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Power Play 2/22/2013

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    On Sequester, the worse the better for Obama. And can the GOP turn tables on cuts? Plus Hagel still standing.

  • Duration 24:14
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And that is evidence of the fact that it is awesome to have the biggest best navy in the world arguably.

In the history of the world.

Apologies.

To admiral Nelson.

And this is power play and I'm Chris -- and the Defense Department -- the presidency just we might not even be able to fuel up our frigates we might not even be able to do the work.

Of defending the United States -- -- if federal outlays is -- only increase increase.

By fifteen billion dollars that if they don't go up by the sixty billion or so that they were scheduled to.

That we -- our navy made but rust into holes at the bottom of the sea.

So what about that we will talk about those things and the real meaning of sequestration.

Today and Bill Kristol.

We are very lucky.

Indeed that he is -- -- -- -- work release program.

Four Steve Hayes and Fred Barnes did that they they trade shifts but.

Mr.

Kristol is of course.

-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- Your friend and mine Megyn Kelly.

Is joining us from -- perch there in New York as she prepares to bring you.

You were beloved America lives starting at 1 o'clock eastern time -- Kelly welcome back.

I grant ran out of preparing a room and there.

-- -- -- -- -- I don't I don't I don't worry about it how -- Is that I hear that and parents there's something something is broken no doubt on.

-- now here.

-- -- -- -- We're going to give it a shot because you are very famous.

And you -- that you are so famous that you can make news but even just by having a third child -- I -- it.

On on that.

But the question is.

For us here in Washington.

We are obsessed with this -- sequestration.

You do you believe that Americans are equally as assessed with the subject.

You know.

You know we would have been about -- and thought -- They want China -- ready unions.

Ashamed of this country the first time testing and get thicker card says.

Bad.

Will go ahead in the building expect -- -- being is being insulted.

Is I believe that it's not that people are paying close attention and are buying that isn't going to be catastrophic and and you know it's.

We -- Apple's.

I think we're gonna have to I think we're gonna have to call that -- on account frame.

-- we're very sorry that the phone lines cannot work.

You know we'll see you at 1 o'clock.

On you were very wonderful television -- thank you for -- time will find the phone that works next time.

Okay -- a little bit of Megyn Kelly is better than none at all let's what I said I guess we'll take that.

So the president.

I.

I thesis and it is that the president knows that this fight isn't the real fight but that he can use sequestration.

And make it sound as bad as possible so that when we get to the next fight which is to say continuing resolution from the government in March.

A debt ceiling fight it may in everything else for the rest of the next two years.

That with all of those things.

He wants to sort of present this fun house mirror version.

Of austerity that is that looks disastrous and causes people to lose their job.

I mean I disagree could -- most conservatives on this and make it -- -- Rush Limbaugh I think it's bad.

I think conservatives sitting around saying oh it's phony come that's what -- percent yeah.

Every civilian -- the Defense Department is at risk of losing 20% of deserves salary for the next five months and kind.

So people who have been so cavalier about that should take for -- success of this -- -- -- no people these are hard working people.

There have families that they didn't do anything to bring this on to what do they have they so -- so -- conservatives having such a relaxed attitude towards us like that's fine the federal.

The federal government can be voted that doesn't mean that everything you do to reduce the vote is necessarily -- very good idea is the stupidest way to do it.

And the Republican Party because as representatives.

And they've -- nothing to fix it and I think that is a problem for Republicans we can do that's Obama all along we can say that it's his idea visually which is true.

But if Republicans embrace it it's not a very good talking point to say it's a horrible thing it's -- terrible thing is president Obama's idea and we're racing that's the current Republican position on the hill at a single here.

Well what about the idea and I -- about this.

But don't which I tweeted you already -- -- -- -- -- he startle you would have an already.

Republicans Hussein.

Let's modify this to give the president the authority to make the cuts in the way that he wants so that they're not just across the board.

What about that.

I think it's a reasonable idea -- the Republicans really want -- on that road and let the president choose what parts of defensive fully funded and what parts are there has its own risks that I guess have referred to the current situation right -- they believe this past.

