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Our plan B.
Would protect American taxpayers who make a million dollar or less and have all of their current rates extended.
-- is house speaker John Boehner double dog daring President Obama.
To make a deal on the so called fiscal cliff and this is power play and I and Chris Farrell and I may sound like Tom Waits and my voice may be cracking -- I'm here for you I'm here for you Internet.
To get the job done to tell you what's going on today in Washington.
And since you don't want to hear me talk too much it's good that we have to people who are very good at talking -- telling -- stuff.
That's Steve Hayes is he ready for the pacers -- is -- to -- -- as it gets it and Juan Williams -- Is it -- -- the -- he's also a Fox News contributor so Steve for the Republicans.
President.
Left off banners million dollar proposal by the white especially laughed it off but we know that we're moving closer to a point.
That now looks like about a half million dollars and up is that this state but I think this -- Lovely -- I mean we've we've seen some movement from each side we've seen I think speaker Boehner tried to two at least.
Present an appearance that he's that he's moving it moving -- -- is his original position was one shared by most everybody in that house.
Republican conference for us we're not want to raise taxes were raised text.
He moved off that slightly and they've repackaged it in such a way that they're saying look this is not really attacks I mean attacks high -- -- I'm 99 point 84% of people it's.
You know it would be tantamount to a tax -- so that's the way that they're trying to sell -- the White House.
Seems to have -- at some give coming up from the 250000.
On the individual rates to 400000.
And if there is to be some kind of a deal it's likely that it will be.
500 a little bit north of 500000 on that particular piece of these.
Discussions okay won the Republicans have never raise tax rates.
-- looked it up.
The Republicans in the history of having majorities they've never increase tax rates they've increased the effective -- -- Texas people there are closing loopholes.
But there's never been a marginal tax rate increase past Republicans.
Or Democrats they're happy that Republican treatment saying the word Nancy Pelosi was talking yesterday on MSNBC.
And it's like we've already.
You know we've already won because they're doing -- thing that they've never done before.
Well I don't think that there -- Republicans I'm sorry Democrats are on them and the whole thing that way.
At the moment it seems like what's going on in the democratic conference there's a lot of fear and -- over the back.
President Obama has agreed to this so called -- CPI.
Which is allows the you have to explain the Internet CPI well PPI similar price index and what you think the government issues -- rate of inflation growth.
And they're -- -- recalculate.
That so that the rate of growth is slower and it therefore it's less costly.
To the government and would cut the the expands.
These entitlement programs beyond social.
And everything by the way is tied to -- they call it change CPI but the basket of goods that determines how much the cost of living that the government says how much cost of living has gone -- Drives everything from mandatory rate increases -- to how much baseline spending goes to everything else.
So -- I think when the democratic side they see themselves as having made major concessions here.
But in order to help speaker Boehner win the support his conference.
They do not -- though and in the plan B that is likely to be put out to be a vote on Thursday.
Any -- significant cuts in terms of spending.
And I think Republicans see that -- questioned why speaker mayor's plan is so silent on this major item.
Which for many Republicans is the reason that there in this deal there in these negotiations.
Now Steve the there are a lot of republicans' who say.
We don't want to increase marginal -- so we don't wanna do it all right let's just increased let's extend the rates for the 98%.
-- -- decide the 2% in the fight with president that is if you need to carve out over small business owners were put a million dollar cap on that but to take the -- -- pollution.
Congressman from Oklahoma who said takes middle class off the table right now just go ahead and pass that.
-- -- I understated their elected me to votes.
Two tomorrow.
In one would extend them do what would extend for 250000.
Above essentially the daring Democrats to vote for what the president has pushed for.
And then the second would be this this plan B which would be a million and above and ended.
But it the so called Boehner plan and I think what Republicans are trying to do.
Is exactly what do you suggest they're trying to do but -- -- -- to me I think that and there's the reason they're trying to do this.
Is to precisely to decouple.
The spending cuts which they want to do later they wanna do when they think that more leveraged with debt ceiling.
