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Power Play 11/28/2012

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    Would Obama really jump the fiscal cliff?

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We just had an election.

And one thing.

I can tell you -- constitutional certainty is that the president.

Doesn't face another election and that he is very committed.

Trying to get.

-- bipartisan.

Agreement.

There it is in keeping with his principles.

And that fellow was -- white house Press Secretary Jay Carney.

Answering a reporter's question about what the president is out campaigning on the campaign trail later this week and Pennsylvania.

About the fiscal motive fiscal Cliff -- showed they are fiscal cliff graphic Sasha.

Why is the president out there campaigning on message is he trying to pin the Republicans to break them.

Rather than get a deal is is that what he's doing and you heard mr.

Carney they're saying he's committed to a bipartisan agreement and not jumping the fiscal cliff.

But that it's gonna be in keeping with his principles this is power play.

And I'm Chris tire -- and it's Wednesday of our -- watch.

As we stand.

Like Holden Caulfield.

Waiting to see who is running for the -- through the ride.

And helping us do that.

Is Bob Cusack he's managing editor the -- you like him I know that you do it and and you told me so so probably not being aggressive and dominant Internet telecast of the 1130 half hour.

We will talk about that issue we will talk about.

The nuclear option we'll get a graphic for that maybe -- just an atom bomb going off under the Kenya told.

We'll talk about the nuclear option that Harry Reid the senate majority leader is talking about putting in place in the senate.

And we will talk about.

Susan Rice who would like to believe the secretary of state that the Republicans do not -- -- the idea of -- doing that will be back.

But our points you'll have the return of Charles it's going to be a great show.

OK for the Cusack.

What President Obama really jumped the fiscal cliff -- he really do that.

I think he wants to get the best possible deal and the bottom line -- it's -- be no deal anytime soon assault posturing he's doing a PR thing now house Republicans doing their own cup PR thing.

But he won that.

He won the election itself you know he's got the advantage and in prior negotiations with congressional Republicans they basically cleaned his clock.

Extending the bush tax rates.

-- a couple -- negotiations you can make that case it certainly Republicans got the better end of itself he's got to come out of this deal winning especially after he won.

Reelection.

What does he want to deal I think he does but it's going to very be very difficult to get a deal because now the left is embolden.

Bit like in the summer 2011.

When President Obama put Social Security on the table raising Medicare's eligibility age now they're saying no no no can't do that and Jay Carney indicating like Harry Reid senate majority leader.

Analysts are really not touch Social Security so how you gonna get tax rates and Michigan get something up.

Love the Washington Post.

Chided in USA today -- chided the president for leaving social security and Democrats -- -- security out of this question.

Tennis -- a driver of the deficit well except for like that eighty billion dollars a year.

That we that we spend.

And in a piece of West Virginia attributed bureau's public debt.

He's in Parkersburg West Virginia and the solvency of the -- security trust fund is based on IOUs pieces of paper.

That are transmitted to the Bureau of Public Debt in Parkersburg West Virginia where they sell -- like -- fireproof cabinet and everything I'm sure it's very safe out there.

But that's that's what's in the system -- -- -- -- maybe.

But it shouldn't hurt us they don't have -- -- short story course yes you can receive paper.

If you want I'm sure you can go by take take -- souvenir this this eight trillion that nine trillion.

All right so who that I read today in the power -- Which you can get you really can't just by following me Nazis general on Twitter -- -- every morning -- just rightfully so you've got it.

I wrote today that.

For the president the key to success.

Is dividing the issue and saying we're gonna focus narrowly on the bush tax cuts.

-- the what we -- sequestration.

But are the start of automatic reductions across the board reductions.

In defense and social -- yes exactly he wants to keep the discussion they hear they wouldn't mind throwing in.

And increase to the deficit and can't put my answering that in there to simply wants to limit the discussion to that means that we've got automatic cuts if you want less automatic cuts went -- to Republicans come up with a tax money to pay for.

Yet the and I think that's that's going to be -- much he's gonna say over and over again and also remember.

Early this year Mitch McConnell allowing.

Obama's tax bill to go through and it passed because it would have passed if he filibuster -- he just let it just announced -- Obama saying well they got through the senate.

The house just decent defense and and we're seeing some cracking on the GOP side -- -- Grover Norquist pledge thumb but certainly you know they're gonna have.

