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Power Play 2/20/2013

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    High gas prices endanger democrats, sequester blame game and what will the GOP focus on?

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And those people are the same.

But very very different.

And this is reply.

And I am Chris -- and those people were.

That showed again if we can't Sasha on the top growth Christine O'Donnell.

-- -- and Sharon angle.

On the bottom row Marco Rubio and Rand Paul and Ted Cruz.

All of those people -- for the states and they are all conservative as all get out especially by historical standards of the Republican Party.

Three of them lost.

And three of them.

So what's the difference between the two and if Republicans are indeed -- -- -- experience -- Renaissance.

Coming out of it unhappy electoral season.

What can they learn from these folks we will talk about that -- -- and you enjoy it.

We will talk about the -- blame game.

And we'll talk about a law that you are a a Supreme Court case that you may not be paying attention to -- could have a lot to say about -- politics functions.

In the United States that is.

They are considering scrapping limits on campaign cash contributions.

That could happen.

That's -- thing that might actually there so we'll talk about all those things and you'll enjoy.

But I know that -- into -- out of it more than you enjoyed our own.

Michael is of course.

Senior political analyst for the Washington examiner.

He is a resident fellow at the American Enterprise Institute -- he is the principal architect and inspiration.

Author editor of the almanac of American politics the bottle of politics nerds everywhere -- welcome back -- good -- here it's okay so you wrote a column in the examiner.

-- used to work.

-- -- It's fun.

But you -- on the basically says this four Republicans.

They can talk about policy points they can talk about Karl Rove vs the Tea Party.

They can talk about whatever else but again it comes and of course -- You have to know your dad and I have for -- good candidates aren't who -- well you need to have.

Candidates with good political instincts and you know can -- define good political instincts but -- but like justice Stuart I'm aware of course pornography I know when I see it.

Right and you know they did the Republican Party is always get a little bit of the disadvantaged the Democratic Party and -- I think the primary reason is the Democrats the party of more government.

People interest and in government and politics.

Smart people requested an attempt to -- Democrats and they get a lot of self starting candidates who.

You know for many years held.

Republican leaning house seats and senate seats for years and years and years they still get -- which a child isn't the child -- a Republican household conservative household.

Would be more likely to be encouraged by the parents -- lucrative enterprises.

Then in the government right where -- into the ministry -- into something else.

Grounds that the government so the question is you know how do you find good candidates.

We've had you know the Republicans currently earn a 5545.

Disadvantaged in the senate when you go back to look at the last two cycles.

2010 a very Republican year 2012 with only three democratic seats and only ten Republican seats were up.

Republicans actually did not pick up that you missed a lot of seats they should've won in Sharon angle in Nevada.

Christine O'Donnell in.

You know -- -- in the Delaware Delaware is a real humans against -- -- these are candidates.

Who lost in that case of Delaware there was a Republican candidate -- moderate Republican Mike Castle.

Public been held statewide office for years and years -- Delaware kind of Republican I think he would have won but not a guy that makes a lot of trouble for the Republican leadership when he was in the house he wasn't a bomb thrower.

Bob good from the left.

In you know that was a disastrous decision that was the loss of the senate seat -- that Republicans could have had Sharon angle in Nevada a disastrous.

Candidate there and they don't have they didn't have anybody really good -- -- Didn't but I think you you know the you have -- if there is -- -- might have done better by unforced errors -- you know the question is how do you find good candidates we've had this little tussle between the inside the beltway lately Karl -- for the crossroads groups says that he's.

Gonna promote.

You know he's gonna go into primary so that they don't have -- electable candidates and then you have people like -- analysis the Washington establishment is trying to run something.

You know we should take lessons from the Tea Party.

The fact is that they should both be looking for the same things which is people with serious convictions include political instincts and your second world.

Marco Rubio took crews there and Rand Paul and -- and -- what turned out to have pretty good political instincts that.

Date you don't think -- The story gets a little more complicated -- Marco Rubio was not a guy who sprung from the Tea Party that's totally and involved in politics Ron Johnson of Wisconsin what wrestler -- -- -- Johnson is the rarest of political birds in the sense that he had no political background whatsoever he had never run for office never done anything.

And it turned out that he was pretty good at running for office yet and he's gotten better once he's in office he's a Smart guy but in the case of the three on the bottom row that we showed.

Rand Paul.

Marco Rubio and Ted Cruz -- people who had longstanding experience in and around politics and government -- albeit his father and he was active in that -- he's very active in that campaign and he knew about that.

-- former solicitor general of Texas worked in the Bush Administration Marco Rubio.

Jeb Bush's.

Darling boy.

At this.

Florida legislature is -- speaker of the house there.

Well that's right he got to be speaker of the top 150 member house it if you don't do that by being a total political neophyte.

