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GOP ready to jump on tax deal? Rice removed, cabinet posts may soon fill up and would dems really do entitlements?
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And that is John Boehner.
He has a job that you do not want.
And this is power play and I'm -- our -- and Internet that was the the speaker.
Looking a little -- Harassed and harangued as he was leaving.
The capital last night.
Two wins he had returned from a meeting with the president that lasted.
Less than an hour as they tried to come to a solution about the year end.
Package of automatic tax increases and spending cuts that nobody wants to go into place -- not very many people want to go into place but we can't seem to find a way to avoid them.
So.
Does John Boehner have a way out of this is there a way out of the -- some Republicans thank.
That they have at least -- trap door that he can slide through and get on to the next thing we're gonna talk about that today we're gonna talk about the house of Obama and the house of Clinton the war of the roses may have.
Begun again with Susan rice's departure.
Talk about that.
We will also talk in fact about will Democrats really been really really address entitlements or are they lying about that.
Will do all that and we'll do it with the law and do with a home this because Fred Barnes is here Fred as you know is managing editor.
Executive -- early Friday downgraded credit here are managing you know you're managing editor a trifle.
Fred is in -- the executive editor of the weekly standard.
Fred is of course.
Longstanding part of the Fox News coming in as I was like whenever we -- here in studio three which was once the stuff -- of The Beltway Boys so you.
Fred welcome back wanna go home.
As always now.
Some Republicans in the started with Tom -- congressman from Oklahoma.
Used to run the -- Republican political arm in the house but knows a thing or two and he said look.
Give the president this 98% extension for the middle class you don't you don't.
You know voting for a tax increase your -- to extend it get that through now and shift the balance to fighting over the debt ceiling.
That seems to be getting a little traction now.
What do you think.
Well I think Republicans are exactly where Obama would like them to be.
They're confused they're divided.
You have people like Tom Cole has come forward with the proposal.
But that was back in November Chris and then this is December and Obama wants more now.
He -- Republicans being so.
Divided.
And it did and unsure of where to go we -- in the negotiating among themselves in public about what they should do as they're doing right now we're right.
Yeah yeah I.
He's seen them complain about what are we can they have and how unfair it is and how it.
We go over the fiscal cliff they'll get blamed it all that and the president has upped the ante a lot.
You know he does want a debt limit.
-- the right to raise the debt limit.
Build the whenever he wants without congress he wants more spending and and and so the -- -- changed I don't think Republicans can get away even if they agree and and no more than half of them will.
In favor of allowing the tax rates go up on the top 2% -- Look Republicans are our road look weaker and weaker than ever and the truth is that got the bottom line is here.
The president and Republicans are for the Ron -- -- -- than they were at the beginning of the talks.
Right and the president knows and we've talked about this many times -- you know -- president knows that as much as he does not like the idea.
And across we're tax increase in the -- as it could damage the economy.
He's had a good negotiating position and news -- -- clip because the rates have already gone out now we're just argument how much we're gonna bring them Dahlia now whether they're gonna go up at all.
He needed it.
Look the president is good for -- he must be a little surprised because.
You know we started out with the -- in November after his election and you remember his press conference about a week after his reelection.
And he was very conciliatory many -- well even.
These rate -- side you know -- there's a better idea I'll consider that and so on and now he has ended in a recent speech said.
Raising the top rates on the well to do is a principle that I will not compromise -- so he's really hardened -- stand.
So here's the thing the president says Democrats -- president will not accept any tax extension or any solution -- -- that is not coupled with a debt ceiling -- You really think the president would veto what he really really really veto that.
I doubt he would vigilant but he really really wants -- yeah I remember and remember in his first term what was the issue that forced him to really concede on spending cuts.
He didn't earlier obviously -- his first two years when Democrats controlled everything and he didn't on these continuing resolutions he fought those who didn't give up much but on the debt limit.
He knew if it were not increased that it would create Havoc in international financial markets it would harm the US and so once we had to give a lot.
So he doesn't wanna be in that position again so what -- a high priority for him no I don't think he'll veto a bill that likes that but doesn't he sure like to get it.
He'd really like evidence actually had an -- growing and shrinking area and he followed this along both I'm in the process started -- -- reduced payment date.
