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Why did the president pick Hagel? Democrats ready gun ban and Planned Parenthood funding. Plus, freshman Rep. Trey Radel
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Legislation that would close -- many loopholes in our background check system.
Are only a while very important and he supports congressional actions right away.
On those matters are only part of the problem and only address part of the problem and he believes that issues mental health issues of education.
For example are part of this problem and need to be addressed as part of the effort that Vice President Biden is undertaken.
And that and that was white house Press Secretary Jay Carney taking a long time to say what is pretty simple which is its.
Doggone hard in Washington DC to find any consensus on guns.
And a school violence and mass shootings.
And so what ends up happening or blue ribbon commissions and on discussions this is power play.
And I'm -- firewall and welcome welcome to you Crimson Tide fans who are probably leery of this morning from too much celebrating last night.
And and he of the fighting Irish were probably -- your -- of bad.
We hope you can see through that -- to enjoy another action packed thirty minutes of raw political excellence here -- quite.
I'm your host Chris now.
We will talk about the -- we will do that.
We will talk about the president's.
Up.
Appointment rodeo.
As he is trying to fill -- -- in his administration we will talk about how that's going and what's really going to happen.
And the drama that you did -- unfold here.
We will talk about the debt ceiling with a freshman congressman.
Who is one of the people who's trying to figure out exactly how this town works and do our play offers that's good luck with that.
-- we will do all of that.
But let us now talk to our friend and you worse David Winston he's president of the Winston group that means that he is an influential Republican pollster.
Now T that's this is you will you'll admit that that is accurate it.
Think -- it's okay all right okay good now the the question.
Is and I should point I just didn't waive your -- -- a few days.
Is that he did the surveys that you've done.
Have informed a lot of the discussion.
What house Republicans have been doing debt issues and what they've done that speaker Boehner is because the music has been using it far and wide dark about what people think we'll get to them and I'm guns.
Public opinion has been pretty consistent.
On gun control -- that Americans are.
Pretty much pro Second Amendment there are there into the right to keep and bear arms yes.
But there is also growing alarm about.
And I should tell you this and it's something you should know murder rates are down in the United States we have we have seen having essentially over the last twenty years of murder rates.
But we've seen this incredible rise in mass shootings so few -- so fewer people are getting murdered.
But these these searing shocking incidents that movie theaters and schools and things that.
But people want action on this too.
So where -- public.
Opinions no way as your despair what you see is there's probably.
In terms of overall dealing with in terms of gun control you've probably seen by a very small margin -- -- -- favoring some sort of gun control when you get to assault weapons -- that's very different story and -- and -- sort of addressing right here describing some of these mass shooting.
But what's interesting that we're beginning to see in data is this idea so.
Is this more of a gun control problems or mental health issue -- -- particularly given what we've seen recently in terms of what happened out in Colorado what happened to Gabby Giffords what happened in terms of Connecticut.
I'm by about a 31 margin people are saying now this is more for mental health issue than it really is.
Gun control issue.
And so I think that's a new home in the debate I think which you've also seen is actually.
Some of the some of the more moderate Democrats agreeing with that is that's who should be the focus -- well and so I think you may be seeing a consensus potentially developing around.
How do we addresses mental health issue.
Okay now.
I believe.
The question is for.
Republicans it's so assault weapons there there is this is -- if you'll pardon them unavoidable for punt.
These are all loaded terminology you know -- right -- yeah I thought about.
I'm not saying it but there's there's nothing about Frey did it not loaded with three did -- it's rated it terms.
And as our -- -- is pointing out.
What is.
What is the what's an assault weapons.
Well good that's tough to describe and often what's done and when you get down into this tiny.
Legal -- terminology about what's really a solid there's where the handle is on the -- or is it about this and you can.
Kill somebody just as easily with the deer rifle as you can't a semiautomatic deer rifle as you can with something that looks more -- But on the broad issue of keeping guns out of the hands of the mentally ill that's something people there's a broad agreement -- Yeah and there's.
And and one of the things you've also very again digging around to that consensus potential consensus is.
What -- we do in terms of individuals who clearly have does mental health problems.
How do you make sure that win there's a check in terms of purchasing gone.
