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Power Play 12/5/2012

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    Obama looks to abolish debt limits, GOP and social media and carbon caps ahead?

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I am.

Passionately rooting for your success.

Because of the companies in this room are doing well.

-- small businesses.

And medium size businesses up and down the chain are doing well.

If companies in this -- are going well then.

Folks get jobs.

Consumers get confidence.

And we're going to be able to compete around -- -- Was President Obama just a little bit ago talking to the business roundtable those are CEOs.

Of the dig dude do you get.

Business world.

And what he was telling them.

Was that what he needs is to raise taxes on top earners and by the way -- like an unconditional increase in the federal borrowing limit.

In order to help them grow.

That he needs to raise taxes and borrow more in order to get that done -- that Republicans are endangering.

The success of big business and this -- power play and I am Chris tire wall and as we grind through this horrid truly -- process.

Incremental.

Endless debates in negotiations over taxes and spending and on and on and on.

Something is coming into clear relief is that whatever happens now these -- the fiscal cliff the fiscal cliff.

That we are headed in probably early February.

For a moment which we have exhausted.

The borrowing limit for the federal government the president would like to get that out of the way early.

And some Democrats.

And maybe the president would like to see it abolished.

How does this really figure into negotiating tactics what's the law around that what is the law actually say about that you know who would be good to ask.

Mike Lee he's a senator from the great state of you talk he happens to also know a lot about the constitution and stuff like that.

Senator welcome back to the show.

Thank you Chris it's good to be with you well we'll see if that holds true but for now.

So that the question is this the president would like to get rid of the debt ceiling as an issue.

He's looking to even before we get their take it out of negotiations.

You tell me this.

Is that going to be possible is there enough support inside the Republican Party to let deep debt ceiling standoff.

Go away.

It looked that'll happen over my dead body and I've -- but most Republicans in both houses of congress feel the same I suspect many Democrats do as well.

This would be an abandonment -- a constitutional prerogative of hours.

If -- would also just be a dereliction of duty in the sense that we are supposed to be the nation's lawmaking body we have power -- her -- one section eight clause one.

To make decisions regarding our nation's debt.

And to hand this over to the president and say here you do with it whatever you want raise the debt as much as you want as often as you want without any restrictions on our part.

Would just be crazy absolutely crazy I I can't believe that he would -- even propose that.

He's significantly.

Damaged his credibility what credibility he has left with Republicans by making that statement.

I'm all right so do these.

-- levels.

These negotiations it's become very clear.

That the idea of doing something big or even having a big framework before the end of the year looks less and less likely.

I know that you and others in your conference.

Have talked about the idea of needing to bring entitlement reform into the process president's holding back.

He's trying to make this a very narrow discussion about whether or not to have tax rates were top -- go up or not and he says that he's willing.

Today to jump that fiscal cliff and have taxes go for everybody if he does not -- it's the Republicans do not accede to his wishes on that.

Game this out for -- senator how is this really good player.

We'll not only has he indicated -- willing to push yourself to -- his actions over the last 48 hours strongly suggest to me.

That he actually wants to push us off the cliff.

I mean look he would we had are a rather absurd offer if you wanna call -- that made by the president last Thursday.

Then on Monday he had an offer put together by John Boehner the details of that deal -- not clear.

I wasn't wild about the deal for a variety of reasons and -- things about it that really scare me.

But nonetheless it appeared to be some kind of a good faith effort.

Two and engage engage in negotiation process.

44 hours -- -- and the president drop -- that bad off her back and says no I'm not dealing with this at all didn't even counteroffer didn't even try to amend that offer.

This suggests to me this is a man who wants to take a straight off the cliff and -- there.

Mean why would he want to do that I mean do the warnings from economists and others about what happens on the other side of that are pretty dire.

Well this president wants to raise taxes if we go -- the -- that means all the tax rates go up.

And for whatever reason heat -- has decided that this endures through his political benefit if this happens.

I I'm not sure he's right in fact I think -- be bad for everyone including and especially the president.

