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Power Play 2/21/2013

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    Republicans like lower spending but what is at stake? Plus: Obamacare and the GOP

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The effect of the sequestered.

Wouldn't be severe and it would go right to American families middle class Americans.

People.

Who receive vital health services.

There are people working today who will lose their jobs.

And that was Jay Carney speaking pretty much in agreement with John Boehner or about.

How terrible -- for awful and ridiculous.

Automatically decrease is automatic increases.

Of about 85 billion dollars in federal spending that are going to kick in a week from Friday all our.

I guess that's a long way to go to a preposition but this is power play and I.

And Chris -- -- -- combat and that it is always good to have you with us.

So what about the -- what about the Republican strategy or lack thereof as it relates to talking about the subject we'll talk about that we will also talk about some.

Republican governors including some pretty conservative ones we're signing up to participate in president Obama's health -- even those reports that they -- after you.

And we will talk about the president is he in fact the -- most transparent but at least accountable to the press president.

In the history of everything we will do all of those things you'll enjoy all of it I insist.

But I know I can actually guarantee at this time that you will not -- any bit of it anymore that you will talking to Jonah Goldberg.

Now the -- it is of course -- editor at large of national review.

Online right.

Give -- sort of -- that sort of but now you're just you're just it's what I have.

You just hang out and he is Fox News contributor.

And he is also.

Written a lot of really good books.

They're very good paying their date if you can get smiles out of your reader when you're talking about the worst things in human history.

As you have you like about Iraq.

Yeah -- Mike -- Then you've done something good now Washington.

Being the futuristic city that it is another Goldberg I think -- do something.

Perfectly Washingtonian which is to take.

Bring the best selling author.

On this Internet television show and ask to talk about what -- -- Excellent I think that perfectly Washington -- but I think it is important.

I wrote my column today -- talked about Republicans staggering struggling bumbling to deal with how to talk back to the president about sequestration -- And I made the analogy I said it's like to firefighter standing outside a burning building.

Having an argument about do we used to -- do we want -- from the hydrant or from the truck right what are Republicans doing wrong about this.

A lot to how.

Hello I'm sympathetic to the Republicans and so far as.

This is kind of what it looks like when you actually have one of the two parties against government growth but.

End in a -- and a political culture and popular culture.

In when you have the momentum in the force of history behind you.

I'm saying government can only grow.

You automatically you're sort of out of -- a few times and are kind of going -- look.

Amateurish.

If you try to say no government shouldn't grow -- -- all the interest are pointing in the other direction.

That doesn't mean they're not amateurish about it.

I think good I think the Boehner and these guys their hearts are in the right place but they have.

Bought into the president's line that this is actually going to be Goddard -- -- if we have this time these tiny.

Tiny cuts in the rate of increase right right I mean this is basically saying if I don't get my scheduled -- I'm gonna have to eat my children.

Right exactly and we shoot this dog when I do not get this right that's really the great National Lampoon -- cover you know exactly exactly buy this magazine we'll shoot this dog.

So I.

End.

So the Republicans of sort of bought into that stick in there they're sort of jumping on the grenade but they did it first yeah.

-- they were the ones at the beginning.

So they blame the president making a big deal out of blaming the president for that you could -- his -- yes it was his idea it was his idea.

To try to get the Republicans to give them a debt ceiling increase -- we -- in that we don't make the cuts to the super committee doesn't make because we'll have these automatic cuts right and they went for.

They they they deserve blame him so does the president well -- and -- the president and I mean the president deserves a lot of blame because.

He is basically -- you know women and children in front of the firing squad.

I kind of a pox on both your houses attitude about it honestly it's the best box to have yesterday that it is are we so rarely disappointed if -- -- -- -- -- the widest possible that.

Com.

And I think that.

You know the Republicans are just gonna have to eat -- on this and I think that you go through the -- he was eating it more quietly at least I mean there.

-- talking about how terrible it is Boehner wrote in the Wall Street Journal.