That they are in fact in that database how do you make all those databases were to get this you can really do back to contact so that's an example where -- -- season consensus potentially developing.
I am -- in terms of going -- your pointers of assault weapons Iraq -- did the idea is okay here's a weapon that can fire more than one political at a at a single pull the -- so is it ten makes an assault weapon in terms of -- second.
To his second trip here and and then you get into a much greater area because of what people think -- You know who's Smart are people that watch the show.
Says Phoenix Dirk.
Every gun agency says if you keep things.
One major one is to lock up your guns -- people lock up their guns they won't be stolen and used in school shootings.
As kids can't buy guns no one brings up this point.
Good good point legislation is necessary but as it you know all gun -- this is just do.
Power play PSA -- your -- out.
Get a -- safe.
You should do that be irresponsible gun owner and -- your guns if you wanna have one out maybe in some place from defense whatever but -- -- guns out please.
Ninth and Chris -- wanted to -- both and Colorado and Connecticut the Lana says.
That summer trying to put -- placing in -- and actually those laws were actually in place and those two states and so the that dynamic here is -- those laws work.
I'm clearly -- those two particular cases they didn't having -- that.
That's why did you see this focused -- if you have someone who is that mentally unstable right that's the issue you need to do.
Now.
All right so before we let you go.
The Republicans.
Like you're the house Republicans very much like the -- that you kids.
Because what it said was essentially this.
That and we saw some pulling out from Q yesterday.
-- that Americans thought that President Obama won in the debt in the fiscal cliff did in the fiscal -- I think he won.
The day for him but they think that the deal sticks there is a broad agreement.
Liberals don't like it because they don't think -- -- taxes enough men conservatives definitely don't like it because it raise taxes at all some people don't like the deal.
But -- cuts.
There seems to be some clarity look.
I would suggest that in terms of some of some of the Republicans objections that he's on terms of this booklet is they were expecting some spending cuts -- that and it didn't occur and so as as we're looking at the debt ceiling.
Couple things first -- and this is similar to where was in August of 2011 about a 21 margin people do not want to raise the desk.
21 margin when you -- in some potentially tough situations -- -- major cuts in Medicare and defense and education.
The market gets closer but it's still a solid margin on one race -- that's the way in this specific -- that the speaker is focused on was -- 72% of people say it.
That if you're gonna increase the debt ceiling.
It was going to be a one for one exchange in -- spending cuts for every dollar that you raise the debt ceiling.
He wanted to dollar spending cuts now last time that they -- it went for that that that was an interesting point of discussion.
-- that obviously that the grand deal didn't happen but in this particular case now that tax cuts are sort of off the table this display.
Also know that's all the -- I -- but no that was Nancy Pelosi she's right over there you can stop by her office -- I'm I'm sure I'm sure I can bend and she is in the minority and and therefore has some difficulty in terms of yeah -- -- good -- and and.
Aunts and so -- -- dynamic here is okay now we did the tax cuts are now sending the spending and I think what you're gonna see the ticket on the Republican side is there's a lot of unity as.
Look everybody does agree terms of what direction we should go on the Republican side on your point Nancy Pelosi probably has a different opinion as well.
David West and he knows what you're thinking please be nice to him I would say David thank you very pleasure being with its okay to take a very quick break but when we come back will be joined by our -- And we will talk about the president's appointments on national security post.
And they're likelihood to the succeed but also how would affect the discussion in Washington on everything else we'll talk about today's power play later on.
Which discusses -- proposal from Jeff Sessions he's a Republican ranking Republican.
On the Budget Committee he's from Alabama so he's in a good mood today and he says you know what if you wanna get to increase the senate has to pass a budget.
And there is an audible gasp that -- emanated from that that white.
Marble building over there -- we'll talk about all that when we come back sister correct.
Leaders have dedicated their lives to protecting our country.
I'm confident they will do an outstanding job.
I urge the senate to confirm them as soon as possible.
And that is what President Obama had to say.
About Chuck Hagel he's a former Republican senator from Nebraska the president would -- to -- secretary of defense and John Brent.
Who is counterterrorism boss in the Obama administration that he won -- president wants to run the CIA and this is power play OK so.
