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Power Play 1/18/2013

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    President Obama then and now, Republicans retreat and Algeria developments

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I think that there's three events that that are are coming to.

To coalesce.

The debt ceiling discussion.

The automatic spending cuts that happened as a result of sequestration.

And the fact that the federal government will run out of money.

At the end of march all those bring a confluence of an opportunity to drive a debate and could drive changes that.

That get us towards long term prosperity and get it off of this notion that we can just continue to borrow and spend.

Welcome to Washington and took power play I'm James Rosen sitting in for -- star wolf you were just listening to congressman Peter -- good Republican of Illinois.

A member of the house leadership and he was speaking.

From king's mill Virginia where there is an ongoing GOP retreat.

By retreat we mean -- kind of a get away not necessarily like tactical retreat.

And I -- the house Republicans are trying to forge strategy.

For the new 113 congress.

Among the voices and faces that they heard from at this retreat was our very guessed right here on power play mister Bill Kristol editor of weekly standard and Fox News contributor and longtime tormentors.

Of yours truly all right -- You got an actual chance to speak to this retreat right.

There are many distinguished guests there was Thomas Jefferson Patrick Henry -- -- -- that was for real.

That -- because he hit these things are a little weird combination -- got to wonder allegedly serious advice relatively serious people like me.

Is operational speakers actually -- -- -- -- Williamsburg reactors that was really kind of wanted bizarre kind of bizarre frankly have been wounded will be built crystal -- -- will be don't leave early exchange president -- accidentally boys will be here so what did you tell them.

So there was -- -- they're having -- they had a tough month and there are going to be tough to extremists that did not mean they would have a tough.

-- -- four years you know there's a little bit of over interpretation gone Republicans.

They they lost the election that was bad.

That they had a very unusual circumstance usually lose an election you get 34 months -- -- wounds after circular firing Scruggs a lot of recriminations that figure out where to go.

-- that they had they were right up against that with the fiscal cliff.

And lame duck and I think this because it pretty good job but obviously Republican -- -- that than they had the vote on the sandy storm relief but it just just right away.

As they they're really a little bit and they -- -- -- -- -- -- the real class that that the desolate -- coming up pretty soon.

And so that is kind of unusual to have to do little these things right off the bat and he's a Dicey situations where -- oppose the president because it can't be totally responsible.

I actually think -- so they're short term challenges but I think medium -- long term opportunity.

-- in fact we are congressman -- and talking about this series of -- clashes coming up on various physical aspects as what he called an opportunity to drive the debate.

In this new second term for President Obama.

Are the Republicans going to be driving the debater -- on defense as you see it I think.

They're mostly on defense at least to start off with -- they've -- -- based tactical Carlson you know they can't.

They've got got to be responsible in terms of not letting the country -- over the -- so to -- So I think -- got to play some defense -- start off with.

And just take the best of best situations but I do think they have an opportunity over the 61218 months horizon to frame the difference.

Between themselves -- -- administration on a host of issues.

And I think those services -- being -- just for that sort of the next issue the -- We're calling this a called the Republican Party in opposition.

Playing off pat Moynihan's famous -- and I think 75.

What he says the United States has -- -- to go into opposition.

Against the Third -- against Soviet Union to stand up for itself to speak up for its principles.

-- -- -- -- 75 Reagan did in 76.

Things the world changed 1980 so I think that they're the Republican Party can do a good job and opposition but there are a lot of delicate tactical.

Decisions they have to make an on those what I told them forever it's worth and they seem to take -- -- -- was.

They they can't.

They've got to -- that -- -- -- agree on everything you know they shouldn't have a -- -- some moderate says on this when we kind of have to -- it and go along.

He's -- -- terrible right over selling out every principled conservatism for the last forty years.

And -- some.

A conservative says look on this when I just can't vote with the leadership I really told my decisions that would oppose.