It's a disaster it's tragedy it's terrible and we're four and were for it right we we enthusiasm with who -- Douglas Holtz C -- -- it very well he said.

A bad idea whose time has come.

Bradley a bitter bitter about the stimulus never Boehner that the stimulus had called it is said this is -- FCC regulated it is and as he said it's -- crap sandwich but I guess I'll have to eat it yes there's really a lot of that attitude on the center that was.

Reflecting the great South Park episode.

About the two investment for president recollection -- I I think you know -- At the end of the day could -- the Republicans.

They get them like they can pocket this is victory I I would think at the end of the day -- -- they have to do though is.

Pass a rule passed some law are -- -- put a bill out there saying given the executive branches boom.

The flexibility to move some money around you'll get as much of a cut a -- -- who play games with -- but at least and then if -- Obama talked among Republican attacks in the green room here -- saying well some Republicans fear that.

To make -- all Washington monument closing and all incubator closing if he does that -- it's his choice regularly.

To do that -- -- sign the bill Wright said I have the authority and then he's and then he would all the blame for the really ugly stuff is on him.

And if he doesn't do that stuff used to the Republicans would still get there 85 billion in cuts that could still claim credit for it but I.

It would take a with a photo ops from the president I don't understand whether Republicans don't want to do it.

One theory that someone in this conversation is not me yeah.

Earlier that maybe that Republicans are committing the leadership is afraid that Boehner.

You know can't handle his own caucus and we'll do something even work.

Well that's right any time you open the hood on any of these things you're gonna have there's about I would say 6570.

Members of the Republican conference that.

They won't have a Michelle welcome back and say OK well -- and so you have this plant.

Here's my amendment right it says we take all the money out of obamacare and actually we're gonna double it and we're gonna make it.

And cat right 2.4 trillion dollars I don't know what her cat position you don't -- your dog I don't know what your deposition and it's you know I agree look -- -- -- I liked having moved.

And I don't uses of the pejorative -- seasons of journals is the crazies in the caucus right I like those guys always want to know the I like them you know and I kind of like the image of you know the fifteen minutes of -- -- -- for the caddies from caddie -- I just come right he has you know for exactly this regular order is irregular -- -- Republican asked these days come.

This reasoning for -- and why the Republicans don't just figure out a way to give Obama what he claims he wants to legally avoid these things -- -- he doesn't avoid him.

Obama gets blamed.

If he -- avoid them Republicans look at the cuts yeah -- Jonah Goldberg they're very Smart and you're very kind and collegial that you would make time for little old Internet today I'm happy to be here -- you or the Internet so.

We are going to take a quick break -- you can compose yourself after all of that excellence.

And prepare yourself for more excellent stealth as we come back and talk about the president's health care law.

And why Rick Scott says he's going to help implement it.

-- -- Anyway we'll talk about that when we come back so stick around.

I believe in a different approach.

But regardless what I believe -- anyone else.

As Supreme Court decision.

An election last November.

-- depressants health care mandates the law of the land.

Is Rick Scott he is -- the governor of Florida.

And he was talking about his decision to participate in.

-- Big expansion of Medicaid that's the program that used to help.

Indigenous people get medical care -- But has now been expanded to help lower middle class people get health insurance coverage under the president's Clinton's -- -- And this is power play now look here's the deal Internet.

Did win Washington was trying to put together the president's health care law.

President said he wanted to be under trillion dollars like 900 billion dollars something that wasn't gonna do this that wasn't -- -- that he ordered that the price point what they ended up doing was.

Shoving a bunch of the cost out on the State's and got an -- basically mandated there are three mandates that you buy health insurance.

That your employer provided health insurance.

And that the states expand their Medicaid programs and the -- court said that you can't force the states -- -- -- you can't penalize them.

If they don't do it but there's considerable political pressure especially in swing states to get on the gravy train with the -- wheels so.

