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Power Play 1/29/2013

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    Obama ups the ante on immigration and a crowded congressional calendar. Chris Stirewalt and guests discuss

  • Duration 25:14
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I think it's important before.

We let the moment pass through acknowledged it.

The progress we're seeing embodied in the principles put forward by this bipartisan group.

Is happening for a reason and I think.

It's happening because a consensus is developing in the country a bipartisan consensus and it's happening because the president.

Has demonstrated significant leadership on this issue.

And that.

Dubious supposition was from Jay Carney the White House spokesman.

This is power play and I'm Chris Farrell and what was dubious about the supposition was that mr.

Carney said that it is important before we let this moment pass.

To acknowledge that the president is responsible for forging bipartisan consensus on an immigration plan.

Why why would that be important -- in fact it seems like it might even be damaging to the process of forging bipartisan agreement on the subject.

We will talk about that in advance of the president's remarks in Las Vegas today.

We'll talk about that we'll talk about the question of timing.

What is going to happen.

On the immigration front in terms of win people would get.

Amnesty and when -- -- to -- -- -- movement could get an amnesty or conditional amnesty.

Vs when they get on a pathway to citizenship -- border security occur we will talk about those things.

That I know you -- talk about so much an event.

We will do that we will talk about an increasingly crowded congressional calendar we will have our -- we will have -- extra hilarious Charles today you'll -- it will delight you.

Tremendously.

And also in the -- you department.

Bob Cusack he's managing editor at the -- you can and should.

Ney must follow him at Bob Cusack Bob welcome back they show Chris thanks.

OK so the precedent today.

I laugh because it's.

It's funny to me to see as this process works through.

The president said.

Over the weekend what we saw the interview over the weekend.

With the new republic.

Was at the new republic yes yes yes.

And -- it's said to them.

You know the problem with these Republicans is that.

Some cable news network.

I won't identify here and Rush Limbaugh.

Are meeting today and they punish them when they agree with me they want -- agree with me but they won't do it.

Because they're afraid of Rush Limbaugh and its performance from cable news network.

So he says that and then Jay Carney comes out later and says I remember the president did this immigration thing this is his view you need to accept that you need to notice that.

And -- today's gonna go to Las Vegas is and by the way which would gay marriage.

In the illegal immigration thing this does not strike me as a man who's looking to forge bipartisan consensus.

No -- -- ending we talked to Senator John McCain.

That six months ago he said.

That he was willing to work with Obama on immigration reform.

And then he just didn't get a -- itself.

And then immigration reform is something that -- Obama basically promised every year of his first term and did not deliver self.

Mitch McConnell has warned Obama not to ratchet up the rhetoric today because this is a fragile -- Any facts -- -- any bipartisan group now spreads on -- -- It is I think he's been endorsed these but clearly he's he's gonna go a little further and he wants this path to citizenship slash amnesty to be shorter -- than what's been out like masterpiece yes.

And the Republicans -- talking like a years long process in which you would get a conditional citizen you would get.

Hey conditional amnesty that you can stay in the country as without fear deportation but you'd have to beyond what is a long -- you can ask anybody if you have a friend Internet whoever tried -- to the United States.

It ain't easy and it can be a years long process to citizenship -- even once you have a green card so this new -- has done a long process and president's talking about.

Something back.

Yeah I mean this is just the beginning of a long process it's it's the first of all this is -- white paper it's not legislation.

You know the gang of eight on on the debt talks never got to legislation -- just had white papers but -- -- significant news event.

Let's just move the Judiciary Committee is gonna happen amendments and then -- -- gonna do it if he wanted to get through based on his own reading of what he seems to think as the perfidy.

But his Republican opponents.

Wouldn't he if he wanted to deal wouldn't he just cool out -- -- -- would he would -- not push this right now yeah well it's thanks -- what Chuck -- said it -- at -- opposite.

We're not any Democrats are not -- amusing this is a wedge issue you know Democrats would like to live and good -- -- -- -- -- -- -- They certainly use as an addition to test the twelfth Mitt Romney fumbled on the topic didn't really have an immigration policy -- -- well -- -- -- -- -- -- case is that before -- says I didn't whatever governor so well so.

It is something that Republicans you know.

The they have this in the Chuck Schumer -- a political strategist and he knows how to play the game.

And you know Lindsey Graham and Schumer have been working on this for a long time but.