But look I I still have hope I'm I'm still.

Hoping that he comes back to the table that he's willing to deal reasonably with this but for the time being it appears that he's -- perfectly content.

-- going off the cliff he wants to take us there.

So what should Republicans do.

Well I think Republicans need to continue to explain the fact that we're not opposed to new revenue as long as that new revenue.

It's brought on quite -- -- brought on by the kind of group that we could achieve.

If we simplify our tax -- especially if we move to a flat tax single tax rate system.

That that would stabilize our revenue base and I think it would also promote economic growth that would bring us more revenue.

Than any tax increase could reasonably be anticipated to bring about.

And we need to continue to focus on that message and on the need for spending reform.

The kind of structural spending reform that will bring us to balance in a number of years that can be reckoned in the single digits.

Now in terms.

Two to broaden -- a little bit we heard.

We've heard a lot of proclamations in recent days about the overall direction of the Republican Party and we heard from you were -- to -- toll -- from Texas.

We heard last night from Marco Rubio.

And Paul Ryan about what your party needs to do.

To be vibrant and relevant ruling party.

What is your prescription what's the shorthand prescription from senator lynch.

To make clear to the American people that the federal government is too big and too expensive.

And that America's best days are -- ahead of her if we simply will allow the federal government to get out of the way.

And so that individual Americans can do what they do best which is earn a living for their families and -- for the future that's what we've got to do that's the message we've got to be.

Communicating to the electorate and we've got to do -- -- aggressively and with great consistency.

Okay and what is you were at last thank senator what is your prediction.

In terms.

What is going to end up getting through now -- you -- -- -- what's gonna end up getting through the United States senate as it relates to all of this.

This ramble but that we -- the fiscal.

You don't think -- an infinite number of possibilities here and I'm not in the business of making predictions you make predictions he end up with offensive -- on your face out.

Let me just reiterate that what I think should happen.

Is that we should act extend all of our current tax rates for a year as my colleague senator Orrin hatch from Utah proposed.

To give us time to undertake a comprehensive.

Tax reform.

Approach and simplify our tax -- this is.

An idea that has had broad bipartisan support just a few months ago my friend Dick Durbin.

The democratic senator from Illinois suggested that we do that sort of thing and I I think that's what we ought to do.

Internet if you lived in the Wasatch range you know already that that was senator Mike -- from the great state of Utah but for those of you didn't there is thanks senator for making time for us today.

Thank you.

Okay and that let's take a break shall -- let's collect ourselves.

And we were gonna talk today about several things.

-- related I apologize but we are going to bring in the question of carbon caps we're gonna talk about that.

As a UN group gets together to try to revive what was once called the Kyoto treaty.

What's going to happen with that stuff we're going to talk about that we're gonna talk about.

And what in the -- Happens to the military.

If in fact this sequestration.

As it is called in Washington to avoid the term cuts -- reductions.

If that goes into effect but we'll talk about Republicans and social media we're going to have I would say a -- to -- some time here and we'll also talk about my column today.

Which talks that Republicans needing to get real.

Get down with the reality he'll do all that when we come back.

So stick around.

Case.

We don't know what we're talking about in terms of actual legislation to increase revenues.

It's.

Magic beans and -- -- And that is how white house Press Secretary Jay Carney characterize -- -- -- offer from house Republicans to avert.

Fiscal cliff.

This is power play and that gives you pretty good idea -- this state of things as we get closer and closer to the end of the year where we face crossword tax increases across the board cuts.

But it happened the board happens to fall a lead a little heavier on the Department of Defense.

What with the actual consequences of that be what does that really mean.

Someone who can tell you probably as well or better than anybody else is Adam Smith is endemic.

-- he's a congressman.

From the great state of Washington.

Congressman welcome.

Thanks very -- on.

So here's the question you are and ranking Democrat when it comes -- matters such as these in the house.

If these cuts really want to go into effect for start to go into effect.

What is the real consequence from your perspective there on the house armed services committee.

