minister and of course the legislature on the Palestinian side they do not sound like they're anywhere close to.

Winding this down they don't -- there and you -- see what -- the Hamas is expecting they're expecting what usually happens in these events it's like a night you've seen in National Football League games where the referee shows up and penalizes the guy who's -- responding you know he's been attacked and and then and all the -- season this will be.

Particularly true of the European press and even some European countries they'll say.

They'll blame the guy who was -- it was attacked in his then responding and that's Israel in this case.

And Netanyahu is exactly right.

The -- while there will be some civilians killed.

With the Israeli response in the bombings of the Gaza Strip -- need to kill civilians and yet.

Hamas which is a terrorist group this is what terrorist groups do they attack civilians and create the bigger the try to create terror in a country and then.

You can't prevail that -- on the bus bombing is exactly that it's the it's the newest example of the strategy of Hamas and but you're right -- It doesn't look like we're headed -- An instant ceasefire as somebody's cover the White House over the years a number of presidents.

Is this going to be a great catch on President Obama is -- that we see as many other addresses they committed and -- now -- Great because it is in part because of the Middle East yeah this will be another great -- -- -- -- -- the president came in with his Cairo speech back I think in 2009 and and with great.

Anticipation of what he could do with his persuasive abilities and that the Bush Administration with the Iraq War and overly supporting Israel was.

What's really the problem.

He's learned otherwise it's it is the hardest thing in the world -- -- Henry Kissinger -- solid Richard Nixon couldn't Gerald Ford Bill Clinton all of whom have tried.

And it's as difficult as ever if not after the Arab Spring more difficult.

So.

Much -- one great -- but several.

So where do we go from here I mean -- essentially.

Clinton's on the ground trying to work is not try to get her ready to cease fire and then what do they do have days drag on well I think -- the ball is not brilliant Hillary Clinton's court extinct in dealing with the Israelis.

It's whatever she can do in dealing with the egyptians the egyptians have -- The only country since they control the -- and that's what's so much of the stuff comes in and tunnels -- the Gaza Strip in terms of weapons and other things.

They're the ones that have the influence on Hamas and it depends on what they do little -- and and that's the key here -- Hillary Clinton.

Have to end and got behind her President Obama.

Have some influence of strong influence on the new Egyptian president and the new Egyptian government post Arab Spring.

Will say.

For guards happy Thanksgiving thanks for your time same -- -- When we come back a veteran lawmaker on what congress is going to do about the fiscal cliff quick break we'll be right back.

Redundancies.

Throughout government I think there's many ways to look at can you do more effectively efficiently and basically eliminate -- this redundancy that goes on.

You know if you ask people I've asked people before how many -- did you go for the same service that -- tell -- 23 or four.

That's ridiculous.

What's driving our spending is entitlements it's just so obvious.

In what makes this non competitive is it tax code that.

That is just hopeless.

We've got to fix these things if we error if we have any hole.

Of this economy improving over the long term.

That fair balanced a Republican senator a democratic senator talking about what to do about the fiscal cliff I asked them.

What would they be willing to cut and essentially you heard the Republican senators saying he -- tax -- broken.

That's a longer term fixed -- what are lawmakers get a deal with less than.

Six weeks to the US economy.

Hitting these so called fiscal -- joining us from New York.

A congressional legend.

Congressman Charles Rangel somebody who knows the ins and outs of Capitol Hill very well in May have a good idea of exactly how that's gonna play out.

Congressman happy Thanksgiving and it certainly ask where do you think things are going in terms of talks on the hill.

-- -- -- no one can disagree with you of previous.

Speak as a because we have to cut out waste wherever we find it.

What he called redundancy of what they -- -- -- -- -- ineffectiveness.

And the tax code we haven't dealt with that since 1986.

This trillions of dollars and they and preferential treatment that shouldn't media.

The real question is how what -- -- got to do at this time at this crises.

And the American people as has little confidence in the congress it would epitome.

That win not just talk about eliminating hitting -- entitlements.

We talk about medical stuff we talk about help for the aged helped put a -- -- Talk about education.

Talk about joblessness.

Isn't time for America to put some pressure on the congress and not just leave it does -- kick the can until next year.

I -- we have churches -- sending guys we got mormons we got Muslims.

I really think if you leave it up to -- congress.

You really taken a great gambled -- election is all but.

I knew god was is coming in.

But right now if we don't do something by December 30 parties.

And we do have an opportunity to do it did the people have spoken.

You can't old middle class people hostage 98% of -- -- as everyone agrees that it deserves a tax break.

And we're holding back because 2% -- -- that's not fair it doesn't make sense and we need some fresh importer and -- to do to right thing.

Sir you've been through more than your share of these battles over the years over fiscal matters over huge pieces of legislation.

At this point with Thanksgiving holiday here Christmas on the horizon.

And the clock ticking.

What is the most likely outcome do you think there'll be some sort of extension into the new year where that big -- could perhaps work on tax reform.

How do you think this plays out as we get closer and closer to Christmas and this deadline.

Well one thing that fiscal -- it's not going to happen.

