Fox News
Expand
Browse All Video
Watch Live

You're watching...

Power Play 2/12/2013

Details

  • Description

    Will gun control weed out otherObama policy points? Plus: Cabinet nominees court controversy

  • Duration 25:01
  • Date

Clips

Also in this playlist...

Editor's Picks

Auto-advance: ON

Auto-advance
View All

Transcript

This transcript is automatically generated

When normally you don't filibustered cabinet people.

We try not to do that has not done often and maybe.

Almost never in the senate.

But this is a big deal.

And this is a big deal to this is power play.

I am Chris -- well and in fact.

Jeff Sessions that senator from Alabama.

Who may look like you're lovable grandpa.

Is getting ready there.

Eight in the senate to blow that -- Up out of Jack lose nomination the president's chief of staff currently who he wants to be secretary treasury over a host of issues.

And today is a big day nomination -- As we get ready to hear a vote or what we believe will be a vote on Chuck Hagel and former Republican senator from Nebraska -- presently the department of defense and that's.

Difficult moments.

Including a nuclear North Korea right -- are true.

Country that doesn't have enough -- to feed its people has detonated a nuclear bomb but today is in fact state of the union day.

The greatest dog and pony show them also we will we will talk about that.

We will also talk about.

The president is going out on the campaign trail again after the state of the union to further impress upon Americans need for congress to enact his.

Bold TM agenda we will talk about that.

And it will all be fun it will all be enlightening I promise you.

But none of it will be any more fun or any more enlightening I promise you that too.

-- hearing what David Drucker has to say David Drucker is of course doorman -- roll call.

You do follow him I hope -- on the Internet at David -- because he's a good -- he's high quality tweet purveyor.

David look back -- upgrade to be here.

Okay now.

If this thing is the president that is going to see a lot of stuff.

As they always do with many -- many words will be committed.

There are no quick Bill Clinton of course famously.

An hour and thirty minutes in his 2000 stem -- like he had stuff that he needed to like leave on the decks before he left town but he's gonna talk about a lot of things.

It will take time for any of them if any of them come to any consequence.

Today.

The president's nominee to -- -- defense is gonna have a vote it looks like the Senate Armed Services Committee is he going to get through I think so.

And and and then he will go to the floor and that's where Republicans who want to block him from various reasons -- attempt to block him.

Hand depending on how long they -- able to do that we will find out if it gives them time to find out more.

Things about his background that would then make Democrats skittish enough to start dropping their sport however what I think is gonna happen if is that he's going to be confirmed as the next secretary of defense may take a few days may take weeks something like that.

But ultimately I have not seen any evidence that Democrats are gonna drop their support they've only reiterated their support and I think right now the president.

Has the juice to get this done for members of his own party and Democrats run the senate.

And that's why I think hagel is in unless something crazy happens we find out easy stuff happens you know this is that something did something as a business -- that they were able to cover.

Picture of -- -- Yasser Arafat on a boat -- -- something like that look Lindsey Graham wants to hold this up and the CIA the CIA director nominee -- Brennan's nomination out.

In exchange for getting information on Ben Ghazi.

You know I'm making the same face internally that you are hagel is as.

Good as confirmed by almost willing to bet everything.

Almost that.

Tells C doesn't own them much because he's willing to put it on the line that's fine a lot of nice size that be willing to take the -- just get that record collection.

Now here's the deal though.

Four were Carl Levin who's the chairman of this committee to -- this vote while they're still what we call this document hold.

This is when.

You say I'm not objecting to him I would just like more documentation for generally they don't do that they don't when -- when somebody is asking for more documentation unless its way over the top.

Generally -- they'd -- things stand until they're done do we assume that senator Levin is doing this -- because it's state of the union day.

And you you go ahead and eight he knows is going to be controversial he knows gonna put rocks a lot of jaws but he just wants to get out.

You know it's a good question and I can't argue that logic but here's the thing I don't think it is controversial.

Outside of DC -- that Americans really care about hagel and he is you know.

Supposedly checkered background in terms of policy and where he's been on Israel where he's been on Iran.

