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Power Play 2/26/2013

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    Spending fight enters silly statosphere. Plus: Cabinet confirmations

  • Duration 23:59
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The leadership record of Barack Obama.

Four years of trillion dollar deficits.

Almost four years without a federal budget and instead of coming but it.

He gives us the sequestered which threatens public safety in compromise national security.

That is -- new added.

That is running a new Internet and also on television.

From the young guns.

Day.

Group that outside political group that is -- somehow affiliated in some way.

With people who have been in the orbit of Eric Cantor.

And this is power play and I'm Chris -- so that dad is part of an ongoing war between Republicans and Democrats and the president over whose fault is the sequester that everybody agrees they don't like.

And what is the consequence there you see -- -- depicted as a giant -- that is going to come -- -- car in the intersection.

So things are getting pretty tough as we did.

Closer to Friday's deadline midnight Thursday 1201 AM Friday when what will happen.

-- nothing really nothing really what happened at 1201 AM Friday.

But it will start -- process by which over time.

Money is taken out a federal accounts for different agencies including over at the Department of Defense.

And the president continues out on the campaign trail talking about the danger of this we'll talk about that back and forth yes I know you're sick of talking about it but.

The the -- fiscal state of the nation demands a bit of your attention a bit more of your attention and and so we will do that.

We will talk about.

The efforts to confirm which -- take -- a step forward today.

The president's team Jack -- -- -- to the full senate for a vote will talk about that you'll enjoy that.

And we will talk.

Also about.

Whether it makes sense to spend a million dollars to fly down someplace to talk about saving money cutting spending.

Is this a good used as the president expose himself to questions of hypocrisy and he spends money to argue against spending cuts we will explore that with our panel.

You'll enjoy all of that I promise you or at least you better.

One thing I know that we have -- -- that Bob Cusack is back.

You know and like Bob about as a managing editor at the -- you can follow him -- simply enough -- Cusack.

So Bob the Republicans are trying to fight back yes sales and getting a -- Yes they were at -- -- last week and out of back and speaker.

Boehner just at a press conference where he he basically told that the senate.

To get up between rent but -- -- rear end.

And movie sequestration.

Bill now of course the house has passed.

Bill that would replace these cuts twice.

But that was in the last congress they haven't done it regardless of even that isn't.

That's got past and it's gonna -- one that can't pass the house and -- that eschews any kind of pass the senate and the others Edwards is sequestration is bad but there are some on the left and the right.

Who don't think this is so bad that the left likes the cuts to.

The Pentagon -- and the like rather arranged them they only had arranged exactly but still it well obviously the and so certainly on the right we can't get any -- that's.

We we gotta get something.

I don't like these but I'll take.

Well Vietnam.

Washington Post wrote an editorial today and I would love to have been in the editorial -- in -- editorial meeting at the Washington Post.

We win they said we need to remind the president whom we've endorsed twice and are generally supportive supportive of that it's actually not about discretionary spending it's about entitlements and won't you please step up and do something on this David Brooks.

A one time Obama endorser who did it inflicted half endorsement of Mitt Romney the second time yet for the New York Times basically said the same thing like.

Why don't you stop talking about what small right and start talking about what's -- the president has a strategy that is people of laid out for us which is.

We're going to beat the Republicans -- all the small ball fights it's between now and the mid term elections and -- gonna use that momentum.

To beat them in the mid terms and then we're gonna have more democratic congress.

I think that's that's a game plans in 2011 -- Obama I think really did want to get.

The deal to cut the deficit.

-- that deal with speaker Boehner just fizzled.

And now he's not showing that interest in in cutting the government mean he's not proposing.

Major entitlement reform he's talk a little update has Social Security but he's not pushing itself he's interested in.

Beating the Republicans -- -- to doesn't fourteenth.

Getting immigration and getting -- -- that is that's on his desk right now.

Glitzy big inning 323 says you think about this finger pointing somebody -- -- lost and I already good thing they're all good at -- yes and big inning the truth is that.

This is all -- -- we're doing until we get to the 27 the mark was the next time consequential thing happens -- seventh of march the continuing resolution that funds the government in the absence of the budget.

-- -- a budget since 2009.

We've been running on C yards as.