In a -- solution.
And they were going back and forth and that the Republicans came out basically which -- Before the final offer from the August the four trillion dollar plan 800 billion dollars in new taxes and all -- -- so they came out with that.
Then the president said no we're gonna shrink the field and instead -- argument big Clinton we're gonna talk about just these tax rates and we're gonna have we're gonna do that.
And now he's trying to grow the field again and say well we have to bring in.
The boom gonna bring in the debt ceiling and if we have to do some entitlement changes so he's now trying to run up there were at least expand the field to run out the clock at least.
Absolutely he's expanding -- a lot you know now he wants a new smaller fifty billion dollar economic stimulus.
Which is a high priority for him as well I don't I think -- be very hard to get but -- but he wants it and you know Republicans have just lost ground that and they -- and look the president I can't blame me.
He's a politician he saw weakness among Republicans he saw indecision he saw them divided and he sees -- -- and is now demanding more.
That you probably Republicans well we'll probably have dealing with a problem and of course what -- What do what is behind this what is behind what the president is doing at least in the mind of most Republicans all of my -- that.
He thinks.
As long as they're divided as long as I I keep them that way we can win back the House of Representatives in 2014.
We'll have the senate we'll have the White House.
And we couldn't re create.
His first two years in office in his last two years in office.
You hear that Republicans did you do you think about that went there for a second -- so from a strategic point of view I mean from for Boehner.
What do you do if you're John -- what the heck do you do about this.
Look any deal that the president will accept is one that -- I think probably majority of his caucus will not accept.
He's up for him to get a majority of Republicans behind -- and that's what many party wants a majority of his party in the house behind you more incentive for the majority of the majority in the majority in the majority.
I'm I'm not sure there's a possible deal on the table that will.
I guarantee that in looking will be weakened as a result is what -- buzz about his being challenged.
Did -- for the speakership I don't take that seriously at the moment but.
It might change if he agrees to some deal that.
Maybe a they'll -- -- a majority of Republicans.
Reject.
Eleven yeah if you need to do we know lemonade to be -- -- -- -- you having fun on this fantastic no tie Friday with Fred Barnes and I hope you are.
Because we're gonna make -- even better because Juan Williams is gonna join us when we come back and we'll see see we can get him to take off his necktie which -- -- to see is a Christmas -- so we'll see we'll have to negotiate.
With -- over the -- high cliff do that when we come back.
So stick around.
And that whether you like it or not is Chuck Hagel is a formerly Republican former senate.
Senator from Nebraska.
He is was always a big guy on defense and he may in fact be these Republican or pseudo Republican.
That goes into the Obama administration he is said to be a leading contender to replace Leon Panetta said did the Department of Defense.
The star -- welcome back.
And you know what we like about one -- and -- like a lot of facts of -- many good things to be -- -- that Juan -- but but the thing I like most about -- is he's a team player if it is there there is is lovely Christmas -- I have not visited as Santa -- on it looks like California it's it's only going to be snowman and I've never had a California Christmas presents Q so hit a whimsical Christmas.
Phillies very proud of today and just to be part of -- Friday he shed that's what -- like about you want team player very generous of spirit and Fred Barnes is with the still new OK so.
Who -- -- rockets.
-- secretary or the ambassador the United Nations.
Isn't going to be the secretary of state we know that actually withdrew yesterday.
And I want because I love cynical politics.
I wrote today you can have it if you follow me at cease fire -- on Twitter.
About the palace intrigue of this and before we get to who else might go about -- palace -- the house of Clinton.
In the house of Obama.
Doing a little match here.
And what's interesting is.
She said Susan -- went on with Brian Williams on NBC news last night.
And he said why did you go give these briefings anyway she women all the morning shows and said the stuff about the -- the 9/11 attack in Libya.
And she was not correct about what she said and it is it.
-- essentially it got more complicated but scuttled her nomination.
And Brian Williams said how come you did that and -- that this Secretary Clinton had originally been asked to go on she declined to.
To do it that was not a full -- row but that was sort of a little kick she delivered -- kick there that she is a confidant close friend longtime friend of the president sort of -- compared -- earlier today to visit Harriet Miers.