Here's the inside -- -- here's the truth.
Both of those guys are probably going whatever is being said by Republicans or are skeptical Democrats today.
The 92%.
Likelihood is that both of those gentlemen will be confirmed into their jobs that's the reality but -- theater.
Is still consequential.
When you play it.
Because it takes time it gets people aggravated and other deals have to be made.
So whats the consequence of having controversial nominees for important.
Posts.
You know who probably knows because they've seen it from both sides in many ways it's -- -- she's a democratic strategist she was once how wars universe political universe.
And you can follow current Christie at NHC.
And you know Matthew content and -- and that he's editor in chief of the Washington street beacon.
And I think just back from a honeymoon is that -- just back to Saint Lucia Harris you're not ten -- -- I.
I'm glad to be here -- rather be in Saint -- -- -- entertainer I feel like you should be taken when you're a cellular sign up.
CN they would ten months that that's something you didn't.
I have to do what I do and just get bright red just get crispy lobster red it's it's very attractive trust me.
-- so here's the question.
We know and we can let the Internet in a little secret.
These guys are gonna get confirmed bread and certainly he's a life -- he's gonna have an awkward hearing on a couple of points when you start about liberals are gonna ask him out.
Enhanced interrogation techniques in the Bush Administration -- drones.
And Republicans last weapon -- do you have answers that have been vetted by the White House Counsel's Office.
Vets say -- in eight words exactly what he needs to say -- goal is going to be tougher and a lot more controversial.
But this is gonna suck a lot of oxygen out of the room in Washington for the next couple of months is it not -- -- indeed it is and -- It's not afraid that the White House relishes but it's one that they are going to have to undertake and certainly because they were seen as giving -- and Susan Rice.
And -- -- got into this habit of floating trial -- to their potential.
-- -- having -- be immediately shot down sometimes in the left and the right as -- hill and then being the acquisition of having to decide whether to go forward.
On those nominations are not because they give in on Susan Rice they have to fight on he'd gone.
And what they have to -- on cable but they could have -- could they not.
There are other people who would affect the same policies.
And be simpatico with the president on national defense issues right dean wasn't -- Chuck Hagel did not have to -- -- -- rather democrats' record -- could have chosen -- Florida boy who had already -- actually has some more interestingly she -- -- more more she's a Democrat.
But she has some fairly there's there's about an -- secretaries -- policy and -- it's a good position.
This is -- -- that's -- -- affirmative -- politics and she's a Democrat and there are plenty of Democrats but the Republican didn't let us know.
There are plenty of Republicans you could have chosen if you really want -- Republican instead he chose hagel.
And even liberals and Jonathan shape the blogger in your magazine -- I didn't yesterday saying he had no up.
Explanation for -- -- Palm Beach post Natal -- some of their some of what.
-- there's some of what Christie says in this which is.
That the president is very keen not to be seen as being -- out in his second term because.
The big complaint from the left is it not that the president was a pusher and a Republicans look at the president and C a socialist.
Colossus of the striding the earth -- getting his way on everything but the left the president was seen as weak -- on some things with Republicans.
That's that's an especially coming right after -- -- the -- close -- in which the big complaint from the last -- is girl.
That's a heat head.
Can't teens I mean and kept Texas for those making over -- -- -- -- -- Went to an app for it he -- One real action on this number and and -- the fact that you know that he -- almost immediately went up to 415 and you know.
Seems as though this is the position of strength that he had been -- -- and still he decided to give -- so we're.
The left is not going to you know.
-- and giving and the next thing the difference here of course is that -- liberty said he nominated somebody who -- -- -- panic -- the last he could have nominated somebody who's actually Democrat or who's a woman or you know a great number of other issues too isn't being you know.
Who didn't make comments many years ago against gay people let's say he's.
Very sorry for aggressive game and we except to I got in -- on television yes four yeah Kelly asked me to define what aggressively gay men and that not only was I unable to describe that I was unwilling quite frankly to -- that low pressure point is Chuck Hagel will probably have to define -- have I am sure -- -- about that comment during the hearings.
And other comments I mean I enjoyed the specificity of -- -- Probability 92% like 92 I was like -- -- slightly what was Nate silver's prediction for -- Obama -- 83% you're not gonna give an 83% yeah.