So the ceilings these guys not -- fall and the worst thing can happen is that we put a temporary sticks and and deal would it next year.

But still the problem is going to be even great if we do that what we should be doing -- if we have the public pressure on us to do it.

Is this -- initiating tax reform.

Bring in revenue to to table the noted to reduce the deficit.

And then we can take a look at this so called entitlements you have to remember.

Republicans had flood -- security if what Medicaid and they put Medicaid they just don't like it they wanted privatize.

And so when you talk about making modernize it and cleaning up redundancy that is something that that all Americans -- want that to happen.

But you have to get at a table and we have that pressure put on us we just -- -- -- -- To allow this to go over and -- the next new year we have a chance to do it.

Democrats or Republicans but most of bought -- Americans.

We have the public and to do it we need some pressure put on the congress and its -- as both Republicans and Democrats.

Since the massive tax code cannot be -- written by Christmas.

Do you think that if there is some sort of extension into the new year whether be six months or whatever of the current tax rates in the current spending levels.

Do you think the markets would would.

View that poorly -- and perhaps diet based on that.

I think they -- volley because they would have no way to to know what to expect when it happens.

I agree that we cannot reform the system this year.

But weekends dot laying out the plans in terms of closing up the loopholes that we have there.

Setting -- rates that we will not seeing how much revenue was going to get.

Make up -- is how we got to cut back as spending.

And to at least have a -- Brent.

Not -- they can't.

But a blueprint that we can get started on.

Without just saying that we Saudi and no no we got to do something dramatic now you don't have to complete their -- -- on.

But you have to make a commitment to reform -- -- -- know the speaker of the house has mentioned the possibility are being open to more revenue being on the table that's got to be pleasing to your side of the aisle.

But obviously Republicans as a principle don't wanna raise taxes so help me.

Read between the lines here what is the most likely scenario on that -- that mean.

Perhaps millionaires won't get the bush tax cut extended where -- things go on that for.

Elissa Levine will say they want to raise revenue but they don't -- think you're used to rent -- Before they use this if you close the loopholes.

If you close those -- be -- thing that is the end so that they're rich would pay at least after every share.

That by doing that you mean they will pay more taxes so they were against even reforming the cold and eliminating what everyone agrees is -- necessary.

Especially as relates an oil industry.

Now they say they don't mind every flaw but don't change -- -- that you haven't heard from big business saying that increase in their rates are so terrible.

And so what is so magic about having to -- remained the same for big businesses they have all agreed that we should move -- what.

The only people let's roll them back bought an expression members of the -- -- body.

And also.

No -- who has.

Who said that he can't talk about great as it relates to the riches.

If everyone agrees that 98%.

Of the tax Mays will be getting a continuation of the tax break.

And we only talk about their rates of the top 2%.

Or why what is any given as far as I'm concerned I'm -- vocal play -- I would say okay.

You don't want to change it rates but you want to talk revenue raises in revenue without their rates mathematically.

They just can't do it.

There are a lot of people who say though that 250.

In big cities like New York Los Angeles Washington DC.

Is not necessarily rich so.

Is there a compromise in there where perhaps you adjusted for people who make.

More than a million dollars.

I don't wanna go there you know one out of five kids in this great we have -- -- bullet into poverty you know when he was sent.

A big kids are in poverty we have people going to bed -- -- food without health care they should not happen and our great country.

If you and I want to debate.

Whether that 250000.

Million dollars should be where it is -- good 32 and 50000.

And a million should continue get a tax break.

We have the lowest tax rate since we've had since the 1950s.

No one wants to pay more taxes.

But when he got 98 out of a 100% people that a -- the benefit.

Why don't we just move on and do that if lady you want to -- week.

Any dvd anything.

Inducements.

Higher income people -- -- but just don't say that to train that's got to leave the station.

Goal long as the president's that.

With what Republicans and Democrats agree -- 98% of the people.

Do not deserve to have a tax increase and that's what will happen if we do nothing on December to thirty birdies.

So we get that going for those who say 250 it is it's not high enough.

While you get up to a million baby it's 2000003 million.

It really depends and whose ox is being polite but I -- lately.

Would hope I knew enough people that -- a million tax tax bracket that I can go back home it's -- -- -- -- a tax increase.

I don't have that problem and 98% of Americans don't have that problem.

Those people -- push of a million dollars -- They probably know people that they want to enjoy this benefit I don't know and I don't know how many you know.

-- congressman as these as these son of a Korean War veteran thank you for your service on that front -- thank you for your service in the US congress and I'll look forward to see when you get back down here to Capitol Hill.

Happy Thanksgiving -- them.

The best of the union -- intensity viewing audience have a great Thanksgiving.

Thank you sir when we come back a little bit more -- twelve politics aftermath then where we go with the fiscal cliff and also the Middle East.

Please stick around.

And civilians welcome back to power play I -- Mike Emanuel sitting in for.

Chris firewall joining me a couple of political experts to break this and other hot topics down gentry Collins former RNC political director and -- -- are now.

Formerly of the what do you think about situation in the Middle East Secretary Clinton -- in the -- we -- hoping for a cease fire it's dragging on -- well.

