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Power Play 12/20/2012

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    Fiscal cliff fight gets nastier, Gun control debate hits state races and can Republicans pass plan B?

  • Duration 27:01
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And when you think about what we've gone through over the last.

Couple months.

A devastating hurt him.

And now.

One the worst tragedies.

In our memory.

-- the country deserves.

Folks to be willing to compromise on behalf of the greater good and not.

Tangle themselves up.

In a whole bunch of ideological positions that don't make much sense.

And that is evidence of just how dreadful things have become in Washington DC.

Has the sitting in that case standing president of the United States equates the -- somehow links the murder of school children.

It's an ongoing debate over tax rates and this is power play and I -- Crist firewall and I am feeling 30% -- we thank you Internet for your.

It's going to be your kindness and your -- mockery.

Again.

We are getting down to business.

Here in Washington as we get close to the end being close to the fight over the fiscal cleft.

And a big things happened yesterday more big things may happen today we will talk about that we will talk about gun control.

And we will talk about exactly what.

My game to get through congress as currently constituted.

With Democrat from Ohio who do all of that.

-- points we left Charles we will delight you and enrich your lives Internet.

Let's think this if you want.

Witty banter between.

Jaded.

Journalists who have a hoard of gold.

You should ranks the front page it's a great movie you should do that but if you can't get to that place.

Recommend that you guys -- Surely get one thank you couldn't get -- -- from the hill and Charles hurt he's a columnist for The Washington Times.

Now.

AB and I.

And I don't know where you stand -- I don't -- so many bats behind with me I can't keep track of where you are.

But baby and I were both staunch pessimists.

On fiscal cliff -- version yeah.

Believe that it was an in anybody's immediate political interest to averted and so it would be jumped.

I'm unclear why are you would make how does that make you pessimist.

Yeah.

You -- out of this group of immediate I'm I'm feeling very confident he's reckless driver you're what started off OK mentally -- -- lucky but I.

Good but it's as significant thing happened yesterday which was that Grover Norquist.

Who.

Liberals -- been saying for months would never give the Republicans any breathing room.

On the issue of taxation and that he was the -- all the devils who would drive America into this ruined.

Said.

Who by the way if you're not voting to raise anybody's taxes.

You -- raise anybody's taxes.

And you could see a bit of -- heads back to the White House and among Democrats because he gave them broad latitude.

-- B do you agree with me.

That this is a significant -- I may have believed that several days in the last couple days need this.

Finally looked possible and I wrote my first I just told you in the make -- room my first I don't Wear make about the fiscal you're watching that was available.

-- -- -- -- -- My first kind of you know I this is first time and an optimistic any year and a half and I think it the signs are there that enough giving went on on -- sides about four days ago.

Time to get close enough where with Paul Ryan and Grover.

You're pretty much.

Close to the -- now this plan -- tactical moment on the house floor is gonna -- is is a little bit rough.

Building it might pass and might not but the leadership intends to show several things which is that.

Eight.

They wanna do something and not go off the cliff they want to restore what they -- -- 99 point 81% of tax cuts to Americans.

I'm waiting to find out what what's gonna happen.

And that they.

Did they also need to show the White House has serious Republican Party is about.

Spending cuts that match and one to one ratio and replacing the sequester herself.

That is the sort of the fight of the moment that even if it goes down I think we're gonna have a deal.

Close to the 31 mr.

hurt and he quickly went.

Captions frame and -- -- attachment is different.

-- -- -- If he were Republicans.

-- maybe.

Breathing a little sadly but for.

I Karadzic and other conservative groups they say.

And this is how -- you have to help me with the slider because I'm struggling with it.

If they -- if -- if all the taxes increase everyone's taxes increase the Republicans will be less guilty.

Causing tax increases and if only -- designer -- right -- did that only 98% so.

Basically Internet just very briefly explain the idea is this everybody's taxes are going up on the first of January if if if no one does anything.

So nobody's voted to raise anybody's taxes I was in a violation of the pledge not to.

Extend every every one but 2% or 1% or two tenths of -- percent.

I see the.

Argument that that we're not going to two cut a deal.

Where we send you know that is a certain group of taxpayer over the cliff but we're gonna protect.

Most of my I -- the principle that.

