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Power Play 1/16/2013

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    Ugly struggle ahead on firearms and will downgrade threat force action on debt?

  • Duration 23:48
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-- the president's kids more important.

NYC skeptical about putting an armed security helps us win these kids are protected by armed guards and -- school.

Mr.

Obama demands the wealthy pay their fair share of taxes.

-- he's just another religious hypocrite when it comes to a fair share of security.

And back.

Was just wow well -- -- currently.

A new Internet from the National Rifle Association.

Wish that organization tells Fox News James Rosen.

Is going to go up on television in -- -- -- by accusing Barack Obama president of the united states of being a hypocrite.

Because this school where his daughters go Sidwell friends.

Here in Washington that's Sidwell friends but it is it is Sidwell friends.

Here in Washington DC has -- These US Secret Service and they carry guns with them wherever they go.

And this is power play.

And that -- had from the -- our way.

It is part of a heightening it -- ratcheting a fact that is going on now debate over guns and gun control.

In the United States.

At the top of the hour the president is going to step forward with three doubtless adorable children who have written letters to the White House calling for restrictions on guns and they are bad magazines and things like that.

As he makes a push for what would be the broadest ever gun control.

In American history so what about that how's -- going to go we're gonna talk about that today.

We're going to talk about whether or not the threat of -- -- down.

Grade.

Will force people to negotiate.

And that's -- on the Internet and that no it will not force anyone to negotiate.

But it will cause much consternation in table and it.

And we will talk about whether moderate Democrats folks like Joseph Manchin from West Virginia Bob Casey from Pennsylvania and others can be brought to -- on the issue of gun control by President Obama through the use of these sorts of tactics.

We'll do -- all you'll enjoy it but you -- not enjoy it any any bit of it more.

Then you will hearing from your friend Fred Barnes.

Who is the executive editor executive editor executive editor of the weekly standard.

Which is this magazine which is a leading voice in the national review -- have been engaged in decades long arm wrestling match over which is the most influential conservative magazine -- it's a big deal.

And I want -- we win because we come out more often writing there's more of them.

There's by the by the word they're definitely more influential but I want to make sure that you read rights fees which -- as it was available online in the OK it's available on new Internet and it's about Jack -- and gun control and everything else that the president would like to do.

In his second term it is a good good Smart piece and I meant it to you Internet.

On yourself now.

The left and the establishment press today.

He's going absolutely bonkers over this NRA dad you and how -- today bring president's children into it I suspect we look.

We will we could not -- we've we've not.

Close to a for the end of this what is the NRA -- Let alone in their re trying to embarrass president -- more than anything else.

I don't I don't think it's -- they're particularly effective -- I mean I think people grant.

The president did.

To the right to have is truly protected by the Secret Service I mean that.

It sort of goes without saying and but.

The NRA's strength is not -- the answer puts on television it's on Capitol Hill where it has a lot of strength particularly among Republicans but also among many Democrats 60% of all members of congress received contributions yes from diagnosis right end and they did.

Because their record.

On guns was one let.

To match the NRA's that's that I mean they will support.

Whoever supports their agenda on -- so there's that so they're rare burst of -- and they're not as strong and -- thought.

Yet to be that the president's -- within their win when President Obama is using true and as a prop when he announces this.

It is gun control agenda.

Did get a few minutes I don't think is is the somehow.

Out of -- Well it's not out of bounds but the but here we need is the minister -- cynical politics.

And in terms of efficacy.

Talking about that wouldn't it have been much more effective and I'm not going to belabor this I know I know trying to figure leftist -- -- good start -- the labor movement but.

But it wouldn't it be more effective.

Two acknowledged for -- gun rights groups to acknowledge that the president is going to use children he is going to do all these things he is going to target heart strings he's going to do all of this stuff.

And instead of attacking him YouTube.

To do the same.

To ask this question to say.