Have to get some some major major -- because.

There's no chance that raising tax rates on people who make more than two and 50000 dollars.

Would ask how's it doesn't have the votes means lot of Democrats are against that went and certainly most Republicans don't know maybe didn't.

Higher that thresholds but it had have to go significantly higher.

You would have to hire that special Dotson HI GH or higher.

OK so -- but on the other on the other side of this Republicans say.

We have to expand the discussion include everything let's do it let's go for goodness -- was president was into big mess in the summertime when he was it.

In -- disadvantaged position.

Talking about the debt ceiling he said well let's expand the playing field and let's talk about this.

Now Republicans say let's expand the playing field.

It's generally in these kind of negotiations if you want to broaden the discussion you're losing.

Right yes I think so I think so and that's you know Republicans do want -- It it did in the ideal world both -- and 2011 and Obama they wanted to -- deal they almost got it didn't get there you really think they almost got.

I think they were somewhat close but -- -- that then Obama.

On the move the -- little bit and again six that -- hand and ES -- too much -- -- -- I can only go for 800 billion dollars of revenue which he's put on the table against Obama wants 11 point six trillion itself.

I just easy to be very very difficult because remember Boehner wants to do a down payment now right and then he wants to do major tax reform.

But they also want some entitlement cuts now -- do.

What the Republicans are looking for went by talking about -- with the roads are looking for -- a deal and miniature.

That reflects the larger deal that you do six months asks that you do something now when the Republicans say framework.

They're talking about a micro version of a larger deal to be done later to -- to show what that.

Construction the formula would look like to do it later on.

When the Democrats talk about.

A framework where you down payments they're talking about dealing with these issues now in a way that is -- -- to them.

And then taking up the other part later on they they're looking for is demonstration goodwill from Republicans so they can negotiate later.

Yes yes and both sides they don't trust each other why would they want yeah yeah yeah.

-- fillets -- about focus and did today he said you know we've been discussing these issues a long time.

I mean it's not that complicated now obviously -- to do enough symbols -- tax reform that's gonna take little time.

But you can do something big is there is the will to do I'm not -- that there's -- will.

On either side because you senator Patty Murray.

Democrat in the senate.

Part of democratic leadership said.

If we don't get a good deal yet we'll -- -- close.

Over the through school -- let's do one more time Sasha.

I wanna see it okay.

And I wanna play let's play game with you Twitter would you like played him.

And here's the question for you and since this computer does not let me see Twitter -- to do it here on my telephone telephone.

Here's the game I'd like to play with you.

Mitt Romney and Barack Obama are going to have lunch -- on Thursday and this is what Twitter is good -- this is what I think Twitter is good really good act.

Is this so what will be on the menu.

When Barack Obama and Mitt Romney.

Sit down for launch of the white house on Thursday.

I will get the ball rolling it does slaves when I say it will be.

-- Kate came came and islands tax havens called critters.

I I don't know if I have any food that but I.

I wonder if Romney's gonna bring any gifts you know exactly -- brings -- is innocent gifts I Obama can't get stepped out on the field.

Absolutely cannot but -- -- I think I think it will be most painfully awfully awkward launch in the history of painful it will it will make every online -- service launched it -- ever heard.

Look like in love match compared to this yes.

Believe -- -- public and I'd be like watching Caribbean -- -- -- it's awkward yes exactly.

Mitt Romney is great warm last all right so go on Twitter -- -- -- he's -- with your jokes about Thursday's knowledge is -- good at bat I think you should do that I would like to see that.

Okay let's take a quick break you -- to take a quick break I think we should because when we come back we're gonna talk about changing the rules of the senate.

The filibuster is a big deal in the senate because basically it means you get to -- no legislation big legislation can pass.

Without sixty votes because they already there was have sort of the automatic filibuster switch ready to be turned on.

Harry Reid would like to change that below the threshold and 51 votes unless somebody's gonna stand on the floor and act like mr.

Smith going to Washington.

What's the deal with that is it gonna happen what with the consequences being talked about that when we come back cystic.

The last thing on my list would have been to throw a bomb into the -- and and have -- blow up.

And have everybody -- -- I'm not I'm just perplexed about.

The judgment on display here.

Blowing up the -- at a time when the election is behind us we won't have another one.

For true here.

