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Power Play 1/25/2013

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    Abortion foes March on undaunted, will gun ban backers do the same?

  • Duration 27:06
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And that.

Is the scene on the National Mall.

As hundreds of thousands.

Anti abortion protesters.

Converge on Washington DC eight.

For the national march for life.

In observance of the fortieth anniversary of the Supreme Court decision -- way that made abortion.

Legal work.

Didn't legalize it but made it possible facilitated.

The legality of abortion across the country this is power play and I -- Chris -- -- an Internet.

The crowd for this marked for life.

Will certainly rival or is expected to rival the crowd for president Obama's inauguration on Monday.

These are big numbers these are big big numbers that we're talking about you can see them as I was coming in.

To the bureau today the streets are filled with these folks carrying their signs they've got there they Wear orange I believe in -- out in force.

Letting it be known.

So what can we learn about -- the debate on abortion.

Where it is today.

And the future but also what can it teaches about other things.

We will explore those questions we will do that it will be you will be a lot smarter after you hear what a folks have to say about that.

We will also talk about -- democratic divide and emerging democratic divide over gun control.

Is the point of gun legislation to prevent sandy hook shootings or as many Democrats like Rahm Emanuel at Chicago wants to do.

Really address guns written are so the -- The fracture is fracturing there.

And we will have.

Congressman Tom cop he's getting to be a pretty good deal he's a freshman from Arkansas.

-- he'll be with this -- studio you'll like all of those things which you know what I bet -- -- more most of all because I know how you roll it.

And admiral is Steve -- he's -- senior writer for the weekly standard.

He is tireless as as -- -- had no -- Friday we're the -- and exactly where I was beer -- well let's Scotch and cooler and it's you don't -- you're writers got its under the table as per usual.

That's how we roll you know that but the that this thing is this Steve -- -- about this today.

-- -- -- People get that relatives in the basket is it I mean if you were to follow me on what I do I know you do and I I -- as I follow you.

Obviously Stephen -- it's the if you follow me on Twitter you can edit each morning because that's -- hard.

-- I posited today.

That if you look at forty years for the pro life movement.

In and then once and you can say remarkable success I mean really remarkable success compared to where -- was twenty years ago.

-- pro choice was the edict that many Republicans were pro choice.

And it was just part of the thing but technology.

In the -- walkers -- and commitment from these people is taken them along what.

I don't think there's any question that what's interesting is it is at least some change in the way that the pro life movement is.

Both perceived and represented in the mainstream -- and in mainstream media and popular culture.

He had just recently it cover of time magazine which said you know.

-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- Well -- -- won the right to abortions.

But they've been losing ever since and I think that's true and if you look at you know what the target statistics -- talking about there's -- -- -- by Gallup 41% identify themselves proved to its 50%.

Identify themselves as pro life more respect for pro life.

Americans in as they're depicted in the media I think.

Largely a not to mention restrictions on abortion right at the state level.

You know I think proliferating particularly over the past five or ten years.

Do you see lots of success on the big question.

There hasn't been a success but on all of those smaller questions there event.

And then turning the wheel public opinion -- been the greatest there's been the greatest thing they've done this thing about this you know twenty years ago thirty years ago where it was was.

Operation rescue.

Bull warrants.

Chaining themselves to abortion clinics and in those cases often time give -- the women.

Who -- very often sympathetic figures because there and under arrest in their lives they are in the dire straits and looking for a way out.

Made them the targets of this that was an unappealing picture.

They've shifted the focus they're -- -- about the women as the pro choice people are now they talk about the right to life for the individual for the right exactly and act and that's been a huge debt that that is made all the difference in the world it's to.

-- and its culture and you remember when when you had -- actually had a sexual revolution.

In the 1960s bleeding into the seventies you had.

People who wanted consequence free decision making bread in that basically does -- well -- well yeah thank Agassi's underground but it but that basically was the the mentality.

And what you see I think since then.

Particularly because of technology because of all sounds and the 3-D pictures to forty -- -- now put their audacity yeah I mean.

It picked -- there's much more of a sense it's it's it's it's an obvious and child too many more people than it was when.

This was a -- you know something more of an abstract mass of cells right.

Right it was a mystery and you know dating back to -- they talk about the quickening.

Was this the distorted.

-- back in the -- to earlier days until the baby moved.

