Power Play 1/31/2013

This transcript is automatically generated

But there's more work to do and our economy is facing a major headwind which goes to your point and that's.

Republicans in congress.

And that is Jay Carney accusing Republicans blaming Republicans for a contraction in the economy in the fourth quarter.

2012.

File that in the category of things that -- -- Mitt Romney which is he would have known sooner and this is power play and I am Chris -- Walsh.

And guess what the economy stinks and it has for a long time we had the big recession after the payment of 2008.

Big.

Believe they called it that would.

Big but worst economic crisis since the Great Depression.

It was very bad but things have just been kind of kooky sensed that and that's where we flipped and as a consequence.

The unemployment rate is high GDP rate is -- And it's the new normal and people are sort of learning to live with it but.

What.

Is the president going to do in the second term his jobs council.

The much wanted jobs council has reached its expiry.

And there are not enough jobs and he can't get the things that he wants in congress.

Namely stimulative spending.

Two it is he says invest in things like.

Global warming and stuff like that.

What's he gonna do.

We're gonna talk about that today and we will of course talked about -- cable.

Because I know you kind of some of you care a lot some of you care not at all but he is likely to become the next secretary of defense that we will insistent and -- that you pay attention.

We will do all that -- we will have a good dose of fun.

And you know that that's true because -- favorite dynamic duo is here AB Stoddard she's a columnist for the bill.

You see here on the fox television all the time.

And Charles hurt when you also see -- pucks over and over time it is a columnist for The Washington Times.

Welcome back to think the -- okay now.

Jobs council president shots -- They're not going to be doing anything but they didn't do anything before right.

Is that true it was that mostly political a dressing.

Yeah it looked at the time.

They attract inducing people to do list they never met.

And with the president.

But for a few times early on and then -- sort of just evaporated.

The president has been able largely because of some sturdy growth.

Small but definitely this two win reelection defy history -- unemployment.

Almost 2%.

And then go on obviously through this dramatic negotiations over the fiscal -- and and persuade the Republicans Democrats you extend tax cuts for -- -- -- percent of Americans.

And move right into these debates on gun control immigration reform without really talking about a jobs agenda.

And she is now.

At the point with the sequester CAA you know sex take effect and go online march -- Where he has.

A choice to make and if he blows it off and -- beautiful both sides agree there's no agreements there's no word on an agreement.

There's no will to actually replace the -- so if the president doesn't.

Exerts leadership on this issue it's going to be and it it is and how an impact on jobs is gonna it's gonna produce X several -- Two consumer demand and then he's just gonna have to have a conversation later Charles will be economy.

What do the Republicans the president says well it's their fault.

Because they engage in brinksmanship and they will -- -- -- additional funds.

Just spend on the things that America needs to spend money on so the Republicans are to play -- I'm going to Lynn -- here yeah.

Your question that's only if you promise to never he's -- compete and in his that I -- it.

I know now here and it's actually a popular terrible -- it's it's it's it's a little too.

It's it's -- laid down marker about dream.

It was a dream instead of -- I don't know I was sounds -- Where we are right now.

You know Republicans have managed to invent.

Immediately invent new ways to somehow.

Get blamed for everything right and actually and then actually lose -- and actually.

Take the blame for -- -- they're gonna and and I don't know if they run it if it eventually they're gonna run out of this this.

Miraculous ability to always lose and you may be we've finally reach that point now and but but I mean that the notion that that that that the White House is going to turn to Republicans and blame them for their current state of the economy.

-- they're not going these are not going to authorize more spending.

Yeah that's why I I think that you -- it'll be instinct to see -- -- maybe we should just put it this way who we inching C.

How Republicans managed to lose on this.

Speaking of QB Charlie well it is true is -- it's up.

But but but it is I mean at some point.

You know -- if you you gave President Obama all the tax cuts that that you.

It's that exactly -- tax increases that he -- it.

You know if you look at the future growth of you know and all of them but entitlements and as -- It's not gonna make a bit of difference the next three years are going to be very very difficult that this white house with the economy.