Negotiations and it can get some actual -- real spending restraint as opposed to.
We'll bring everything together in this one big deal they wanted decouple the wanna -- -- that the -- -- on on its own and then go back to all of the spending cuts and try to get some real entitlement.
Boy that's a problem here is that if you don't have the cuts put in place now the sequestration and has impact and I think lots of Republicans especially those who are concerned about you know maintaining that and spending.
Are concerned that oh my best sequestration comes -- and it devastates.
So many issues that we care deeply about so I think there's some consternation among Republicans and among Democrats there just finger pointing and saying wait a second.
Why are you if you want President Obama to lay out his guys why are you willing to lay out your -- now today.
There's lots of talk around town that Boehner said you know what I will go.
In with you in terms of raising eligibility age age eligibility.
For Medicare.
Which is a big step is gonna cost both I think -- hold hands and when -- jumping off that appears to imagine the reaction from seniors.
But in terms of more and larger cuts.
President Obama and speaker Boehner.
Right well now here's the things he was that big questions he was very open.
The data can get his caucus behind -- -- they're grinding and grinding that there was a there was a minute grim look like they'd be happy to get out of jail but now.
They're -- seem like they're ready to revolt there's going to be a press conference today Brent Bozell and some others.
And the pressure is -- and people like Jim dement handing it over to heritage and others are putting pressure on Boehner.
How much of a threat to his speakership is this concept.
I would -- not a big one yet yet but it could grow into abatement depending on how many people ultimately go with him and whether this was you know whether it is what's being innovator doing.
Now mostly just -- tactical maneuver.
In an effort to deflect blame for what could be going off the cliff in order to reposition the Republicans so that they might have some leverage on these other.
Issues in this huge basket of goods that we're talking about or is it.
You know sort of heartfelt attempt to to raise taxes on million plus I think it's war the former.
Rather than the latter and I think if if you -- speaker Boehner it's easy easy to very difficult position I'm very sympathetic.
To those are making -- -- the Republicans should never cut taxes I think you want if -- Republican if you're conservative -- tax rates never -- tax -- what you you want UK I think it's bad economic policy particularly -- economies from the with that the president of the implementation of obamacare to the president's going to be that difficult spot in a couple years she'd like that contrast on the other hand.
There is no good alternative here and I think what a lot of Republicans and conservatives just haven't realize her or they haven't articulated it.
Whatever happens here is bad for advocates of small government it's bad for the Republican Party whatever the outcome and that is no good out -- so what leaders trying to do is.
Find his way to the.
Best possible awful -- don't react.
That option you know so I have a different perspective here we're -- my perspective is that speaker Boehner is trying to you Warren.
Gain leverage with the White House get through this boat ride and I think that's what this choreography is about we do a little bit of days.
And and because you're pushing up against the deadline and he ends from speaker -- perspective he wants to be able to -- happens -- -- you know speaker Boehner.
We.
Give you our trust and you get us the best deal you can't we understand is not gonna be ideal right there going to be some people who were uncomfortable.
But it's the best deal you can get under the circumstances we just lost the election and we know that really get blamed going over the crystal clear.
So we invest our confidence and trust fully -- -- speaker -- go forward if they vote instead for plan B will be indication they do not have that trust.
Yet.
Do you agree Stevens now I mean no -- -- I don't necessarily agree that that look.
I don't think you have if you have some kind of a big deal that doesn't do anything serious entitlement and entitlement reforms and it also includes a tax hike.
He's not gonna get the votes -- it's clear to me he's not gonna get the -- so please NBA I think is is an effort.
To to bring along -- to create some opening for some people in his caucus.
If it actually is is where they go.
-- so that so that's the speaker can say we Republicans did what we could to try to reach some kind of accommodation for a boy go over the cliff on the -- Back side of things.
The end to take away a very potent rhetorical argument that the White House and others and the media -- qualifies and cheers on.
That Republicans are doing everything they're doing just for the wealthy he can then say -- or not.
