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Power Play 1/7/2013

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    Hagel on defense

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Its interest thing the president seems bound and determined to proceed down this path despite the fact that -- -- record.

Is very very troubling elimination of Israel he has not been a friend to Israel.

Well I'm gonna take a look at all the things that trumpets that over the years of bad review that and in terms of his qualifications.

To lead our nation's military.

And that was a sampling of what important people had to say.

About President Obama soon to be nominated to lead the US Department of Defense Chuck Hagel.

You heard first from freshman senator Ted -- from Texas on FOX News Sunday with Chris Wallace.

And there.

Leaving the door open to a potential able nomination.

Were -- confirmation was Mitch McConnell.

The minority leader -- from the commonwealth of Kentucky.

And this is powered by an -- and -- -- -- and happy Monday.

And today the president will continued to round out his foreign policy team as he nominates a Chuck Hagel former Republican senator from Nebraska.

He'll do that and he will also.

Nominate -- counter terrorism chief to be the new head of the CI AMR Brennan.

These are bound to be controversial ex we will talk about that today we will talk about the looming showdown.

Over federal spending as we get closer to the debt ceiling I guess we're past that but faking it for now.

We will talk about that -- we will talk about.

What may be the smartest discussion yet.

On school shootings and gun control we'll have Debbie dingle who wrote -- great op Ed piece for the Washington Post.

Talks about her personal experience with guns and how to.

Bring the nation together on the subject we will do all of that you will enjoy all of that I promise that you'll enjoy none of it more.

And getting to talk to Brit Hume he is of course the senior political analyst for the Fox News Channel.

Mr.

-- thank you as always making time for us electricity.

Happy new year to you the Internet wishes you the best two OK so the president.

In choosing Chuck Hagel.

This is -- controversial position in controversial appointment in many ways what's the political -- us.

Well it's a little -- sent him.

Because.

One might have the impression that looking -- his nomination and he chose somebody that is really and really anathema.

Obnoxious to a great many Republicans John McCain Lindsey Graham Republican of that strike.

Who remembers so well in fact you know what's striking about -- he was once the kind of McCain protege.

-- hagel voted for the Iraq War voted to authorize it then turned against it.

Then when the surge was manatee was against that -- the worst foreign policy mistakes of Vietnam.

This was the issue that.

That McCain the McCain ran on to get the nomination for his and of his party in 2008.

So those two minute -- far apart.

He said some very controversial sounding sings about Israel.

He -- -- some peculiar things about gays for which he's apologized.

So he has some real baggage and it sometimes seems that President Obama.

Would rather antagonize and annoy Republicans and he would make a sensible appointment now it may turn out Chris.

Don't we hear from Chuck Hagel and his confirmation hearings.

He will turn out to have -- thoughtful and interest -- things to say about our defense posture going forward.

And that he may rise above -- these visas it issues of the past to impress everybody.

The problem is that hagel -- -- any record of having done very much of that in the past he was never a major defense intellectual as a member of the senate.

He was in fact not -- except for me it kind of a maverick.

And saying unpleasant things about his party's position sometimes he was never much of a distinguished senator at all.

Right and the best way everybody knows to get on television and Washington.

-- to say bad things about your own party particularly if you're republics particularly if -- Republican that is that that is that you can have as many seats as you want on Sunday shows.

If you are Republican who will go out and be apostate.

Now the Israel stuff and the gays.

It sounds like the door is open if he is willing to be conciliatory sounds like if he's willing to come forward and admit tear of his ways and say that he did the wrong thing said the wrong things and left the wrong impressions.

-- rule Jewish groups have said it's OK we trust the president on this we look forward to hearing from him we look forward to hearing from senator hagel.

But we think we're going to be OK but on this conflict over.

What he stood for in the past you heard from Lindsey Graham and you heard from others over the weekend that it doesn't sound like they're gonna move much on -- -- No it doesn't the -- If you'd have to say Chris that.

This is the president's.

Choice first new nominee of his second term.

And he backed off already on one the -- seemed poised to make that being Susan Rice to be secretary of state.

