Fox News
Expand
Browse All Video
Watch Live

You're watching...

Power Play 1/11/2013

Details

  • Description

    Defense cuts, Lew pick casts doubts on budget deal & private gun sales under scrutiny

  • Duration 24:12
  • Date

Clips

Also in this playlist...

Editor's Picks

Auto-advance: ON

Auto-advance
View All

Transcript

This transcript is automatically generated

And bats is a pretty cool aircraft the F 35 the next generation joint strike fighter.

And this is power play and I'm Chris Farrell and happy Friday actually no time -- so you know it's Friday were having were having extra fun today.

I hear on the dominant Internet political telecast of the 1130 half hour.

And the question is this that is -- mightily expensive plane and it's only gotten more expensive is they've tried to do it.

By the military has a lot of projects that they would like to see completed including that one.

But defense cuts have already begun.

And in March we have something called the sequester.

Which are automatic cuts to the Pentagon that would go into effect of the deal is not -- to -- that.

So what does this mean for the military.

What are the political role ramifications of this and what are the political possibilities.

Of changing the way that these cuts are being implemented and will be implement -- -- you know I could not think -- a better person to answer all three of those questions dangerous aspect.

Just -- that was.

Most importantly for this discussion and admiral in the United States navy but he also was a congressman from the great commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

There's also the democratic nominee.

For the United States senate in Pennsylvania in 2010910.

Nine and -- Welcome cars.

Did you increase okay great topic yeah there was that certainly one you should know you should have that when London would -- did and lived when it comes to defense procurement.

And expenditure you should know so.

President Obama in nominating Chuck Hagel -- Republican.

Former Republican senator from Nebraska.

Who what the president talked about was that.

-- would have the ability because of his experience in the private sector.

Military service in time in the senate.

To effect good reductions in military -- -- Liberals aren't exactly happy about -- as the choice they would have like -- Democrat.

But certainly many of them are warming to the idea of having somebody who knows the turf go in there and be doing the cut.

He he's a great choice for exactly what you brought up.

First -- -- it's a strategy I can remember three days -- -- just senator -- money going to the Middle East as we talked about this area among others.

We have to recognize that we have to shift their focus to the western Pacific as we becomes do with an emerging China.

We -- we still have to address the global war on terror file larger strategy Chris is still based upon building a force posture based upon two major regional conflicts.

The last couple decades Iraq.

Which is now over.

And defending South Korea it's a totally different strategic approach second to your point of what you picture of that.

Future warfare isn't -- now how many anymore.

It's about knowledge do you actually know -- didn't -- in -- -- can you find those thirteen 87 Marines China we only have fifty.

He's content needles in -- haystack but do you use this new technology and knowledge to personify that base and the South China Sea and find him.

If we can have a more cost efficient and effective military and third is what he really -- Is having experience Vietnam personally.

And understanding from his senate days in the foreign intelligence advisory board that when you bring our nation to war which -- -- -- time it's.

That you -- cost with the benefits and ensure that the cost is worth the benefit and I think those three areas he will bring to -- stewardship of this defense.

Now this sequestered which was -- Only in congress.

-- this -- it's -- and these were automatic cuts that were designed to be so draconian.

So onerous and they fall across the board -- federal spending but with that -- -- can't -- towards the Pentagon and they are supposed to in the language of the law.

Fall -- they're supposed to they're supposed to be across the board cuts in the Pentagon.

To prevent the Defense Department basically from sacrificing one thing in order to keep spending and everything else so these were designed.

So that hawks -- the Republican hawks would be motivated to do a deal on taxes and spending.

To avoid them.

Well they did a deal on taxes.

This spending part hasn't been addressed yet and the sequester -- and John Boehner says told Wall Street Journal Stephen Moore with the Wall Street Journal.

That he's going to negotiate on the sequester and that may be.

He'll let it go into place that this surprised a lot of people yes because.

The purpose of the -- -- Boehner first arranged it would be that it would be so terrible Republicans wouldn't let it happen.

