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Power Play 1/14/2013

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    Chris Stirewalt and guests on the nomination two-step and government shutdown looming

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And that.

Is a bunch of White House correspondents thinking of stuff to say about what President Obama is going to say when he comes out.

This morning to make a brief statement and to take some questions from the press and this is power play.

And guess what Internet here's the deal -- president today is going to come out and say certainly something about the debt -- he's probably not going to say let's do a big deal.

And it cut -- bargain that will.

Make everybody happy he's probably going to say I expect congress to raise the sixteen point four trillion dollar debt ceiling unconditionally.

That as a matter of good governance and its economic stewardship of the congress needs to go ahead and do that.

That is don't be surprised.

Very certain to make Republicans hopping mad because they believe.

That more borrowing should come with cuts.

So we'll talk about that we'll talk about.

The president and his effort to try to get Republicans to give him a debt ceiling increase unconditionally we will talk about.

Now increasingly likely it seems like shut -- of the federal government or at least about 35% of it.

Talk about those things but we'll have a panel have power points will be a Monday -- I guarantee you that Internet -- Monday frolic.

And -- -- it will be so frolic some.

Or any more -- them then you getting to know Robert -- he is the Washington editor.

For the national review which is it.

Important conservative magazine very important -- the flagship magazine don't tell -- said that but the longer the Blogosphere today we're friendly with the weekly standard friendly with the weekly standard than a competition cut down -- -- fights they're gang confrontations and once a month but certainly a big deal.

And what this means is that Robert is a good reporter but he also has a special insight on the mind of conservative -- So Robert here's the question I want will get to the debts and stuff I promise but we got like -- month to talk about that and -- shut down box.

But right now Republicans don't like.

Either of the president's big nominees that are running right now Jack -- who is his chief of staff the White -- what he wants replace Tim Geithner treasury.

And Chuck Hagel former Republican former senator from Nebraska.

Who he'd like to replace Leon Panetta.

Are the Republicans can they usually you can't have more than one successful blockade of a nominee at the same time history says that it's hard to keep up more than one.

Which one of them do you think is more likely to be blockaded by Republicans.

It's the one is more likely be Buckley -- is probably the most unlikely person.

Because you think a Republican senator former Republican -- like Chuck Hagel -- perhaps glide through the senate confirmation process.

But it seems like Jack loot the treasury nominee he's getting Republican opposition but remember he's already been confirmed to be president Obama's budget director yeah.

That I don't see I see Republicans from what I'm here in the capital raising more over rockets about illegal.

His views on the Middle East his views in Israel than they are about Lou they don't like that -- got a big bonus when he was at Citigroup they don't like -- who has been.

Partisan figure within many of the fiscal negotiations.

But -- hit eagle if his relationship with the Republican Party especially some of his former colleagues is very prickly.

Did they they do not like him there is no question about that but it is also true.

That Lou who was a party to these negotiations.

With Republicans over the last two years on debt deficit spending etc.

etc.

Is they don't trust -- they don't like him.

And also this is going to happen.

With these three stepped clips that we're currently facing as it relates to the debt ceiling as it relates the continuing resolution -- the government in the absence of -- budget.

And -- automatic cuts to defense of the programs.

That's great point I think -- much of Republicans don't like -- clue that doesn't mean that the real reason he's gonna fail in the confirmation process but -- -- you're right faced a lot of opposition not just from Republicans but from Democrats.

The very cost about is it about his spending is well like you know true that I think dude is a solid shot hammer out there and it has this hit Eagles coming to Capitol Hill this week to meet with Chuck Schumer today seed here -- senior senator from New York.

Try to assuage some of his concerns because Democrats have concerns as well let people's view on Israel and there are a lot of the concerns about the.

-- is taking care of right at the beginning is that you say.

That he he comes out and he goes -- business it's no coincidence he started with Charles Schumer for sure that you go in and state senator.

I said some things in the heat of the moment I'm sorry my support for Israel -- steadfast it will be and still retain their absolutely great the first statement he makes when he is doing his testimony.