People in Washington call them which kicks literally kicks the can on spending a little further and when we get to that fight.

That's when it'll be determined whether the Republicans are able to preserve some of these cuts in a continuing resolution from the government at least for -- time.

Resurrect this is -- we do have this Groundhog Day element and that's why some on capitol are so tired out are we gonna get appropriations done they don't get -- done anything these little tiny CR bills some have said we should go to a two year appropriation process because.

This they never actually get their job done whether it's -- -- -- especially this sentence they never get -- spending bills.

Doesn't my sons for some reason fascinated with Groundhog Day we've been stuck on Groundhog Day since the beginning of the month.

I don't know why maybe it's because the older one goes to a Lutheran school the Germans are being in the Groundhog Day.

-- I I cannot explain this but we've had I -- think of -- songs we played manhunt game.

And I'm like I'm from West Virginia you shoot these things like and they swell up and you Colbert and block -- block the water quality you're probably that's what I've learned that -- were but now I've got to be all.

-- -- -- -- -- -- when you go to the council its third they're fun kids -- that I would I would they're they're funny human beings they are very funny human beings little power -- -- -- If you vote.

Were already at the hill today as you should have been after reading everything foxnews.com and you were ever to tell you would have seen.

A good piece.

Obama waging an endless campaign.

By -- Subject -- and it should not quite so.

And any -- That.

Did I get that just -- that it hit quite a storefront right there you go.

Familiar with their work if not annunciation of their names.

But the that the point here being.

This is not going to stop now now and you know Republicans can -- whatever they want -- -- -- started saying we don't need a road show president we need a leader but that's exactly what Obama wants he he's having his campaign rallies he's having -- another one today down in Newport News, Virginia.

Big shipbuilding.

Industry down there so.

We're not gonna see there's an end you know I think the White House thinks they're winning and they're going to win this battle and that's why they're not calling for a White House summit on sequestration of the.

Up there as they would say as they said it scooped up 2.4 copper yes I mean they're winning but only one in four Americans in the latest Washington Post ABC poll.

Even knew what the sequester -- -- the threat and we Rihanna and we've.

Mean simply we had a a pull ourselves Grassley is it is related to the Supreme Court decision some people went for that some people thought it was a debt ceiling fight.

So but the end of the day Obama did say.

-- -- was not going to happen in a debate with Mitt Romney last year and it is going to happen and it is on his watch and so therefore.

The bus I didn't think it.

If it's not like I mean it's gonna happen but it's not.

Like we're we're gonna scuttled the USS Abraham Lincoln in the -- that's on Friday especially to get a deal much reset then being accidentally.

Middleton very minimal distance minutes wealth to Maximus is the help that you provided to us today -- an excellent match.

Our Internet we're gonna take a quick break here we have a member of congress who is willing to talk to you today and tell you -- couple things.

But how this all goes congressman Doug Collins Republican from Georgia we'll talk to you on the other side of this break so -- review.

I would stick around.

And those people are waiting to hear President Obama down in Newport News, Virginia he's headed their way to talk about what happened to the United States shipbuilding industry.

Over the next decade.

If automatic reductions -- automatic increases in defense spending were allowed to stay in place which they won't be but it's complicated and we'll get into more of that.

And this is power play welcome back in -- net.

And welcome to handle I liked very much we're very lucky to have a very good and today.

Certainly anti she is a policy advisor and political consultant Republican officials and candidates that's of this sounds very -- very -- -- -- -- very.

Access is just very I feel like we've been where an elevated base here Sarah.

And this is doctor Cornell is a strategist at SKD maker barker and former spokesman for the trip to see that makes and the Democrat who knows stuff.

OK welcome guys -- to be here they are right now.

Let's let's let's expands.

Our horizons here and please -- congressman Doug Collins.

He is a congressman from the great state of Georgia and he joins us from the cannon rotunda congressman welcome.

-- -- -- -- -- OK well let's -- Now the president is going down to Newport News today and he's gonna talk about -- the sequestration.

That Republicans refused to stop that your party refuses to stop with the simple increase on millionaires and billionaires and did the taxes that they today.

Is going to really hurt.

Not just defense preparedness but the economic position of communities like Newport News and others all around the country.