I simply because.
There you never know something.
Else -- heard that whether there's another Jewish lobby comment remember who referred to so called Jewish lobby were pretty didn't normally -- -- that you're only -- interview right and so.
-- you know if it's a new -- could emerge.
Something could happen in the course the confirmation hearings a Republican may try to hold the nomination it's.
And so so there are some things that could derail -- -- I agree with you the overwhelming like -- -- did you just as your mourning the loss of Saint -- will will will lower -- 83.
But while this goes off.
Other issues because as soon to these points of view to encapsulate.
The left is not thrilled with hagel who is a Republican who has been sort of a problem in the past used to be kind of Republican.
And conservatives he's not building any bridges conservatives they don't like.
John McCain and company are not going to say hey we really like this guy.
-- and getting anything out of that deal and it's going to be contentious and it's gonna take -- out so well this happens things like.
Gun control -- global warming and other things that the president wants to address.
Will not -- because this will circle the oxygen out of the room right.
And a that I think that -- you know.
Washington has -- somewhat of an ability to look into again history.
In the stumble all over themselves yes the state of big red and Sarah Sarah I don't think that you know we -- Billy to concentrate on.
Many things at once -- do you think that yeah.
Two yes it's amazing that day you know but the problem of course of the gun control -- is that we're getting further and further away from many times shootings and therefore.
Attention span of Washington decreases that -- there.
It's not just those issues either and remember Obama also wants to have some type of immigration amnesty in his second term that will be.
Put aside because of the nomination fight there's also the fiscal issues right and it would resolve the fiscal cliff.
But we have the debt ceiling fight coming up we have the CR fight coming up we have the sequestered -- to be dealt with -- so the combination of the hagel fight and spending fight I think we'll sucked up most of the oxygen in Washington through -- release.
Great day.
Thank you guys for being with us we appreciate -- you are Smart fair minded and patriotic which is all the Internet can ask for.
They were gonna take a quick break but when we come back but we'll be joined by a freshman congressman from Florida -- re -- And he'll tell us what the heck he thinks is going on in this town having newly arrived.
And day get his perspective on the debt ceiling fight and all of that you'll enjoy it.
Just to correct.
And bat it is what it looks like.
Win something happens because I can't see the video but you're looking at something and I'm not exactly sure what it is.
-- looking at -- that's what you're looking at Christine tells me from New York.
You're looking at Jack -- why do you care who -- see what what matter is it we'll explain all that.
This is power play.
And I would like you to meet -- -- he's -- congressman freshman congressman from the nineteenth district of Florida which is down.
Mostly inland in the metro Miami area.
Newly redistricting -- area down there congratulations on getting elected thank you just a quick a quick correcting correct because we changed numbers and actually district nineteen which is coastal area southwest Florida and the Gulf Coast Fort Myers Naples -- a beautiful everybody knows you can't trust it today I -- I apologize by the fact that an active.
So don't believe anything it's you think you represent the pretty part of America -- a beautiful beautiful area southwest Florida as we call it now my predecessor was former congressman Connie Mack Porter DOS before him and senator -- Before that these are the news of this -- -- kind of upper crust district to -- you have some people -- -- and -- some higher tax.
This -- well yeah but it's really interesting we have a dichotomy in our district -- we do have a lot of wealth concentration in the Naples area but the Fort Myers Cape Coral area and that's.
It has been -- very very hard for for far too long we've been ranked in the top five.
As some who one of the worst series for foreclosures dwellers who disaster -- has really been very -- OK so now we know where you're from -- how about this the United States is that it hit its debt limit.
And the Treasury Department is moving money around and doing things that were still borrowing money at the same pace which is -- a little between three and four.
Billion of the ten about ten billion that we spend every day.
And the fight is -- What are you willing to vote for let's start with the broad country what are you willing to vote for that would include a debt ceiling.
It's well this is one of those questions are you just say yes matter -- -- man and don't.
Look I don't approach anything in life which we've never say never or or absolute but I would be hard pressed.
To vote to raise the debt ceiling we appraised at roughly thirteen times in the past ten years.