This is something that you know it's not gonna happen very quickly but could it passed by the August recess I think it's possible.

Now -- whoa whoa whoa whoa.

Passed by the August recess -- -- high -- and I I think so I think it's it's possible if you see that he can move but because I think it it just goes to an election year.

No chance and he pointed -- that's -- Yeah that's definitely true -- what you -- but that doesn't mean that they're gonna pass -- -- passed by the senate before the August recess that would basically require.

This game to hold.

These they would have to hold serve yes and they couldn't give up but for five Republicans on this and still haven't -- really viable otherwise McConnell shut -- what.

Yeah what I think it was telling is that there -- on the line -- Republican senators who were criticized and seen this in a -- -- has been.

Been doing a lot of PR on this there were some house Republicans.

That were critical including Lamar Smith the former chairman of the Judiciary Committee.

But there weren't a lot there -- a couple Republican senators Tom but overall the mood is -- I think very different than 2007 but remember OK ninety doesn't -- George Bush said I'll see -- they're at -- -- data.

Did not happen but this and the Republicans are desperate and I want to say this for all of the folks out there who are.

On the Twitter and by the way probably execs are well and -- -- -- -- -- -- for -- Betsy sparrow right -- morning Internet.

But.

All people out there it's -- the conservative -- I have pox upon these Republicans and they're selling out on immigration this is an issue that Republicans know.

They have to get past if they do not get away from that it would be Obama and this is political expediency.

More than policy here.

If they don't get away from this thing -- -- -- -- them because they can't start to make inroads with Hispanic voters if the first conversation that they have with them as I do wanted to -- grandmother.

But after that -- -- you want to talk to you about abortion and I wanna talk to about jobs and talking about a defense.

Yes and and there are a lot of Republicans.

Who have always felt like Republicans -- move on immigration reform and asked Karl Rove that's Grover Norquist and many others but there has been a split in the party.

We'll see how it plays out but Republicans if they're going to be.

A majority party they gonna have to.

Taxes and tweet button says this.

I thought Obama already solved all this with DREAM Act executive actions I told you this before Internet including you and tweet button.

The president's.

Must mover -- got to move can't wait we can't wait we can't wait we can't wait for.

-- this excellence big gulps whatever.

All of those things were mostly for show to demonstrate that he was a muscular vibrant president not some -- relevancy hemmed -- by Republican House.

OK so you -- August on that.

Do you think it do you think that the house which is now talking -- talked a couple house members said they're gonna do something of their own yeah.

What would you expect to Republican -- -- I think -- really very different.

And then this outline that we saw yesterday I think it's going to be more on border security will -- via a path to citizenship I think so it was going to be a lot longer than what the president wants and probably what the senate oneself.

With the game plan is the senate and senate -- first passes a bill.

And then the house would probably move but you don't interests and we need to move on this and there are a lot of our members row Labrador.

A Republican Idaho who is a Tea Party member -- pro immigration reform.

-- -- -- Bob Cusack -- self deport himself out of here to get on with his important work will be thank you for your time thank you Chris.

Okay Internet you don't deport yourself any place you stick around because when we come back.

We're gonna talk about the mechanics of how -- an agreement like this -- work.

And again in the weasel we're gonna have a couple of very effective weed -- is with us here your friends and -- -- -- -- someone -- to stick around.

We clearly want to make sure that the enforcement mechanisms happen and one of the things we all hear from people is.

While you're gonna do -- legalization part but you won't believe the enforcement part.

And so we think the best way to guarantee the people feel comfortable -- that is to put in place the following.

An understanding that in fact of the visa entry and exit system which is something everyone recognizes needs to be done.

And real progress in terms of having.

You know real improvement at the border are two things that are critical of people need to see certified before we move to the final stage in the process.

And that was Marco -- at a press conference announcing the gang of -- bipartisan accord great framework for future record on dealing with -- illegal immigrants in the United States and preventing -- From coming -- in this power play.

And what senator rubio was referring to there is it common complaint on the right.

Which is -- get your amnesty in this happened back in 86 you get your amnesty says that we're gonna have enforcement but -- the enforcement never comes it's very analogous what Republicans say.

About tax increases and spending cuts.

Tax increases occurred within the spending cuts into evaporates from rubio there is promising no no no deal unless we have the tough stuff.

In place and it -- a tough line in place before we do the next thing so.

Can they pull that off and they do that especially when the president today is gonna say hold -- and I don't know.