More spending or or or or day recently that's really gonna get into what conscious dictates that doesn't mean -- -- is totally irresponsible.

A -- everything you know they just have to you have to tolerate a little more control to -- Than -- used to your reference to 2 Daniel Patrick morning and in the into the 76 Reagan campaign reminds me of one of those attributes here is a finalist -- during which is that -- trapped in the past I wanna play a sound bite now from perhaps the one voice in Washington that carries greater weight.

Then bill -- who also spoke about this Republican retreat and it seems let's listen.

What is the role for the Republican House in dividing government and what is Obama's role they're gonna have to face that in the Republicans.

I think today and tomorrow they're having a leadership.

Retreat in at the end of the week all lit house Republicans are meeting -- they've got to define.

What is that role.

And by most accounts Bill Kristol and by the way you can send us your -- for Bill Kristol and myself just log in using your Twitter FaceBook account right below me on your screen there are by most accounts.

The role for the Republican Party now is trying desperately to expend.

Its appeal to.

And to ticket counters change demographic realities and new kinds of sets of voters right that basically.

Means to appeal to Latinos right.

Is that when there's a lot of talk about that it is how to do other how to -- panels of the conference of our coverage of these groups -- to -- to our messaging better.

What do the polls show us and I guess I probably -- some people especially some of the people who are fighting to -- -- -- -- -- -- -- first ridiculous to begin a Republican conference.

Twenty months before the next election it's -- two months right for the next election.

With a panel pollsters it's like really can't we just you know like -- some of these issues out for awhile and -- -- what the voters think instead of obsessing about.

How -- they like us in the last two weeks is -- that really matters as you know.

Can't hit ten days they want the -- -- appealing to groups I -- they should just make their case on a bunch of issues to do the right thing.

And I think they will appeal to -- groups.

So there's that did I was struck in general the probable conference they're a little bit too meta oriented if I can put it that way you know let it get there or chargers who -- chair of the Republican conference -- who moderated that.

The panel just trust that I did really it's terrific but she -- then I think she.

-- told maybe she had to frame the questions as.

What house Republicans think about being in the majority of the house with a little -- senate the vote.

And I sort of said that Davis is -- what might have been -- don't -- so much about your situation.

Don't think about the -- citizen that just do what you have to do.

Today today mitigate the damage president Obama's going to do a serious matters especially that security.

But also on fundamental economic matters and be draw a contrast with him on a bunch of issues do the right thing -- of like immigration where I do think.

We -- -- that should work with the president if possible to resolve that problem.

-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- And less time just fighting on the different issues which I think we'll end up helping that the perception of them.

We have to leave it there -- Bill Kristol editor of the weekly standard and good friend of mine we appreciate you joining power play Havoc 1953.

-- -- -- -- to save my first time back since the election no Chris don't disappoint me mister Rosen.

I'm afraid of -- done that probably.

Will be right back -- expert panel and also Catherine Herridge joins us to talk about terrorism and intelligence matters stay here on power play.

Welcome back to power play what you're looking at as you probably recognize is the official portrait of President Obama that was issued at the beginning of his first term.

He -- for four years as you could see he was on smiling.

-- And it was nice tight shot.

Now we take you to the official portrait of President Obama for his second term and what is striking difference you can -- that he's smiling first of all.

And the photographers backed off a little bit to show us -- President Obama whose arms are fully with a bit of confrontational.

Stands to it he's definitely grayer in the -- a little bit.

But -- broadly smiling he seems newly assertive.

For his second term.

Is there in fact the newly assertive President Obama here in the nation's capital and James Rosen sitting -- -- -- -- -- on this edition of power play.

Thank you to tackle that and other subjects with us are two very welcome guest first Tony Welch.

Former Press Secretary for the DNC you know principal with the Dewey square group welcome Tony thank you and seated right beside in his -- -- been -- former Virginia GOP party chairwoman.

And though also these titles are tough trip and also the author of divided in chief the fraud of hope and change with a -- come out.