Some Republicans are some Republicans are -- we talk about that I think we should ever talked about it.

And fortunately we have people that would set me straight Christie sensor is of course.

The president and CEO of new heights communications very uplifting name for -- that makes us all feel better -- -- a Democrat.

And she has worked with people like I don't know how warm and you heard -- kind of a big deal.

And sort of he also was a big deal he's chairman of civic forum act.

So I'm going to name for something he's a Republican strategist and -- -- with people like John McCain you've heard of them okay -- your people so here's a question.

Why is Rick Scott.

Who is like -- -- like dude like super conservative he has been on this very Internet telecast.

-- saying is I don't have to but under.

Down well like you like Traficant cynical politics is a deal Obama -- represents all that is on -- about size and scope of big government -- Rick Scott's decision to do this is a very pragmatic.

Political decision he's up for reelection reporting -- by accepting this Medicaid money okay.

Which the federal government can pay 100% to three years vs fifty to 70% which -- normally do.

He's actually -- take the Florida voter.

The that are uninsured from six point one million take -- down one point three million.

And what that helps them do is he's good -- probably run against Charlie Crist does not allow people like Christie over here to say he's an uncaring.

Bad person.

Essentially this is it really election move and he knows darn well that eventually this whole Medicaid money thing isn't -- -- work out.

And -- -- play with this after essentially the -- -- election.

Christie.

It's true what he -- right that there is considerable political pressure.

And you notice this John Kasich the governor of Ohio swing state he was one of the first to jump out in favor of this Medicaid expansion.

But other Republican governors say gets fine now one of them accurately -- -- a good had a good lines that it's like getting a baby elephant for a gift.

With two -- -- pretty soon you have a full sized elephant in your house in your feet again.

And whether it's a trend here to be content and which is that is now 13 -- the states that -- -- -- -- -- -- Medicaid expansion.

Are led by a Republican governors there's one common denominator among them which is that.

Majority are up for re election in 2014.

Much like governor Scott.

They recognize the politics this and sports and they recognize that.

They can't just be satisfying their base need to be looking to Democrats independents as well this is a good way to do it.

But it doesn't.

I believe it's also.

Good on the merits.

You know -- like I think I feel -- that left me a bit.

It's.

And here's why bares it all states except for the Medicaid expansion we're talking about giving healthcare to -- -- I didn't Medicaid to more than 21 million new people.

And sending about a trillion dollars fact is it's so it's it -- Rick Scott didn't want -- -- existed having to tell Floridians why Florida taxpayers are paying for this and they're not reaping the benefits I don't blame.

I had MSAs and Rick Scott here's what -- about Rick Scott is likely to face off against Charlie Crist Otis turn -- shortly.

And ultimately coach Charlie he's not he's not putting that on his own.

No seriously it'll -- coach Charlie is literally gonna take all of Obama -- and put -- -- floor.

And we know that best I can work the Smart thing here that Rick Scott did was.

He did not want us about the state exchange which the second half of the obamacare and by not doing that -- -- -- -- -- the federal government that the federal government is able to work it out.

He can -- free -- off of somebody else.

We he's actually doing -- protecting Florida and protecting himself the ballot box right now isn't he he is the most important gubernatorial race and won fourteen.

And not only is he the most important.

Rebecca why doesn't want if you -- good time Charlie beats beats Rick Scott okay.

Charlie Crist looks like a happy go lucky guy.

He is so vengeful spiteful towards Republican always -- when -- put 116 Republican nominee president current Florida good lost yet if he's gonna he's going to make everybody in the Republican Party pay and that's what he's actually changed his registration over.

Where you can.

-- -- -- But Republicans who are good at policy people who -- like policy wonks are trying to come up with other.

Alternatives where they say look we're going to do that Mike Anderson Indiana.

Bobby -- -- in Louisiana -- you have alternatives where they're saying OK we'll do this but we'll do that we'll -- this we want more flexibility here and they basically haggling with -- billion us.