The best business to be in Washington this time appears fig leaf sales and yeah.
-- had a very popular in both parties.
Chris service one -- all spending could be cut by lowering the cost of things like fuel food etc.
how could they increase the value of -- dollar.
They don't they just re calculated differently -- the government so they just do it and then it's -- like.
600 billion dollars over a decade.
It's big accounting they love doing it they're excellent at -- one and -- -- gonna stay with us in case -- -- always gives them completely in the next segment we talk about the democratic push for gun control in the wake of what happened in Connecticut Joseph Biden the -- that the president's tab for the job what does that mean.
We'll talk about it from today's power -- which you can read instead of listening to me.
When we come back sister -- And that is the podium in the white house press briefing room -- -- moments President Obama.
-- -- out to announce the formation of the task force to address gun violence in the United States and this is powered by.
And we already know in advance because -- Washington with the president's gonna say.
And you can watch -- say it streaming live at foxnews.com if you wish but also you can just know this.
Vice president Joseph Biden -- the only Democrat who arguably the most successful Democrat on gun control in American history.
Will be leading that charge -- be there with the president today to talk about it so what are the likelihood of success for Democrats in their effort to reinstate.
So called assault weapons and -- other changes.
In the wake of the tragedy in Connecticut.
When we talk about that with Steve Hayes -- one -- why don't because you're here anyway.
So I think I don't -- -- -- here's a question -- today my parents like which you have simply for following Twitter at these are all.
Then there really the first assault weapons and through to about Joseph but it was his project he got done it it was snuffed out in 1993.
Right before what.
The Long Island railway shoot him and that in those days was considered -- -- for a fixed size six people were killed -- -- that is now.
That's small by historical comparisons what we've seen since then but he Joseph -- successfully -- that pushed through.
He -- weapons and that had passed the senate and then it died in the house and then he used the public outrage over that and Bill -- helped get it through.
So the president would like him to do something similar this time.
I think that's exactly what the president's doing here and and look I mean you've had Democrats and and gun rights or or or gun control advocates.
Say that they need to move quickly be precisely because.
It depending on how you how you want to phrase it because you know people are focused on the issue or because emotions are high.
But I think that's exactly the president's strategy -- looked at this creation an announcement of this commission -- way for the president to not do anything to step back.
That is precisely.
-- wrong thing the opposite of what he's trying to do with the president's speech you can move back from the speech the president gave it -- night.
He's very clear that things are gonna change that he's gonna drive the -- from Washington.
Now I'm skeptical that we can get results that will prevent these kinds of mass killings.
Our policy and it's unclear to me why it -- in it in an environment where you can't have.
Where politics is broken and you can't have people agree upon.
Stuff that's black and white stuff that -- like.
Entitled reform right well how we're gonna solve these kinds of problems that have so much to do with -- and have to do with the hard to have to do with matters of meant to help things that are far from black and white.
That's the president's going to attempt he's gonna push it -- Joseph Biden I think it's going to be a concerted and long term White House effort.
Right now want.
For the president he's he's trying to flesh this out and he's adding and Department of Health and Human Services.
And the attorney general's office.
That all is an effort to say we're not just gonna do gun control really treat this -- Famous but in listening to.
Democrats in the house and senate gun control is who is the focus of what they want to talk about right.
I think that's right I think -- conservative.
Approach to this -- the cars in Connecticut has been to say.
Look at mental health don't just look at gun control so I think that's why you see the president.
In his design and his approach the American people saying we're bringing in health and human services we want to talk about the mental health aspects.
My sense is that.
The politics of this have changed we've seen in terms of the Democrats who have -- from conservative states who -- flipped.
Instead they're willing to support some measures -- -- -- corner.
But we've also seen I think in terms of the American people the American people for the most part had given up under control.
Supreme Court -- ruled that in fact there's a right to bear arms in this country I don't think that they're the -- may make sense to me but they believe every American is in the militia has a right.
And then secondly.