Looks very severe and I think would be huge problem for the department of defense and for our national security it's a 54 point seven billion dollar -- It would be implemented three months into the fiscal year -- the Department of Defense has a budget for the year.

Granted it's a continuing resolution not a normal appropriations bill.

They've been operating off that budget will be operating off that the three months sequestration would come in in the middle bit and cut roughly 10% out of their budget.

And it also says that the cuts have to be across the board same percentage from every program.

So -- would be a severe hit on our national security right in the middle of their.

There are by the process basically they'd have to adjust on the fly and the implications are pretty tough right off the bat and certainly as the year progresses.

And now in terms of -- we've heard talk from the administration we've heard talk from others.

That this could be held in -- that there might be an opportunity beginning of the year negotiations were still continue.

To hold back these cuts is that is that plausible from where you said.

Well I mean that the budget control -- that set this all in motion is not the best written piece of legislation to make an undershirt.

It is unclear.

In just about every conceivable detail so I would imagine that if we hit January 2.

You're gonna suddenly find a lot of flexibility within that walks like -- -- is not well written -- -- clever lawyers could very easily.

A final loop poke holes wasted away ways to find wiggle room so I'm sure that will be -- -- how effective that can be I think it's debatable.

But certainly they'll have a little time to try and figure out.

And you know sort of rely on the lack of specificity in the law but look this is just a terrible way to budget.

In the Pentagon has been benefiting out all of our government.

Has been lurching from continuing resolution to continuing resolution -- -- a regular spending plan that's a very tough way to run any business.

Last thing congressman if have.

How optimistic are you that ultimately these cuts can be averted.

I'm not very optimistic right now on I think I've I've listened to some the earlier discussion.

Republicans don't want to get specific about tax cuts Democrats don't want to get specific about spending cuts.

And that kind of leaves us nowhere at the moment if we're gonna get to the one point two trillion in savings -- the budget control act requires over the course of the next ten years.

We're gonna have to get specific and really quick.

And we're not there yet and the time this time it's taken so I'm not optimistic at all right now blocking change in the next few weeks there right now it's not looking good.

If you lived on the shores of commencement -- you would know that that was Adam Smith congressman from the great state Washington congressman we thank you for your time.

Thank you.

Okay Internet let's do look quick.

Had -- let's flip now quickly down to our Miami bureau -- -- like to introduce you to someone you may not know but you'll probably get to like to know.

And she is -- Mancuso.

She joins us from our Miami bureau -- what -- you can save -- and is this that she of work with Connie Mack's campaign for the senate.

But she's somebody that Republicans are looking to now as -- may even on digital and social media kind of stuff.

-- welcome to the big show.

Thanks for having me press.

OK question and were tied at times -- -- the question for you is this.

What are Republicans doing wrong as it relates to these things and what should they be doing.

You know -- -- 2004 Howard Dean he was he laid the ground work for what 2008 would be for Barack Obama's at this digital campaign.

And the thing with Republicans is they finally starting to close the digital gap we just need to be more diligence.

The thing with the Republicans is that in -- at the end of the day they're unable to anticipate the upcoming trends and social media and once we can figure that I think that will be leaps and bounds ahead of where we weren't 2012 has begun to 2014.

OK so you aren't -- supposed to tell them what's going to happen next do you know.

You know I was just talking about this this morning.

And that the thing with social media is an ever changing and everybody wants to jump on the latest and and new bandwagon most recently MySpace is going under renovation I've seen some sneak breezes to what it's gonna look like.

Conduct and then -- I'm going think I'm not sure but I can tell you this.

That just because you've come out the new social media such as Manchester and -- grant doesn't mean as a candidate -- campaign you need to jump on it.

You need to make sure that you can target your voters communicate with -- and mobilize them.

So what you're arguing it -- -- against there is word -- it.

The practice where people -- where Republicans who don't understand social media just -- out there and they're putting interest pins or whatever people do want interest.

And whatever else and FaceBook friend -- you're saying make it more target.

Absolutely any need is cancer -- money at this problem and expected to go away.