The way we're gonna do this is that -- will be free and the Americans and bring them into the system before we are cracking down on anything.

The people who know between them are correct in some form we just have to figure out which parts.

Our embassy he is.

What we put your principal instrument principles -- we've learned by its.

He's former Press Secretary for.

Then congressman Roy -- -- senator.

That makes him -- Republican as you can tell by the white shirt and at that time.

And at Cornell who you know and like an -- -- rather fond of Internet he's strategist at SKD maker rocker and a former spokesman for the and in command Internet.

OK guys the conservative base is catchy.

Right now because they think they're going to get points -- So MS what's gonna happen -- -- nice to know -- -- the best and that's basically they're they're concerned about a spot as -- I think I as a Republican decision to review taking the lead on this it's comforting you know if anyone from our party should be.

Putting ideas out there and having a big debate on it would be senator rubio.

As we saw the last -- -- -- traditions and immigration this is going to be a long drawn out process I don't know we'll get the marches on the mall again.

5 Texas that this and it would be done in August by August.

Really seen and he's Smart he's no joke well that's -- and -- for something this big -- comprehensive I mean having worked on Health Care Reform the longer these things go.

The worst the worst to -- and down but.

-- -- -- -- -- rubio out there in the US chamber of commerce gave -- a positive.

Statement Boehner or some other house Republicans didn't totally dismissive so that's positive on the progress it's momentum you know and we'll see how the next couple months -- Now the thing that could hang this whole works Amos is.

This question and -- Goldberg got to -- in the -- last night and others are starting to.

Do things are connecting these dots.

If you have a pathway to citizenship.

And as I wrote when that everybody has a path to citizenship -- -- some of their path to citizenship start in Tegucigalpa.

Out of the country they would deport people and then let the real quiet they wanted to everybody's got a path to citizenship the question is how wall.

-- your path to citizenship.

But if the shorter path to citizenship and this is not contingent on.

Or that spirit you're legal status being granted legal status the amnesty.

If that's not contingent on being on the path to citizenship being arranged basically to say that if you're not.

On the path to citizenship you're subject to deportation.

If that's not -- conservatives are -- -- that's right.

I think what you have to look at what he's saying those parties what do you say to families who have been here waiting had been applying to doing everything legally.

Everything to get all the right steps for some situations decades trying to do the right thing.

You're just gonna say no you're off the table but everyone knew you're welcome -- I think it's you know I think that's a sticking point not just for conservatives but for people who have been trying to immigrate illegally.

Now that you all have been -- Republicans especially in the southwest.

Especially in Florida especially in Virginia states was growing Hispanic populations.

The blue team has been killing Republicans on this issue before Republicans can even get to.

The idea of talking about other things with Hispanic voters like over by the way that's the before he back I just wanted to -- -- grandmother or so before we talk about that.

Are Democrats willing to let that go as a political device.

Absolutely this was this is president's top priority this is -- CHC's top priority.

And he's made a promise to that Hispanic community that he's gonna get this done so I think that trumps politics and at the end of the day.

You know the president is gonna get.

Considerable credit.

For this even if it's a bipartisan bill but I think so -- Republicans and ultimately you know I think Hispanics and in other folks will benefit from.

Conference -- immigration reform will probably.

You don't look at other issues once this is done as to which party they you know they will want to support but Republicans are staring at the last election and they had a you know a nominee who was.

Way to the right on immigration.

Who are farther to the right thing he probably really was and -- -- and and clearly that's something that they are not gonna make that mistake again Republican former governor said to me today.

I want to know who that 26% that did vote for -- -- They've been the question.

Though for you Amos.

What do you think the president's upped -- does he wanna deal or does he want to put do Republicans heads back on the handle on.

Speaking I think probably is -- once they'll surely -- -- idea he -- this is -- people he knows he just won an election Republicans -- really fallen behind Hispanic community.

I don't really know if he's gonna go for a deal I think -- RNC thousands and today all the poison legislation he did when he was in the senate to stop progress and immigration reform.

Which you.

But yeah.

If you look at the president's record.

I don't see any evidence that you know on big issues like this that he kills bills because he thinks that's politically.