-- on September unfortunately it's more relevant than ever.

The -- breakfast and you knew that might have been an all right so are we seeing newly assertive President Obama Kate you that we are what's the evidence for -- for one is a decade -- chief of staff said today she's leading at the end of the week and she said we're gonna see a very assertive President Obama he's going he's executive orders more often.

And I think he has said that on guns.

And on the debt ceiling he's going to use I'm going around congress that they don't do what he wants and then to do and that's.

Shocking that the rhetoric that we've heard from him in for -- James caught Jay Carney.

He -- look -- -- -- I'm -- -- go through congress but if you do what I -- -- I want you to get over to about one around you I think.

We saw a newly assertive President Obama Tony in the nomination Chuck Hagel as Defense Secretary despite some very early in very strong demonstrations of opposition.

To that prospective nomination went forward with it anyway.

Should he be more assertive -- he was his first -- Well as the president was on his way to getting those -- -- Mind.

There's another -- from your children I think his might come a little bit from doing with a Republican congress and so is -- newly assertive.

Yeah probably but I think we we can't divorce that from his experience in his first term which was.

He had difficulty getting Republicans agreed to agree to do things they said they want to -- Prey on health care -- any that any number the number of issues and so -- the second term I think you're probably gonna and you definitely going to see a president who says.

We've played that game.

I know how that game ends and I'm not going to begin at square one I'm going to begin.

Here and that means you'll press the -- more what's interesting about -- is that remember he'd already given on Susan Rice and so if if John Boehner is not president United States he probably isn't going to be able to pick visa -- nominee -- for for the president's -- -- You mentioned earlier one of the topics on which we can expect to see the president.

Being more assertive using executive action and perhaps circumventing congress where he feels he needs to do so that's gun control.

And and we saw of course this all plays out in the and we should point out in the aftermath of the atrocity at Newtown Connecticut.

In -- last month.

An -- and the and the senseless murders there.

In the aftermath of that the president and vice president this past week rolled out a series of initiatives which include executive action and propose legislation.

Dealing with a gun control principally we were told we would also hear -- -- The culture in Hollywood and in the online gaming industry and we didn't hear too much about that and in fact one critic of the president.

Said that -- in essence Hollywood in the gaming industry got off light here let's hear from Dan I said who is with the parents television camera.

It's.

What's what's particularly disappointing.

Is that there doesn't seem to be any emphasis at all besides possibly some additional research on video game specifically.

There's no attention being paid at all to what's going on television what's going on movies and and -- and as I sit in the culture as a whole.

We can we can discuss why that might be what we do know is that that Hollywood is one of the biggest -- here in Washington.

They outspending NRA by a factor of twenty to one.

Aren't in terms of maintaining the status quo here in Washington and making sure.

That that only their voices heard in this debate they were very effective -- that last week.

What what needs to happen is to have some real parental voices at the table.

And Chris givens chats with us by the way if you want to send your -- to -- Chris -- has just -- -- right below me on your screen.

Use your FaceBook and Twitter accounts to do so and Chris givens writes I'm sick of all the empty seats in congress and as guilty as anyone for electing these people -- Tony.

Where was Hollywood in the president's.

Gun control gun violence proposals -- was -- the online gaming industry just that we need to study it more.

But I think he didn't mention that the the president did mention I think that was just acknowledge -- in the last statement.

In looking at what needs to be fixed I think it's safe to say the president did not -- did not place Hollywood as.

The top issue when it comes to stopping violence in this country he did not do that and he didn't pretend you if it is you're.

Top priority is let's say didn't convince someone in the Republican House then come to the table to discuss that is fine present doesn't say we -- -- -- -- -- That he wanted to have a broad dialogue about the causes of gun violence and what drives people to pick up the gun.

Mental illness but a lot of people would argue and even some of the president's natural biological allies would argue.

That it is this ceaseless stream of violence and our culture sure -- what.