-- -- over time it's quite harmful because what you bring up instead of ending a system that might be Cold War system they just take a cut across everything.

But there is that a time Chris because within the fifty billion it's going to occur this year most of it is in research and development and procurement.

Those bills are actually paid before year's period of time only 15% of that will actually be spent this year.

So I think you have a little bit of time here to negotiate.

But here's the key if we continue to build systems that aren't useful -- future warriors -- shifting money rightly.

Night.

Everyone talks on accountability spending Defense Department has to look itself didn't O'Meara -- I -- the -- 350 billion dollar procurement warfare development programs.

We had a costing for example in 2005.

For an aircraft carrier.

There's eleven billion dollars expenses for the -- -- that Cosby right internal problem working with industry was 35% yet.

Would you have gone and bought a car.

With a car -- say.

20000 have to pay.

But it probably 35% right we need to do a better type of accountability within our own system that's 20000 any Defense Department at 350 billion dollars of cost overruns.

We need to make sure we do this well we have our own waste but make sure also -- the right systems sequestration has been fixed.

Well the the Contra point of view that is put forward like -- put forward all the time but people in the military and and probably not surprised when -- military contractors.

Is this the consequences of failure -- so great.

In the military that yeah we overspend yet we missed the mark yet -- slush.

But the consequences of failure -- so great that it's not like any other kind of spending that we do there is going to be overrun there is going to be some ways but that's a necessary safeguard against scarcity.

That's one argument -- night rightly agreed partly where we are right correctly conservative in the military because if we get it wrong our nation's most important.

Aspect is is is damaged which is our security.

But on the other hand if you are sending as we did our Marines -- soldiers in Iraq.

Without the type of mine resistant vehicles because they didn't fit the strategy of what you want because -- -- tanks that we useless.

-- actually can harm our individual so for example.

When you have 350 billion dollars in cost overruns.

-- asked BP partly by your -- -- -- and asking congress for more money.

What -- taken out of other systems.

And so.

If we have better intelligence and knowledge capability.

Rather than an extra submarine if we knew where all the suffering we knew where everybody is in that South China Sea -- embolism is a small little listening devices.

Maybe that's better than just keep it Cold War industrial complex -- only.

That build another to -- so those -- judgments I think that senator hagel from his business background he is.

I'm a little I -- -- -- strong defense but.

I'm not gonna be a full -- futurity you know that's how he is from the stays in the -- he's about the enlisted who is the backbone of our military being enlisted itself.

-- -- now the the last thing is as we look at in this is to broaden out from just defenseman.

As we look at what's going on in congress today yes we see the sequester perhaps is the best example of dysfunction.

And actually one of many one of the best fit but is it very clear one and security yet and it and it relates to national security.

What do you do from looking back now now that you -- out of the and -- that -- out of the business.

Or at least for now you're -- -- business.

As you look back what do you do to fix it so that.

It can be so that congress can at least functions for the Democrats and Republicans can at least function and do their urge their basic job which is things like making a budget.

For example have leadership and courage look he was laid out pretty darn well.

By the Simpson Bowles commission that what we needed to handle this debt.

That is weighing us down.

Week is four trillion dollars of debt reduction we got one trillion dollars are -- on caps on discretionary spending.

The people Simpson Bowles commission said.

That to President Obama and a speaker Boehner who came very close to principled compromise which they have to do is.

For every two dollars in spending reductions and entitlement reform which we -- -- 60% of our budget is based on entitlements.

We need one dollar in tax revenues.

Coming and fighting for that and not worry about the loss of your job and doing what's right is what's needed is pure and simple it's just courageous leadership.

Simple but difficult perhaps is the admiral has many things and just -- we thank you very much anxious -- -- have a great weekend okay.

We're going to take a quick break but when we come back.

We'll talk to all of -- -- friends your top -- about this question and you'll like it.

With Jack -- having been tapped to run the treasury now.