Will call your congressman will -- please call your congressman and tell him to oppose president Obama's gun -- -- hand to urge him or her.

To have armed guards in schools to protect kids I mean wouldn't -- -- right now believe none of the simple answer to that is yes.

I think it would have been much better and smarter on their part but they that they had -- particular desire that they were expected to the president did they were -- that so and -- -- -- overcame them.

Wrap -- this is seldom good a good political.

-- -- The president today is going to bring these kids that he's got three kids.

Ages eight to eleven -- who wrote letters to the White House.

Herb wrote letters to him at the White House are calling for gun control.

This is -- in -- She can if you follow me -- you start -- on Twitter as you probably already followed Fred.

On Twitter Fred what's your your Fred you're just -- Fred Barnes is simple easy Twitter -- -- -- -- -- -- followed -- vote means he startle you to have my power play and I talk about happened to the nuclear freeze movement is the early eighties.

It was very popular teach children to bring children for -- they think of the children Washington President -- won't stop.

This reckless nuclear build -- because the people who are opposed to.

For the defense budget and Ronald Reagan -- so long -- it they knew that the kids knew -- throw away and they knew about.

All these other things -- -- it really -- I considerate pathetic to bring children in.

And and you know the notion that you're doing something.

For the children.

That really is the last refuge of scoundrels in politics but everybody who's -- look -- look Republicans will use it when they they -- and I do yeah.

I think we have to -- as cynical.

You don't have to be cynical to think it was a cynical up on the part of President Obama to do this.

Though many in the mainstream well some in the mainstream -- seems to be buying that other notion that.

Well the president reads his mail and lo and behold he's got these letters -- -- got so moved in and so my you have to remember about President Obama.

He could have the 2004.

Now he had a first term for four years he could've sought to.

We're a new way to expanded to do the things that that he's gonna water up today.

But he didn't do it why didn't he do it.

Because it was an issue that might hurt his reelection so we had to wait until after that.

And here we are.

-- ten points out and you're right.

Prospect.

The the schools that give -- it's good to have armed guards even without the Secret Service and -- armed guards there.

The school says and other say because of the security threat.

For the other kids of having the president's daughters there and everything but you know what.

Surveys have shown that most people would like to have guards at their kids' school regardless of what they think about gun control yeah.

The idea of having people with firearms ready to defend -- -- since they are such magnets for the deranged.

That everybody would like to have that that is something everybody with.

Sure I went to a school -- I was in high school to a school.

That a Secret Service there because president Eisenhower's grandson David went to that school -- I think parents were delighted to have the Secret Service agents there are deeply -- ever take you up to campaign -- he never did say that's -- a lot of high school he was in grade school holidays I would have been -- I -- -- -- usually they would have been -- OK.

The -- are the kids going to be wearing Kevlar vests and this is a question from the Internet and you know what this is this is the truth is that.

There's nothing like a frightening parent and you do when you get you to making decisions somebody -- tell me I was doing something irrational for my sons and I'd say that makes them one scintilla safer.

I want to do it anyway even.

That's just -- -- look all the stuff with the with the kids we really need to get around that and looked at whatever the president proposes from the standpoint.

But whether it it will worker moderates just symbolic stuff little -- a lot of people feel better around the country especially liberals and Democrats -- You know what I want to know is will any of the things that the president proposes today this way I'm gonna look at them.

Why would any of them have prevented new -- right the shootings in Aurora the one in Tucson Arizona -- congresswoman Giffords was shot.

How about column -- would have prevented any of them.

If not.

Then we have to I think less of what's being proposed -- believe it was that great.

Political philosopher Rahm Emanuel -- -- never ways crisis.

Fred Barnes we thank you thank you thank you thank you you okay we're gonna take a quick break and when we come back will be here with our.

All star panel in miniature if I mean the regular -- people with the panelists small and they will be here.

And we will talk about the debt ceiling which.