It's to talk about how he loves Israel and it's our great democratic ally in the Middle East and in the -- -- and consumerism and all of the Jewish American Democrats.

Pro Israel Democrat and I'll say well I'm satisfied that he made the right noises right exact.

-- and one of the other things working and he Eagles fever is that his narrative is his biography is stories and infantry men.

In Vietnam this really appeals to a lot of senators in both sides and they want to be able to go home perhaps to make the case they enabled an infantry man to be the first secretary of defense.

So -- has compelling story even though the politics in Washington -- little messy.

All right I'm get a hold.

Power plays of this and you can tell me that I'm crazy -- and I'm going to hold that the timing of lose nominate with the president.

Who is any minute now when you go out onstage and say I demand.

If you increase the debt ceiling.

And I'm not going to give you any cuts to do it president's taking very hardline subtleties fiscal issues the Republicans seems -- the voters I talk to her like government -- heck yeah let's have a little government shutdown.

My focus people's thinking I would it just makes sense to me that on the fiscal side.

Not all Republicans are defense talks but they're all fiscal hawks right some most of them fiscal license.

But you're right you get the sense among Republicans especially in the house that they're itching for a -- -- They -- I -- shut down the government and cause a lot of political chaos but they wanna have leverage they want to get the spending cuts one of the key things on watching.

As a conservative reporter is that so many house Republicans -- disappointed by how the fiscal cliff flat.

They they believe they gave up too much and so -- they're going to actually -- -- Virginia this week they're having their annual house Republican retreat techies -- resort.

And I expect coming out of that immediately staff that's very nice that it's very nice resort lots of -- a lot of good golf -- -- members would playing golf.

But they're gonna settle down and Eric come up with some kind of strategy in the debt ceiling I think they're gonna have a hard -- he's coming out his meeting because they wanna they don't get burned but they -- on the -- Okay now when we look at.

How these nominations go.

Are there.

When we.

Talk about John -- state he seems like he's healthy and -- enemy is a member of the senate club.

Everyone knows him in the senate he's not a problem and unlike hagel he did not -- -- he did not as he was leaving the club -- -- on anybody's -- Got a problem because she can't leave -- she talks about bad guys right.

That's right and she will testify and and -- do -- all reporting.

Leads -- to believe that that is there today the issue but I think -- eventually will step down she will testify named Ozzie that's not gonna.

Preclude -- stopper from stepping down John -- will coast into that position.

-- And last thing.

Brennan.

The president says -- for CIA any potential -- for him.

I think I look at -- and look at look at Jack -- and a sense that goes up.

Republicans are going to be -- locally -- close to Brennan on numerous fronts and how he handled certain national security issues.

But in the end I think they're going to vote to confirm them because this is not a huge issue overhanging the nomination that's gonna stop it from happening.

Right this is one where -- loud noises and it is that's very loud noises and people say things and then in the end.

The president gets his way to you just think I'm crazy so it exactly -- -- could get background before you -- I.

Think you're crazy -- don't -- the noises that that you've seen an eagle Republicans are really making noise and -- and the way to not do not Lou right now but -- generally what we know congress is.

You always is generally the precursor to a deal happening.

It is silent it is ominous and scary silence when thankful for -- will say Robert knows what he's probably right Yeltsin -- -- Jonah -- keeps the whiskey for in in town so he's he's the -- to -- Robert we thank you for making conference that thinking about doing follow and that Robert -- And -- -- that's on you Twitter.

-- -- -- that okay so we're gonna take a quick break after I tell you what you think Internet big -- 323 -- who else.

Obama is gonna answer questions who thinks he's gonna answer truthfully or just tell you what he thinks you want to hear about.

Big -- 323 that's the new standard we're -- for politics things are gonna get weird in a big hurry if all this truth telling is to occur.

Johnny -- -- -- the answer these questions in public in a hearing okay.

Brian.