In -- -- you know John Cornyn of the National Republican Senatorial Committee was.

Backing Charlie Crist the -- Republican governor.

And I think on the theory that look.

Florida's a really expensive state Crist is an easy general election -- save money it would simply will save money for someplace else.

He abandoned that stands eventually end Jeb Bush was giving quiet encouragement to Marco Rubio the stadium that raceway and other candidates were getting out -- when he wasn't getting much so Marco Rubio did have spontaneous Tea Party support he was winning county Republican Convention straw votes.

But he also had the backing of a man who as the son and brother of Republican presidents entity turn your governor of a floor of the fourth largest state.

Cannot be said to be totally outside to Republican establishment.

No and skill set number one.

Experienced number two the Tea Party movement was about outsiders but as it turns out it helps you know little something about what's going on the inside if if you wanna -- And you know if you could find a newcomer like -- Johnson who's got the political instincts.

That's great -- in we've seen him I mean I've seen this season nominee -- the Democratic Party forty years ago with the peace movement.

The end we see it now so you get some good people that you never would have gotten did you get people who were activists and stuff that's great for the party you also get a certain group wackos readers that we choose.

It's a process it's a process.

Room thank you.

-- if you follow me on Twitter.

-- time you did if you don't you're missing out I would stand on a huge swath of -- wrote a replacement like if you get my column.

And I wrote about high gas prices endangered Democrats -- and conditioning juxtaposition between the mid terms.

Cycle that started eight years ago and today you would enjoy fast.

And you would also be able to talk to me like my take did and said Todd Aiken is not conservative the reason he won.

Because that dean G Harry Reid spent money saying he was too -- certainly was too conservative to help them win.

Yes this is true Democrats often like to place -- mischief.

In that Republican primaries is that opens it to do it Democrats the real reason -- -- one of the other reason I should say the topic and one was that it was a confused.

Primary with a bunch of people vying to be the Tea Party candidate a bunch of people vying to be the outsider and as it happened represented a highly Republican district in suburban Saint Louis -- empire name recognition.

Than some others and he slips through that's what happened -- the Republicans now they're gonna spend the next your fighting over that question.

-- and -- asked why gas prices didn't -- Democrats in November.

-- they did and it was probably the Republicans one of the Republicans very best issues against Obama high gas prices were the president had answers.

But it turned out that that was not a big enough deal to overcome doubts about it -- that's true.

We're gonna take a quick break but when we come back there will be more raw political excellence waiting for you -- -- stick around.

-- congress allows this meat cleaver approach to take place.

It will jeopardize our military readiness.

It will -- rate job creating investments in education and energy and medical research.

It won't consider whether were cutting some bloated program that has outlived its usefulness.

Or a vital service that Americans.

Depend on every single day it doesn't make those distinctions.

That was President Obama apparently talking about some cyborg that is going to come through with a meat cleaver industry everything in its path and federal government.

And this is power -- and of course president there was talking about what in Washington we called sequestration.

Which are automatic deep creases to automatic increases if you follow me on federal expenditures for the current year.

And for nine years thereafter.

So who's going to get the blame and doesn't really matter does anybody care is this politically consequential.

Let's find out.

I know who knows I know people who know quite well.

I know Mark Mellman knows he's the president and CEO of the Mellman group.

He is a democratic strategist pollster you know -- of things marketing -- of saying this here another number of things Jonathan budget he's the director of communications for American crossroads.

That makes him any Republicans even if he wears blue tie.

Gentlemen welcome back good to have you here in.

Okay mark the president says that he'll have no choice but to have firefighters fired.

Have tainted meat in the school's all sorts of horrible things are going to come as a consequence.

Of this 85 billion dollar reduction to the increase in federal spending.

And he thinks that he can corner the Republicans on this.

You think he's well yes the reality is these are automatic across the board budget cuts there's no there's no discretion you can't say well this is a good program let's keep it funded -- -- that program that -- get rid of it every program gets cut.

Every program gets cut automatically and that means first responders and food inspectors -- -- -- gets cut.

Why the Republicans willing to do this because they don't want to close tax loopholes that's the option on the table.

Juice to some of those budget cuts but also get some revenue by closing some of these -- pupils -- corporate jets and whatnot and Republicans say no.

Let's let the meat inspectors be fired but that the first responders get -- but -- preserve those tax breaks for corporate jets I that's the reality Jonathan in my view it differently might you.

But -- yeah.

What what are your articles today so that there are gonna play this the same ways it is fiscal cliff if there was a huge difference there because of the -- -- debate.

Republicans had no leverage the taxes that are gonna -- was called for tax increases and there was public appetite for them.

Now two months later -- have already gone -- there's no appetite for new types of tax increases the Republicans even if they -- wouldn't pass more tax increases.