I want them and you talk about once -- that and then your friend Brit Hume will be here and we will get back to this issue of gun control of the president's -- those days we get ready for his remarks.

-- -- -- This money to go where to so desperately needed.

But the time has come and gone in this nation.

When we can walk in here one day and spend nine or seventeen or sixty billion dollars and not think about who's paying for.

That was -- -- maybe he's a Republican congressman from South Carolina yesterday speaking in defense of his amendment to offset the spending in the hurricane sandy relief bill.

That through cuts to other programs.

That amendment did not win.

But you saw a stark -- in congress yesterday the measure had the you'd be -- four hurricane relief spending.

Financed through borrowing in part.

Did succeed.

The measure failed but you -- -- -- split and very few Republicans are willing to get on board with the package.

So here's a question.

Republicans are acting very serious -- this is power but I should point that.

But the Republican -- very serious that they're ready to do things differently as congressman Albanians said as it relates to spending.

And if that means little partial government -- than virtually shut her down.

So.

What's going to happen you know who knows and they may even tell us dogs are now he is a former spokesman for the and he is with the ST Kate about her escape the -- -- -- get that wrong every other time.

But that makes him a Democrat and a pretty big deal.

-- Republican and a pretty big deal with Jonathan pleasure he is the director of communications for American crossroads.

Former Press Secretary for the national Republican congressional committee for you guys.

Beauty of this regularly committee -- -- we just -- each other so you want it right so it's not like Marvin Lewis but it's okay we're not happy and that is exactly you won't like New Mexico to.

It's -- credible.

The so here's the question.

I wanna start with you.

Doug.

Fitch ratings said if you guys hit the debt ceiling.

We're downgrading -- you're gonna get a credit downgrade.

Now the last -- got to credit downgrade it was around the debt -- Didn't really do anything we're still borrowing money cheaply because the rest of the world is total joke when it comes to credit compared to us plus we have like.

I aircraft carriers that's also gonna mess with us but.

Will this cause -- this latest -- threats cause real negotiations on this question.

Well you know I'm kind of old fashioned on this issue I think that when I get credit card bill -- -- -- -- a small business when we send out.

Invoices to our clients we expect them to Kato's those -- are you know.

The -- those were for services that were done in the past now come.

I think there's this it seems to me there's a split a little bit on on the right in terms of what to do here I don't think there is.

I think both sides agree that we should look at spending reductions in the president has already signed in the -- million dollars in spending cuts.

But I would be very cautious.

I would I mean that would be my recommendation Republicans about.

Even.

Threatening the idea of defaulting on our own obligations I just think that politically it's it's an untenable position for them to -- end.

And down we do risk another credit rating downgrade and I think that's that's not something to sneeze at right now.

Jonathan do you know what Fitch ratings said I'll tell you -- -- and we even have a graphic for its option.

In the absence of agreed -- credible medium term deficit reduction plan that would be consistent with sustaining economic recovery and restoring confidence in the -- -- sustainability of the US public finances.

The current negative outlook on triple -- rating is likely to be resolved with a downgrade later this year.

Even if another debt ceiling crisis is the verdict so -- says -- don't -- hurt you guys are stumble bums you stink at budgeting you don't even do budgets you are amassed so you're getting downgraded whatever does this actually encourage Republicans to say hey -- round Greta we're getting that no matter what.

These two pieces this tune any edit any kind of credit counseling like like that was talking about there's the paying the bills but then there's also getting your spending on track so you don't do this again side.

And when Moody's issued their warning after tax deal back in January they say that that that the debt -- peace is only part of it they were far more concerned about dealing with entitlements.

And long term spending restraint which we have not seen from the president on the good that's.

Why Republicans were looking at this disaster relief bill saying well -- can we pay for that.

Is it just putting more money on -- the credit -- Republicans in 1995 were able to do disaster relief by paying for it in offsets we're not seeing that kind of.

Disciplined and well I mean look at when we did the supplemental war bill's -- pay for those either.