There has been no uproar among actual voters this is day and -- policy and political debate inside Washington.

Among the administration congress and people who care about defense policy and foreign policy.

This is not going to cause the president any trouble it's not gonna cause Republicans any trouble that he gets confirmed -- -- couldn't block him.

Americans are war -- -- they just right now are not taking the arguments.

About a president's policy and whether or not this means we're going to be standing down -- coddling dictators I just don't think people care.

Is this there is much truth there is much wisdom in what you offer.

It is going to be difficult for April though because the sequester.

And other challenges that integration.

People who marry people of the same gender.

And other things.

Ladies in combat women in combat.

All of this stuff is going to.

Make this -- a -- time the Pentagon and cable's not exactly gonna go in.

Who coordinated he's going to go in with some scrapes -- -- -- he will.

But ultimately his boss is the commander in chief and those -- the order she's going to be carried out -- some things that.

You might look for during -- tenure as sect that one is.

With his notoriously prickly personality and blunt style of speaking.

-- -- images rub people the wrong way and not do you sort of good even.

In its internal bureaucratic.

Politician read it so you know big and unwieldy depending on what you need a lot of people do a lot of things for you.

And that's where he could run into trouble when they generals.

How to Jack rockets civilians who comes in there and doesn't have them on his side boy did they know how to describe those guys oh.

You because they're senate hearings and house hears all the time where people can go and kind of vision and a back handed way I say this -- awful right.

You know and then.

If if senator hagel does decide to go on Fox News today you know -- Chris Wallace may put the screws to a list and he's got to be diplomatic enough if you look at -- government.

It's so.

And now what Novak Jack -- we've -- talk about this I -- into the Internet I -- bet.

Enough I -- bet everything David as to on this which is Jack Lew is going to be the toughest one of these guys to confirm all of the big cabinet.

Nominations this is going to be the toughest.

You we heard sessions he's gunning -- he's a prosecutor he's got the evidence.

He's accused him of being heard over and this will do take place on Wednesday and Jack -- also kept his money warm and toasty in the Cayman Islands just like Mitt Romney.

But what do you think's gonna -- I think it'll be a bumpy ride and I think that if they don't uncover.

Too much -- -- Business do you lean he worked for city -- for like a hot minute and made eight billion dollars us.

Then I think he'll ultimately that's confirmed because -- one -- -- one of the reasons to I think that you can -- -- -- I think you can make -- really comfortable with the administration.

But I sense from watching the Brennan confirmation hearings -- hearings and all that the Republicans don't really want to spend a real filibuster on one of these nominees.

They've done this -- and say knock against him only this.

Liberals like -- hit.

Now that he's sorry about what he said about the gay people.

Very true David the -- and and Israel they like Chuck Hagel before what he stands for they agree with that that's true -- they feel good about that they like John Kerry.

-- -- it's they don't know who he is they don't like the clowns but at least bush isn't president so right now it's five.

But check -- they don't like Citibank bankers guys with Cayman island account.

Just know -- ever.

However he's proven to be politically.

Policy perspective very liberal very liberal at the president's chief of staff.

He's worked well with Democrats on the hill to the extent that the administration this administration ever has.

With Democrats on the hill.

And be the president right now coming off their reelection were so close enough to it still has the juice if he wants Lou.

He can get -- two years from now.

Similar situations with -- -- type -- type.

You start to have members NFL members of the senate looking ahead to post Barack Obama and they start to say you know I don't know political along with -- -- right now.

Again if we don't you know discover something weird in the closet I think he's got.

The -- your ties may be -- advertisements say I would commend to you Internet David's latest piece.

Have you he planned series of messaging bills looks past Obama he's good read and give you blueprint for what's to come that we think you've been with us thanks it's great to be okay now and by the way I said before that you follow David on but -- -- me to do I said so quickly.

Not afraid to be selfish today I want to -- the party.

Does that provide -- power play for you each and every day and you could already have -- you are to be ready and and you could also say stuff like this you can talk to -- you could say as.

Herald -- -- says love your show watch from Sweden always been a friend of America I consider myself a great friend of Sweden especially our equity I'm I'm all and that's very good.