In the president instead of actually going -- negotiating is going involving campaign events I feel like.

This is getting a little bit stale economic approach is getting stale I feel like -- continues on this track.

He couldn't -- that everything here's smells very very similar to 2005 and it ended in the fifth year the bush presidency.

And and I feel like we're we're.

I have underground on -- but you know it is important to -- nobody is talking about no I don't -- an official role is -- -- increasing tax across the board their religious or not closing tax loopholes.

Making sure they're millionaires -- these aren't really taxes went up her body across the across -- with payroll tax increase and then yes the general -- step that was under Republicans wanted to increase.

-- ever happened last nevertheless that I want.

-- -- so Brian Conway who is one thing there and the Internet says Obama -- about sequestration was like Johnny Apple -- sobering up and saying wow where did all these.

-- come from it was his idea now he's written by the GOP if they don't give him more accurate it's totally bogus.

Yes but and here's the thing -- only did Republicans go along with that Brian but.

Everybody thought that it wouldn't happen.

Now we knew we knew.

You and me we knew it would happen because the blue ribbon commission -- designed by the president and congress -- super committee.

The in aptly named super committee looked like a device designed to fail should they have no that we would get to this -- pass at some point.

Well look this was something as you rightly said the Republicans and Democrats supported because everybody said these cuts are so stupid.

Right so crazy nobody will actually let them go through they'd rather negotiate some kind of agreement so the -- go through.

Democrats -- -- let's negotiate an agreement let's have half.

Revenue increases by closes loopholes let's have half cuts Republicans and -- -- cuts in a much more intelligent way to make -- across the board.

Republicans are saying no.

We'd -- just got to let the cuts followed her ability to try to negotiate -- and he's very different because it was Obama's idea Woodward lays it out the book and they also control the senate does that give the president's party controls the senate they haven't done anything over there and instead of going out and actively negotiating with both houses he's doing the campaign rallies the events of the ball as well that this is not -- he's had -- -- -- -- here's what I suspect and you -- -- -- but I suspect is gonna happen.

The sucker goes into effect on the first of march.

The president is trying to.

Put more cards in -- and now.

So that after week two -- week three of the sequestration and the Lockheed Marten is laid off this many people in the firefighters are picketing.

And Scranton and so on and so forth that if if the consequences -- bad the president will be advantaged.

-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- When they do -- changes to entitlement programs they do stuff on Medicare Medicaid Social Security presence felt the heat you're not gonna have a grain -- the next -- nine day you're not going to be able to redo the tax code and redo Medicare and redo health care in nine days just not gonna happen so.

That and their opportunity was there a few months ago the Republicans didn't want to take up the president on that offer so we're now a much different situation either negotiate or you don't know Republicans saying -- you know we'd rather see these cuts go through that's their position I don't know why you're right in the position the position of the Republican Party is let's have those cuts go through across the -- Not wise and we don't really think it would make a difference I see it happen.

I think is on fire today on Twitter you should be -- means that you -- But like a good way.

The he says -- excess.

We do not know much pinch hitter ever he said he would veto any.

Any move to undo the -- in 2011.

The president Jonathan did promise at the time that he put it into place.

That if anybody tried under the sequestered he would veto it because it was so -- because it was unnecessary to have as motivation.

Is the hypocrisy church can Republicans make our.

Priciest apartments I don't know that that's the best that that's the best message here I think that I think the best message here is that this is the president's idea it's his mess we already raise taxes he wants a balanced plan and he hasn't offered any spending cuts so we're -- proposed spending that's these murder raise taxes.

And I think that once you kind of put this I think it's very very different than physically debate and Republicans have a lot more leverage and -- before.

And -- quite honestly I mean if the president is going around doing these campaign events and he's not doing kind of you know the 3 -- negotiations on the on the senate I don't see others things.

At this and it did say Democrats have offered cuts except -- they haven't passed and well they've they've offered Cassie -- need sixty votes as you know in the senate.

And the Republicans are not willing to provide those extra votes to be able to pass anything so the reality is the Democrats have offered the majority party -- offered.

And it cuts as well -- loophole closings republic saying no we don't -- -- close those loopholes.

We don't wanna make the cuts.

More intelligently that just that that's a position a Republican Party.

What it is -- Jonathan.

We thank you very much with us today thank you we're going to make marks day.

Because marks as mark should know this power -- points out that this is not no -- Friday.

This is a jacket required -- yes -- -- I -- -- and hear an answer we'll have to stay for another segment and do battle with another individual from the right.

But John we thank -- they were always grateful -- -- we're gonna take a break.

But when we come back we will talk about -- Supreme Court decision -- report Casey you may not have heard about that could change everything.

In American politics yet again so stick around.

The Supreme Court reversed a century of law.