In a surrender of near dictatorial powers to him and that Internet mr.

Conway points out.

Is why.

Government shut down get your government shutdown -- all oiled up because we.

We may be going to need him the president is starting his remarks right now.

And of course if you want to watch that you can watch them Fox News Channel and stay with us here put that up or.

You can go over to watch -- streaming here at foxnews.com we can do all sorts of stuff for you just because we're we're kind of -- Internet.

-- -- -- a quick break but when we come back.

Or congressman Bill Archer a Republican from the Ways and Means Committee we'll talk to us about that government shut down about impasse about tax policy about all those things that just delight in typical use so much about -- Monday morning.

Sister program.

Talents and responsible way.

And for nearly two years now I've been fighting for such a plan.

When that would reduce our deficits by four trillion dollars over the next decade which would stabilize our debt.

And our deficit in a sustainable way for the next decade.

That would be enough not only to stop the growth of our debt -- the size of our economy but it would make it manageable.

So doesn't crowd out the investments we need to.

Making people and education and job training in science and medical -- all the things that help us well.

-- step by step we've made progress towards that goal.

Over the past two years I've signed into law about one point four trillion dollars in spending cuts.

Two weeks ago I signed into law more than 600 billion dollars in new revenue by making sure the wealthiest Americans begin to pay their fair share.

When you add the money the will save an interest payments on the debt.

Altogether that adds up to a total of about 2.5.

Trillion dollars in deficit reduction over the past two years.

Not counting the 400 billion dollars already saved from winding down wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

So we've made progress.

We are moving towards our ultimate goal of getting to four trillion dollar reduction up.

And there will be more deficit reduction when congress decides what to do about the one point two trillion dollars in automatic spending cuts that.

Have been pushed off until next month -- The fact is though we can't finish the job of deficit reduction through spending cuts along.

The cuts we've already made to priorities other than Medicare Medicaid social security and -- Mean that we spend.

On everything from education to public safety.

Less as a share of our economy.

Than it has then has been trooper generation.

And that's not a recipe for broke.

So we've got to do more -- to stabilize our finances over the medium and long term.

But also spur more growth in the short term.

I've said I've I'm open to making modest adjustments to programs like Medicare to protect them for future generations.

I've also says that we need more revenue.

Through tax reform by closing loopholes and our tax -- for the wealthiest Americans.

If we combined a balanced package of savings from spending on health care and revenues from closing loopholes.

We can solve the -- -- issue without sacrificing.

Our investments in things like education that are gonna help us grow.

-- -- -- -- And that.

Is President Obama laying down his marker on the looming fight over the debt ceiling which is the congressional authorization for more borrowing.

And this is power play what you heard the president there saying was we need to continue to invest.

Which is -- -- spending.

That we need to continue to invest in things and we can't cut more now places we've already made too many cuts are or as many cuts as we should make.

As it is and he's not going to let himself get tied up in -- negotiation about cuts in exchange for increasing the debt ceiling.

That is and bold play.

From the president as Republicans are itching for a fight on this subject.

So guess what Internet we have for you today somebody who probably has a better insight on this.

Then almost anybody I can think -- now it's Bill Archer he's a former congressman.

From -- lone star state of Texas but his special expertise was in taxation and revenue because he was the chairman of the house ways and means.

Need for a good little while.

Congressman it will also had jurisdiction over -- misconduct.

And don't that's always fun.

So we're right in the middle of all of these fiscal issues when I was in the congress.

And one of -- great achievements.

As far as I'm concerned was getting the budget balanced in 1997.

And creating a surplus.

Are worried tremendously about what we're passing on to our children -- grandchildren.

It's unsustainable.

Now -- in terms of maybe you can start.

And just explain to us.

When it comes to the debt limit back when you were doing what you were doing.

And balancing those which is always nice by the way to have a booming economy it's a balanced budgets are a lot and help more hateful you have -- booming in Galilee and we also we're not spending as much on a lot of gifts for years.

Well did that's right spending -- spending is up the economy's down.