In what is that done for us yet you keep hearing every -- -- in every one on the left the android.
Keep saying you got -- race -- you have to -- -- to be crises we need to avert this immediate crisis the problem is is that every time we avert the short term -- we continue to build on the long term crisis in the United States.
Into -- real tangible example for people who might be thinking well it will be terrible unless we do this I was in Argentina shortly after of their currency fell.
And they hit some of the similar problems and we'll -- credit was not a good -- exactly.
And in a really -- example is this imagine when all of these things come together.
And the dollar crashes so you go to bed one night with me you've got 50000 dollars in savings whether it's a portfolio were cash literally cash in your bank account.
And you wake up in that 50000.
Is worth something like 101000 dollars or -- you know or vice Versa if it.
What you're talking about that would mean and you know this is something to be aware of Internet.
The last time we went through this in 2011 when the president got the increased sixteen point four trillion dollars for the debt.
When that happened.
There were many conservatives who said you know what.
All week all we should do is a -- is now borrowing more money.
And meet our obligations order our obligations and such -- -- that basically we -- -- 60% that's most important -- and then the great people and -- the 40% we -- -- And that was but it was on the far right basically now people like John Cornyn and others are saying you know what we need to do that for a while to get everybody's.
Head cleared out we should do that that -- -- where you want.
What are you talking about -- prioritizing which the federal government has not done for not just years but decades.
Our priorities are not straight so what we're -- hear in this debt limit that debate.
It ended extending and -- that it is ceiling.
Is well OK -- in our district in particular where our demo skews a little older well no one's gonna get their Social Security protects our troops are not going to be paid.
And that's why there has been legislation in the past that I -- you do whatever I can't export to co -- to make sure that we prioritize correctly what the federal government needs to do in terms of meeting goes obligations you're talking about right now.
Big mini 323 and that's a pretty rough sounding man if I were you all right and I would I would I would answer honestly Chris asked the freshman that's what will he do the first time -- leader says you do me a favor and -- do you.
-- -- Happy to have a relationship with anybody into it Democrats may come to -- and asked would you do me this favor.
I'm a guy who sticks by my principles in my values and I am a conservative Republican.
Again I'm not just here to say.
No to everything or yes to everything like I ran my own business I will decide what is best.
Through my principles and values for this country and I'll decide that -- Italian treat these didn't.
I'm in congress were very short time so far that's we can get it right it is that's good but nobody has come to me and said anything like.
You better do -- -- you won't get this committee are to be kind of cool if they did OK yeah I really every bit.
Story right of every car.
Now the my what I wrote about -- -- she -- and probably adds these are all on Twitter.
It was a proposal that's coming in Senate Budget Committee that says if you -- debt ceiling increase you can talk about the cuts in the house Republicans can hash out what cuts they want an exchange.
But Jeff Sessions into the Republican in the senate says one condition.
You must pass a budget the senate must pass a budget which they have not done in 1350.
-- -- -- -- -- but who's who's -- what do you think of that -- I like Vietnam it in -- that way to get it gives us something tangible level.
What you also bring up here though is that they're just how ridiculous.
Some of the national media outlets and and pundits have covered what's been happening over the past few years.
They keep saying that this is all the Republicans -- in the House of Representatives.
Look.
The Republicans -- -- -- said we're the only ones who are coming up with tangible plans in a budget in sync here you go.
Deal with it even if you just want to give us a counteroffer do something but things in the senate go there to die and that's very unfortunate.
Congressman -- riddle we are we welcome you to Washington grieving -- you have as much fun as is possible and allowable here in the nation's capital.
Thanks for being -- thank you.
Okay Internet no power points today so that you could get to know the congressman sorry will be back tomorrow with more raw excellence of that nature and now.
As we'd like to do every day we want to leave you with the word from our friend Charles.
Look.
It seems to me with debater interview that the Republican leadership is finally -- understand.
-- some of us have been arguing you know for four years Barack Obama has zero interest in cutting spending.
Churchill once said and I did not go become that -- the kings' first.
Minister to preside over the liquidation of the British empire Obama said he had not.
Become president of the United States to preside over the liquidation of the welfare state.
Or the contraction of it and we saw it in his actions.