Basically it was like what's not a person right and he's like actually baby is moving right just can't feel it because it's -- -- And all of that stuff so anyway.

There's been good but there's been -- good for these -- And for these folks it is -- An amazing statistic -- my amazing statistic of the day.

-- in that in New York City in 2009 according to the Centers for Disease Control there were 719.

Abortions for every 1000 live -- Nationally you're talking about one point 21 point three million abortions every year so as it -- -- like.

This stuff doesn't get discussed very much because it's no one likes to talk about it -- -- figures apps isn't that just like you just like Russia don't see anything.

While that is mine and never that before.

And so when I saw that I was like OK so the the pro life people have analyzed they've had a good down and there -- you know they're they're feeling like they're they've gained ground.

But when you look at the totality of it you have inside the Democratic Party and then in groups like the national abortion rights lead -- all.

And all other groups of the national organization women.

And others.

Have dug in very very hard on this and in blue America we don't even know by the way what happens in California.

Because California just doesn't report other states report for a California always led.

In the number of abortions.

Every year until they stopped reporting that's probably -- -- stop reporting.

But we don't even now we can only estimate California because they don't even report.

Thank you saw the potency of abortion that abortion TNB.

As a political issue this past year and it was the case you remember the Democratic National Convention it was you know.

I think that was probably discuss that issue was probably discussed as much or.

More than virtually any other in the entire time there including jobs -- the economy what was supposed to -- -- the number one issue.

Four for voters but Democrats wanted to talk about abortion they thought for the vote for suburban housewives and and single mothers that they were targeting it to help -- won't be reelected that this was going to be some movement did the issue that that moved them.

And you know and I think they had some success.

So entwined with feminism it is women's liberation.

Used abortion was a central -- in this -- and to this day it remains that if you talk about being against abortion many people stated.

You are.

-- -- -- -- But Steve Hayes is that your kids that kind and friendly colleague because he makes time for you and that he -- -- pretty -- so we just Super Tuesday thank you.

-- -- -- We're gonna take a quick break but we have some of your other favorites.

Here we'll have Ford O'Connell and that he -- will be here we're gonna talk about gun control.

And what the point of what's being discussed right now really is.

And it's not really about school shootings it's about gun control so we'll talk about that when we come back so stick around.

Kids would be alive today -- Newtown Connecticut.

If the law that we're proposing today were in place on December 14 of last year it's as simple -- that.

That is Chris Murphy he's a senator from Connecticut making a bold assertion that had the gun control bill.

The gun ban on offer from senate Democrats as of yesterday were in place that the kids at the Newtown school would be alive today.

But the gun.

That was used doesn't seem to have been on the list of banned guns the senate is talking about and this is getting very complicated and it's it is opening up a lot of old wounds.

-- the American psyche.

As it relates to gun control gun violence second amendment rights and all of these things.

And this is power play and if you want to have a Smart and insightful conversation.

About the difficult issue I can think of no two better people.

Then -- of how he's chairman said the reform act accused former McCain Palin.

Palin presidential campaign advisor.

That I know that be accurate and Debbie dingle she's the president decent strategies and -- -- life.

John -- the Democrat from Michigan and the dean of the house.

That puts her on the blue team welcome welcome.

-- -- Rahm Emanuel wants to go after banks that fund.

That provide revolving credit for gun makers.

Joseph Biden is in Virginia today.

Talking about -- background checks.

Senate Democrats are pushing hard on this but Debbie it.

You warned to fish you cautioned of this is that if you don't star -- from finding common things in building upon them.

You will never get the consensus necessary to do what your husband help do.

In 199594.

Back before which was to get -- ate some kind of weapons ban in place -- do something.

Proactive on this what's the state of right now.

Well I think you're seeing bills introduced that.

-- far many people on the far left are supporting but I don't think he stands a chance at being passed me that the house of the senate.

And I think in this -- get more thoughtful conversations.

You're not can you see.

Anything happen and I think that's not a good place to be so I.

Hope that we start to get it to go into these next few weeks -- months some very good common sense conversations read the complaint.

From people who are pro Second Amendment Rights.

And you know this we were talking with Steve has a -- about a portion.

You end up in a very similar place here is that people hold sharply divergent views and if you can't agree on the -- basic framework of the argument can be able to -- -- else.

But for people -- that have strongly held -- pro Second Amendment views here.