And -- don't you know what else happened.

One or later that's Richard let's congressman from North Carolina he tweeted that he was going to be and that is true that's true things -- by -- politician today so at least we know we've got one thing in the bank.

I will get ahead we'll get to our panel will do all that and much more -- And that was the moment at about 9:30 PM eastern time on Election Day 2012 that the Fox News Channel.

Projected that house Republicans.

Would in fact retain control.

Of the lower chamber.

And this is powered by now and election that there -- a lot of stories that we're told.

And they had to do -- state Ohio they had to do all kinds of stuff but mostly had to do with Barack Obama.

Winning by a surprisingly comfortable margin a second term as president.

Congress senate stories but.

Under appreciated probably in the course of its historical significance was Republicans hitting it.

Very step by their standard treatment programs.

-- By their standards spaced out majority in the house.

President tonight goes down gives State of the Union Address and when he goes yes he's talking to the folks -- yes he is trying to build support.

For his initiatives but good thing that he is most probably try to do is apply pressure house Republicans.

To either.

Get in line or get out of the way when it comes to his key policy provisions.

What will they do.

I think I know who knows as -- I'm -- I know who knows.

I don't know knows because he used to be the top talker with a and -- is it now -- democratic strategist with SD can't escape the -- -- -- dad.

Okay so -- and I was like you like him and trust his insights.

And please meet someone whose insights I hope you come to trust.

Daniel scarf and I don't know.

That's right yes yes -- out -- right national Press Secretary for the NR CC so he has the job for the red team that -- -- after the blue team that makes any sense -- you.

OK so here's the deal Daniel we'll start with you the John Boehner had breakfast today with our colleague Bret -- And a bunch of other anchors and came and said president doesn't have the guts to get his own party in line the guy is not serious I mean data with slight.

He was he was all that there he was not -- that they're not interested in I don't see any golf outings in the future.

And -- -- fully expects president commencement.

And make your guys the bill.

-- well all the reports coming out of the White House is that this is going to be.

Another partisan very political campaign style speech and I think we've seen over the last couple weeks.

Is Democrats in complete denial of the spending problem and Washington.

Two days ago here on fox Nancy Pelosi said spending is an initiative.

And then this morning Steny Hoyer repeated that in said we don't have a spending problem he said we have to pay for problem we -- -- -- problem because we have a spending problem.

And -- President Obama had previously made similar comments.

So to speak I'm going to I'm going to let you get in -- and I wanted one thing.

The president I was going to say it's your fault it's your party's fault -- house republicans' fault that all of these problems and all of these things -- that you guys are intransigent.

Do you guys need an answer well I think the answer is on something for instance like the sequester.

-- was.

President Obama's idea was the administration's idea they propose that they push for it they got it and now the president has rejected.

Twice efforts by house Republicans to replace the sequester different -- it's so the people in denial that there are Republicans because we had an election just three months ago.

Where the president won an overwhelming reelection on issues related to strengthening them in the middle class dealing with the battle with the deficit -- a balanced approach which is a mix of revenue.

And spending cuts -- spending cuts I just got a minute ago and well actually we've done to go over to join in spending cuts in the budget control acted -- -- we're talking about cynical politics there will get to the numbers -- So so we have done spending cuts.

-- -- You know I think that the real issue for Republicans as we you know go down the next year or so.

Is whether or not they -- gonna go down the road of the Tea Party approach which is no compromising.

Not doing anything with the president not wanting to do anything with the president we talk about the sequester you guys voted for that.

You guys voted for the sequestered I remember you know press releases coming out the next day you guys you know taking credit for this sequestered so.

I think the argument over who didn't who was the first person you know who -- a question -- didn't.

Is almost irrelevant the I -- -- issue here is what are we gonna do to turn it off and that's what the president wants to do.

And I'm not quite sure the Republicans -- they have a plan to turn -- sequester off essentially it's preventing any pentagon cuts any.

Any pentagon cuts and me and basically placing most of the cuts.

Aren't the working poor the seniors and others who really can't afford it.