That I believe will open the floodgates.

For special interests including foreign corporation.

Could spend without limit.

I don't think American elections should be bankrolled by America's.

Most powerful entities.

Or worse by foreign entities.

They should be decided by the American people.

And that was President Obama in his 2010.

State of the union speech making a prediction that did not come true.

And this is power -- Democrats want very much ahead of the 2001.

Cycle about the damage the dangers the worries.

About super pacs and unlimited campaign expenditures by unions.

And corporations that it would do all this -- Well as we saw on that site when the cycle they had a pretty much watching each other route.

When you have two presidential campaigns of both spend about billion dollars there's so much money sloshing around it's hard for any group with any pocket full of money to make big difference.

But the Supreme Court is considering a case -- hear arguments on a case that could change the landscape of politics and big big way.

Which is to strike down long standing from the 1970s.

Limitations on how much money you can give an individual candidate.

What with the consequences be people who know.

Mark Mellman knows because he has been part of campaigns and all kinds of levels -- all kinds of years and please meet David Keating.

He is the president for the center of competitive politics.

The most people in politics would prefer uncompetitive politics intimidate and win.

Especially those in the -- exactly exactly exactly this is true so.

David let's start with you.

This case.

It comes out of Alabama.

And that's -- man who says why should not be able to give if I if I give an unlimited amount to crossroads GPS.

Why could not given unlimited amount to congressman Joseph blow or the guys trying to unseat congressman Joseph -- Well actually that's not.

What's being discussed in the case will discuss.

Didn't none of the contribution limits are being challenged the contribution limits to candidates and political parties those would remain intact what he's saying is.

This law doesn't make any sense I can map except for nine candidates but I can't maxed out to attempt.

It doesn't make any sense can I get to several state parties but not more than a handful.

But it -- doesn't tell -- possibility -- -- is that if the Supreme Court which -- already shown a willingness.

To tinker inside of these campaign laws they've already double what they did in the Citizens United case was huge.

What you open the hood on the kind of restrictions that you're talking about then you have the possibility that this actually.

If it's if speeches speech how are you gonna keep people from -- if money of political contributions speech had to keep people -- speak.

Well look the reality is our campaign finance laws -- -- mess and anybody who works in campaigns and is honest with you with themselves we'll tell you it's a complete mess and Citizens United helped to make it a worse mess changing these limits will make it even worse because the reality is what he's an image would believe -- even in these limits.

Would allow someone to spend millions of dollars and yes they can spread it around right in bids but if you if some one individual.

Is going to be spending millions and millions of dollars up by political party across the country.

That is a huge problem attitude -- we're pretty close that already was Citizens United.

But this will just seal back in and it's at that would be a disaster for this country that's the it would give it to they would.

Create the sense of corruption that already exists in the problem David we got a late start so okay we're gonna give you the last.

-- -- Well basically what this is about as allowing people who get new ideas and politics.

Taking on the incumbents in taking on the established structure.

And one way to do that is to let people speak that's what we have a First Amendment works as congress shall make no law abridging freedom of speech well so let's let people decide.

They're the ones that ultimately have to vote.

It's not about new ideas that old money -- gold -- is good isn't it yeah no he's been here before if he didn't get a minute and guys we thank you let's org or or tied today we thank you for being with us very much.

This place really.

Dogs.

I can say mock tank is male and his name is Steve look senator that's nice to -- you OK I'm O Jonathan Hunt is up next you know that's true you know you like that no Charles that he was not analyst Mike sorry.

But how about this and that's -- power points.

951.

951.

-- your power points today.

That is.

The number of days is calculated by the inimitable Molly ball of the Atlantic who's great and you should follow when -- The number of days since the United States senate passed a significant piece of legislation.

That is a long haul long long time.

So here's your first PowerPoint simpler story.

Everything we're talking about Washington is a much simpler story that is being laid out for you you have a complicated narrative that's going -- about house Republicans -- president and all of these things and Republicans rain along with that story line because it made them feel good and feel important that they were doing battle with the president.

But the truth is -- -- -- simpler story simpler story is.

This and it is frozen the senate can't act because of the sixty vote threshold yes but also because Democrats are in a very risk minded -- these days.

As they have many seats that are up for a vote in 2014 -- this entire point is confirming doubts you wanna know how dysfunctional the -- as these days.

About confirmations.

How about Chuck Hagel wandering in the desert in the Sinai these days trying to find his way to the promised land at the Pentagon.

It's tough so here's the third PowerPoint atrophy when you don't do something for long and if you get muscle atrophy you forget how to do -- you can't -- -- can't remember how to do -- problem for these president and for Democrats is that if the time comes to start moving legislation and doing things.

Remember how.

Those your power points something to think about.

And we hope we'll see you back here tomorrow and bad times and it.

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