What they've seen is that the politics the NRA's political -- was so intimidating to most politicians and nobody wanted to mess with the so I think most Americans -- given up.
That has shifted with the events in -- And what the president and Joseph Califano wrote about this -- -- been in the Washington Post early this week -- I'll follow that back in LBJ's is -- was an -- to them.
President Jackson said you know we got something done right it's obvious that I nations right away and took Kennedy.
Them.
Martin Luther king and Robert Kennedy that you had to get it done quickly and they pushed it hard right moment and he wants to see that same.
Model employee here by the president I would add one more thing of course Justice Department a year ago.
Had laid out some possible steps that the president could take without going to the congress and going through all these votes.
That you know could you know.
What's the -- -- -- our broken politics it was simply paralyzing gridlock thinks the president at that point.
Was afraid of -- gun lobby and afraid that that people would say oh my god Obama's gonna take your -- he did have to get reelected yet so he backed off big time.
I think now in this environment this is where is Steve and I differ I think -- -- legitimate steps that can be take some of them that were laid out in that Justice Department proposal.
Things like ending the gun show loophole where people who are not licensed dealers can -- you -- without a background check I don't see -- that's going to be.
But is going to be much objection that I think secondly you can increase the rate of screenings that.
-- say there's going to be sharing of information between federal and state agencies so that they know somebody has had.
History of mental illness or they know somebody has been rejected her job because of drug -- convicted even of a misdemeanor with regard to domestic -- These are specific and and tangible steps.
They can -- -- not what I'm things it's not it's less that I think that that there can't be agreement on certain of those issues I'm not sure about this the exact ones.
But what I'm saying is will that ultimately have.
The desired effect will it reduce the number she's willing to I don't think you can legality and you're saying well that's not okay needed if you say eliminate -- -- let me president said we must end these tragedies that we can school.
But look I think that might be hyperbole what you can days.
Wouldn't take steps that will reduce the interest it's just too much -- -- I'm just gonna speak personally here.
It's just too much I mean literally you know I live in a black neighborhood in Washington DC.
-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- That's probably it was Johnson's fault all right has it yeah.
On as a Virginian election and I'm sorry that we're making you anxious -- -- yeah.
We've got to we've got to take a break we have to thank you guys for being with -- much too much appreciated -- hear voices gets there and the Internet doesn't I'm sure.
Because when -- -- chain and greenback but we thank you guys for making conference today when we come back.
Former US ambassador to the United Nations John -- will be here and talk about the new report on the Ben -- attack.
What it means Hillary Clinton who was also sick.
Whether or sickness is more significant we'll talk about that -- to -- grasp the power points.
And then we'll let you go so stick around.
Mind that they are standing in for her so.
The testimony that they give on Thursday will very much for flat.
Her view and how we should go forward from this report and how we should learn its lessons.
And that was Victoria -- she's the spokeswoman for the US Department of State saying don't worry that Hillary Clinton and illness.
Would prevent secretary of state Hillary Clinton from testifying this week in front of house panel on to the attacks on the US consulate and in Gaza because the people coming quarter -- -- the same thing so don't worry about it and this is power play welcome back.
Now look you can tell I'm sick but I don't work.
Hillary Clinton is now well she's been sick she's had a concussion -- -- -- she got AT&T hydrated.
And she says she won't be attending.
Testimony on Thursday.
That it is in the wake of the scathing report.
It falls for department for a series of stumbles and missteps as it relates to the attack on September 11 and then -- he Libya.
Does she have to testify if she eventually gonna have to show somebody who probably knows -- Bolton -- former United States ambassador to the United Nations.
And he knows about dealing with -- difficult members of congress ambassador welcome back gonna do it.
Well is she gonna have to talk.
I don't think there's any question about it.
And it will be either -- secretary or as a private citizen you know just like David Petraeus resignation does not get you.
They -- free -- treated get out of jail free card from congress but interestingly just this morning senator Bob corporate Tennessee has thrown.
Potentially enormous.
Wild card out there you know he will be the incoming top Republican on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee in January and he said.