What they're saying is this is -- about school shootings anymore.

-- this is now about affecting but even broader gun control to deal with crime in the city's.

In places like Chicago and places like Detroit and that's what they care about.

There and that were walking past things that might be done to help -- Shouldn't I think that's actually accurate and I think that a lot of people who -- Second Amendment really see this is.

Trying to fully limit their rights and and I think that's -- -- in knee jerk reaction out there.

And I also think one of the things -- you and I were talking about agreements that I think part of the reason why is gonna have a tough time senate.

Even things like background checks is because you have a set of Democrats in red states where the president you know got less than 42% of the vote.

And for their constituents the Second Amendment is just so highly prized and anything seen as sort of close to being rule called Andrea.

Just isn't gonna pass because of the views in the conversation going back and.

I think that the -- things that unfortunately happened which you are correct that I did warn that is a -- everybody into the corner and it will be -- instantly defensive.

I think you would have thoughtful conversations with people who have been strong supporters.

The Second Amendment.

They would be willing to talk about background -- background I have hundred and talk about mental illness and how do you take a step further but if you don't get to real sensitive conversations.

And where people can find common ground.

It immediately go for these emotional passionate thinks it will never pass you're not going to do.

Now -- Mark Kirk a Republican from Illinois moderate -- from Illinois Joseph -- moderate Democrat.

From West Virginia.

Are trying to do a consensus builder and they had -- what they're going to offer a background check -- now that wouldn't people will acknowledge.

Wouldn't have affected the ability of the shooter in -- -- to -- -- -- he just took his mama's guns he didn't go.

He didn't -- I those guys he just took them.

Now of course is -- the question of how would a mother -- was thinking about having her son committed to leave guns unlocked in her home.

Is an open question about one more not probably have the answer to.

What mansion in her are trying to do is put together a little bit there's the core of something to begin something important.

You think you can work I have actually do you think it can work and I think particularly the with Joseph Manchin who is -- it -- you know by Second Amendment.

You know.

-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- Anything that's going to work with respect to.

Firearms background checks is really doesn't start until marriage.

And I think that he's somebody who could be -- something more -- Virginia is somebody else who could be key because he's really on that geographical divide and I were talking about and I think folks like that are really the folks to go to and I and I think that.

Part of the problem -- -- isn't you know working out the way that Democrats would like to work out is because they follow the president credit sensitive term social issues in the knee jerk reaction produces feel good legislation.

That accomplishes nothing and I think in this case starting small working out we could find some things that will help to try to limit future tragically.

But he is chaired the Judiciary Committee is -- can be excellent the passage of the critical because he comes from a -- -- the right bear arms is something that we'll.

Here you have Vermont Vermont they they had they would they may grow a lot of -- up there but they also carry a lot of pistols they're serious about their -- It's bad I think that that democratic leadership really needs to take the time to understand the -- what drives those who desire to protect the Second Amendment.

1994 happened because President Clinton himself became personally I'll talk to people that were.

I had strong feelings in ended up personally negotiating that agreement that got done at night.

They take those kind of personal relationships and not demonizing those that are.

Demonizing the gun cultures bed and I know more demonize and would you also allow that demonizing big begun Travers.

Calling everybody go ahead and salute when I see folks like -- -- runner they're talking about car owners and he's missing entirely doesn't the second -- Which is self defense of home protection.

Okay that is really what those guys look at him when are the ability to protect from any of these people the ability to protect the freedom of speech or.

Basic freedoms exact is protected by their rights aren't exactly absolutely is and it's -- -- -- say I agree with your heart out today without -- that -- we're we're gonna close it on that because we're now we're getting some warm -- here and that's what that's what we like -- -- no tax credits -- warm -- We also like get your chest.

Viewer power -- Is obviously pretty faithful because that is that your hair has gotten -- -- Is this true.

It's just a little greater I think it was probably the election I think when Obama won it probably went down about -- -- that's that's my that's my guess is you should move green on Saturday.

Under discussion it's tough it's tough out there -- 1953 says guns are just a tool they do not decide.

What to shoot at the human holding the tool makes the decision and there are many.

Many other tools they can choose to kill with yes but this is no doubt true.

But having making 53.

When it comes to.

The numbers that are involved.

That's.

That's -- -- when we're talking about these -- shootings.