-- this mean it is less likely in fact that we will have any kind of deal and budget and taxes.

Hint hint probably yes so is that correct.

President Clinton he presided over three budget surpluses in a row.

So for all the talk out there about.

Deficit reduction.

Making -- books are balanced.

-- the guy who did it.

Three times.

And he has consistently and deliberately misrepresented.

The facts on the president's plan as the budget director -- for the president.

That was you know that guy Barack Obama president of the United States announcing jetBlue Jacob Lew is chief of staff to be the 76.

Secretary of the United States treasury the old Hamilton desk.

And he was followed by Jeff Sessions he's a Republican.

From Alabama.

Who is the ranking Republican on the Senate Budget Committee.

And he is essentially calling Jack -- a liar.

He says he lied under oath about what the president's budget set concessions things that that ought to be disqualifying.

And this is power play now we talked to the first segment about the -- riled -- Of Republicans and pro Israel and Jewish American Democrats as -- relates to Chuck Hagel.

Gay groups were upset there have been a lot of as -- would say a lot of loud noises.

Have been being made about -- But here's my supposition my supposition is that the fight over Lou.

And his nomination to be secretary treasury crucial post right now is going to be the Miguel it's going to be the big deal here in Washington.

Here to test my assumptions and tell me if I'm wrong -- I'm right and I promise I'll listen because she's Smart.

She's experienced he's well read and she's fair minded -- -- -- -- she's -- roll call.

Welcome back thanks -- -- Michelle okay here we go now here's the question.

Jack blue.

Is not much like his predecessor.

And he's not much like his predecessors predecessor -- his predecessors predecessors predecessor.

Normally what we see in secretaries treasury.

Is somebody who is.

-- has more of a business or academic finance or economics background.

Who then is making a foray into politics and you -- Geithner was president New York Federal Reserve.

You saw before that Hank Paulson who was basically -- Wall Street embodied.

And so you'd normally have that Lou is somebody who took -- show journal.

In finance and minimum moment -- a money making the case it's really.

It was -- if he would if -- earned like that for every year of his life it would be pretty sweet.

But he is definitely a creature of Washington and has been here since he was knee high to appropriations bill working for.

Bella Abzug if you if you really like and it isn't.

Here's a look at the big -- But.

He's a creature of Washington.

And Republicans really don't like him what's gonna happen now that the -- roll.

Obviously Republicans it now -- chance to respond to his nomination the president is officially.

-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- More concerned -- -- Republicans the RNC's press chop -- was churning this morning with a tax on little Joseph -- yeah.

-- don't know the group -- easier.

We get your email.

Anyways so I think you'll see this kind of played a dominant role in the news cycle for the next couple days there will be very interesting to see what happens to -- -- nomination in the meantime.

Generally.

Presidential confirmations.

To -- -- there's usually only an appetite for one major fight.

Especially given everything else that's going on Washington this isn't exactly -- time this -- not -- right now.

On Capitol Hill with the sequestration coming up in the debt ceiling -- I think the appetite is even smaller for a big confirmation -- -- -- talking amongst sentenced senators and talking among voters they don't want as he watched him fall.

Yeah I guess -- But and this is why I've argued that.

A goal that -- will fight the may not be the appetite -- able to the Mac apps.

But on Lou this comes at a moment.

We are facing.

Right now like nasty.

Susan Garrity who worked for the Fox Business channel calls it the -- cliff because it's gonna all take place around Saint Patrick's Day.

As stacking up that the continuing resolution that's funding the government and the absence of the budget.

And the sequester.

-- there and then you have the debt ceiling which is going to were already we've already hit the debt ceiling the treasury for a period of time and continuing his money around.

So you have like this triple blasts.

-- -- -- -- And putting -- forward Luke was a controversial figure who Republicans they deceive them.

And said that he has not been an honest broker in their negotiations he's gone up several times negotiate with Republicans say he's not been an honest broker.

And they think he's liberal and ideological that wouldn't this be if there was ever a moment.