I think again I think the Republicans are in this kind of bargaining thing with -- Obama and they and they didn't think he resents having lost for his political vice president and there.

And it -- have a victory and it decided to cutting domestic treasury spending is painless and it's true that's true either this -- say let's see all these congressmen who are very tough and you know I don't care about it -- -- liberal programs cut them off -- -- instead -- -- -- Let's who have -- their district.

-- -- save a local activity has to cut back a couple people because there's of course if I shouldn't exist in the first place in Iraq.

But to do it suddenly in the middle of the year.

There's going to be I suspect this is not going to be as easy politically -- Republicans think.

And I even on the merits America -- -- -- is that the defense -- serious enough.

That conservatives should be very worried about this and you can what can say -- get fixed -- -- seventh part of it is resolution.

As a political matter the president is at least pretending to wanna fix it and Republicans have talked -- -- position of not attending the.

Right -- -- and one advantage that doing V.

Giving the president the authority to target cuts as those made -- across the board.

Is at least it's action at least as they come back to Washington and do some things.

At least it has that.

The that could be.

What should they do aside from that as -- from the optics of that would know sequester be better than no cuts at all yes so just so so.

I'm sure I know that's terrible -- I don't reflect -- federal government budget.

Deficit this you didn't didn't even billions set of 820 million that's true enough I wobbly down there government -- I think that that's terrible that but the truth is the advantage you get sequestered is pretty trivial when it comes to.

The deficit the debt or the size and scope of government.

Every federal program that we liked -- we'll continue to exist.

It'll be 4% smaller than the -- side that's not a great achievement for limited government -- -- and the price you pay for it I think both politically and substantive -- side.

Will be quite great so I am -- I think I'm the only person I know officers that are actually is this just -- referred us pressure at all to the parents question.

All right the Internet disagrees yes definitely I'm gonna guess that is the urgency is -- that is not put me out there's urgency of disagreement.

Out there but -- -- Steve says how does any -- How -- -- lose they're -- any money your jobs and they're getting at the same money as last year plus a little these are not real cuts -- here's the thing about the increase.

The decrease in the increase -- -- have the portion of what the federal government spends.

That it.

Has no control over it has given itself no control -- which is to say entitlement programs and debt service.

Gets bigger and bigger and bigger and absorbs more and more and more of the nearly four trillion dollars that the federal government spends every year the amount that's left over.

We're spending on stuff like aircraft carriers in school lunches get smaller and smaller and smaller because the other part of it.

The the mandatory spending they -- -- and a way to get themselves out of trouble.

Did grows and grows and grows so you've -- These increases do these automatic increases suicide from giving political -- -- to craven politicians.

Is cope with not just inflation.

But the growth of the gaping -- that is the rest of that kind of spending so that means that there are actual cuts to the other side that's just.

That's just how that goes that's true Johnny sage says this I blame Republicans and sequestration for the core phone quality with Megyn Kelly no doubt.

And the president will blame almost everything that occurs about this.

Doesn't look like -- that before for a Friday where they live for you about vaccine is pretty good sense right exactly and -- -- -- -- for the best and we -- investment in infrastructure.

Without Fox News okay.

We're going to take a quick break but when we come back we are going to talk to mr.

-- about this question Chuck Hagel.

It's still the president's nominee to be the secretary of defense he's been battered he's been bruised but he's still standing.

Is he going to make it over the finish line and what does that portend for the Department of Defense later on the show we will talk more.

About this question of turning the table on the president on these cuts by shifting that responsibility to him.

To decide how to make them will be joined by any -- -- like that so stick around.

This waste of time is not just.

You meaningless political posturing.

Because we firmly believe that the senate senator hagel will be confirmed.

But the waste of time -- the con is -- is a consequence there are 66000.

Men and women in uniform in Afghanistan.

And we needed our new secretary of defense on the job.

To be part of the significant decisions that have to be made.

As we bring that war.

To a responsible end.

That was Jay Carney saying that it was unpatriotic.