Of the Obama administration and -- friend from before somebody that they respect that you can't quite get over the transom here in Washington.
One -- my reading too much into this to see a little friction here between.
Clinton and Obama over what happened was his -- I'm -- actually -- what you're thinking you got to connect but I don't think that that person while the president ever intended to.
Never and my biggest thing secondly the what are you talking about is the true -- I've never what does all this about.
-- I think.
She's a very ambitious as she wanted to -- as she wanted to be secretary of state right and it was always in her mind but I think it was always a long shot I think John Kerry has always been the front runner for this -- and you also have to consider that in the senate all of his -- Republican Democrats have been trying to bolster his reputation for some time.
Certainly Hillary Clinton seem to be tried to bolster.
His nomination yes and it was interstate you know when Hillary Clinton was in the senate.
And even after there her campaign she and John McCain were.
Friends very friendly vodka shots in Russia and Lindsey Graham -- sort of part of the team.
These group of kind of hawkish.
And not finished it and didn't much more interest in foreign affairs -- they are domestic.
And there was McCain and Graham leading the charge to slow.
We even myself -- Think that the talent I think what I think it's telling the other way I think what it's telling them is that Hillary Clinton helped undo -- -- -- -- They question -- Fred come -- -- I greatly I actually agree with one.
Follow -- she was never the first choice but.
But does Obama -- -- did she was obviously under consideration and then President Obama at that first press conference after his reelection.
Got in the position where he -- you'll remember what he had -- be almost outlandish in his defense of her correct.
My manhood is.
Yeah that's at stake here and if you get your second on this woman and shouldn't be doing that win win that she was never got out.
As long as John Kerry was around she probably was not going to be the first pick but let me add one thing if President Obama believe so strongly in her personally I think he respects -- Tonight's big election on the wrong time will put -- -- -- higher job than ambassador to UN.
You can -- your national security advisor she was either deputy secretary is.
It is so he's as much said that she's going to be -- He's -- local that you said that she's gonna be a big.
Part of well -- -- OK well we guide yeah actually happen I don't think he's quite said that but we'll see if she -- she gets something like that and and then she would be groomed either to be.
Nominated for secretary of straight -- -- term if that if it opens up or be groomed to be in the next democratic administration as secretary of state but he.
If he really wants to help or.
That's something to do but I gotta be well -- No for those of you who follow American politics you know the -- Lyndon Johnson yes with the kind of president who have there was a -- Or if you told him that this was what was expected of him.
He would then acting defiant he's Brett and I think we've reached that point with President Obama that it was almost to the point where you felt you know where.
-- tell me public -- in the press I'm.
I'm gonna do what I wanna do and I'm gonna defend my person and show you that I can get my career and I think that's what he was with is an absolutely and I think John Kerry was always the number one pick and Susan Rice ambition was always courted -- this -- -- to your point.
By the fact that she was so critical Hillary Clinton -- -- the.
And so you know and so yeah.
No he knows he knows this season as well.
-- -- -- the white woman for bashing Hillary Clinton's foreign policy for team Obama.
And you know one of the great things but Clinton's.
-- many great things if you are journalists are many great things about the clintons because they're great to cover.
But they never forget things that they forget the other thing of course that I forget about it they got stuck -- you that you better watch out if yeah while we have to be careful here we don't wanna go from being merely cynical to becoming conspiratorial.
I left that -- yeah.
After I left the station -- about 45 this morning.
The question is this.
The secretary of state has been called to testify about -- -- in front of the house -- and from house foreign relations committee here.
Whatever on the twentieth.
And the State Department as saying maybe she will maybe she won't she's not going to be able to leave -- -- -- -- that testified in this right.
Wrong no she -- often have to of course you can walk this Italy bode well Jim I think you know really subpoena Hillary Clinton she's very process she's a lot more popular than -- colder in the AFC.
He's -- and guide channel and what are put it this way not necessarily.
Is that the fact that she's going to the -- going to testify and then.
How -- this is seriously and how much in doubt that she won't answer the question that I arrest of her particularly have been -- so.
-- -- I think you testified he thinks of justice and I think you will be.
A non story.
For most part because the reports coming and words and she was simply reiterate within their report.