That you're gonna have a real fight over Treasury Secretary would it be Jack -- in the weeks leading up to this fiscal crisis.

Right and I think another thing Republicans on Capitol -- really don't like about Jack -- is not only that he's a Washington insider -- that he's an Obama insider.

-- this really reinforces this evolving narrative about Obama's appointments worries no longer going with a team of rivals different ideas he's going with all of its own guys.

On boys little club around him that.

Boys -- indeed.

Yes indeed analysts there's a lot of it is always it is always funny to me when one political flavor or the other gets wasted on its own petard.

Democrats love and -- diversity and we always talk about diversity and Barack Obama is.

Is hooked on white dudes older white -- for all the athletic administration the Clinton administration.

For the key cabinet post and then to get to the -- like but for commerce it's a woman we -- get ladies for commerce and here she comes.

And it's always funny as -- I would caution and I would echo what Charles said on the panel last night and -- is it's always dangerous for either party.

To engage in.

Too much bashing on something they disagree with Republicans say diversity is not a value -- unto itself.

So if they'd yell at the president about diversity -- they -- diversity for its own sake is a good thing.

Right well I'd be very surprised at this point of the secretary of labor appointee to us succeed helped us -- -- is not a woman.

I mean it.

And -- thank you better be Hispanic yes yeah.

Had better days I had better be amazingly -- not apply right exactly and Gaza will march on the White House right and there's actually only been one -- mail to hold that post since the Reagan administration.

-- kind of yeah some it's ladies night over at the Labor Department it's cool it's cool wanna.

-- will withhold any joke about childbearing.

Right now have.

And share we thank you very much for your time and generosity and good insight.

Absolutely think you're having.

-- -- Internet -- take a quick break but when we come back we'll talk about what I know you wanted to talk about the hold on but I need to wait until -- into the show which is guns gun control and vice president Biden's suggestion that the time has come.

Four background checks on private gun sales.

If you live in New York you probably wonder why that would be a big deal but if you -- to live and say -- West Virginia you would probably know why that was a big deal as you may or may not have given or received a gun is a present a Christmas present.

I have.

So we'll talk about that when we come back -- stick around.

-- back checks.

Not just close the gun show loophole.

-- universal background checks including private sales.

And that was vice president Joseph Biden again scaring the jeepers out of gun owners and gun rights advocates across the country.

Ahead of -- meeting that he had with the NRA and other gun rights groups.

Saying the universal background checks and this is power -- now as I said before if you lived on the upper west side of Manhattan.

Universal background -- sounds pretty good like he got -- got -- should you get your background check.

But if you lived in rural America and you gave traded and sold and guns were part of the economy of your life.

That if you had several bought and sold them traded them with friends gave them to loved ones the idea of having to go to the government to get a background check before you did that.

Is going to make these people.

They re angry it is going to make these people theory angry.

And they say the gun rights groups say they won't do anything to affect the kind of mass shootings that we are supposed to be trying to avoid.

Will it stick.

Will it be implemented.

What will happen what are the consequences you know who probably knows if he doesn't he probably will take lies in the -- The idea is a former Press Secretary to Roy Blunt when he was the -- for the house Republicans.

And he is a principal.

Which doesn't do with education is a -- just sounds -- Principal story partners which is -- firm shop.

Public a public relations -- relations and then you wouldn't mind if somebody listened to you about let's sit and it would be okay.

As straight murders here in DC that makes him a Republican.

So immense welcome thank you very much.

All right I won't ask you if you have a gun to your from Alabama.

So there's a decent chance that you know people who have done these people with guns -- with guns yes and you probably know people who like me have received guns for Christmas presents and all kinds of things like that so that the question.

Is this.

None of the guns that were in.

Any of the recent mass shootings were purchased through private sales.

These were not bought from a person these -- either bought from a gun show our guns to work.

Were purchased or or in one case that it was that his mother's gun that he took from the home.