That makes the task difficult begin with the back in those days the debt ceiling Democrats always talk about this that the debt ceiling was just attached to.

Spending bills so that the increase in the debt ceiling was run concurrent with the new spending that -- say the budget's gonna call for this much spending so we got to raise the debt ceiling.

-- they -- was very matter of fact.

And that the Republicans are doing something new and mean and evil.

Now -- trying to get the president to negotiate.

Well it wasn't part of the budget.

Look we voted on the budget and we knew what the deficits we're gonna be and we granted the budget authority.

To increase the debt to accommodate.

-- hand and that's OK idea until you forget about.

How you're spending is going to increase deficits and increase -- -- dramatically.

And that.

That's encased it.

And now we don't have budgets either that may well that's -- -- precisely and look what senate hadn't passed a budget in three and a half years.

So there's been no real opportunity to talk about the debt ceiling in conjunction with these spending.

That's going out.

We've got 101000 people retiring every day eat -- and that's increasing the entitlement spending dramatically and that -- not been accounted for.

Now the president today as I met taxes and we heard Mitch McConnell and other Republicans say.

You got a tax increase you -- your tax increase on top earners -- payroll tax holiday's over.

You've got new taxes for your health care law.

Enough taxes now let's talk about spending the president's -- -- saying we need to talk about taxes again.

And what he's looking for it sounds like mr.

chairman is that the rate -- that he got before now he wants to add to that would what John Boehner was offering at the beginning which was to close loopholes to have rates go up.

In terms of what Republicans want to do vs what Democrats want to do Republicans want to.

They always say flat in -- they want yes -- -- -- closing -- but they're looking for revenue neutrality the president pretty clearly wants more money.

Does though a simpler tax code result in more revenues if it does it spur economic growth if you simplify the tax base.

Can't if it's done right.

But again that depends on the escalators and what they say will occur -- -- if they they give you growth and you get more revenue through growth.

And clearly -- -- simpler fairer tax code can do that.

-- It is very very difficult to get to a balanced budget simply -- taxing.

I wrote an article for the Wall Street Journal not too far back.

Would say and that her real dad is not sixteen billion whose duties it is more like 86 -- you and you lose my morning.

86 point six billion dollars the chairman pointed out and I almost spit my coffee output but then also if they read the rest of it.

If you tax a 100% of corporate earnings and individual earnings above 200000 dollars you can't get enough to pay this much.

So taxes are not the answer.

We've got to get into the spending and that's the most difficult thing to do politically but it is every one -- one -- pork.

Is another as much needed.

Expenditure and one man's waist is another man's investment.

And something that we noticed that is always if saying is Americans hardline Republicans -- -- this a lot -- firm once -- -- -- cuts cuts you are better than taxes.

That's until you say what are you gonna cut it precisely because -- -- yeah we should cut the Defense Department.

And conservatives say -- we should cut social programs and getting good agreement on what to cut ism is a bear.

Well I think we've got personally think we've got to look at the entire federal budget and I don't think anything can be exempt.

But I only say cut.

It has a different connotation than what's actually happening because it all relates to what's the baseline is in the baseline assumes increased spending.

And if you cut the baseline and you may actually be increasing spending but it's called -- cut.

Yeah exactly where this spending goes up.

We call it cut and the president when he talks about this money he segment that and also he talks about money that accounts to cut that is not being spent fighting the war in Iraq.

Where we haven't been for a year and a half but.

You know its budget season do you miss it.

I'm not -- I believe you you sound like a sane person so I believe you that that you don't miss it a bit.

But we appreciate you -- First thank you missiles harbor.

We well we know so they're always the American people really took -- don't -- the facts as we go forward and would be concerned about it.

I think I think there is a -- -- sense that something is terribly wrong I don't know that they know exactly what it is but I think there is that growing.

-- deepening sense okay here's what you say -- 59 says.

The choir.

Prince he's press in front of him the president.