That was Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell he's flabbergasted he cannot believe it talking about talking to reporters.

About the fact that Harry Reid has a plan that he's gonna put forward that would limit that would curb the power of the minority.

To filibuster legislation in the United States senate and this is power play.

And the bomb.

That.

The minority leader was talking about there is a nuclear -- this is something that Republicans toyed with.

They didn't do it but they toyed with it.

As it related specifically to George W Bush's judicial nominees was a huge backlog of judicial nominees.

And at the time senate majority leader Bill Frist.

Said hey you know what we're gonna change the senate rules so that you can get these nominations through with 51 votes instead of 68 Democrats.

-- to the freak out they went totally crazy they said this is it.

Absolute aggregation.

Of democracy.

People like Barack Obama said that in all sorts of folks that it -- now.

Bob Cusack.

Of the -- he's managing editor of the is that the boss man.

Bob the Democrats say I don't think about it though and now that we've been majority for a -- and think about it this filibuster stuff is a little excessive yes especially after they picked up a couple seats and possibly a -- -- there.

Majority so this is this is a problem and I think also this could be.

But -- in -- fiscal cliff negotiations where maybe because it's not clear that -- has the votes to do this there are some the Democrats in the senate.

Who like this filibuster rules as this and now will -- probably get the votes -- is he just needs a majority.

At the same time.

Maybe it's thrown in as a -- okay we won't do that the beginning of the year so that would be like that would be like you're sitting there with a -- by your neighbor's house and -- like and if you give me what I -- -- -- -- -- -- not -- -- -- That's what it's all about ships wow that's -- that's got to rough that's rough chipped it.

-- -- -- -- -- McConnell liked it nuclear option along Canada and then subsequently.

Before this happened years ago he said well that was a dumb thing that we should have done.

Tonight and in retrospect it but you know what would not be down.

It would not be done to hear what Doug Callaway says about this he's over.

At the Russell office building where people are talking about this issue like crazy.

Here on the other side of Capitol Hill but -- -- how you got.

Hey Chris good to see you talk about that the nuclear option of course that a so called because.

Once the -- bomb holder of the bomb thrower launches that poppy.

He risks it -- brain and right around -- coming back to blow up in his face.

Should do -- minority -- rubble as a regain control of the senate.

At some point in the future that's that's why it's called the nuclear option another name -- could potentially be at least metaphorically speaking mutually assured.

Destruction.

The new.

You hear that -- but it's you've got like quadruple medicine and thinking god I I think it's gonna talk BM boomerang and I can't I can't -- about the yes I don't okay.

In any event that that technically speaking this has to do with the whole process of cloture and end and that congress is the Senate's intent of of honoring that one of the founders greatest fears which was the tyranny of the majority so they have this a sixty vote threshold.

Cloture -- going into debate sixty.

A vote threshold from getting out of debate.

What Harry Reid wants to do with this nuclear option -- dispense with that.

And require a simple majority I sort of look she's another metaphor Chris I sort of look at it as a as a major.

Who says.

If you ask for reservations I would totally accept your reservations if you have sixty -- the patrons.

And that he won't let you out of the restaurant and much you have sixty or more patrons warning to get out.

So that's what you.

For the one way that the -- can kind of understand -- but both both leaders majority leader and minority community taken to the senate floor in recent days to.

Just hair into one another well over this and propose threat of the nuclear option.

Senator Reid asking -- senator McConnell did it again today and he also accused senator Reid.

Abusing long standing rules in addition to this nuclear option today he said they've been bypassing committed the -- -- times to write bills behind closed doors.

Whereas Republicans have abused that privilege only thirty times or so he also said today it's less so -- -- So he's admitted that -- stop -- just as well.

While he also said that that senate -- has blocked amendments under Reid's leadership 68 times.

Which is something that Republicans have not done.

But there is tremendous amount of hypocrisy on both sides here because.

Republicans of course as you -- -- -- used the threat.

The nuclear option when they controlled the senator Bill Frist leadership.

They never exercise -- but they threatened that.

Some people on the Republican side feel that they're Reid's threat is is -- amount to more than a threat.

Perhaps very real usage of the nuclear option we shall see Doug.

Callaway we will wait to see whether that fancy French restaurant explodes or not.

-- thank you very much have a group have a great dad thank.