And dangerous to the troops in the field and Afghanistan for Republicans -- -- -- delay.

What will be the eventual confirmation of Chuck Hagel former Republican former senator from Nebraska.

And this is power play another message from the White House and Democrats is angles no good maybe.

But resistance is you -- the president's going to get his way we have the votes.

Hurry up and capitulate so that he can get in over the Pentagon and start getting the troops home from Afghanistan.

One of the people who has been leading the charge leading the way.

In the universe of those who thinks that who think that Chuck Hagel is a acutely bad decision.

Is not a particularly good decisions McChrystal who has but still so that.

Why are you even bothering he's going to be confirmed why put up such a fine.

Amanda strategic parity is you should really be ashamed of yourself and you say a lot of stupid things -- Press Secretary idiots out things you -- -- but really I -- Leon Panetta as secretary of defense.

-- jealous about the troops in Afghanistan.

The Chuck Hagel was Chuck Hagel -- it was a brilliant -- -- -- -- -- Brilliance in command of facts that the situation is hearing that we're confident that we want him coming incidentally.

And making decisions I candidacy general John Allen and kisses left -- in Afghanistan at a dinner is tonight and he spoke very movingly about the troops there didn't say.

The word of course about what's -- politically it's ever right -- with the fact that Chuck Hagel has been confirmed yet.

Is hurting the hurt me were -- general observations taken over -- for credit to play that card that's what did you just say -- and try to make the -- -- -- -- good luck with accidentally.

Given his performance the hearing some things he said -- he's taken.

But to really play that card is is really embarrassing and it's a new it's -- now as it's -- that it's a new low I think it's a new low I don't know that there's some analysts -- distracted.

This is so low it's a low in the Obama White House let him ripple potato chip yeah.

I have good programs it's hard to measure.

So.

Anyway April is a bad candidate I mean the Democrats seem to be that just decided we're gonna vote for him we don't care we -- -- -- -- took them privately it's like oh my god.

The president to -- He's the nominee the president stubborn.

So I think that -- -- 55 Democrats like cloture will probably get five Republicans -- 67.

-- -- cloture probably Monday or Tuesday and then -- by the confirmed -- about forty Republicans voting against.

And I think a lot as an accomplished in the fight against democracy in August of that then he had -- -- -- positions that he should have repeated it which is healthy I think.

Didn't it weakens his ability to advance very bad positions in terms accommodating -- honor of being anti Israel or being really reckless and many defensive things -- said in the past.

And I think for the -- but I didn't get it's it's this reason but I do think what effect of this is that the Republican Party has sort of -- a little -- respond.

About forty Republicans will vote against them and they've been pretty articulate explaining.

Why he's a bad -- it's not -- personal McCarthy -- attack despite with the left wing media says it's been on issues and principles.

And again and they said this -- wasn't that they're concerned John Kerry centerstate they're confirming other people for the Obama cabinet they said the start wasn't.

The right choice and then we had hearings and -- their approval rights of the Republican Party -- and -- Republican Party was right.

And when he goes that you know there.

We of course -- sort of politics here.

And these cynical political aim as a related -- -- prove a point about what Republicans ought to be like.

And the president had a message which was this is what you should be like this is a guy who by the way John McCain.

Once said that would be his man for secretary of defense that he -- Chuck Hagel Chuck Hagel understood combat -- from Vietnam and all of those things.

And the message to the president was you guys should be more like Chuck Hagel in general but certainly as it relates to defense he doesn't get that anymore.

Does not lead -- I think if anything Republicans -- little invigorated.

And I think -- will next week showed that they don't have confidence in the Obama people.

National security policy for the next.

Here in the next four years and I think their right to have confidence that unfortunately for the country but I do think it is that a better standing out of -- various decisions going forward.

And also articulate alternative.

And -- other thing is and this is worrisome for everybody.

Having been through this and having had this confirmation hearings and having had Democrats is Bob Woodward said go to the White House and say are you sure you really really really really sure that you want Chuck -- to be your Defense Secretary.