He preaches is form of the truth lies -- -- to campaign 50% in the United States could care less what he says it happens are finally buys everything he says pointless.

What she's -- 59 you're not exactly brightening my day here haven't -- that depressants.

Chairman archer told me that didn't actually 86 point six trillion dollars not sixty point four.

And my -- -- very funny and we like very much.

-- is this on Twitter Chris why watch Obama win.

Win if he says anything we need to know Brett -- -- covered on special report.

I didn't -- those -- my words do those words could be accurate but those are not my -- -- did -- say that OK we're gonna take a quick break but when we come back we're gonna talk about where people stand on the issue of gun control what is public opinion really.

On the subject we'll talk about it with people when we come back.

-- -- -- Keeping.

These magazine clips with high capacity.

Out of the hands of folks we shouldn't have them.

An assault weapons -- has meaningful.

That those are things I continue to believe.

Make sense that OK well what what what all of them get through this congress.

I don't know but.

What what's uppermost in my mind is making sure that -- honest with the American people.

And -- members of congress about what I think will work.

What I think it is is something that will make a difference and to repeat what I said earlier if if if there is a step we can take that will save even one child.

From what happened in new -- we should take that stuff.

All.

For them to be -- later in the week.

-- -- NBC.

As you know senate Democrats Harry Reid's actual letter and begging you essentially to take considers some sort of executive action.

On this desk issue.

-- -- you're negotiating.

-- administration has ruled out the various ideas and after the fourteenth amendment but just this morning.

One of the house democratic leadership.

Ask you to use the fourteenth amendment -- that sometimes that's what things he brought against major proclamation.

As for the executive action when congress would -- And he compared to debt -- to that so are you considering -- plan.

The and if not what.

Well -- -- The issue here is whether or not.

America pays its bills.

We are not a deadbeat nation.

And so that there's a very simple solution to this.

Congress authorizes us.

To.

Pay our bills.

Now if the house and the senate.

Want to give me the authority so that they don't have to.

Take these tough votes.

If they want to put the responsibility on me -- raise -- debt -- -- that would take it.

Mitch McConnell the Republican leader in the senate had a proposal like that last year.

And I'm happy to accept it but if they want to keep this responsibility than they need to go ahead and get it done.

And the other there are -- Magic tricks and there are no loopholes there are no.

You know easy outs.

This is a matter of congress.

Authorizes spending.

They ordered me to spent.

They tell me.

You need do.

Fund our Defense Department at such and such a level.

You need to send -- Social Security checks.

You need to make sure that you are paying to care for -- -- They lay all this -- -- And because they have the spending power and so I am.

Require by law.

To go ahead and pay these belts.

Separately they also have to authorize -- raising of the debt ceiling in order to make sure those bills are paid.

And so what congress can do is.

Tell me just spend acts.

And then say but we're not gonna give you the authority to go ahead and pay the bills.

And I and I just want to repeat because I think.

Sometimes the American people.

Understandably aren't falling home all the debates here in Washington.

Raising the debt ceiling does not authorize us to spend more.

All it does -- say.

People who were selling.

So called assault workers -- rifles or senator Feinstein and President Obama not us they're the ones that are scaring American gun owners it isn't the NRA.

There's one way to deal with it and that -- -- -- he is the president of the National Rifle Association and he was -- on CNN's state of the union saying that the boom in gun sales as a consequence.

Lawmakers and executive branch of making a lot of noise is about gun control that people are scrambling for his -- before new bands going to place.

And this is power play now there are two Americans.

They weren't -- -- John Edwards was talking about.

There's got America and not -- America and it seems increasingly that never the -- me the ideas and views about guns.

Are wholly different one -- says.

That guns -- the problem.

And -- says -- of the solution.

They find a middle ground on that idea -- I'm not sure but somebody who might -- is being Judy is vice president of north star opinion which is a Republican vote for.

Correct okay I'm right so far were batting a thousand.

Joseph -- was supposed to be with us.