It's that the say we're gonna just based on what we want these carve -- and the administration wants the participation in this so much she -- they're willing to give some ground.

They do -- and it was actually you Todd that was sort of really the test case here because.

They work trying to have so much flexibility as to always make it seem as though they were not actually complying with the Affordable Care Act and there's a question for the administration is.

Powell -- you know how much flexibility are you going to give states you're right they do want.

More people complying -- not.

At the same time they don't they still want it to resembled the -- that they are together and -- Hey you know the thing is is that the reason why -- seeing lots of states that.

You might actually be amenable to Medicaid expansion and don't yet -- -- -- their exchanges is it's a lot harder to set up here and exchange there's not a.

Why did you do you're gonna get blamed them.

There's not a lot of political upside to it that you know that's what it is somebody actually happens on the democratic side to sort of a good exchange you can free right.

Why waste your resources that are so precious the state level trying to sort of an exchange when the administrations come up with a really an imperfect and we plan the court to all political cynicism.

-- -- Sarah and you can do any thing in this business people we thank you for not being great and we thank you for being -- him -- it it's okay.

We're going to take a quick break.

But when we come back we will talk about this what's difference between transparency.

And accountability.

There are different doesn't Elway -- come -- and -- that you write Internet OK we'll do that.

-- a bunch of your chest it's a very good ones in here including my very favorite -- hit me on Twitter Gator Nation 111.

Says this I have no idea what the hell is going on anymore.

Join the club and stick around.

Plays a different game that I did.

-- his his his on another planet is he more nervous because he's playing with you were you more nervous because you're playing with tiger was at all I don't think other -- was nervous he didn't he knew that.

I wasn't a big threat to his world ranking.

And then that I knew that I gonna keep my day job.

And that.

Was just silly.

That was President Obama talking about playing golf with Tiger Woods.

In an interview with -- local television -- from San Francisco KGO.

And this is power play.

-- -- Seriously Internet.

The president.

Did another round I think he did eight.

Local television interviews.

Yesterday today he's doing a bunch of liberal talk radio shows going on with the Al Sharpton and others.

He's doing that today but you know what he isn't doing.

He's not gonna sit down and be interviewed by -- -- again he's not gonna do that or Chris Wallace or somebody at this organization.

He's not going to do.

The even interviews with the New York Times.

He and I didn't do interviews -- anybody where he's gonna ask get asked tough questions and they are pretty content at the White House that that's their strategy and they're OK with it.

How does it work.

How Long Will work and what are -- excise with a downside you know who knows double killer is his reporting.

Today because.

But here in Washington bureau he's getting answers for you so now we know finally -- Much suspense.

We finally know how the president thought about.

-- golfer Tiger Woods I -- one.

Yes -- great question has been asked that I don't make of that was you know I think he will give an interview either to have a -- bear or to -- I think he will because I think the pressure is this coming down hard and I think.

I think that the Tiger -- weekend was a little bit of -- tipping point was not not the straw that broke the camel's back but it.

It -- a big burden on that beset the white house press corps is getting.

A little flustered with this process -- you've talked about that the -- local television reporters who.

Did interviews with the president yesterday among the topics they discussed where with a presidential library -- -- how was the golf match with tiger what's his favorite food.

Helps kids like that could have been -- in fairness there were few tough questions about sequestration that'll affect local economy -- But how these interviews -- the Internet to know there's these people get like literally two or three minutes they fly anchor from a local television station.

Doug knows the drill on -- they fly these folks from Oklahoma City or wherever to Washington and then they stay there literally -- -- watch.

And tying them.

And then when the -- up so they have time to date agreed in advance to ask the president questions he wants to answer so -- answer the same question eight times and then there's like a minute.

Left for something like.

Tell me about Tiger Woods or whatever -- whatever else.

It was pretty remarkable is it what we're hearing some from some former press secretaries and present White House correspondence and content.

Among them on ABC -- -- at the White House says since that the Gerald Ford administration.