And -- -- and and it's in -- that that's why do we he says you know what I wanna do this this balanced approach where you're gonna continue in that meeting he wants to continue to find new.

Tax revenue.

You don't.

The prospect of going into the future was -- -- even higher taxes.

And this lack of stimulus spending it's going to be it's gonna be it's gonna get -- here.

I see now he's dead okay eight AB that the reality though is.

Since and not much -- happen on this front because -- congress totally disagree right on what to do.

What is the consequence of having this dream you economy.

For the next two years.

Politically we know it's bad well human beings and other living things.

We have to imagine that there's -- there's no jobs agenda but there is he's going to be forced into another image of the budget agenda which is that.

With the sequester me -- about climate come up with a -- Well I think the senate Democrats have been forced into that corner successfully by the house Republicans -- -- was.

Any your readers greatest week which is an outlook calling us debt and so what I what I would -- is that the -- The the -- 1 deadline for the sequester will be blown the president can keep begging senate Democrats up for election.

In -- campaigns in red states for help on immigration and talk of reform and gun control bills.

But in those conversations he's going to increasingly hear about that but I need to address.

Either the sequester or jobs agenda when they are faced with.

More calls from him for tax hikes.

You know.

More support for contentious aspects of both gun control and immigration reform he is going to be under pressure for spending cuts from his own party he's going to be under pressure for some sort of grand bargain this looks like the Republicans have put this off and so there's no -- coming -- a huge fight ending in March.

Did you really wanted to wish with the -- sequencing was genius but but -- republicans' part but it'll still be.

I'm a fight for this White House is not going to be something where the Republicans are -- and he's in his get more spending anecdotally that.

He's gonna developers to make and if the numbers -- the economy they're going to be onward.

AB.

Again.

Bringing things into focus sadly we're now -- every how -- that we're happy that you're here but were always a little -- and eighty explains just how terrible things are.

That's okay that's okay because when we come back we'll talk about Chuck Hagel.

We'll do that gets -- your chest but before we go a couple of thing.

Just for the break.

Just for the break -- and it will be right back just a couple of things that you should know Hartford current reports that Connecticut gun -- sold 181400.

Firearms last month.

A 71%.

Increase.

Over -- previous very that's a true fact and here's what you say Internet.

Other things that you say.

That where will you -- you point out that I had a typo in my tweet of my column this morning by the you know you can get my column that I write for you every day.

If you -- -- he's got -- call now that I think it.

You can get you can get that just by calling it -- -- -- -- -- out a couple of -- pointed -- that I said love instead of live about the show but there's a lot of love -- With more love after this serves to correct.

And that's.

Is Israel holy city to three major religions at least two and a half.

And this is power play and why do you care about Jerusalem and what on earth did you have to do with being secretary of defense.

Well over Chuck Hagel former Republican former senator from Nebraska.

Said some things about Israel that people from Israel its borders of Israel in states like.

That's how he got started.

In his nomination process is that they came out for him with their brick bats.

But today.

He's grinding it out and looks like he's on his way to confirmation.

Let's talk about what that means let's talk about what it means we're defense policy we'll have -- handle on this later.

But let's get the view from 30000 feet from AB Stoddard and Charlie hurt.

-- What's gonna come out of this today with a goal of consequence.

What's what's the significant thing.

Well I think there's Chuck Hagel and I see him close in this hearing you know has some math on -- -- to be confirmed.

And as the next secretary of defense however.

We are innocent ever escalating situation with Syria Egypt is a -- These two issues in the last week have not been addressed by the administration.

Chuck Hagel.

Will be.

In in.

The crossfire over those.

The administration's policies or lack -- of inadequate efforts and -- with regards to those.

I'm crises and civil war.

She will also.

How to softener switch which I believe -- system with meetings with senators on both sides see out his positions -- -- -- Beyond what how he would intervene.

-- hit it in a conflict between user Israelis and the Iranians and what our policy is good engineering all anyone aggressively today is great he's gonna fight back about into green anti gay anti Israel peace -- everything else that.

There of the criticisms -- -- but I think he's horizon is confirmed and is.

Along with John Kerry.

You know are are under intense pressure as -- administration tries to.