Good for him you look at the tax bill when you know when the extended bush tax cuts a year and half of those for the reelection but after the reelection when the tax cuts came -- -- of course he's gonna push principles and into the Republicans have been telling have been saying one of their biggest gripes is you need -- don't we need the president to -- we want him to put on a bill on all sorts of issues and that's what he's doing today in Las Vegas he's putting out his principles that doesn't mean he's not willing to compromise I think.

You know he starts here that senate starts here and at some point -- The real questions house Republicans and let's not -- yeah.

I.

You -- the real question is.

Always what can ultimately pass to chambers but the first open question as.

What could -- the United States senate what's in there -- -- -- United States and and -- we're talking with Bob -- earlier.

And it's.

Mitch McConnell is not going to allow something to go forward that -- a bunch of Republican defections if this becomes toxic where it becomes unpopular.

He'll find a way to kill it now.

With amendments -- something else right thank you.

-- -- -- so but I think that's also it's been official that you have some to review involved in this process is such an early stage.

If you look at the Republican Party the next generation coming up.

Senator Ted crews you've got us -- Revere from Florida and George P.

Bush of Texas -- the Republicans view that immigration -- a number one issue for them.

It -- -- tends gonna get a little bigger we're gonna have to compromise I see progress coming up George P.

Bush.

Not sound like a Hispanic man but his mama is in fact -- -- person of Hispanic extraction.

-- the last word on this to you.

When you get into the details of this it becomes such a grind and there becomes more and more for people to dislike.

So it is do you do you credit it as a Smart choice to start very open to try to get as many people in the space as possible before you start fleshing out the -- Yeah I think this is a Smart way to do it you lay out the principles.

Right and then over the course of the next couple months you fill in with the legislation to fill in with you know some of the more specifics.

But if you start out with a bill that is what it means one -- or the other it almost guarantees it's going to be dead on arrival so I thought it was a pretty Smart move by you know and senator Schumer Senator McCain and senator rubio.

And they really you know they had they do have a lot of momentum and I given credit for for kicking off the way they could with the way that they did.

I think you're Smart and you also know how to use the Google match.

And you said -- and only got 37% of the Hispanic vote.

And he gave amnesty so not sure it is going to help the difference of course being is that Democrats were not as good at using this issue -- exploiting this and figuring out how to use it effectively to solidify the Hispanic base.

Hispanic voters were a lot.

More.

They -- voting patterns were much more connected to their socioeconomic.

Status.

And there regional ethnicity.

Then it was to an overall issue there is getting to be a larger sense of broader sense of unified Hispanic culture and identity in the United States and those folks will punish anybody that they see is being attributed about immigration.

That's just the way it is that's just the truth watch Univision sometime and I don't just seven he got that.

OK guys we're gonna take a very quick break but when we come back.

And we'll talk about the crowded congressional calendar.

They say.

The congress can walk and chew gum at the same time we have evidence to the contrary so stick around.

And that is what it looks like when a human being enjoys chewing gum and walking at the same time.

Our -- Kevin Tracy it all around good guy.

Producer and editor for Fox News for live dot foxnews.com.

And showing us how it's done that you can even blow bubbles that you can really enjoy yourself chewing gum and walking at the same time.

And this is power play.

And guess who can't chew gum and walk -- the same time the United States congress they can't do multiple things at the same time as they get freaked out.

And they get confused and it's sort of like a bad -- deal.

Inside of -- county jail.

One defendant is stitching on the other one they're turning dropping dime with the prosecutors.

And it turns into a real mess so what happens now that we have this stacking up.

Big piece of legislation some that are super urgent.

Like continuing to allow the government to operate after the end of march like dealing with the sequestration.

That would bring very deep cuts on social and military programs that were actually designed to be avoided.

We've got that and now we've got gun control we've got immigration we have super divisive social issues that are rolling forward so what is going to happen.

People who can chew gum and walk at the same time and probably do other things probably do that and Blackberry I would imagine both of these gentlemen can't.

Are Amos Snead he's on the red team and -- out of the blue team.

So -- you were there.

And -- -- but you were there win the democratic majority in the house did walk and chew gum at the same time.

They did cap and trade legislation which imposed fees on carbon emissions -- fees on carbon emissions to deal with global warming.

And also the president's.

Health law is -- Recovery Act and and the city of course the same villages like you could have done anything at that moment like it was at the beginning to problems like just gets to do.

There are tough but wasn't to get -- -- it.

You know we had we have to get Arlen Specter couple of those Republicans but look at the world Arlen Specter but you guys did what did you go with the same time but your point about the senate everything after.