There's not going to be a successor confirmed to Hillary Clinton until she testifies as secretary of state -- the dynamic there is interesting because.
The chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee is John Kerry who is widely expected to be.
Secretary Clinton's successor.
So there's a strong incentive working on secretary and Senator Kerry to have.
Clinton testify as soon as possible how bad is this report.
It is limited in scope the devastating.
It follows the mandate given it by the State Department so it essentially concentrates only on stage -- deal with the White House or.
For a little targets but it makes it makes a series very important points number one unambiguously.
Says that what happened on September the eleventh and Ben Ghazi was the result of the terrorist attack I was really struck by that does something that could have been.
And on the one hand on the other hand conclusion short stark and and very clear.
Second that the the blame that it places on the state department's systemically.
Four.
Not having adequate security and Ben Ghazi.
Should not in my view be interpreted as ducking the question who's responsible I I think to the contrary it's the diplomatic way of saying.
That it's the secretary of state and her top advisor when you say there's a systemic problem.
You have to say it will who's in charge of the system and the answer is of the -- command there's only one captain of that system that secretary.
Clinton as she says she takes responsibility for everything she wrote a letter did in in absence of her self.
And -- that I take responsibility for everything that happens in the State Department there was this interest thing kind of like.
I take responsibility but who could really be responsible for so much.
Right well I think that that she has in that back in September basically said that she was responsible and in the same way -- I don't think she said anything new but I don't think it answers the question.
You know she has been missing now want to keep points you'll be missing tomorrow.
Because of this health condition they say but she was also missing in the famous 5 Sunday morning talk shows on September the sixteenth.
-- Susan Rice ended her chances as we now know being secretary of state Susan Rice wrote an op Ed in the Washington Post last week where she said.
Secretary Clinton was not able to go on those Sunday talk shows.
Because she'd had a grueling week following the assassination.
And I think that's a very revealing comment by Susan Rice you know -- Secretary Clinton runs for president.
She she has a concussion how serious is that we've -- no no transparency there from the State Department.
She had a grueling week after the murders and Ben Ghazi if it was grueling for everybody in the State Department that the president has a lot of -- weeks.
So I think secretary Clinton's absences however well justified they may be really raise more questions for her coming coming for.
MSU we thank you very much for your time today and I just wanna say this you've written -- -- Kind Smart piece about your friend and former professor Robert Bork who passed away today.
So pretty I read an eighty I got to work right where you -- fellow.
Is that -- exactly yeah and that you should read it it's it's it's it's it's well written it's kind and it's insightful.
And certainly Washington today liberal and conservative.
Takes note of the passing of a guy who should pretty big on the stage he was a great man.
Well.
Read his eulogy for its worthless -- we thank you for your time thank you.
Okay Internet here's -- -- -- points as promised for you.
Comparatively little.
Comparatively little is the theme for today's power points number one not so dramatic.
Just couple weeks ago everybody was wrapped up in the drama of the fiscal cliff and then something happens like what happened in Newtown Connecticut.
And guess what who cares what congress does isn't so dramatically fiscal cliff isn't so dramatic humanities dramatic that's living.
As they would say number two it's all about them.
What's that mean it means that for the members of congress whatever happens anywhere on the earth somehow.
It will be all about them and certainly has the attacks are flying today they just had a press conference Democrats just at a press conference.
That the attacks are flying -- gun control and back and forth as if it is to say the Washington DC could somehow solve this problem.
They can't deal with -- -- my goodness imagine having to deal with problems of this magnitude and real human trauma.
So here's the third hour no power on earth can deal with this in its -- and I think you know what I mean.
When I say that okay.
Does your PowerPoint on the hunt with Jonathan Hunt is up next and now as we like to do every day -- -- he -- the word from our friends are.
That's been given a dealer Obama office essentially nothing on spending or plan B.
Will you pass a tax increase for only over a million dollars you I think I have to go to to plan B that's a much smarter option.
I think out of the -- days is it circuit.