Social media slowly starting to take over for TV ad -- as much like -- -- TV taking over for radio ad -- and we just have to be more diligent in being able to.

Go with the flow and change with the times.

All right Internet she probably knows what's going to happen next but she's not going to say to somebody -- -- we know that that's okay we appreciate you telling us what you can't.

Marianne Mancuso thank you very much for -- time.

Thanks for having -- -- Okay Internet let's pause again for refreshment let us pause again to -- are furrowed -- because when we come back we have something that I know that you like two of your very favorite.

A Steve case and Debbie dingle -- be here and I know you like that.

We'll do all that we'll have a word from Charles and more raw excellence when we come back Internet.

-- stick around.

Depending on where you come from is either -- freedom fuel.

Or the greatest looming threat to human existence.

Coal as it is known in the colloquial and this is power play welcome back so here's the thing we're doing all this fiscal slippery now and we have to go through this and it really stinks and again my apologies Internet but the top issue.

In many ways for re elected Barack Obama and for his supporters is climate change is global warming and in fact right now meeting.

In double hop.

In what tragically -- -- called gutter which used to be called Qatar.

Our UN negotiators that are trying to hammer out a successor to the Kyoto protocols.

That would have created international UN base regulatory body for carbon emissions president like to get in on that.

But even already Democrats are saying hey look.

You don't need to do that you had the EPA and you have the Clean Air Act that will allow you to effectively impose similar caps.

What is going to happen with that let's look around the corner.

-- Steve -- you know him because he is in fact of Fox News contributor you know him because he is as senior writer at the weekly standard.

You also know him because he's a gracious friend and colleague make time for you Internet.

And it.

-- -- she is a Democrat she is the principal.

Do you -- strategies.

And as we should always point out.

She is the -- she's the wife Jonathan -- and a Democrat from Michigan and the dean of the house longest serving member welcome both.

Experience OK so here's the question.

I've I've read everything new Yorker yes I do agree that you're you're crazy I'm fancy like that I'm the fanciest hillbilly Internet television hosts and decided to take us with -- question -- -- -- read The New Yorker which is.

Intellectual -- star for many on the left.

And the message is very clear in this month's edition climate change should be the president's second term priority.

And -- do you think that is this is he really gonna go forward.

That didn't have to I'm missing one thing.

Very straightforwardly to the Internet listening especially at fox guest -- president -- not opposed to corporate tax rate is not going to propose a carbon tax let's keep everybody calm.

There is they're listening no -- is the president will not impose a heart attack and I think going from there we got a lot of other top priorities like climate reducing our dependence on foreign unless something that's important for all of us.

I think -- -- state when you've selected for years ago of doing.

Trying to do unsuccessfully climate gentlemen -- -- -- on the today and yeah.

Yeah.

Yeah I know you've got an ultimatum is doing -- first before he did he help parents like health care got so screwed up we'll see what's gonna happen I'm probably not.

Playing the democratic line and they do you even listen to our dependence on foreign oil but we need to do they'll swing got a lot of -- So Steve as David points out and you look back at what the president the the Rosetta Stone for the -- -- is his first.

Address to joint session -- -- and failure to pass and I talked about the things that he wanted to get done.

The health care thing he did.

Financial reform movement and -- did dish sort of and then there was a cradle to Career Education.

But really the top the big thing.

Was on climate change on global warming.

Four a lot of Democrats and for a lot of folks who -- -- -- and CNB.

Barreled down on the East Coast they say now it's time we can't wait how much pressure to get his point he's not -- -- doing something's gonna upset the economic apple cart right now.

It's -- -- how much pressure would he be is going to be under from his base to deal with this issue.

Considerable pressure and I think you've seen it in The New Yorker that was also -- -- -- -- -- business week cover with game right after the CD.

Hit that made the same case.

You've also seen the president shows on sensitivity to criticism or pressure from his environmental left on things like Keystone Pipeline where there was this -- you know that that was basically it.

A pretty clear threat if you if you do this we are going to.