Democrats are committed under an awful lot of pressure to -- this they have the majority dissent it is it doesn't matter -- the house and the senators -- confirming body.

So you have to bet if you had the best that he would make.

But it won't be pretty and maybe maybe the president -- -- maybe the president -- look I'm gonna get this guy in the end I -- -- He's not gonna drink the -- -- pentagon become a big advocate for more defense spending which I'm not prepared to before myself.

And you know -- the Republicans took to get a big fight against it means everybody else that he nominates will get confirmed because you can't have great and you know if you can't double.

Which means that if you want to name John Brennan has himself a bit of Agassi beat Tennessee today at same time -- and probably sales.

The other thing is it it may make Republicans look obstructionist even if people agree with some that still further decided Republicans -- the same no party everything.

So he -- like that as well so there maybe some deeper -- there on the on the other hand.

I think it really remains to be seen what are the real pluses that took a -- may prove that there are subtle and obvious didn't hearing.

Well I -- of course and more cynical than you sir and I wrote in today's -- by which you can have simply by following me.

At cease firewall I wrote today that -- I think the president likes the idea of an antagonistic pick and he likes the idea.

Of this upset because not only to your point about what it says about Republicans.

And it may and it puts them in a position where -- crabbing and sort of split and how much of it and oppose him and they look constructionist.

But also.

The president seems very much to want his way the guy that we saw in the deaths there in the fiscal cliff negotiations and what we've heard -- about the debt ceiling sounds like a guy.

Who's very interested in having things his way he feels like he was too conciliatory -- the first term and he's ready to go light a fire under some.

You and you shouldn't underestimate the extent to achievements under pressure from.

Just left which is where is -- resides.

To be tough for a second term for you for your conservative you look at immediately he's been totally impossible.

And and if you're on the left him -- look at how many been totally impossible -- for the opposite reason so I you know you gotta you gotta give credence to that -- well I think.

It looked back.

-- -- about this is that the danger the president and tears that he tends.

When he's riding high.

To want to be in your face to his opponents and it's as if that matters to him more than den and then what's happening so.

He may -- a kind of a weak Defense Secretary to stick it to Republicans it's -- it's a poor reason.

If it is the reason to do it so licenses.

You know he's doing a big thing and maybe not a very good thing for a small -- Now to another subject briefly before we let you go back to real television.

You clarify -- you help to clarify the thinking.

A lot of people as it relates to what's going on with debt -- your commentary last week -- special report.

About what happens when you have a government shutdown and how that works.

That loose you dated some minds up on Capitol Hill and change -- thinking.

How.

Likely do you see just -- -- bit -- probability.

How likely do you see -- government -- today well.

Won't have a complete coverage.

If you surpass the development and moving -- -- -- department but it comes upon you can't do.

It means you cannot borrowing.

Which means that you'll have tax money to finance about 60%.

Of what the government -- But you won't have tax money to or borrowed money -- support the other 40%.

Which means you're looking at a 40%.

Disruption.

And what the government does that means that.

That's that'd be still be funny money to cover the national debt service right.

-- so this idea to fall on the national debt is bogus should be enough money to pay most of the entitlement programs and defense.

But there wouldn't be much else but as any else and that means that agencies within the federal government to people may depend on.

We'll shut down.

-- definitely not just -- reputed as long as there's no -- -- a debt limit those places are shut down.

Now people who raising the debt limit is standing by itself unpopular.

The consequences of not doing so -- likely to prove unpopular as well.

And Washington being Washington the media being the -- the president with a bully pulpit in them and a blend of bullhorn that provides human and it is very likely that the Republican Party that fought for spending cuts -- as a price for.

For debt limit increase would end up getting the blame for an unpopular government -- but they're gonna get in -- gonna have the risk that.

In -- -- if your New Year's resolution was to think more clearly and be more sound as it relates to what's happening in Washington DC consider yourself.

Ten minutes to the better mr.

-- thank you very much.

Okay -- we're gonna take a quick break but when we come back we'll talk more about that question of spending I'm gonna go look in my car to see if there's any trillion dollar coins in the ashtray.

But while I do that compose yourself will be back with David -- -- stick around.

Is finished over completed.