Well I think when you started off from a position of complete denial which the Democrats are saying that spending is not an issue at all.

It's very difficult to figure out -- you if you value I think we're -- -- -- -- -- Wendy you know aids can talk about a balanced approach -- -- does that -- come and we had the tax increases -- so that was truly were Brothers then being.

So we can probably -- nothing -- -- We know that no legislation is going to occur.

This is the truth we are basically now staggering from crisis to crisis from progressing to the next I mean I think the sequester is most likely talk to Republicans.

And Democrats that they basically say it's probably gonna happen for a brief period of time will not vote for a tax increase and they know and isn't this right don't you think.

Daniel that for the Republicans they're sort of -- a similar position the president was on the -- left on the other side of the things occurring.

They're negotiating position is better because every day the cuts are taking place -- millions more that are coming out every day they're -- Republicans who they are you ready to deal net.

Well I think the president got this revenue.

Peace and so now if we're really gonna have a balanced approach when does the spending come into -- into.

Play here and I think that when you have -- political party which the Democrats are basically now operating complete denial.

For the spending achieved now the top two Democrats in the house -- spending is an initiative.

This is clearly a talking point and that's fine Jay Carney said yesterday the president believes there's a spending issue an American in Washington.

And -- I mean can't look we have already done.

Over two trillion dollars in cuts and you guys.

You go and debuted at number that we should let's let's clarify for the Internet but you that you guys you that's saying that these are reductions to future increases and things like saying that we will not re invade Iraq who don't know -- you -- budget control act -- the president has signed.

Over one trillion dollars in cuts that's already in effect.

This additional one point two trillion goes in which is the sequester.

Is gonna happen it's either gonna happen for sequester we're gonna turn it off but that's over two trillions in cuts so the idea that I had done that -- of course.

-- -- I that in the American public doesn't buy that that's like 83% of folks think spending is an issue and we need to cut spending.

And if the president really believed what you're saying then we -- wouldn't have said multiple times since he won the election that we need more spending I am more taxes and if.

Fifteen seconds from each -- you.

The Republican chances for retaining the House of Representatives and mid term elections.

That you I hope I can guess what your answer is annuals or.

We're in a great position we won second largest Republican House majority since World War II in November.

And we did that by really stand on the -- keep your keep an -- and that's and that's what I keep doing what say it's tough it's going to be a tough -- for Democrats and we picked up -- that they can't David picked up bases last cycle they've done a good job of fundraising.

I think they'll probably eat away at it right now it's going to be tough for them to win the majority.

-- -- -- -- -- two points of view from people who know what they're talking about that's why you came here Internet gentlemen we thank you for coming here have a good thank you thanks okay guys we're gonna take a break we're gonna talk to one of those congressman.

The Daniel hopes his back again after the mid term elections Richard Hudson from North Carolina will be with us when we come back sister correct.

And that.

Is evidence that it is cool to be the most powerful military in the history of mankind.

And this is power play.

So here's the deal the president tonight is going to talk about a lot of things in his State of the Union Address a lot of things ranging from global warming to tax increases.

To all all kinds of stuff that he will discuss it certainly certainly gun control.

But.

One thing that there is one piece of business and that must be conducted with congress soon.

If it is to be conducted -- that his automatic cuts that were part of the 2011.

Debt ceiling deal.

We called in the sequester here in Washington.

As a shorthand.

That are going into effect that he is going to compound it sounds like hell for leather on the Republicans saying that the Republicans the party of Ronald Reagan.

Party of the peace through strength is allowing the military to be hollowed out because they won't agree to his plan.

That's going to be some pressure -- -- think I would think so.

One of the folks will be in the audience tonight there in the house chambers congressman Richard Hudson.

He -- Republican from the state of North Carolina.

And he represents the eighth district which are some good folks including -- -- -- candidate.

Down there outside and up to the west of Charlotte congressman welcome.

Thank you -- do -- here alright okay so here's a question.

President says it's your fault.

You guys voted to have to create the sequester.

Knowing that it would be bad and now you refuse common sense plan to turn it off.