The stimulus.

Turned into a total disaster and everything everybody got confused and it ended up taking two years to do to help health law is a traffic jam -- okay.

So is are we headed for another -- of traffic jam maybe I.

I mean there's a reason why -- congressional approval rating is at 17%.

Now fixed not Antoine Wright didn't give him a little right credit.

It's just like.

I think the phils of old Egypt over the but there's three things that they absolutely need to do three key deadlines they -- to -- they've got -- sequestration was comes up at the end of February got the candidate -- -- the continuing resolution and didn't come march and then you've got that debt -- in today and so.

You know they've got to do those three things and the -- gonna act on if you listen if you listen to the leaders over there by immigration reform in the summer he also have you know I've heard rumors that there could be a corporate tax reform bill that Dave Camp puts out.

In the spring.

You -- you know I got something.

Hey -- maggert you've got gun violence.

Legislation there's a lot of things there I think look.

If it really depends on how strong of a leader.

John Boehner -- and that when you see what you want about speaker leader Pelosi she was -- a very effective speaker.

She did an end.

Our caucus was way more diverse than what in the -- -- and the whales and -- we could hear coming from the other side of the capital -- and she was extremely good Red Hat bridging.

You know disagreements and so I wanna see -- how speaker Boehner does with some of these things that amount not to mention appropriations bills that are going to be else as well.

To that point your old boss was the -- and win the Republicans were in the majority in the house.

The last time and when Tom DeLay was majority leader with -- was serious business and there was a lot you know there's a lot of noses were dragged out under the house -- -- cast votes on difficult things -- stuff Boehner doesn't do that.

And -- approach except for on this last deal on the taxes they did on the hurricanes anything -- is approaching I was like look I tried.

Now you guys do whatever you're gonna do.

I'll be up in my office you let me know when you're ready but Kevin McCarthy is not gonna be out there dragging people under the foreign beat him down he's an -- -- collect.

Hey you know.

-- and -- -- -- I think what we saw last congress when it looks like we're gonna have this congress.

The house is gonna packed house is gonna pass legislation it and it stops it Harry Reid's doorstep and doesn't go any further.

If you look at what you know.

Why would he go -- people to take these votes this is gonna -- diets and when you look at all the legislation was passed in the house last congress in and -- didn't go anywhere.

As soon as it was passover so I think.

What really needs to happen if you're gonna get all these big things done and then look at corporate tax reform you're gonna have to actually -- an impact yet.

Well I mean -- senate I think the -- right now is what happened on.

Fiscal at all helpful or just I don't know you have to come back and is -- just arched his not a guy -- yeah.

We have to -- we have to -- that it looks like is that it might be that -- anybody here -- Internet -- -- -- Internet is demanding on the hunt with Jonathan Hunt is up next that's true.

And we do have Charles -- we have all this good stuff but before you get to -- how about one last bit of the entree and some power points.

Our points are the keys and got to stand for something he's your -- Wednesday first -- scorch.

Not advancing back in the day when the conservative movement was -- really as we understand it in the United States with.

The magazine national review.

And -- and eventually Barry Goldwater's presidential candidacy.

The magazine's motto was standing -- -- history yelling stop.

And in those days certainly the movement was on the right stop what you're doing we need to stop what's going on here.

Well that was okay in the sense that it gave people a counter revolutionary guy that made them feel good about something and it gave the -- -- meaning but here's your second SharePoint.

Morning or morning.

-- your question Ronald Reagan completed the cycle he came in and said conservatism is mainstream I can get elected this does work mourning in America.

Network morning in America on the right conservatives are saying oh it's too bad Obama has nation and then -- -- and all of these things and they are the managing -- the late great United States.

But here's your third point.

Given the game dude.

A -- isn't getting you anywhere anymore liberals found this out liberals -- this after the 2004 election they found a way to get in the game and be relevant because if you're not advancing policy agenda stopping an immigration bill get you nowhere as a matter of fact it gives you a worse place.

You've got to have a plan of your own if you want to speak out against somebody else's I'm telling you John O'Sullivan and everybody else on the right who thinks that it would be fun just to -- this bill.

You better have a plan of your -- if you're gonna come up with that.

That's just what on second and now as we like to do every day we wanted to share a word from our French are.

-- but I think if you are -- around.

This semi official paper and Egypt and you had to interview like this with the president to be in Paris.

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