-- -- it's behind us now the question is what are we gonna do about the biggest problem confronting our country.

And our future.

No high and it is not -- -- president had said originally he went one point six.

Trillion dollars and -- revenue he took it down to one point two as a compromise in this legislation.

We get 620.

Billion dollars there's significant high end tax.

Changing high -- tax rate to 39 point 6%.

But that is not enough on the revenue side.

And that is what it sounds like when people are talking past each other.

That was the minority leader Mitch McConnell he was on ABC's this week saying we've had quite enough tax increases thank you very much so now on to the question of spending.

And that was Nancy Pelosi she used to be the speaker of Aspen and -- the democratic.

Minority leader in the senate saying.

We're like a trillion dollars away on tax increases we have a lot more taxes raised before we're done with this.

So what does this port and what does this tell us about what's going to happen.

In the coming days as we all warm up our government shutdown calendars.

David Drucker -- you know why he knows because he's the man -- call you follow him at David -- he's worth reading and we're following I do every -- So mr.

welcome back happy new -- happy new year going to be here.

OK so.

When I say that the Republicans and Democrats are far apart right now and tax increases plus -- -- vs spending cuts.

That is sort of an understatement.

Pelosi and McConnell you -- a perfect.

Perfectly opposite McConnell says we're all done.

There's any more tax increases now it's about spending.

Democrats say no it's going to be balanced.

That does this mean that were gonna shut down government does this mean this can't.

Work well it depends what the players involved want to do I mean I would say that.

Be given that the Republicans.

Seated earned tax increases in this deal to avoid the so called fiscal cliff.

-- predicted things before that have not come to pass.

I do not see any scenario where Republicans in congress.

In the leadership of them.

Agrees to an additional tax increase in terms of rates.

In terms of capital gains rates in terms of death tax rates I could go on and on.

In a deal.

To raise the debt ceiling why.

Well number one it would.

Really at that point the I think political suicide for them I mean they'd be looking at a bloodbath internally heading into -- fourteen with primary season.

And in some senses you know rightfully so if you look at what Republican primary voters want but secondly I think this is the more important thing.

Republican leaders a lot of the rank and file in the house -- not happy with this but Republican leaders.

And most Republicans in the senate made a tactical decision.

That holding the line on spending cuts and a deal that could see everybody in America's taxes going up on January 1.

Across the board was not a winning hand of all the losing -- they have and so if they were gonna try and play as best they could.

Let's do it when we fight over the debt ceiling because the consequences of that.

Wallace Brad said could be very unpopular -- more hypothetical and theoretical.

In how they affect people.

And so there's -- Republicans are gonna hold the line preserve.

There -- negotiating power of any kind -- not be seen -- -- Stand for you know what they say they believe in and keep their party happy it's going to be on the debt ceiling which is why I really don't think.

That no matter what the consequences are.

You're gonna see them agree to a tax.

Increase of the traditional kind now loopholes could -- go for something that is tax reform.

Yes and loopholes are fine to get rid of -- Republican today.

But the acrid debate here in Washington and I mean it's like -- it is palpable now in -- they've really -- Republicans.

They knew they wouldn't like anything the president offered or -- right now they don't trust him.

And they don't have the rank and file doesn't seem to have the requisite trust in their leadership.

In Boehner at all to even undertake negotiations for a bit.

-- -- Humvee.

You know that John Boehner is in a really tough position he's also made few mistakes over time.

It's true that occasionally he's misjudged what his conference was able to what would accept in any sort of deal with the president but it's also true.

That.

House Republicans.

As sort of disparate group of of a bunch of different factions within that majority.

Don't really know what they want or how they want to go about things right and that's made it hard for Boehner to make -- -- Of any kind that he could sort of -- And I think that's why he's he sat in addition to woods making his conference who consider ousting him.

Happy that's why I think he said and done two and one -- one negotiate for the president is either way it's a loser for me Mitch McConnell has the ability.

To do these deals and and I think you make a really good point it in in the in the and it all comes down -- present what does he want.

What is he willing to do.

He doesn't seem to like negotiating with the Republicans he doesn't want to negotiate with them so I don't think he will negotiate with them but at some point.