Well you got to remember first of all that the president proposes sequestration in the first place.

Because he thought that the cuts would be -- Bad for defense and also ban -- non defense spending that the Republicans and Democrats in congress will be forced to.

Come together was an agreement.

That was his plan that he put in place you also have to remember he doesn't have a lot of credibility when it comes to cutting the military because he's already cut 487 billion.

Out of the defense budget and for the sequestration cuts even go into effect.

And final point I'd make is that the house Republicans have passed two different proposals.

To replace these sequestration cuts and the president has ignored losing continues to attack Republicans.

Now congress and the president is going to come out tonight we expect him to say that.

He wants a big deal on debt and deficit reduction.

But that before he does that we need more spending now.

Urgently to improve the economy.

Particularly with an eye on -- he says man made global warming.

And for green jobs he's gonna -- that you guys are preventing him from helping middle class Americans get back or how do you all respond -- that.

Well second verse same as the first you know we've already tried stimulus spending to fix the economy we've already tried the president's version of of -- Technology where he picks winners and losers -- our tax dollars we seen the results of that my visit the president come to the table.

And must negotiate in good faith on how we're gonna cut spending how we're gonna rain in this out of control federal government.

You know Regis all the fiscal -- Which happened before I got here where we increase taxes.

41 dollars every dollar cuts and increase the deficit four trillion dollars so -- got oil revenues.

So we're hopeful that that he'll get serious about cutting spending and most -- -- the table.

-- -- for the promise -- -- the president's budget.

Four out of five years he's missed his -- for moral obligation to deliver -- And into you know how do you start negotiations low blood.

All right congressman you need to take care costs are -- cousins down there in the -- -- OK when we look out for OK thanks much for making time for us and it's done.

Okay Internet on the hunt with Jonathan Hunt is up -- I'm sure that he would be edifying hallucinating as usual that's.

Doubtless.

And there is Charles for -- but how about some state of the union power points wanna.

I mean we're here we might as well knock it out.

So today's current ones are best in show.

It is fitting then.

That tonight's state of the union coincides with the Westminster.

Kennel Club dog show.

And there you see.

Some exercise and pounded exercise printing.

Puffing stretching.

That's very similar to what apparently team puts me through.

Each day before we get ready for power play.

But it is fitting that a dog show -- on the same night as a dog and pony show happens here in Washington is here's the deal.

The president knows that.

He's talking past the American people in large part.

Are talking passed congress in large part to talk to the American people and that's fine here's your first PowerPoint.

Drop us a line that's what the framers said in the constitution they said the president look from time to time we wanted to tell us what you've been up to.

Good to tell congress what you've been up to and make some recommendations for stuff that you think you might need.

From 79.

And Washington did he gave his in person -- -- Adams but Jefferson started tradition because he didn't want to be.

Talking to them like a monarch sending it in right that was true.

And all all -- -- -- an update give us an update tell us how you doing and tell us if there's anything that you need that we can help you out -- that was the idea which brings us to the second PowerPoint.

Would grow and -- Woodrow Wilson the from the progressive president model in many ways what you've seen President Obama.

He changed the tradition and went back and started giving them in public.

Going down speaking to congress his predecessors tried to shake it off Calvin Coolidge the most conservative president of the twentieth century.

He dropped that practice frank Roosevelt revived it but it was still throughout the rest of the -- assume most of the next century.

It was a daytime affair but Lyndon Lyndon Johnson made it a prime time event that turned it into a television spectacle and not just an update.

So here's the third thing.

-- PowerPoint pause that refreshes would it be nice if somebody gave it up.

And president gave up I know it's not gonna happen but wouldn't -- be refreshing for somebody said I don't need to go down -- make -- big speech impediment fist pumps and ascension.

Just -- thought that was your PowerPoint and now as we like to do every day.

Normally you with the word from our friend Charles and he will then go through the leg you thank you -- -- -- horrible stuff that's gonna happen if the sequester happens.

You know all the food stamps taken out of the mouth of babes.

Because the Republicans are protecting oil companies the corporate jet owners in the rich pay attention the usual suspects.

Load More