There's no deserves it not really I mean -- supplemental spending bills and they were never offset with revenue or spending cuts other -- played elsewhere.

But I look I -- John and I think that.

That you know.

I would like to see congress.

You know actually reform the debt limit hold the debt -- issue because -- they're Republican or Democrat I think it's been going through this.

You know time and time again is not healthy for the economy.

But on entitlement reform.

That should not be tied to raising our debt limit for things that we've already.

-- you know -- -- It for his good that doesn't work -- out of many who oppose raising the debt ceiling unless they get a dollar for dollar cut or some big concession from president.

Their point is at least they would.

Cut government spending dramatically and it might be.

It might make people pay attention to the subject at least that if we were -- shut down a third of of all government outlays for a cup.

Weeks yeah -- -- -- Mitch McConnell had a great article on -- reviewed it we talked about how did this is not -- using the debt limit using this.

As a bargaining chip to get spending down some bit of politicians -- -- her for very very long time I think it's I think it's wise because if you don't have something like that that forces the issue.

We're just gonna continue racking up debts and could -- he continued these trillion dollar a year.

Deficits that are completely unstable retired last word from both -- you fifteen seconds and you learn to deal.

Oh goodness.

At this point -- I would suggest that -- -- rockaholics short term deal that doesn't deal with it.

You know I'm gonna get out of the tournament fish stumble stumble bum deal in stumble -- circumstances -- -- I think though pro.

We reach a deal with senate Republicans and do go the route of the fiscal cliff and then.

Two house Republican still I'm not -- that they want it.

Let this happen if they do that again maybe roast John Boehner obligates it to see maybe but he's also vote and yet but -- the minority the majority with this CNN spending too so foot -- how much how much.

-- -- how many times as they do they allowed to do that right who.

-- not this time that not this -- -- Gentlemen you are Smart helpful patriotic and all good things we thank you guys for being with us today thank you -- brace yourself Brit Hume is waiting in the wings and he's going to talk you up in tune with the president's remarks on gun control and he will be so gay issues and you'll have large perspective on the subject I guarantee it.

Sister correct.

I'll reveal the bad parts of the moment.

Nice -- yeah Nadal taking dead aim at the cap and trade bill.

Was Joseph mansion back in 2010 when it was cool to love -- especially if you're running for senate in West Virginia he was shooting with -- deer rifle.

I guess would be an assault rifle -- you're.

-- shooting president Obama's cap and trade legislation saying that he's.

Was boy he's got killed that ability -- Washington that it is at what he ran for reelection -- 2012.

He said I don't need to shoot it again desire to killed it RD shot it dead in this power play.

So when the president gets out today and he will have these grade schoolers with him and he will be calling for the -- -- The package of gun control broader stealth and we saw from the Clinton Democrats back in 9495.

Broader than that even when he calls for that.

It's not Republicans that he's got to talk to first it's moderate Democrats like Joseph Manchin from West Virginia moderate Democrats like Bob Casey from Pennsylvania and yes.

When it comes to guns.

Harry Reid senate majority leader from Nevada.

-- question.

Of the day is -- -- get his felt his fellow of his former fellow senate Democrats to get on board with this -- he can -- put pressure on Republicans you know may now.

And if he does now -- -- they'll tell you.

As Brit Hume is a senior political analyst for Fox News Channel and he is a valued guest of this Internet telecast mr.

Hume.

Well like you to be here we -- okay so the question.

A key to this if the president is -- what's in his eggs -- -- executive orders.

Is relatively modest.

He's really look it looks like he really wants to have legislation really looks like you're at the top of the hour he's gonna make a push for a real assault weapons ban.

But there's no way he can do that if he doesn't get moderate senate Democrats on board to find a way to get sixty votes and start -- -- house Republicans right.

Well that's yeah I think that's all true but I still not sure to -- it.

This is an issue which has been a very dangerous issue Democrats who I think.