But I think and I think that what Grover Norquist did.

Was surprise everybody by him.

Instead of doing is you know higher principle all the time it was -- tactical move I mean it because it because while -- he's right in saying that if you're not voting grazing rights taxes.

Okay that that's -- little kind of cheeky there is headed because it is voting if it.

It will result in the -- -- -- trillion dollars in revenue well.

They are but it will re route will result in some people's taxes threats and widget which -- he's sort of winking saying he's OK but I don't actually think he is.

Saying he's OK with that I think.

That what he believes is there and then I sort of actually believe this to.

That if Boehner comes up with this.

-- only reasonable plan that would it would I think a lot of people would go along with which is going more than half way.

Were you between the presence position in their original position.

I think that what I think it sort of they're looking to call.

The president's bluff -- I don't I don't.

Don't think that the White House I.

Did you delusion that we got out of that press conference yesterday at all levels at all levels from President Obama.

It's been suggested to me that even if a great secured -- -- -- like that came along.

Think he would take it easy just that Bolivia.

We'll -- you.

Well you know -- -- right after -- bikes suit.

We want to likes.

To get all upset about the way the way that President Obama equated these two things a couple of them together expressed confidence I don't think he I think.

-- being made a mistake and how labor's candidate but even John Boehner himself was asked earlier in the week whether or not what happened in Newtown Connecticut.

Has something to do with sudden rush conciliation in -- account offers shoppers going back and forth and he -- people just don't even more stress so it's actually hard to separate the fact that.

The people were so anxious about the fiscal lift up until last Friday and now they're both grieving and anxious.

Powell and also it it points out in this position -- power points.

How stupid Washington has yet insignificant -- the reality so -- I do think -- President Obama -- she often does -- it wrong.

And it was at a gun control press conference everything -- it was just the wrong way to do it but it is the -- the funds that undertone.

-- -- undertone of what was going on and and I I agree with you woman agree with you on something it is time for the Republicans to put the president back on the defensive and put the onus on the Democrats.

To come up with real spending cuts.

That would be a one for one.

Deal that would help raise the debt ceiling now if they if the president wants a debt ceiling increase and he desperately does in this deal and not -- -- and she's going to tell how.

-- have to -- and perhaps the go to plan B will show him he needs to make steeper meaningful cuts not just -- interest ones.

And move more to -- position Boehner is not running yardage action she loves.

This country he loves the institution he's spent his career in government because he actually wants to govern this country wants to be smaller smarter but he doesn't want to go off the cliff.

Strong accusation there a politician who is patriotic Charles how do you respond.

I but and everything that the whole thing about unity that it should be wake up call that you know that that you know the -- it was should refocus our.

You you know that's the thing about my town yet about the new -- shooting should I.

I -- Obama -- -- really means you Wasilla thanks so we should remember that this is on the the president has done in the past.

He did -- -- stimulus with the war in Afghanistan he has he has done we should be you know these.

Yeah we handled it badly it's always if that is not.

The Republicans weren't -- the same thing that they've I think I think -- only -- this effect tragedy doesn't cause all of us to stop and sort of evaluate what's important right -- I -- -- it's just not that big of a point we don't agree that I thought.

-- -- -- -- -- -- The thing I find really offensive about all that was the other's company -- about.

-- -- -- all the all these Republicans are motivated by an effort to play political games with him in and and you know this really country I think.

Canada users -- languished in the wake of new town and this is coming it's not.

I'm gonna help the only principle people that I would argue -- -- that -- -- far left liberals who just -- -- -- and -- -- -- -- -- you can save some sputtering for the second segment yeah we're getting Harlow on liberals will get there there's a process don't worry done more to say young gun control is up that moment I guess that's what has happened.

And by outlook when we come back we will do that we will get to some of your -- and I should say before we go to follow me -- -- -- that's all you have to do it it's such as.

Click.

It's just all you have to do and they can have my current every day that I leave when your enjoyment and betterment and amusement.

Do that and we'll talk of we'll talk more about that when we come back.

So stick around.

Scott Brown he used to model underwear now he's in the United States senate.

So will he get a chance to go back.

Find out this is power play that's what we're gonna figure out what -- appear to have guns actually relate that's got brown who was an opponent.