I didn't see things of that that says that that conversation shouldn't have but I don't know this but where's that little conversation he -- proposal toward the end of that conversation -- -- -- -- statement.

You -- appeared to be at the table.

This is driven by parents write this the parents of -- matter in this country and are exposed to.

Hollywood.

And we're exposed to the awful side of -- In that discussion doesn't include any anything but it should be hat and what's interesting is that -- discussions say this should be included but not.

To say this should be included and the NRA -- -- shouldn't be included DR -- Gary to get a table.

-- it and -- saying that he and -- -- -- I had the problem is Hollywood's not going to be a part of this discussion because the president.

Get so much money for holly lead he doesn't want to put them in the limelight he doesn't want to put them on the spot when he wants to do is for the NRA on the spot -- -- into the -- that's what he does with anybody with him he disagrees.

He turns them into the villain with some malicious unnoticed.

I have to go back to attorneys and a few minutes ago about.

The executive orders -- Obama playing that game and he's not getting what he wants and so he's gonna do something differently.

Our form of government says you have to be able to work with congress and you can't get through congress what she want it does not.

Become law that the American people have as much right I got.

Just stop bad policy through there.

Congressional represented at plus we are -- know we agree that that's related well you know you -- so hey I ended take this new approaching go round could you could tell -- The -- I think her.

You could -- your -- here if you ask.

Asking me I'll tell you that the president does -- work to congress on legislation but the president is also able to issue presidents that Sarah and until -- -- congressional so they aren't the only time that they're I'm gonna make my hand really what I'd certainly is structured that's for you don't have one love that you cited that he -- that the congress is again because he.

I think what do.

Those orders -- -- panelist panel -- guests are.

Both parties routinely complain when the opposition party has the president in the White House.

And that president does recess appointments -- John Bolton it was a horror and shame.

And then of course this president now has -- recess appointments -- people in the National Labor Relations Board and so forth.

But yeah.

Going around that second and both parties but later when when the president uses executive action and so forth so these are standard complaints from both sides I think we should both recognize that -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- which -- -- around Sacramento.

I'm not -- his order has gone around the second and although he is expanding.

Background checks through the executive orders and by the way we haven't actually seen the language in the executive orders we've only seen descriptions of very dangerous yeah.

When you see I think that we will season violations but you cannot.

Saying if I don't get what I liked about the second changing -- -- but he's not there and -- yes he didn't make -- said that as well he's willing to go low rounder.

-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- Nothing right now and that's why -- come -- -- cutting vulnerable now has been going on this pointed disagreement between you.

One of many.

We have to leave it and I think all of them coming into -- -- and -- thanks so much for visiting our -- stay tuned.

And we're gonna open up the reporter's notebook with -- -- of my colleagues here at Fox News stay with us.

-- -- -- -- Many related return.

Courses.

Okay.

The older well.

Terrorists.

Hit it beyond.

-- -- -- No room.

Okay.

I'm good.

-- Defense Secretary Leon Panetta speaking earlier today in London.

I'm James Rosen sitting in for -- star wolf welcome back to power play if you wanna send us your -- just log in right beneath my face on the screen here.

Using your Twitter or FaceBook accounts the Defense Secretary was talking about this ongoing situation.

In the remote desert.

Areas of south eastern Algeria.

There's an enormous natural gas complex they are operated by BP and some other firms.

In three days ago Islamist terrorists from neighboring -- -- also in West Africa.

Cross the border into Algeria and took.

We don't quite know exactly how many hostages.

But for more than a hundred.

At this gas complex yesterday without notifying the western its western allies Algeria launched a helicopter raid.

On the Islamist terrorists who had taken these hostages.

There are reports that eighteen of the terrorists were killed.

There were reports of deaths among the hostages here.

The UK prime minister David Cameron confirmed the death of one Britain.

We're told that there is still perhaps to Americans still being held hostage.