Why would I can bring this it makes people it makes people in Alabama.

Positively.

Angry just angry and so now growing up in Alabama is around guns living in DC now I do not have one -- my home he's been you end up like David Gregory is.

Well what's gonna happen I don't know I'm not ask in the end.

I I think what's interesting is if you look at this is actually see what's the White House and did they just gonna have an executive order they gonna try to do this with congress you know they've been sitting down with the -- with other sites.

But is this something they're gonna rammed through like obamacare again or is it going to be you know we've seen with the EPA regulations they're just from a hi this is what we're gonna do.

We don't care is text jobs and -- wanna look into this so I think that's what's going to be the most serious.

-- and this is what I'm trying to figure out -- even if he is so light.

Is the idea here to precipitate some epic battle with big gun rights groups I mean is this and is this -- antagonism -- What's what is the thinking behind this are they trying to bring out -- fight what what's the point.

I think if you look at this White House they always -- politics I think where they're gonna try to do.

Have position have descended agree with that position and they're gonna try to train regulate the house Republican -- say here's the obstructionist and we could get this done.

I think what they're doing now is trying to pick a fight with the American public get both sides riled up.

So that when this does come down they can say house Republicans are standing in the way the American people must do I think it's -- total political move on their.

Already have a hockey for that their speeches in the in the computer they can just push you -- just put that in there and mr.

experimental actually happy to be here have a good weekend.

And I forgot to tell you that if you follow me on Twitter at -- -- You can have this in much more convenient digital -- -- my power -- credit every day for you whether I'm wearing a -- or not isn't quite content view Internet.

And I want you to have something from me each morning.

And I wrote about this day and what the folks in Alabama and West Virginia and every place else think about the idea that their Christmas present might be subject to a psychological background check.

So you should read and now.

Wolf.

Next will be on Jonathan Hunt who is back right place to -- and -- like she -- 12 o'clock eastern hour.

But before you get there how about.

Some power appoints them.

-- points today Republicans on defense.

And that they always.

First PowerPoint slaughter of the sacred cows that defense sequestered that's coming up in March as part of the -- cliff.

Is indeed something that was designed by Republicans be so terrible.

That they would never let it go into place and that they would be forced to raise taxes -- they let taxes go up anyway and still it balloons.

And this gets us to the second PowerPoint which is fiscal hawks vs defense talks.

The Republican Party is increasingly but there's a lot of talk about the divisions in the Republican Party.

But the biggest divide when you get right down to it doesn't have anything to do with whether -- Tea Party you're not where you are establishment or whatever else but what's a greater priority for you was a Republican.

This fiscal state of the country war funding the military because it's getting pretty clear and a lot of Republicans and now for the first time it sounds like John Boehner.

Are open to the idea of letting the defense cuts start to go into effect if that's what it takes.

In order to get deep spending cuts that's.

We hear -- that's different that's not what we're used to so here's your third PowerPoint changing times changing party.

Republicans increasingly cents.

That -- -- best brand is as the party of fiscal restraint that they've got that that people are talking about foreign policy issues as much as -- as they were in the past.

In the more libertarian flavor -- Republicans.

I think that they have -- path forward.

Let's say that those your -- points for Friday we hope you have a fantastic weekend and enjoy yourself.

And we'll be back with you here on Monday so now.

As we like to do every day.

We want to leave you with the word.

From our friend Charles.

And it looks as if the binder of women that Obama ordered up -- extremely fit or perhaps it was empty when he got it.

But I -- -- only one point you should make on this.

Which is the obvious hypocrisy of the Democrats who pretended they would attribute women against those nasty Republicans.

Who are making a war on women and Romney who would have posted.

Policeman in front of pharmacies that would prevent any woman.

From getting a contraceptive.

So it's a matter of hypocrisy but on the principle.

I think Republicans and conservatives should never ever count -- -- race or gender.

It's against where our country is and the sooner it's abolished and the sooner people even notice there's.

The healthier country open.

Load More