How much how how how many more stories of -- you gonna knock -- today one volume -- -- did okay today I better write stories and it's just I think it's being reported that somehow the president but she's withdrawn or do you think it would -- anything.
Yeah.
I want to -- city Canada to President Obama wouldn't Obama got a letter from her does that of the blowout.
Like that's what it.
-- I'd like my dad yeah.
About American immediately report it we really.
Here's the mistake -- part of the Obama White House they treated this as a defeat.
You know that someone will have a wife and I got papers that it is very excited to present it as a defeat we've been -- -- Republicans and so on -- And we have to let the president's preserve -- political capital we have to move on other issues and so -- that we can't have a fight over this that somehow.
Right out of -- but -- right out of the box after being reelected the president's been thwarted when in fact.
I believe one is correct that she was never going to be secretary of state as long -- well yeah whatever.
It is one thing that we know is this this is the beginning of what we'll start a bunch of new pieces falling into place this had been the sticking point in some in filling out the cabinet for the second term.
And what we can predict from what we know we've seen this before.
Once one sticking point gets out of the way.
The rest of them are gonna start falling into place pretty quickly and that guy Chuck Hagel the former Republican former senator.
Is is is is a very strong they're sending every indication.
That he be -- very strong choice that would sort of be a mirror of what Bill Clinton did.
When he took the senator a Republican senator from main engine to be his secretary of defense it says today we're cool.
Fred your cool and we thank you for not wearing a tie today the Internet thank you very much a no tie Friday let us that I did it's been a good deal okay all right -- -- basketball game and -- not right now you're not you've got to stay here you know fight with the Republican.
Okay.
You can go to basketball then later.
Who -- big many 323 says they never bring in a new -- in Washington they just keep shuffling the old one.
Accurate.
Christopher Todd will trumpet any conspiracy theory that I have.
When he says anyone else thinks his rights as those -- -- -- set up to be fall guys or distractions from Ben -- Perhaps.
Particularly sixteen Clinton nomination I think they're good I don't think anybody's that are good I don't think anybody that good Christopher Dodd I buy I I smell what you're smoking but I don't I don't think anybody not even the clintons are as good as that.
I will talk about more fun stuff when we come back ceremonial join us and want to stick around it's going to be fun.
So you stick around.
Think about raising the Medicare -- we are not throwing America's seniors over the cliff.
To give a tax cut the wealthiest people in America.
We have clarity.
On that.
That is you call from oh I don't know the last democratic majority is Nancy Pelosi.
She's now the minority leader of the house and that was impressed -- throwing down the gauntlet on entitlements and saying.
No dice on raising the Medicare age which is something Republicans would like to you by.
Thirty years from now they would like to set this in motion which they think could -- prevent the country from bankrupting itself etc.
-- -- Iraq.
And then she used the -- -- which -- not throwing America's seniors over the cliff.
This is power play.
And how about this and that we've kept one.
And we have traded out Fred Barnes for Sarah let's face Valenti is a Republican strategist.
But that could mean almost anything but in ceremonies case that means that you advisement -- helped him with his book.
And you've worked with a bunch of big name Republicans who you're legit you -- -- -- thanks -- into the bank she's legit they so the question is this one.
We've heard a lot of talk from the president and others about the need to do something about entitlements but then we hear other -- from the left side of the Democratic Party don't.
Don't try anything -- And I think you've heard from.
Senator Schumer for example definitely don't -- Social Security third rail off the charts I think that's probably right I don't think they're going there quite yet.
But when it comes to Medicare.
When it comes to some of the big social spending programs I think they aren't playing and I think it's what the president will have to do.
If he expects speaker Boehner to agree to any hike in terms of them -- the top marginal tax -- So this is do you think there is understanding on the blue team -- some kind of -- I don't think there's any doubt about it -- and it's the price -- he'll have to pay with his.
Back is his backers in order to get speaker Boehner.
To -- to his constituency that yes this is the best possible deal that we Republicans -- -- Question who Republicans are currently -- how much they want to raise taxes so that they can move -- this is undoubtedly -- of cutting popular entitlement programs right now.
I know that would they believe they're trying to save the country and everything but this is not sound like a politically.
Yesterday which is to become the party of the tax increase coupled with the cut of the popular benefit from.