They could get out of Afghanistan as some people in this administration doing even sooner than.

Then he's already stated and what what what is on the horizon with Syria and with Israel and and ran so.

And if it's not.

That he won't be confirmed but -- because of his questionable views and -- house is under more pressure than someone who.

The Republicans the senators and and democratic senators like -- that Schumer.

Had -- it had found perfectly reasonable.

Now you Charles did you take any issue with -- his comments about.

Aggressive game -- sort.

Anything of that of that I believe it's it's always stronger hurt anyone's feelings this is just -- -- there are we got to tell you know yes that's right.

But I think that.

I'm -- it always dreaded these things.

And is -- -- -- -- -- -- insisted there yes -- anger in this.

I -- him -- by the way I don't wanna interrupt but I'm going to tell you that a Marco Rubio has just said he's now.

He's going to vote against that so that that moves opposition to take out into a slightly more moderate and it sure but I think that it already has not -- Hey a unity so are you more moderate well but that is -- You know moderates if it if it was my it was for amnesty right and that was likely if it was -- are you saying OK okay obvious.

Literally five cent rubio.

Aaron Nagel and I think Charles agrees yes Charles rubio -- -- care when -- are here are moderates in my book.

Yeah yeah well so here so alert scale -- cool later but I -- but it did -- it.

But I think he's -- here is that the local markets given the fact and it and some very it's Smart people will tell you that.

-- -- -- -- -- -- Just it's the end of American foreign policy it's that you know he hates our enemies he loves me he hates our allies he loves our enemies and -- -- and I'm not tumor known.

About all that.

But I do know this that -- it would it to the tactic.

For nominating him he did indeed this.

Really the only person in the world that would -- especially so for president Obama's.

World views foreign -- of course not.

The reason -- nominated -- is because he's a Republican he wanted to draw Republican opposition so he can say.

See these people though they liked him he was a Republican daylight until I nominated -- these people are such things and he's very good.

Good that it is very Smart it's Smart but but also.

Sort of vicious and -- with so.

Okay guys that's the only got back only that.

I can -- it could do you rid of that.

Brother -- latest column which is Dave Howell and it's also very insightful and maybe you're gonna have any pizza today on immigration on immigration that when she wants to explain why -- from Vietnam.

Something -- something like that.

It's complicating.

-- the Internet delights and you guys as always very much okay.

You heard about those people who don't like Chuck Hagel a law.

Well we'll have one of them and we'll have somebody who thinks that he's going to be pretty doggone good as Defense Secretary when we come back as we -- it can help.

-- -- The senate came from senator Jim Webb.

And his point was.

That we have never.

Ever.

The designated a part of a legitimate government.

This is former Nebraska senator former Republican chuck -- -- Who also does happen to rocket Caesar which I think is kind of cool and this is power play welcome back Internet so.

What about Chuck Hagel and the looming cuts to the Department of Defense we know they're coming.

Some have already well reductions to future increases we stipulated -- actually cuts the reductions to future increases that went into place but also.

The sequestration is out there 5% cut that would -- deeply commanders even say that what they have to do is forgo training.

-- training.

Just so that they can keep everybody equip and field.

The former senator says he can effectively.

-- pentagon -- -- reducing readiness.

Republicans.

And people who have defense contract terms of their districts are grouchy about this.

So what happens you know who knows Simon Rosenberg knows because he is the director of the new Democrat network and former Clinton Campaign advisor.

And as we point out sound as it tried to forge a center left coalition of ideas that's what Simon is all about is this not so.

Only on the show only -- I'm just guessing -- And I would like you to meet Internet Brian -- He's a board member of Americans for -- strong defense.

I'd like to see who the opposite and that is but former us he's former assistant secretary of state.

Under George W.

Bush and former policy advisor to -- Willard M Romney mr.

-- welcome to the big show things could be.

Okay now.

Do defense budget.

Is like 920 billion dollars -- lot but it's a lot of Jack.

But they were stretched thin in a lot of ways time and and Republicans say -- and is radical and wants to cut too much and that he's dangerous and that way what do you -- I don't think so and -- there isn't.