The federal assault weapons ban.

Though he was a proponent as his.

People point out -- probably using state legislature in Massachusetts.

As a US senator I perhaps a vacancy in a special election in that state he has changed his stance on -- federal assault weapons ban.

To say in the wake of the -- shootings that it's time.

This -- already playing out in what could be a potential race to replace John Kerry who looks increasingly likely to be the man tapped to replace Hillary Clinton.

Secretary of state should she ever recover enough capacity to leave office.

-- -- the -- there's been special elections slated for Illinois we've -- control.

Is a big part of the discussion.

So what is the political consequence -- -- these races and everything else is Democrats again embrace the idea.

The restrictions on firearms.

Ownership you know probably knows.

It hurt us and AB -- probably.

I know now.

-- Ask you this.

Scott Brown -- in a moment like this national tragedy people's thinking.

Really changes.

It is also a good time to avoid accusations of political opportunist as.

Well when you're up in the polls.

It to replace.

The seat that likely -- street naked right.

John Kerry and you've got Ed Markey nipping at your heels it is you -- and the -- is -- and this is gonna come up quickly -- to keep his campaign.

That he just you know that was when it's alive and well -- -- six when he was defeated by Elizabeth Warren up and going and -- -- -- to keep.

Donors excited he needs to he needs to keep the momentum going and so.

You know.

Pandering is on the table.

On the table everything is everything is -- is that everything is on the table and away from it and apparently also candidate.

Out at Illinois we have special elections.

Where candidates are already trying to use this as a wedge issue.

Charlie what happened in after the 1994.

Assault weapons ban which was passed his -- as we talked about this yesterday long island rail -- shooting.

December or early December 1993.

Triggered a story.

Spurred the eventual passage.

The magnetic force -- weapons -- it became a enormous enormous political consequence.

The NRA and other pro gun rights groups.

Are going to be out there waiting and often people be careful now but they say with the tragedies -- Oh absolutely.

Because anything that there's a fascinating -- -- yesterday.

That showed that an overwhelming majority of people.

Who wounded who -- You know the assault weapons assault weapons and whatever assault weapon -- -- You know third or fourth or fifth in the things that we ought to look at in terms of things that that Congo ended -- these sorts of atrocities.

And the problem I think.

Is that did most lawmakers.

In Washington have they they don't simply don't understand the process now like -- And that the equipment -- -- -- works.

And so we wind up with -- idiotic laws that that don't mean anything and -- and a lot of the majority of voters do understand how guns work.

And so so that they know that the idea of of eliminating -- -- -- -- a stock at that type of stock on -- on the grid equipment and it is utterly meaningless in terms of whether you you walk in.

And commit some -- -- atrocity.

-- these these guns have been around for for you know.

A hundred years and the this kind of thing is it.

Is sort of it's a fairly recent.

Event that happens with frequency it bill I think a lot of Americans think that will -- who should look at.

At at others and other factors here and that's why it amazes me did you mention who is it clearly truly an honor would come out and -- -- to.

Ladies and -- -- okay here but aren't they looking for are pro gun Democrats looking to do some things to prevent a bigger something from happening credited.

Like you like -- you know say we're gonna take chances try to save and taken as we defended them well but that's okay.

Cannot prescribe you know that your ears seeing motives.

-- -- in some of these people that are political that.

But in others they might not be I do think that.

There is.

There there is a problem there's -- in many different ways to address it and to.

Two things to blame it on the problem.

Is that you can't say that an armed guard at school or -- He -- teachers is gonna save children because people are gunned down the movie theaters now in the dark and it's this the Safeway parking lot.

If your constituent of -- Giffords a couple years ago so.

-- -- or is that everyone has to have a concealed weapon on everyone has to be -- and on.

In this world -- that would make it better so people are gonna have to look at the in between does that mean an assault weapons ban thanks 94 was effective not really.

It didn't really stop these things but does that mean that it just we're just gonna look at school safety I don't think so because an armed guard at the school isn't gonna help and.

-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- It you know at what point.

We would all that we aren't including the students it is a teacher's aid is 29 any carrier phone next -- owners and in her purse by the door.

I don't understand why this makes sense to people.

People are dying.