No talking behind their hands would tell you don't welcome -- pushed for a strong.

Measures on guns.

They've got -- has -- time and again.

And it then they'll be -- from time to time in the wake of some hideous thing it would have been an attempt.

In which -- appear that there's a big majority of the public -- ready for stringent gun control measures.

But the -- -- -- dissipate with time and the second thing is it -- -- -- lose its intensity.

The people who are enthusiastic about guns -- gun owners and hundreds and Second Amendment diehards.

There intensity never wins.

I think they join the National Rifle Association Tuesday they will vote against you on that issue alone even if they like you -- every other issue.

Spirit there are classic single issue voters are often are.

And that means a dangerous.

And you get and if you get across -- with them you're gonna have a lot of people against union next campaign may be -- primary -- not.

Who are going to be -- are going to be guest here and it's and that's a problem and a burden for any politics.

Now.

Did the question today.

Is -- the president we see that did Jay Carney is already called the NRA -- about school security in the first daughters cowardly and repugnant.

And the president is is working very hard to take from the moral high ground here.

He's got a threat to people expansion and others that.

-- you'll keep seeing children and letters from children.

And that they are going to continue to try to really browbeat folks on this that's a pretty credible threat from a president who's not afraid to to to go that way.

Well the question then becomes.

So gets in the congress and I -- there's something much milder than he proposed it ends up being exacted.

Is -- reject that seems so it's it has to be something you're in the face of what will undoubtedly be a lot of democratic support for milder -- as an idea I think what'll happen -- he will propose there's still hope that maybe you divide Republicans in some way who knows.

But -- -- whatever comes and excited and and declared itself.

So something will that.

Well any other thing is of course the facility because his question what's the test here.

What we try to do here but -- trying to -- more stringent gun control to try to stop the kind of slower this happening in Chicago we're trying to prevent another Newton.

You know.

I'm not sure that even what he's proposing -- stuff in -- Newton.

Presume as not only Smart.

But he is -- mr.

-- we thank you very much for your time today.

Mr.

Jim is pressure and because he already knew I -- what was going to be in the power points for you today.

Hear your power points for you crisis management -- the power points today.

Efforts -- would you ever Planned Parenthood.

Democrats were outraged when Republicans during budget negotiations in 2011.

And beyond.

Used.

Those opportunities to try to defund Planned Parenthood the president and others came forward and said this isn't about spending this -- about the budget you guys are just mad because -- -- the nation's largest provider of abortions.

Can you don't think that's okay you're using this as an opportunity to try and -- some other policy.

When -- know.

Does that sound familiar.

Thank you just heard mr.

Hume talking here's your second point -- was right Rahm Emanuel chief of staff to the president famously said never waste -- crisis are never let a crisis go to waste.

But he was talking about using the economic panic of 2008 financial panic of 2008.

The subsequent recession to get all kinds of laws and rules change things that they wanted to get done never waste a crisis what he was right.

He was absolutely right -- -- -- a crisis when you have big events -- that's an opportunity to refocus the national discussion.

But here's the thing third -- good policy equals good politics now that's not always true.

But it a circumstance like this we had a chance to bring together people from both sides of the jobs create something that might effectively deal with -- shootings.

Then you could have had something that would have been politically advantageous for the president and for lots of other folks but instead what we're seeing and most likely to see today -- something that relates to early ninety's gang violence.

Kind of stuff that or old gun control measures that -- forward looking things.

That as a missed opportunity.

And that's something that it's -- -- on bad on the hunt Jonathan Hunt is up next.

And of course will be live streaming the president and his press conference.

Here on foxnews.com.

And now as we like to do every day we want to leave you with the word from our French are.

Us if we keep spending like Fisher and another president.

In a few years has -- -- stand up and say.

That we were unable to pay Social Security -- in the military -- benefits.

And not because of self imposed crisis on a debt ceiling.

But because we will be on the money.

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