Obviously yesterday there's there's some hope that there would be diplomatic solution and -- this explosion in and the enough -- until he was.

Obviously really really a bad sign but.

I think the good thing is is right now there's no disagreement among Republicans and Democrats -- in terms of our support for Israel.

There are you know biggest ally in the region they do they need to be able to support themselves defend themselves.

I'd like -- what the leadership the president is shown sending Hillary Clinton over there but I think this is gonna take time I mean this is.

I don't it would be wrong expect a solution immediately.

I think there should be some additional pressure put on prime minister -- -- of Egypt.

-- to help kind of but provide a bridge there with some without the Palestinians and Hamas but.

Obviously that the president secretary of state Clinton have been working around the clock to -- try to find a solution.

I think we we probably should expect it's gonna take a little more time in 24 hours of your review of the administration's performance.

-- look at I think we can start this Thanksgiving holiday by by having a little bit of agreement I think everybody's in agreement that to the extent the president and the administration.

Are strong in their support for Israel and that's something that congressional Republicans and senate Republicans are gonna stand behind the president -- And so we're all united to.

We certainly from our point of view wanna see more strength of leadership from this president what we think over the course of the summer -- last spring.

He -- a little bit over the course of last four years he perhaps wasn't as strong as he could have been making sure it was clear as the folks in the Middle East that we were gonna stand up for Israel.

And so I think we're headed in the right direction we support the president that we hope it continues to both mentioned Secretary Clinton let's take a listen to what she's had to say in the region.

President Obama asked me if you come to Israel with a very clear message.

America's commitment to Israel's security is rock solid and unwavering.

That is why we believe it is essential to.

The rocket attacks from terrorist organizations inside Gaza.

On Israelis cities and towns at month's end and they broader -- story.

America's commitment to Israel's security is rock solid and unwavering.

And sounds like the right time to take at this point twist.

This conflict underway -- absolutely and then you know the administration strongly condemned what happened in Tel Aviv today but no this is why you have someone like.

Hillary Clinton as secretary of state tournaments I think universal.

Respect both among Republicans and Democrats an awful also.

Overseas and she's able to go there speaks for the president.

Carry a big stick.

And and I and and I think you know when we were talking for years ago about whether this was a good -- -- not put her at secretary of state I think this is the you know this kind of those 3 AM moments.

We are you where you're happy to have.

Someone like that.

Who's negotiating during the shuttle diplomacy going from Cairo.

To -- -- -- I mean you know she's really working around the clock and I and I and I think she should be you know applauded for that.

That may have the president thinking about food next to do that job right.

Absolutely it's a big question and answer questions going to be honest in the middle of this crisis are potentially -- this crisis.

-- -- when the senate Republicans we're gonna have to confirm that.

Or at least not stand in the way of a confirmation of the new secretary of state are going to be watching very closely.

Whether the next secretary of state and whether this president.

Act as a kind of sentiments about our unwavering support for Israel than Hillary Clinton hasn't been done in Gaza this week.

I think will be -- key.

Ingredient in terms what Republicans are looking for before they'll give that.

A vote for confirmation.

The president obviously suit up first Susan Rice last week that his news conference defended his.

Ambassador to the UN and there's been a lot of buzz about her possibly be in the next secretary of state.

What are her -- at this point.

I think they're probably pretty good you know if you look at history.

Back in 20052006.

George Bush nominated Condoleezza Rice who had.

Obviously.

A lot of criticism I've taken over her handling of intelligence related to the Iraq War she was confirmed with over eighty votes.

In the senate some of our top defenders were Lindsey Graham and John McCain and as a as a -- -- ambassador rice.

-- mean you know right now we're two months into.

-- -- the criticism over her appearance on -- talk show and I really think that.

We need to dial down the rhetoric and focus on three things you figuring out what happened and Ghazi.

Catching these terrorists and making sure doesn't happen again and I think that's where there's some common areas of agreement with Republicans and Democrats and I would.

I would hope -- attack against Susan -- -- This is you know and soon.

-- -- -- -- -- Look -- the criticisms about it there's humidity confirmable I think -- -- hearings will be imported if in fact she's nominated but it was more than just an an appearance on -- talk show it was it was it was it was a dishonest representation about what had happened.

On the anniversary of 9/11 in the middle of a political campaign that was designed to it to make the whole war on terror narrative work for the president and that's deeply troubling.

In person that you might want to beat.

Be the next secretary of state and so.

I think those hearings are going to be critical for and I think on his face she's gonna have some real serious questions to answer before the -- -- If I thank -- just him and think Republicans have mischaracterized what she sat on those -- -- she she was very clear that that was the intelligence that.

That assessment was the best information that the administration had at that point.

In the intelligence assessments were put together by the CIA she provided the talking points that -- You know provided to -- by the CIA so.

Luckily -- -- -- -- happy Thanksgiving thanks for coming in happy Thanksgiving and happy Thanksgiving to you thanks for joining us today on the hunt with Jonathan Hunt is up next.

Thanks for watching have a safe holiday.

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