In movie theaters in the dark and in places where they can't reach -- -- gone.

And see what's going on so in this bringing these points that concern has to be a broader conversation without.

Getting into admitting that something beyond.

If only teachers were oracle we're armed we wouldn't have this problem that's just not helping that.

Now let's hold up my tank there's this concern that people don't know -- -- -- Don't know what's the automatic.

I I'm not -- I would really rather you guys I grew up in New York City where Republicans take guns you guys talk about the mechanics of how they work.

I'm gonna talk about what I just said which is are you -- in the movie theater at the airport you are but in any at least is -- the airport are you really safe.

And and -- I don't but I know what I -- totally you instantly agree with everything you just -- is a far more complicated.

Issues so when you see governor -- get up and say on television I just think that we don't know all the facts yet we do the -- -- -- 26 people -- dad.

And I don't care what his motive was we know that the people's -- easily Larkin is ending up that's it.

I'm Angela I think we -- -- school safety I don't understand what he's talking about.

Well OK.

Well let's let's get the out of the realm of of policy for -- let's talk about.

All holiday that we don't act as elections are going to be transacted across this country -- the next two years.

Democrats now believe that as a consequence of this and this is this is what's very sad.

About.

Life is that when the long island rail -- shooting occurred.

And Carolyn Maloney got elected to the -- was -- Maloney that Atlantis.

Got elected to congress and has changed everything that 9/11 changed everything.

And every terrible thing that changed everything.

Turns out that in the end in time.

Than than the waves of self interest in the waves of all of those things -- away at the shores.

-- indignant in outrage should -- we end up back in the same place a couple of years or is this something that really changes.

-- this discussion for good look I don't.

Know where this is going ultimately I would just -- advised the Republican Party when we get off of this cliff problem.

-- on immigration and gun control is the president and Democrats are gonna push him hard in 2013.

Get in there and fight for what you think is reasonable how the voice on this issue that shows every demographic group.

Every constituency you know within our electric whether -- little worry about fourteen or sixteen.

Or anything that you want to solve problems -- and you have a position to and so there policy proposals making -- -- There's a member of congress when he -- to you -- we we will reserve.

And -- yeah we can reserve extend your remarks.

At the end this gentleman from North Carolina -- -- here okay Internet we're gonna take a quick break but when we come back usually by casualty kaptur of Ohio.

Just a written.

Legislation.

-- to make permanent tax relief for nearly every American.

99 point 81%.

Of the American people.

Met -- president we'll have a decision to make.

You can call on a senate Democrats to pass that bill war.

He can be responsible for the largest tax increase in American history.

And that was house speaker John Boehner in a under one minute press conference that he held yesterday not much conferring going on basically a statement that he made to say that Republicans would have the votes.

To deliver his plan the plan B which word.

Prevent attacks increase on more than 99% of Americans and let tax rates go up.

For people who earn a million dollars a year or more in this power play welcome back.

Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur represents a swath of north eastern to northwestern Ohio.

Along the shores of Lake Erie congresswoman welcome.

Thank you very much Chris good to be with you.

All right secures the question.

First -- a practical standpoint.

Boehner said yesterday and today majority leader Eric Cantor said they've got the votes and they can put this plan -- through.

Do you have any reason to doubt that.

Well they hold the majority in the house obviously they don't control the senate.

So I think it's going to be -- non starter because the president said he would veto it upon arrival so what we've got here is a group of bridges who are going to steal Christmas.

A few days before Christmas Eve.

And the American people have lost patience with this they want us to compromise.

They want us to reach agreement.

Not just on the revenue side but on the spending side and frankly as one member of the house.

I can tell you that the vast majority of members don't appreciate not being consulted.

Two people are negotiating this and there's no written record so if you -- to -- -- congresswoman is this little provision in there you know -- -- I couldn't tell you.

And then isn't -- to the American people were supposed to be deliberative body let the committees exercise their.

Authority and let's move forward let's not have this kind of standoff.

That actually is harming our economy because businesses can't plan.

42013.

Contractors.

Who work with the federal government don't know what's gonna happen in the first second and third quarter this is no.

Way to run a railroad.

Now you.

Is there a version of this is if if Boehner changed his number on plan B if it went from a million down to have to millions today.