When I cannot endorse -- -- and the president I think -- and -- you know there may have been other reasons for but it at least in part because that pressure so I think the pressure will be there I think the pressure is likely to mount.

And you know at some point he will have to accommodate some of their their -- I don't know if it will mean a full charge on.

Climate change with all of the other things that fiscal cliff.

Post fiscal -- one fiscal cliff to.

Immigration -- -- what do you are -- -- that would lower physical play thing for her -- on time yeah.

-- -- the magic and in this district for our country we can be a leader I -- We listen everybody today it's got to be front in its front runner -- Again it's all about the money right now I'm working to get.

-- -- worked together or not.

Against each other well okay we stipulate these things would be good.

Good question though -- is that.

There's timeline that is external and we remember what happened in Copenhagen and I -- the -- open.

We remember what happened with Copenhagen for the president when he went over there and tried to do a deal with China essentially on carbon emissions.

We're starting that process now again and -- And it's rolling forward and we're gonna get there there's -- -- be and we experienced this for the president in terms of his foreign policy ambitions what he'd like to do -- foreign policy.

They give back that they want -- to the United States -- -- signatory to it if you don't have senate Democrats I was doing them Michael meant to whip count.

But a lot of senate Democrats that would not like to be signatory to such -- thing right.

It's -- complicated there in that -- if you are going to addresses in the global.

Marketplace -- -- economy sound like you've got Chinese -- come to the table we've got to figure out how we're gonna.

Did that -- deal with what we -- developing countries except I don't doubt China is it no longer really in my mind it developing country.

And they're probably the largest and single contributor to the problems we've got in the world right now in terms of this so.

They get a lot of talk problems at that we've got to figure out how we're gonna Beirut's.

Because we've got to -- the minute healthy way that does it it keeps us healthy it doesn't destroy the world economy.

All right season question is this as I was trying as I talk Republicans they're concerned.

Is that if they lose this battle.

If they lose now on -- one and close to if they have a bad very bad for five months.

And it for the rout is on that they're going to be in much worse position to block the president on things like.

A new Kyoto or something like that.

Places depends on what you mean -- lose right I mean I think I don't -- I'm.

Look at -- as we sit here today I -- you don't waste I don't see many ways in which Republicans win.

Right on fiscal cliff right now but I don't see how they went on fiscal cliff wants the other way around this -- to its -- for Republicans right now.

So yeah.

If if Republicans want to they'd be taking him into basically two things they can go along with president in the spirit of bipartisanship in the spirit of trying to get something done anything in affect him.

Buying into -- -- -- his priorities with the understanding the guy won the election.

Or they can begin to set up contrasts for longer term both I think on policy and on and on political level to set up contrast to say.

This is what the president is doing we don't agree with him we don't agree with them on principle we're not do this because of petty partisan differences we don't -- with my principal.

We're gonna make that clear from the house.

-- he who has the potential democratic leaders on this subject to the people that could actually broker a compromise here.

-- That -- mean it's an -- in place given.

Yeah I'm sitting here listening to what he said and I want to say can we get the point that we stopped talking about Republicans and Democrats when he -- -- pregnant any discussion is saving Americans -- You know edit and print it's gotta ultimately somebody in his campaign isn't it -- is a -- -- -- somebody he's got to get up there and start working with these members but it's not -- -- democratic -- in this.

If this is seeking free -- closing the -- trying to work something you know I'm always happy to see you people but I don't always leave cheerful.

That's OK.

It's not our giant -- you have cheered by your very presence and thank you both for making this a little smarter today.

Okay that we -- have any power points today because his whole show was a PowerPoint it was a lot of show here we hope you enjoyed it we know that you'll enjoy on the hunt with Jonathan Hunt which is.

Right after this.

And we hope -- you've accurately birdie.

And now we like to do every day we want to leave you with the word from our friend Charles.

It's the only reason the president insist on raising rates is because he knows it will destroy Republican unity.

It will cause a complete fracture.

Of the Republican majority in the house it will hand him congress -- -- -- then manipulate.

For the next two years at least as Republicans will be neutered.

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