Doing this it's gonna make it very hard for him to affect the kinds of changes that.

He says he needs or that will be necessitated by budget cuts and everything else right.

Right at me just ask anyone liberal conservative Democrat Republican who would prefer to be making tough decisions a lot of them come across.

Defense secretary's desk is just not true it doesn't -- the Ares -- its policy making position I don't know if he's ever read the tell us how the defense fireworks but certainly is not the case gates made a decision that is that -- tennis is supposedly the -- decisions.

The next best -- affects -- decisions you know I -- Leon -- a lot of issues but I would feel better we have that are making those decisions.

That if Chuck Hagel makes.

Saying you -- stuff.

And this for those of you in the if you didn't camp out there in this guy's going to be confirmed but you guys at least achieve some of what -- wanted to.

Mr.

-- because he has because again he is here taking the hit four Fred Barnes and Steve Hayes is here for one more segment so.

This used to rent because -- -- is going to come -- we're gonna talk about the practicality.

Of sequestration.

And I did not expect that I would have to guess who were both of those two sequestration but we will have fun talking about it anyway I guarantee.

So stick around.

Changing think -- it's not about just who would be laid off it's about the contraction.

Can harm that it causes the economy and look there is no way.

That you can come up with some easy offer him.

That is gonna prevent the fact that if you have to cut 2529.

Billion dollars in an harsh arbitrary way over the next year.

That it is going to be very harmful for education for national defense no matter how you slice it.

And that's exciting that person was Gene Sperling is a director president Obama's National Economic Council he was tuchman Bret -- Aptly enough a special report with -- -- and this is powered by and what mr.

sperling to slice through what mr.

sperling was saying was it doesn't matter where the cuts are because that's going to ruin the economy anyways going to explode the economy.

Like the planet Krypton if in fact.

These reductions in -- increases to federal outlays.

Go into effect so it doesn't matter if Republicans give the president the work.

But you know it doesn't.

It matters politically and it matters and who gets the blame it matters and what occurs you know that good vision probably comments I read this today and read my power play today.

But let's talk about the mechanics and let's talk but politics Bill -- was with a stolen he is now much to the good.

Joined by -- -- she's a former senior advisor to senate majority leader Harry Reid she's an.

An advisor and -- strategies.

I thought we were more than an advisor that sounds a little.

My senior senior advisor OK please -- senior advisor that extra Democrat.

And it makes her one of your favorite guest so.

Any Republicans are mulling this idea that to change the sequestration from being arbitrary across the board.

Which makes you cut every agency to tell the president.

You come wherever you want to cut.

But it just have yet to hit the dollar figure but we don't care from when -- cut.

Do administration doesn't seem to like that idea and they say.

We're not accepting any changes to the sequestration.

Unless it includes a tax increase would they stick to that if Republicans really pass something.

I think either because it -- goes back to the politics you know feet.

We've ever had we read the polls he just everybody gets cut and we can turn to blame on the Republicans vs.

My administration having to pick the winners and losers and that -- as we know every cut has a constituency and every constituency it's right out in so they don't wanna be picking winners and losers with -- on their own discretion they would rather just stay above the 50000 throw all the blame to the Republicans in congress and saying it was there -- But mr.

-- The president could hardly refuse though could be if the -- house Republican said.

Serve save us save the country from these cuts that you have just said -- -- people's homes burned to the ground.

And tainted meat to be served to schoolchildren.

Save us but he couldn't -- of activity.

But -- I couldn't I think but just to further shock over to her friends out there.

-- I thought -- better but it -- precedent sequester.

I would prefer some Republicans are the most aggressive to -- the president total.

Flexibility -- autonomy decided what spent the federal government's money there's a reason we have the appropriations process and as a reason we have congressional committees and Soviet -- -- -- house of congress.

That money is at least to some degree allocated in ways consistent with -- Republican priorities.

Get -- there Republican House is gonna say the president has -- you just take the entire HHS budget.

It's stuff you like and don't let other stuff we like kill us that a conservative pro family program as federal money -- obamacare kill whatever is good.