It only with a gun could you get that or I guess explosives could do that.

A dry Griffin says yes let's regulate guns more as all the laws and regulations for illegal drugs has really helped prevent illegal drug use.

And I would make a point about this.

In the state of Virginia they had a serious problem with guns and gun violence in Richmond it was a disaster and and also down in the in the Newport News -- I mean it was.

Really really bad.

You know what they did they do -- -- And they put a lot of people in prison and they win the truth in sentencing for -- and increased penalties for gun crimes and they cleaned it up.

That was back in the -- Democrats and Republicans didn't get together and did that that was effective it did work it was expensive and it delivers presents but it did work.

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

We will talk about the bad -- the hearings with Hillary Clinton we will talk about the path to nomination for Chuck Hagel who's up next week.

And we'll talk about it with a rising star in -- house Republicans and a guy who had an interest staying back and forth with Hillary Clinton during her visit to -- Will be with Tom cotton when we come back so stick around.

That I just wish you'd won the democratic primary in 2008.

And that was a rare moment of levity.

And Hillary Clinton's testimony.

In the House of Representatives.

And it got -- -- cordial after that.

But that was Tom cotton he is -- Republican freshman from Arkansas.

And he -- Hillary Clinton spent some time in our judgment call and did OK in that's State's democratic primary as ever call.

And we have the man himself with us today congressman through congress the Internet first met you.

When you wanted to be in congress and now you are in congress.

Are you glad you came.

I yeah okay I know we've got enough.

Community to address some of the country's most pressing problems with the debt crisis in front of a nuclear Iran and still early in this congress but I think we're making some strides.

Towards achieving their skills.

That's I guess that's a kind of and it.

All right now the question is this.

-- You view your your opening levity with Secretary Clinton.

Went away pretty quick and I think you've got into some tough questioning with her.

In you know with the Internet should know that you you served in Afghanistan.

Your -- is don't ever say aren't arming the so you can say don't ever ever accused silver hammer and -- don't -- do that all right so I'm like over there but.

You can you know about this stuff and you've you've you have that big portfolio on foreign policy.

And the question here is.

What did she tell you and do you think that she answered honestly I do.

The first point that I had as you said during the course the -- -- hope that we bring the perpetrators to justice.

-- I think that was intention with what -- birth.

The president since September of last year -- that they -- -- senator down I wanted to make sure that didn't reflect her concern about the course of the investigation.

And then I was a little surprised when -- asked she was to stress that.

The Tunisian government had released Ali Karzai the main suspect the couple weeks ago -- And I was surprised she didn't seem to think that was a distressing developments if we don't have an elderly does -- Understanding at the moment yeah and then on the pointed out al-Qaeda in the Islamic -- There's been a report this couple days ago New York Times that some of the fighters are captured the enemy units -- -- attack in Algeria were also involved in Ghazi.

They have ties to Islamic Egyptian Jihad.

As well last two Qaeda and Islamic Maghreb so -- try to explore some of those connections.

Africa and that and so that that's that she she was not eager to talk about that stuff.

What about the question of how come no one has heard from the embassy from the diplomatic workers who were present at the time the attacked -- -- But they didn't never been produced two now to talk about what happened.

It's unclear -- some and we should dog talk to -- you know when I was in the army whether Iraq or Afghanistan any -- you had any kind of engagement to get reports afterwards after action reviews and the soldiers are on the very front lines -- the ones you have the best information people are listening and haven't found liner had been there weeks prior.

So I think you know the congressional committees it's not just the foreign affairs committee are investigating this need access to this Frontline agency workers.

Now the House of Representatives doesn't get to say whether Chuck Hagel will become the next secretary of defense that's job for the upper chamber.

But you will be having a lot of discussions about defense spending right.

Which is the central thing that -- go is there -- is -- is too fast cuts in the Pentagon the president would like to see that money spent.

On domestic programs social programs infrastructure.

And senator cables on board with that you guys are not on board with that.

And but we have coming up what they call the sequester automatic cuts and now more more Republicans are saying well maybe we just let the -- -- At least it's something that forces first -- part of hagel I've been someone -- spoken -- his nomination in before the president nominated him that's a true fact.

You know -- mr.

hagel served our country admirably and valiantly in Vietnam and honor his service like every -- service.

But I feel that his service can't be.