Everything will come to a head and then it's gonna be about which we really want this thing.

To going to shut down an impasse and credit rating downgrade.

Or are we gonna find a way to get this done it's going to be up to him because basically whatever he wants to do Democrats will do -- it's kicking and screaming don't don't do it.

As you saw with senate Democrats.

He -- the -- McConnell deal I -- -- I've done reporting on this hated it hated it but they said all right fine now the president one -- -- -- -- What's he told them as a concession.

For accepting the -- I McConnell deal on how to negotiate on the debt ceiling so we're gonna stick it to him there right.

And even Harry Reid doesn't believe that's true -- well we'll see you.

The John Boehner told.

Stephen Moore of the Wall Street Journal.

That he needed the speakership like a hole in the head I mean this just like a hole in the head and he also said that in their negotiations that the president and we don't have a spending problem and I'm sick of you saying it.

So today it's going to be totally -- six weeks just get ready but hopefully you'll be here summit at David thank you very much kitty thank you -- sage says here's what the GOP should do -- about it with the debt ceiling increase equal to the deficit in the budget.

Now a bad idea it's a talking point anyway Christopher Todd says with regard to the president's actions.

I think the Republicans need to adopt the -- fool us once shame on you fool us twice shame on us.

Or just you could just crank up the do and say we won't get fooled again we're gonna take a quick break and when we come back we're gonna have a -- discussion.

About gun control -- promise it will actually be expert discussion accountable as we had some good people to talk about the subject Jim Pinkerton and B -- will be here when we come back.

-- -- I think you need to put everything on the table but what I hear from the administration and if the Washington Post is to be believe that's way.

The way an extreme of what I think it's necessary or even should be talked about and it's not going to pass.

Back was some strong language from senator Heidi I can't she is a Democrat freshman.

From North Dakota she was on This Week with George Stephanopoulos.

And she also happens to be a great a number one ranked by the National Rifle Association.

And this is power play and the discussion about gun control gun safety public safety schools' safety.

Has.

Gone into Iraq it looked at the beginning right after the scenic oak elementary shooting that there was going to be some broader public discourse.

But what we're seeing is the -- tribal is Asian.

On the issue of gun control and guns so shall we.

Sure we let them in the discussion a little bit shall we get out of the -- a little bit I think we should.

And I think we can't because with us is Debbie -- she is a Democrat.

She is from Michigan she is the principal of represented Democrats got -- And daddy the Internet which is very happy new year.

And you know Jim Pinkerton.

He writes that the American conservative this is true true this is that you former advisor to Mike I mean this is true that's also true okay as anything else that we should disclose Reagan and bush 41 White House.

Welcome their egos of these testimonies legit he's looked at John Nichols what your rhythm and I.

But -- me I do -- only in the house for thirty years ago.

Are right now I have to brag on daddy.

Did you wrote shortly after the significant -- the smartest piece that I've read so far you wrote for the Washington Post wrote this op -- where you talk betrayal family's personal experience in the near tragedy with firearms -- your family.

And you've talked about being me as a person who had favored gun control.

Being married to a Democrat who was staunchly opposed to gun control who is -- NRA member in very good standing.

The -- still stunts that still -- still -- yes he's definitely not a staunch.

How do we break through the discussion so that we can actually do something about schools it.

My concern is is that we're already going back into the two corners I feared that when I wrote that bad at the end of December.

I think that -- I didn't I certainly didn't hate kinds.

If I probably expect to them more than 9020 years ago.

But we need to understand the -- members of the generator from people in there.

Midwest -- people who live in many of these states.

Freedom to bear arms is as basic to them -- to freedom of speech.

And freedom of religion and they believe that ability to -- those -- protects the other freedoms that we all care.

If we generate grassroots -- this again we're not gonna go any place.

We need to talk about what are the issues the -- -- -- how do we make sure that people who shouldn't have guns don't have confidence.

OK but the truth and when you hear people like Heidi I can't and other Democrats in this Joseph -- and others.

We do not expect him that the president is going to get it.

In the -- the Washington Post reported over the weekend and Friday and and into the weekend more details on.