-- budget out from the from the administration.

But I look everyone if we're gonna get the deficit under control which I think is a universal aspiration everyone's gonna have to.

Do their fair -- the president says and I think that.

I think we need to do this too -- I think there needs to be less than defense budget -- just doing the same time -- evaluating our strategic priorities.

And making sure there isn't -- as possible the president has put a big idea the -- was -- to Asia.

Which I think has -- -- factored into how we are gonna sort of look at the world of next five to ten years.

Do these together I think Kerry Hague will be -- good team to veterans right now they've they've both served in Vietnam both war heroes.

Who I think will be an effective team to help.

Reevaluate our strategic priorities.

-- our defense -- with those -- Brian the John McCain got into it -- hagel today I think we should remember this used to be McCain's protege.

If you think way back to back in the way back machine -- -- his pick for -- his pick for Defense Secretary and in fact.

Way back in the day when McCain represented the navy to congress.

-- that's when he learned the ropes about getting money and doing all this stuff and then he -- able.

They're both veterans both served in Vietnam is -- boys.

And McCain took out after him over the Iraq surge saying that you had bad judgment on these on these points -- did you read that -- -- we.

We -- organization Americans for a strong defense because we didn't want to voice concerns about senator eagles' record on defense and national security.

One of the things that was alarming to us is.

In -- recent interview senator hagel was asked about.

The sequester in about the looming defense cuts.

And he said he thought the defense budget was bloated.

And he he thought the -- department needs to be pared down.

Secretary Panetta when asked about -- same looming budget cuts said they would devastate our national security and what -- a lot of military.

So the person the President Obama has chosen to succeed.

Secretary Panetta there's a fundamental disagreement.

About funding for the Defense Department since 1961 defense spending has been declining every single year as a percent -- federal spending.

It's -- so -- and we're certainly not going to you know solve our fiscal mess on the back of the Defense Department.

-- -- it's about entitlement.

I think I don't do that and I and I and I think it's gonna have to do to his apartment and -- -- have to it's gonna have to do it -- there's no way for us to get the deficit under control without defense.

Contributed to look at what.

It's like a quarter of the budget basically it's not nearly as much as -- -- is what we're spending and what we called mandatory spending there which are the entitlement programs that's that's sucks up the lion's share what the government spends.

But the Defense Department what's left is you.

But the truth is a lot of other people putting a lot of individual contributions into so called -- this defense is actually just purely yes and defense is actually more pure spending grammys in the definition of spending which is good economy -- -- you know and I think that's important we saw what happened impact the economy women's.

-- make your point four.

Is that it is if you advancing rapidly economy shrinks it and so we've got to be Smart about this which is why I think it has been done -- strategic map.

-- Today under pressure -- -- of course he would do.

And the United States act unilaterally if that's what is necessary.

To do that of course what was he gonna say no I'd let the country get conquered because I think that he didn't have an ally he's not gonna say that -- Is there something that he would say today that would put you at ease about his stance on intervention realism and Iran and anything else are -- words that he can say today that would change your thinking -- Well I think.

More importantly what he would say today is his twelve year record set to cut and I think that's for you have to focus that's what we're focusing on.

And when you look at threats to peace and security he does have.

Little bit of a tendency to there's -- pattern where it's softened diplomatic -- Pressure -- sanctions.

And then negotiate unconditionally with them.

With either -- governments or terrorist organizations.

And there's a bipartisan foreign policy tradition that when you have rogue regimes or when you've got a terrorist organization.

There has to -- some signal disapproval sanctions have proven in many cases to be a deterrent to war you need to sharpen the downsides for misbehavior.

And time and again when asked to you know support sanctions whether it's Iran Syria North Korea.

Hezbollah Hamas whatever it Cuba he opposes it and I wish you a little bit more selective.

-- there's yeah yeah just a broad pattern.

Of opposing diplomatic pressure which I've always been a big supporter of because I think it's really one of the best tools that we have -- our diplomatic arsenal to avoid war Simon.

How come.

Democrats liberals -- Randy you're about question of the drone war on the -- all that stuff that used to really get them.