But he has been detained not by the authorities but it -- in a meeting and could not make it out of here so we apologize for our imbalance political panel but DN.

Take off the Red Hat and just at looking at this is a pollster.

What do Americans really think about guns and gun control.

Police talked about there being two Americas -- American and I'm an American and in in this country gun America really is bigger than on getting married and you know a lot of that is because -- is trying to constitution and there -- a lot of people who would say well that's been misinterpreted but the fact of the matter is -- over and over the Supreme Court has reaffirmed the Second Amendment doesn't right there guys I mean we know what the Supreme Court says -- what's right what's mobilization point people people.

Agree with the fundamental right -- -- firearms and that includes handguns.

They do you support some reasonable restriction that's why we have background checks that's why we have some of these other yes and the other things have been placed for a long time.

And in terms of what people will support right now.

People support minor things I think that they'll support banning big magazine clips maybe closing what they -- the gun show loophole.

Whether -- not gonna support as some sort of wholesale any of firearms.

And that's just this is not something that's gonna fly and that's why you're seeing a lot of Democrats not even really pushing.

-- we've seen surveys and I've seen surveys that suggest.

The people as always you can always find people that will say yes to a balanced approach try to blow do you think that this should be fair -- I think we get a 64 sensation -- but the bounce first they're talking about is.

Mental health.

And weapons control.

And movies and video games and and something that addresses all of the problems we've talked about that but there isn't very much.

It's it's hard to put a package like that together to run it in congress.

But -- is if you can if you can discern -- from the point you've done what you see where is the middle ground on this.

Well people really look at these issues -- -- -- solve the problem.

And that's one of the reasons why you see some push back to banning all guns and some of these other things say it's not practical the -- wouldn't actually have solved the problems that people say well let's go back to -- assault weapons that well it feels so weapons -- was in place probably would have changed anything.

About the -- -- situation.

Okay look we have we have -- sorry we're short on time today that President Obama similar predicament doctors against you bet thanks Dan okay.

-- -- with Jonathan not is up next and he will get you through more of this -- -- presidential press conference you'll enjoy it I'm sure.

You like what Jonathan does for you.

And it's Monday so there's no Charles but -- some -- recompense how -- -- power points.

And here your power points today labels should -- are your -- points today.

-- so there's been a lot of talk about no labels.

Jon Huntsman former governor of Utah ambassador to China presidential.

Also ran.

And generation Mountain State democratic senator.

The guy who shot the cap and trade legislation.

So you've got a conservative Democrat and liberal Republicans coming together to say let us reason together without labels to solve the problems that face the country that sounds kind of cool but here's your first PowerPoint.

These are not small things that we are talking about here as we were just discussing things like gun control.

Are fewer guns -- -- -- the answer we have some very deep divides.

We have very deep divides.

On major issues that face the country for example is the key.

To growing the growing the economy more spending.

Or dramatically cutting spending so that you lower deficits and debt.

We have.

Broadly divergent ideas on -- and it's getting harder.

To do because we're broke and you don't have the money that you used to have to.

Alleviate these problems so here's the -- better in principle it always sounds good if you're at a cocktail party trying to get out of an unhappy discussion -- -- what we all should just -- in the middle.

And talk about things and reason together to do this and there is no doubt that we have lost even some fundamental respect for.

Others points of view that the two sides don't even aren't too sure that the other side is even patriotic.

We're interested in good outcomes not just that they have a philosophical disagreement so there is that but it sounds better Chris let's cocktail party -- so we should just don't need in the middle because here's your third point.

This is a system designed for conflict this is what this was made -- with the framers did our system is designed to have elections to have competing branches of government it's a big deal that's what it's for -- desire for conflict right now it's super dysfunctional.

But we've had some weird electoral history we have some problems.

With gerrymandering and all that and we have the aforementioned.

-- -- That makes things harder but that's what this system was designed towards conflict.

Not by it's kind of a bummer but that's the way it is -- your PowerPoint.

We'll see back here tomorrow same bad times and action.

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