Is there is there a point where you can get on board with what he's proposing here if -- lowered that number far enough.

Well his plan would literally up in two million people in this country.

Who -- -- unemployment benefits social -- just before.

The end of the year.

I in addition to that there are students who will be affected by what is not in this plan it will raise taxes on them.

-- there's a lot of hidden pieces of this is that aren't immediately apparent so it isn't just at what level.

All won that allowance the tax.

Cuts to remain in place.

-- but there are other pieces to this and then you don't hear anything about the spending side.

So.

It -- sort of political.

But it really isn't very substantive and it isn't the best we can do with the country nor congress.

She's just that it -- there's not a way to run a railroad at least we know there is bipartisan agreement.

On that subject.

Congresswoman.

We thank you for your time and have a very merry holiday.

Thank you very much we wish -- every public.

Yeah.

Now before we are about the remaining business.

We feel bad and Indian I would like both apologized Charles hurt who has been short -- it I would say it is fair to -- -- -- -- twice -- in shortly.

Children.

Yeah what -- -- the only point I was going to make was.

That that the only reason it's important I think it's important to discuss the parts of a gun and stuff like that.

Is it the worst thing you can do is come up with mandates that have no hope that we can have our.

In it but I agree with everything that you said about.

The only thing I would add is that we also have to be aware.

That the government.

Doesn't isn't necessarily the answer to every single problem and it's certainly not the answer to all the problems here as a Christmas -- -- -- let him have the last -- oh yeah.

Ask you gearing up -- -- yeah.

That's -- that's -- that's your right.

As far as it -- you guys Christmas gift to the Internet thank you very much indeed it.

Okay and you know what's coming what's next on the hunt with Jonathan Hunt is waiting for you on the other side.

The travails to come.

And the first of those travails is that some power points -- our points worked.

Worked and it's not the Swedish -- we're talking about here but Robert Bork.

Whose name became -- to be worked.

Which -- to be have your character assassinated.

And be rendered inoperable as a nominee for political office.

So he he passed away yesterday rest in peace.

Judge work first PowerPoint summer of 87.

That was the moment that things changed about judicial nominations in the United States it was Joseph Biden currently the vice president working in tandem with Senator Edward Kennedy.

Rest his soul to.

In the summer of 1987 Ronald Reagan nominated -- Who was a judge federal appellate judge in Washington DC and they -- him he was actually well respected well liked guy who'd been on the faculty Yale he was sort of an irascible Billy go to the conservative -- The people liked him and it was generally seen as he was it.

Reasonable soul but they dredged up some stuff and waited that you and number on him and wrecked him.

What was different about that but if people hadn't done that before they changed the game when it came to the backgrounds and records of people who were being nominated the Supreme Court.

Previously today this guy qualified.

Okay fine.

Changed in every subsequent nomination has been in the sense -- this brings us to the second point mutually assured destruction.

Once Democrats have done that.

And the persons of Biden and Kennedy Republicans decided that it would be just swell for them to do it too and they tried to assassinate and they try to explode.

Every democratic nominee that came down the pike.

And guess what it stinks it's not a good way to do this.

And so I would give you your third PowerPoint.

Can -- should.

Washington struggles -- locked in locked -- -- with the second part of that equation on can questions there Mike can we do this can we get away with that can -- -- Can it work.

Should we should we should wait is a really tough one here in this town.

And I don't know whether Joseph Biden.

Would say today that he made a mistake what he did with Robert work.

But history will probably judge that a big part of -- dysfunction.

The past year since then.

Has stemmed from their decision that summer to do what they could that you know what they should so those are some -- power points for you.

Sniff -- staff and now as we like to do every day we want to leave you with the word from our friend Charles.

I think the president invoking the massacre of children.

To essentially say the Republicans need to accept.

His -- terms of -- surrendered in the negotiations.

Is not just -- on sector I think it's a sacrilege.

And it's -- peace with the whole tone things.

News conference in this is the way he conducts them generally.

Which is he is excessively self righteous.

He talks about the other side as being unprincipled.

-- did you sit in the national interest slaves of ideology which he says makes no sense.

And as you mentioned invested in opposing him to the point where they're willing to let the country suffered.

So it's a combination of self righteousness and our system.

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