All right so basically what we're talking about here is it supposed to use was need to supermajority to change the rules of the senate yes and if you ask you if you have that -- it's like 67 -- -- 67 votes you can make the rules of the senate anything you want.

What Reid is suggesting doing is getting 51 vote how does that how is that possible that you could get -- if the rule says.

You got to have 67 votes to change the rules do you then get 51 votes to say that 67 votes isn't the number you need to change the rules.

You go through a loophole because in the beginning of the year you can say at all majority -- can change the rules and only -- that.

I saw the magic the magic moment if you don't use it because -- want to do it late last year.

But he could do.

Because that was that was the beginning right now he can do so particularly unity in the senate coming together estimates at a table if it's Harry Reid of searchlight Nevada throws that went out there.

You said it will melt down I mean that would that would be a big deal yet -- and I think it's gonna have some effect on these negotiations without.

I'll tell you what I'm -- that I'm bummed out like a majestic it's.

-- sorry painful side as Steelers fan I need a little I need to we need to look down on somebody I deserve it yeah.

He's going to be -- Tebow jerseys and excitement comes Bobby thank you very much for being done as a great day okay.

We -- take a quick break.

But when we come back we're gonna do a couple few things we're gonna hear Charles -- -- Arab ones but we're gonna have a great deal.

I expect to be a great handle discussing Susan Rice.

And why the president is willing to spend so much bag on political capital to get her -- as a replacement for Hillary Rodham Clinton we'll talk about that when we come back.

So stick around.

We -- significantly.

Troubled by many of the answers that we.

God and some that we didn't get the information given to the American people it was wrong bottom line and more disturbed now than -- -- before.

Lindsey Graham senator from South Carolina they're being disturbed more disturbed -- he was before.

That was Kelly I got Republican from New Hampshire and of course remember that first guy he ran for president a couple of times John McCain.

And what they're disturbed about what they were expressing their disturbance over.

-- Susan Rice she is the -- she's the ambassador to the United Nations currently but she is the secretary of state nominee in waiting.

Hillary Clinton's getting ready to wrap up her gig.

The president has made it pretty clear that he would like ms.

rice close advisor and longtime advisor is.

To have the big job the Thomas Jefferson share.

Over there in foggy bottom.

So why are they disturbed and why is the president willing.

To go through the ordeal to get ms.

rice in the post this is power play so we're gonna figure that out.

We're gonna feel that out because.

We have people who know how to do that we have people who can do that we welcome back to the show sheriff Valenti she is a Republican strategist.

That she is particularly.

Well informed on this article does.

You were an advisor to the Republican rice Condoleezza Rice.

You worked with -- for her at the -- SC yes yes okay so she does she knows from when she speaks.

And Garland Nixon -- from -- he speaks.

Because he's a Democrat.

And he is a guy who calls -- -- we'd like that about Garland is that he's not afraid to blow the whistle on his own team.

When they're doing it wrong and you can catch his talk show on WP FW here in Washington for you online can -- -- you -- -- -- was an armor and it's starting next week I have my own show and every Friday.

Five team and people can leave them unless the -- what's the web what's what's.

WB FWS ten dot org thing checking them you you look at a lot of -- -- like a lot of what's on the every you'll enjoy golf shop and if you stand they usually related chest.

OK so here's the question and I'll start with you Sarah -- Big secretary of state is really good job this just a huge did you.

But it's also not the job.

That there is a short list of applicants for Freddy got John -- you have other people -- -- is controversial because.

The bad guys you think she went on the Sunday shows -- that some stuff about -- -- does -- -- the tendon and bit us in.

And the Republicans are using this is as a means to.

Whole new administration's feet to the fire they're using her nomination as a means to hold the administration's feet environment -- Why bother pat might want to -- get another job for her want to put her someplace else she can still does the president.

It's it's really interesting she's done a great job in terms of just giving the talking points over the last several weeks and she's helped fasten them.

It's curious to me as to why they're not.

Looking harder John Kerry I I don't know why.

The insistence but obviously the president and his administration wants her -- spot.

She's been a good surrogate.

Seven overtime that she went on the Sunday shows about -- got -- And -- show and she's been as consistent as well end up -- -- 2008 when McCain was running for president.

She said -- making -- -- she's even in the case tendency issued first.