A woman who has not given two you know fists of hysteria.

She sent it and I quote an article and -- -- with Politico.

The way the president's availability to the press has shrunk in the last two years is a disgrace.

If she goes on to say that the president stated a policy development.

On immigration on guns is almost totally opaque to the reporters try to do responsible job of covering there are no -- -- from big meetings he has people from the outside.

And many of them aren't even on -- scheduled this is different from every president I've covered the White House goes to the extreme lengths to keep the press away.

Pretty remarkable stuff really -- win of your question for you and him and it's quite.

It's significant I think again.

What was the standard -- You know it that the senators have always been malleable there is no standard -- you go back.

It to the Reagan -- here we're all familiar with those pictures of -- Ronald Reagan walking off of Marine One and in putting is -- ends up to a -- I can't hear you they claim was always at the -- -- that the jets that jet engines and helicopters.

Made him unable to hear the press about the -- Recent history recent history wolf you get a couple George W.

Bush and Bill Clinton.

Word would be on the record themselves.

Couple times a week they would ever be spread us we -- we talked about this earlier this week.

Where you open the doors of the reporters committee for a minute and then they say hey mister president what about XYZ and you say well before I get to this meeting with the head of the Agriculture Department let me.

Now opine on Barack Obama nevertheless they're there has been some hard research done on this and it's -- it done by Martha Kumar who is a -- -- journalism professor at Tufts University who works out of the White House.

If she catalogs.

Literally every question that is asked of the president of the United States.

She says that.

In his first term -- great she found the President Obama held press availability is -- the kinds of little.

Right little back and -- to see during the during photo ops or -- or during brief statements.

13 as often as George W.

Bush did in the -- number she tally was 107.

By Obama to treated -- 55.

For president George W.

Bush -- excellent but that is -- hard enough -- you think it another way by the way the Internet knows this way that he could do that.

Was that he had a mostly quiet since press corps.

They were enthused about his election many of them we've seen studies we know that that's true.

And we know about that there may be some bias in the press I've heard.

That he got away with that why do you think he is gonna stop getting away with -- now.

I think that the pressure is building I think that the White House can only go so far and I and I think that you'll begin to see your rising course among the Washington press court.

That we want more availability we want more access -- may be wrong site but I think I think you can only carry this so far.

You'll see the coverage starts -- Become a little tougher if there is not this -- I'm not accustomed to this degree sunny optimism -- David Callaway so I'm going to.

I'm going to take it to heart I thank you for making time for us today.

How about some power points like it -- not here they come.

That -- are your -- -- -- today.

For -- point there can only be one there can only be one.

And that is only one President Obama he's the first African American president he's the first gen X president.

He's the first of many many -- its first president got reelected by a smaller margin -- he got elected the first time he is an unusual once in a generational figure.

This is true except it that's the deal.

Second PowerPoint though is bleeding and self defeating Republicans complain all the time -- Mitt Romney complained all the time about things the president said and where was the press coverage and he's too mean and Republicans are doing the same thing about tax.

Taxes spending cuts everything else they'd want Obama to be treated like everybody else including Republicans and they -- about it.

And it's self defeating it doesn't get them anywhere.

So here's the deal for Republicans.

If they want to survive the age of Obama -- -- re elected Obama is cool.

Flu because guess what.

One day it's going to be over for the president he will become some magic moment a lame duck.

Their job is as they would say in the military survive and advance if they want to be relevant they've got to make it through this difficult time but one day.

Proof it will be gone.

It's true does your -- points on the hunt with Jonathan Hunt is up next and now.

As we like to do every.

We will only use the word from our friendships.

And communities only hope.

I was very -- dollars worth of cuts -- -- that this administration.

This is handle it's it's good it's it's it's an amount -- at least you can get by doing nothing but and unless they don't allow this to go ahead.

Obama will give you know cuts and an entire -- term we're gonna go over a Greek -- that.

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