What they said that actual gun control will be part of that legislative suite that the president proposes on school safety.

That's not going anywhere right.

Well I think -- now is it legislative and also said executive right action as an executive orders and so I think this president is proven that he is willing to.

To -- to things groups through executive FiOS lack of of -- I was supposed to go to the congress and I think you'll see some of that too I think they'll be constitutional crisis of some kind where they try dependency would executive orders -- can do on gun control and ATF investigation so I also think there's going to be a lot -- expiration just because the congress that would be so deadlocked.

On technological fixes there's an article in the near times over the weekend about Smart guns that don't fire in the hands of children and so -- I think those are.

Eminently worth exploring.

I think as that you said that the politics we tribal -- faxes and people wonder if your respective corners.

People be saying okay what was something we can do -- -- executive action is one of technological changes have.

And Debbie would do some work.

People like your husband and other the people that you described who are Democrats in good stead and in good standing but are not comfortable with this.

If the president does do this stuff that drives them away from a detailed table to make a deal you lose -- just me.

I was there in 1994.

And I knew -- that 1994 bill got passed probably better than anybody I will definitely for me was history -- Bill Clinton was on the -- every single hour.

-- personally give me -- -- he -- -- he took time to understand both sides this warehouse that they try to shut down legislation.

That is there.

Which is gonna cause problems for Democrats and Republicans alike we're gonna -- -- in the kid's gonna happen in the -- there are.

Thousands of laws on the books now that we are not enforcing it we are not making -- -- database is about the information that we need.

We could just put a lot of time and effort into enforcing that's already on the Bucs didn't make it different.

It wouldn't have prevented most likely.

What happened he knew this town and what we need to talk about is people who are mentally what are the issues like there are a lot of -- how do you.

Keep the current that he and certainly up which isn't very tough discussion -- we're sitting here.

Facts which does very much care -- individual rights and lead but we've got -- -- people to identify problems when these people.

And last question.

Do you see any.

Likelihood once we get done to hagel many -- A debt ceiling.

Expiring CR and everything else that's gonna happen before we'd ever get to this discussion will there be the impetus -- to do something of large scale.

Well I don't know the idea that Feinstein and left means business on this issue and you're quite right -- things again and -- nomination it's going to be -- advice present level epic.

And our nation -- -- remember -- 1960 novel.

A movie don't hate us.

Completely listed South Carolina senator has the lead protagonist -- the -- nominee.

I'm BI they're not gonna give up on the judge okay statement that -- -- passionate person -- at camp though than a regular Internet don't read daddy's case please do it's really the smartest thing that -- -- the best thing that I've read so -- really like it and thank you for writing it and thank you both for being here.

Okay now.

How about since it's Monday and there's no Charles for fourteen that you do have on.

Next would you like to have some power points Internet I think he would and -- -- -- not you're going to get them.

So here are today's -- mellow out dude.

The president is just back from Hawaii nice place.

Great house.

Eight -- -- shave ice look like he had a good trip so here's number one.

Five below us -- Mr.

President you are back it is time to smile it is time to make some deals it is time to lubricate the process nobody else in Washington can do what you can do.

Which is is a re elected president and a Democrat to make peace and make a deal.

Nothing is gonna happen if you don't do it here's your second PowerPoint flashback.

We saw this in 2009.

In the newly elected President Obama heard from the Mandarin is the -- of Washington that's that you're doing too much.

They're overloading congress in your not going to get the things that you want -- they won't work out the right way because -- overloading everybody circuits and he didn't listen.

And he did it.

And that was not a that was not a good move politically for him -- he got reelected but boy did he get a bunch of Republicans in the mid terms and what did he have -- a bumpy road to right so here's -- third PowerPoint.

In defense -- fix search now I'm no great fan of the Washington -- the inside man.

But if there's ever been a president that needed somebody who could fix things and come in and bridge the gap and make deals.

It is Barack Obama who is not ever embrace that part of Washington people that get the deals done and do the work.

Behind closed doors he's never gone there and it might be a good time for him to try -- net.

So -- -- your power points we thank you for your time happy Monday and we'll see you back here tomorrow.

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