And ask questions later was dangerous yes she said that America couldn't afford four more years of this reckless foreign policy.

-- same thing all over again.

-- think -- Garland it's got shades.

Of when President Bush on an area Meyers on the Supreme Court remember that.

The Republicans then in the history it was a Republican base that didn't like get but in this case is is this an instance where the presidents get and stubborn about -- So I think it's very different -- -- because Susan rice's background is impeccable there's little question this woman has the educational -- -- political background to do his job and in fact I think John McCain is having Clint -- moment here.

He's arguing with you lost you know he's arguing with something that isn't their ability won't be eligible to yeah one of -- -- -- it is best you -- maybe it -- but yeah if you look at the substance of what they're arguing about -- writes wind only political on the Sunday talk shows in -- no less than seven times.

This is our current assessment based on the information we have now there's an ongoing investigation and will know more at the end how many times do you have to say.

And give you the info I have now but I I -- I -- we can't conclude that this.

Is is the fact get what -- what what was left for her to do serie a and -- district patients on the well.

I agree with -- -- she's giving she's getting the information she had at -- time covered her meetings yesterday she did today.

That her.

Answer has -- -- Well so did the answer bubble called Powell in 2002 over Iraq and you -- -- in the warehouses and at some point you have to take responsibility.

-- -- take ownership.

The CIA is responsive than it -- inconsistent and it should be better than this we all watch -- also.

Sexy and yeah.

-- said it was anybody involved she said there's an ongoing investigation and we'll have more information what that means says.

As the investigation goes on as but.

I guess that is the thing is the thing.

I understand that there's of the one view him and another view about what she said -- she said it my question -- -- why not take John Kerry want to do somebody else with a win -- the people have concerns about the guys in what went -- -- this continues to be difficult for the administration.

Why -- a human being who is even if you say that she's been wrongly accused.

Why bother -- a person who is.

Tangled up -- that instead of just taking somebody like carrier somebody else who -- right through goes on.

Proof when you know I don't make the point that the president feels she's the best person for the job and as do I the president feels that is a manufactured controversy.

-- -- Did what she was supposed to do exactly what I would have done -- probably anybody in this room would have done if -- -- in an administration for president and they ended -- something instead take this out.

And this is what users quickly -- -- quickly this specifically quickly.

Will Republicans would Republicans actually -- or what they actually -- Her -- some -- held back up where senator workers saying he's gonna wait and reserve judgment so I don't.

I would hope that some people would mean more recent and give her chance to oh -- -- for reasons listened on this.

He's -- ability to hear this is on -- -- and he's fine with all this will never get back.

They're all done we're done -- there we thank you very much for making time for -- day here's your winner on what's on the menu for Romney and Obama today -- preacher says.

Probably as healthy helping of blood sausage when they get together on Thursday this is of course and -- referenced my favorite campaign adequately probe the Coleman from the -- vampire so.

Well done conservative preacher.

Okay on the hunt is up next you know that.

But before we get to that let's have shall we have some power points I think we should I think you enjoy them anyway I know I'm -- giving them to you.

-- -- today's power points.

All right.

The health law.

So here's your first PowerPoint it was very good politics for President Obama to delay the implementation of the vast majority of his -- and -- until after the 2012 elections it was good politics because if you started putting that stuff and in changing things and having these -- who would make it harder to get reelected good politics.

Bad policy though because now we're on the other side we're a long way away from passage now several years a couple years past that's it.

-- implementing it is proving to be very very difficult.

And sends people were waiting for the election to be decisive a lot of things never took place so good politics bad -- -- here's your second.

Point toxic uncertainty.

The Supreme Court is back and -- been the case with the Liberty University lawsuit the talks about religious.

Freedom as it relates to do to the law and you have the state you have some thirty Republican governors that say they're not gonna do implementation there -- questions about all of these things this uncertainty about the law is toxic for a lot of things.

But not not the least of them is the third point.

It's a cliffhanger to.

Because -- with the president's choice to delay implementation it is now part of and John Boehner knows this.

The president's -- is now part of these fiscal fiscal cliff negotiations that's just a little something to think about.

And now we like to do every day we want to leave you with the word from our French -- -- this is a political attack on Republicans there is no.

Evidence right now that he has any interest in the -- fiscal issue because he would have to talk about spending and entitlements and he isn't.

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