A means to stifle debate about his troubling views on things like.

Further cuts to defense budget he said the defense budget exploded -- needs to be pared down.

Or is strange hostility towards Israel.

Or.

His dangerous views on Iran -- terrorism more generally.

-- and -- mentioned the sequester that will be under debate in the next 3060 days really address some these looming fiscal deadlines when -- the Republican Party agrees we have is that the constant party happened have been very devastating.

I you know are cutting through fatter in -- you're -- cutting to the mound.

-- mr.

hagel doesn't -- to share that view.

So I'm worried the president wants a Republican secretary of defense as political cover for even more cuts in the budget going forward even more is what's in the sequestering.

The complaint that we hear about the sequester is that it is by law passed to be.

Indiscriminate yes and it's not saying okay we're gonna give up on the F thirty -- we're gonna stop building -- or we're gonna do this.

Instead it says no it's got to fall equally so it doesn't stand out there -- it was designed to her it was one.

And it was enough it was designed what ought not to be implemented in the first place now I for one and a person budget control act because for many reasons that was one very -- -- -- because of the indiscriminate way.

It cut across the board without giving generals and admirals the flexibility they need to target their -- -- less effective programs and but also that it fell disproportionately on defense is 50% of the sequester spending cuts and defense is less than 20% of the total budget.

-- at a minimum we need to get our senior leadership at the department offense the flexibility to implement those cuts.

And reasonable fashion what I would prefer -- believe much Republicans would prefer this to reconfigure the cuts.

Within the sequestered because of the top line number stays the same but the way they're configured -- moved away from defense and forced -- discretionary spending.

I know that Paul Ryan has Budget Committee -- or working on that right now we should expect -- -- -- person and president she's got a little different so we're.

-- have been a very interest staying February -- -- let's -- I have to ask you though they're going to be senate race in Arkansas.

You -- I know you just got to the house.

But -- a red state that's got democratic senator and democratic governor.

You have you given any thought to -- Mark -- You know a lot of people ask me about that for 89 months now the media.

Or their supporters home in Arkansas and now it seems like a lot of people have big plans for me that sometimes -- -- tell me what those plans are.

I'm really not focus all right now I'm electoral concerns because of the strange.

Nature of these living deadlines with the sequester spending cuts in the continuing resolution and now the debt ceiling again and made.

So the most consequential work we do and analysts will be in this first four months and that's very rare.

-- are really focused on doing the basics of starting -- this trying to get to balance budget framework.

The House Republican Conference.

And then you know down the road -- -- politics were so now.

We will label that door open.

Congressman we thank you very much -- -- times -- -- service okay.

On the -- Jonathan Hunt is coming up next I know you like that but how about would you like to have some power points before I let you go well like it or not you're gonna get them.

-- our points area 51.

That refers to oppose legislation from Democrats in the senate that would in fact make what we now know as the District of Columbia the 51 state.

This is something that we hear every year we hear all of the time.

And that always -- so here's your first PowerPoint.

Definition of insanity the definition of insanity of course.

Is repeating the same thing behavior and expecting a different result.

Democrats bring this up every time the president just like Bill Clinton reform -- -- no taxation without representation plates on the presidential limousine.

They -- made it makes them feel good.

Makes them feel very good because of two things one.

It's something that what used to be a majority African American city but -- productive eight ace has substantially African American city.

That they are fighting for their rights that they're doing those things.

And also makes them feel because it would give them to new democratic senators.

And couple few democratic house members so so they like that too.

But here's your second -- -- make amends.

To do it really really really you have to amend the constitution that's not what happened so here's the third thing.

That's object permanence.

Object permanence is the fact that.

Be cognizant understanding that even if you don't see some thing it's still there.

Well guess what the Republicans are still there and their opposition to this is still there and their constitutional claims on this are still there so they will come back.

And -- -- -- this and make them feel good but guess what can any voting rights for anybody in DC it will just be a lot of jawboning and those your -- points for today and now as we like to do every day.

We want to leave you with the word from -- Charles.

And the fact they -- denied for so long to go back to the other part of the hearings.

-- there was any terror in the involvement -- related covered up and pretend it didn't happen in North Africa is an indication of how much -- they've had their head in the sand.

And how much they've lived off -- dozens of -- killing of bin Laden.

As a way to tell themselves that the war on terror was over.

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