Well OK so we know year after year the year we have a spending problem across all of administration's.
Republicans of table 800 billion in tax revenue increases.
They know that you know all some fantastic gift so.
Entitlement programs it's not just based on seniors -- Social -- Medicaid Medicare every entitlement program needs to be looked at.
You can look in every and it and it and it.
In -- household -- single person.
You bring in so much money -- they're able to spend so much there's we've got to get this one trillion dollar budget deficit under control.
-- I think their hands are tied.
Who's the Republicans and the Democrats I -- both in that.
If you're going to see you you mentioned that you you have the budget they.
I'm sorry -- tax increase of 800 billion right they're gonna have to give on the other side and -- -- spending control.
Have to because they don't don't do anything on who they did a good across the board there's an across the board tax increases and cuts.
Massive cuts that are focused more on the Defense Department the Democrats could say you know what.
You either increases tax rates begin you're not getting anything and -- -- right.
It's not Smart politics for Democrats either now.
Clearly the polls indicate most Americans are gonna blame Republicans if we go over this fiscal -- it's not even close yeah.
-- Wall Street Journal latest Wall Street couples at 56% would blame both parties equal now.
-- -- -- Gallup everybody says this is pretty clear that Republicans get the lion's share of the planet right but I'm -- -- I don't resign from the get Smart politics for the Democrats there's.
I think lots working class people would say wait a minute.
President Obama's that he was going to protect working class people from these kind of draconian cuts that the Republicans have been saying we're coming.
And that he was gonna make sure that in fact the seniors that -- doc fix what happened that always seems and he didn't do it.
So I and I think it would confuse him starting his second term he would be lost in -- -- -- economic anxiety prompted by going over the fiscal quarter.
As we see you don't want to so I think there's a big I don't think it gets a lot of attention because the advantage definitely is with the Democrats but.
I think that the president and the Democrats could be hurt by joining hands and -- -- over -- deal ultimately I think does that do.
Deal or no -- -- a little while.
Again I -- I think Republicans.
Desperation desperation this sense of desperation.
If you're wondering what they're thinking just go see Eddie Murphy's -- When he is in trading places.
With the two Brothers about why the pork -- market is going down it's almost Christmas parents got to -- this kid -- the GI Joseph with the tongue fu grip.
OK guys we thank you sir for coming in now wearing a -- you guys -- He kept no tie Friday intact Juan.
Have fun at the wizards lakers game tonight very -- I still call them the bullets but we thank you very much for being here.
On the -- what's on the front is coming up next I will not be here on Monday so you're lucky Shannon -- albeit and that's always better news for you Internet.
But how about some power points would you like some I would power.
-- today cuts they say.
Point one.
89%.
That's a big number and that's the percentage of people in the latest Fox News poll that said they thought that any deal on the fiscal -- should be accompanied with substantial -- serious cuts.
Well that's cool and everything but how about the second PowerPoint.
Reflective.
And reflexive.
One man's cut in -- totally sensible cut is another man's insanely deep slash one man's definition of cuts could be totally different than -- others.
And where you make the cuts is a huge -- so yes of course when you -- people they'll say yes we should cut the government meaning they should cut the programs I don't like if you're liberal you say you should cut the Pentagon.
You're conservative you say you should -- social welfare programs of course 89% say that they should be cuts because they think that half of what the government is doing is wrong so they wouldn't mind seeing that are cut.
That's just the reality of it.
So here's your third PowerPoint shared.
Sacrifice.
And I know I know lineup but it's almost Christmas so give me a break us.
The idea here is this that for Americans if we are serious about doing -- we do have to be serious about mutual -- -- And we have to see we have to put things that therefore -- that we'd like for Republicans that means allowing some defense reductions in making the military smaller.
Perhaps or at least more effective at killing people for less money and for liberals it means that yes things like Medicare.
Have to be changed because that's the only way that you're gonna do it.
So there Internet you chew on that.
And now it's we like to do every day we wanna leave you with the word from our French are.
It's the idea that the -- that this was a frank discussion.
What frank is a word to use in diplomacy when -- was -- the Cold War.
When Kennedy would -- -- and they would announce to the meetings were frank people would restart the bomb shelter.