Get the juices -- the legs dangling.

That stuff and now it's like it's cool again we have this -- whole globe drone war being fought out of Las Vegas Guantanamo still open all this stuff.

And as Bob Dole would say where's the outrage.

I think that -- this one.

In mind my senses that.

There it -- there's cross pressures here.

I think that there is a war weariness and in the public I think there's a sense not a disengagement and wanted to withdraw from the world but to do it better smarter.

And more effectively I think if you look at the point did today in Iraq -- 60% of the country thinks it wasn't worth the the investment and I don't think the country I don't think Democrats are against against war I think they were against.

-- I think the American people have been against wars that were delivering the returns a result of our engagement so I think what you're seeing is I think people are waking up to that this.

These drones.

Are allowing us to conduct foreign policy in -- way in.

In a more efficient and effective manner so I think this is an evolution and laying on the Democrats the question we have to -- -- very quickly from -- you will be confirmed.

Too early to tell these the other hearing yesterday yes then give a lot of senators who are sitting on the fence until they hear -- said on -- -- that he's unlikely to go.

There there's -- there's a lot there's a lot of football yet to be -- -- isn't it gentlemen we thank you for -- sir fair minded patriotic and president who actually that is good -- Jonathan Hunt is coming up next thing you like that to Internet.

But before you get there.

About some power points about advise.

And consent.

That's what the senate is supposed to do that's what the framers intended for the senate to do as it relates to -- the president's cabinet appointments.

And now a bunch of other things because we've expanded the -- different agencies and -- humans and stuff but.

That's the good point disposed to advise the president.

What would be a good choice and then give their consent to his nominations that's -- so here's your first PowerPoint.

Faulty towers faulty towers that was not just a truly awesome show with John Cleese.

But it is what we have seen really since about 1991.

When John -- Who was George HW Bush's nominee.

To be the Defense Secretary got voted down because of some personal issues that he had had.

And he didn't get to be secretary of defense.

But what happened after the tower nomination and it's defeat was the radical would -- -- -- a love.

These kinds nominations and everybody just as the cases happen.

When Ted Kennedy and Joseph Biden went after Robert Bork and Supreme Court nominations it's become so hard to get people nominated because everybody wants to have their -- -- moment and bring one of them down.

And it's also good way to talk about your issues okay cool.

The second PowerPoint copper -- copper pets.

Those were the Democrats.

In congress during the civil war but they were snipped pennies on -- look -- it's complicated whatever.

Abraham Lincoln's success server.

In fact.

Got -- -- impeachment no one because of it -- late for him by.

The radical Republicans in congress.

And he got into real big problem he when they're going to be president anyway but that's neither here -- there third PowerPoint growth sector.

Here's a prediction for you this stuff is only going to get worse the growth sector that you will see in these nomination battles will get worse and worse -- successive cycles as the senate continues to fail to be good at work.

That's the truth in both parties probably ought to recognize that at some point.

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

It's so it's really ridiculous of the of the administration.

Has been in charge of this economy for four years.

The amount of stimulus for this week recovery is shocking.

Fiscally it's a trillion dollars a year we've never had that -- stimulus.

Deficit spending.

And then on the monetary side from the -- they are printing and -- -- -- wild rate so you've got all -- you know all they accelerated to the floor.

In every aspect and you still get the worst -- recovering.

Watch Live

Power Play 1/31/2013

Details

Clips

Editor's Picks

Sen. Rand Paul: Obama's speech is a 'misdirection campaign'

Franklin Graham: How the IRS targeted my religious charities

Obama’s foreign policy address

Obama shifts focus to counterterrorism policies

Gutfeld: World, meet radical Islam

Rep. Cantor: Lois Lerner owes Americans an 'explanation'

What evidence will be key in George Zimmerman trial?

Lawmakers overlooking CIA's role in Benghazi attack?

British PM David Cameron vows to never give in to terror

Did IRS official wave Fifth Amendment rights at hearing?

Biking with Bush: Wounded vets join president for ride

Did Benghazi attack derail Romney's presidential campaign?

Transcript

Recommended