In some of the other domestic agencies incidentally the Pentagon and he just got to do you do unilateral reductions in nuclear weapons because you get the funds if you like it -- global climate change funding.

It wasn't up to us about it really is or conservative -- prefer to just say forget about the sequester we will spend 78 billion dollars more than we wish to spend this year it's better than.

Either the arbitrary across the board cuts I think we're giving the president all -- authority so it should be clear.

On the but I know this is crazy does not know this thing greater than our and I think they then.

There's immediate -- act -- yeah yeah yeah yeah.

-- you were coming down the prettiest down to give the president if this.

It's amazing it really is ending because you have this always this it is tennis it's definitely an area green and then President Obama was elected was a sense that he is not getting dictate like George W -- dictated to the Republicans when they controlled both print just he's that we -- still a separate and equal branch and we have an exercise -- yeah.

Yeah they did out there constantly Anderson that it but there was a sense that we will use the appropriation powers.

To be able to dictate what what we will do what we won't take from the president in two abdicate that.

And that's the whole kind of furor over earmarks we cannot allow the administration to dictate what all the budgets are going to be we have crisis and it's going to be in our own congressional district.

-- can do this.

Come up with it.

Come up with Hillcrest now -- the president to go Adam -- he once you think they'll do.

I think I think these sequestration is gonna happen and then with the incident resolution there's going to be some flexibility -- that's disagree with -- this for us.

I don't know I -- that's I think what most people think but I think sometimes you know -- expects to get worked out I think he could really have turned right over the next.

Few weeks I think everyone is underestimating.

Again in America -- the actual facts.

The sequestration local congressman think ballistic get a phone calls from home for some guy who's going to work and working hard yesterday morning at Candace has suddenly getting like -- when he doesn't have this.

I miss -- administration's Canada and you can use these headlines every single day until March 27.

Internet are you sufficiently my -- yeah.

Well you should be even though it is Friday but we're not -- -- -- -- -- investment -- they were always -- -- always grateful -- both -- -- on the Internet has -- -- and -- OK Jonathan Hunt is up next but before you get to that how about some power points would you like -- -- -- get them anyway.

Here it is bad company -- -- points or bad company now look.

What is today -- a lot of things but most importantly it is the birthday of George Washington he was pretty good -- It's a pretty good stuff.

The American since the Mets.

And he said this first PowerPoint it is better to be alone than in bad company.

He wrote a lot of letters -- give a lot of advice to young people young relatives young cousins.

And was a font of wisdom because he had spent his whole life from young man he lost his father when he was young and they went.

Difficult circumstances and he set out on a course of self improvement the glass -- his whole life and he -- very much very very much.

In the idea that -- associates say very much about you and it says very much about what you're going to go on to become so he was very careful on that point.

Second point is a balanced approach George Washington was not a historically awesome -- he was open.

George Washington was not.

A master wordsmith he was not.

A incredible statesman what he was that was a great great leader.

He knew how to lead people and motivate people and get people to stay with their toes -- often valley forge.

He was a great leader he did it through a balanced approach he was no Jefferson when it came to writing he was -- Franklin when it came to diplomacy but he knew how to harness their talents bring together a team and be successful so -- -- is -- about general Washington today he had the courage to be challenged.

But many leaders -- today is the fear to surround themselves with real excellence.

George Washington was not afraid of Alexander Hamilton -- Thomas Jefferson and he wasn't afraid to have them both in his orbit and listen to both of them and help come up with good solutions that's what good leaders do because they have the self confidence and because they have the character to do what's right.

That's 5% Washington's birthday its -- -- infer whatever you like about that -- your power points and now as we like to do every day we wanna leave you with the word from our French.

Us.

From the president says it doesn't have to happen he's right.

-- has to do is to say he's prepared to speak to Republicans.

About shifting accounts in other words when I was in the same amount of cuts.

-- actually but actually having to make choices.

Priorities which is what governing is all about and that's why you have a budget.

Sex is important so we gets supported why is less important he gets cut.

He is saying I'm not going to do that.

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