And the hostage takers are demanding a prisoner swap -- those two Americans two Islamic terrorists.

Who have been convicted in or being held in US facilities here to discuss this and other subjects -- Is my Fox News Polley chief intelligence correspondent Catherine Herridge she's also the author of the next wave.

On the hook for all -- American recruits -- joins us from the National Mall where she's covering inaugural preps.

Kathryn Nunn what do you think about the situation in.

In Algeria's part of the overall had a problem correct.

Well what was really seen James in the last really three years is the development.

Of what I call an arc of instability that stretches in the east from Yemen and al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula which now goes by the name on -- Austria.

Then to the group also I'll Shabazz in Somalia then into North Africa so -- Tunisia and then into West Africa I'm Molly and Nigeria.

This hostage taking in Algeria though is a real departure from what we've seen.

With al-Qaeda in North Africa are real departure in the sense this typically when they've taken hostages in the past has been kind of one season to season three -- A -- haven't seen something on the scale.

And congressional sources who talked to me about this story yesterday said they believed that the scope was really an effort to make.

A political statement in which I believe dovetails with the reporting this morning.

That this group wants to do some kind of transferred for the hostages that they continue to hold.

And the blind -- here in the United States and a woman called APS ADT who was also held here in the US.

Kathryn let's switch subjects do we really we've done very limited time unfortunately but I wanted to ask you about a story in which your coverage has really excelled.

And that's the attack in Ben -- on September 11 -- twelve.

As you know this is still being investigated by the FBI there are still.

Ongoing congressional investigations but -- -- as a reporter what does your gut tell you.

After instincts tell you is the period of disclosure on the Bengals -- story in which of course we should note for Americans were killed.

Is the period of disclosure that story over.

I don't believe it's over.

-- -- on several fronts really first and foremost as we reported on special report this week the FBI investigation.

Has essentially stalled out there's only one known suspect in custody in that's in Egypt.

A one of the primary suspects who was held by the two nations.

Was released last week for a lack of evidence.

And what congressional sources have told us is that they don't feel the administration is getting the FBI the backing in the resources it needs.

Zakaria this investigation to determine who was responsible.

For the attack on the consulate and -- Ghazi.

Second I know from my reporting at that when the attack happened in the -- if there was equal anxiety and concern over their whereabouts of ambassador Chris Stevens.

And also the exposure of the depth and -- that the CIA operation in Benghazi.

We now know that -- about 25 people at the -- in Ben Ghazi.

And this is a significant CIA operation.

And what we know for our reporting it was dealing with the weapons issue that I think is -- great untold story.

Been Dicey and then I think third how it was that this narrative changed.

From he's a terrorist attack to -- the anti -- video and I mention that.

Because this week I had a confirmation from the senate homeland security and Governmental Affairs Committee.

As well as the House Intelligence Committee.

That what I would called the evolving documents related to those talking points still are being withheld by the administration from congress and they're withholding it.

On the basis that these are deliberative documents and the congress does not necessarily have access to the engines.

All right if there is further disclosure on the Ben Ghazi story we know that you'll be at the forefront of it because you've done excellent work on it and we appreciate you joining us on -- power play stay warm out there Catherine.

Yeah well I well Kandahar I -- -- -- Catherine -- our chief intelligence correspondent that's gonna do for this issue of power play.

But Chris star role will be back it's been my -- -- -- in for -- coming up next here on live dot foxnews.com Jonathan Hunt.

-- on the hunt we also want to remind you that we will be doing.

Great inaugural coverage.

On foxnews.com.

For all of the information -- that just check out the website foxnews.com.

And finally as we always do here on power play.

We leave you.

With a work.

From -- I would say our number one goal is to make sure.

That these terrorists do not have -- haven in -- no man's land.

And at least heavily support the French and any others who go after them because once established they are going to be a threat.

Every country in North Africa every country in the Middle East ultimately Europe and us.

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