Well I think it's just amazing thing again here the -- -- presidents on the road again just this past weekend Albert on our part of the world we live -- Daytona 500.

And only time -- -- you make your -- when you actually done something so far this president has done nothing for his a question did he proposed and his minutes I'm willing to veto if we wanted to change it.

So -- pleased -- -- the president to get off the road get off of his victory lap.

Stopped running -- him playing get to Washington.

And travel you know the one little over a mile down to Capitol Hill to -- -- -- lets get something done.

Republicans -- not blame here the last congress actually passed to sequester replacement bills that -- who have -- this power they were never taken up.

We've got to remember who started this and who's to blame at this point at this point in time.

The American people are tired and they wanna see something action we can do this but also they wanted to seek cuts last not -- -- telephone town hall in my district.

Analyst poll that we get over 70% of the respondents say that they needed to see and they would support.

There was a question and that's being night.

Now congressman the senate is going to try to take some action on this this week you guys -- you when -- -- two times passed legislation that would.

Change the way that the sequestration sentiment in the way that wasn't so damaging.

In the senate is gonna try to do the same.

But what we're really talking about now are we is the continuing resolution currently operating a government that expires on the 27 the march.

Well that is the next step and we got to look forward to you put your proposal out there that continues to fund the government that is also a question of what level we've -- the government man.

You latest comment earlier about the president and -- how we had to do -- make a simple change and in taxes and increase it again on where.

He's now deciding again -- the winners and loses -- who he decides won't be -- As I sort of said before my district cannot talk about -- this -- -- you know big -- missing Groundhog Day earlier was sort of me like the movie -- dealer.

Where he's sitting class -- -- -- says dealer dealer dealer.

Well at this present only things no taxes taxes taxes well -- how we actually look at this and and look at actually are.

At a reduced level because we cannot continue to spending levels that we're all in this president's out of -- reality normally -- afternoon -- All right congressman.

I did not expect that we would get both the Daytona reference and -- -- -- reference that you have you have outdone yourself thank you very much.

Progress -- says Gregory.

All right if you were from -- you know Omar ready that was Doug Cox thank you very much OK guys.

Here's the deal.

These.

We talked about it earlier in the show Washington Post I felt bad for the Washington -- -- -- -- writers did because they came and -- for that we're like that basically said.

Why do we have to be so stupid about spending money.

Fiscal whatever why can't we -- Mikey we talk about what's real.

And the reason is it seems like both sides are very determined to fight for every.

Nugget every inch here in the idea of whether the Republicans are calling president roadshow president whether -- saying that there intransigent I mean.

Is there any I don't want to ask stupid I'm going to ask them -- Is there any hope that somehow you could have of the larger deal a larger agreement instead of everybody.

Eating each other's heads in with clubs over stupid stuff.

I think that there was -- hope that.

I think John Boehner and I think the president were working towards that don't a year and a half ago I think that if it was left to them there wouldn't -- have been a grand bargain.

The system in Washington is broken.

And it's right now in dire need of repair and that's largely because both parties are talking to their bases.

You know the congressman I appreciate him going in speaking to his constituents but his constituents that doesn't represent all America that's his district -- -- does not -- -- but -- also there and he has the right -- like it if it were true if he -- represent his district night -- I appreciate that but if you look at all you know if you look -- national -- makes so much different story but.

Look I think that maybe this TR is the next point.

You know the next inflection point where both sides are really gonna have to find a grand bargain.

But right now both side I mean I think it's it's it's it's pretty disgraceful and.

It's let's limit is going on his crystals there is the is the correct word here everybody's talking past each other.

Here's what I've observed in US policy advisor important and so Republican candidates have seen this play out elections are unpredictable things there.

And right now the president and Republicans are both thinking very much about the mid term elections and the stays in -- that Washington will have.

After 2014.

Because guess what and I hate to break -- -- -- they've already skipped through all of the stuff between now and then and they're just running for the mid term elections that's all this is.

Those of you who are waiting for.

Enlightenment to break out in Washington.

Don't.

Don't do it.

But elections are unpredictable things and often outside events and page both sides have a strategy though that says Republicans are gonna hold their ground.

And tried to drag President Obama over a thousand yards broken glass in 2014.

And the president thinks that he can so humiliate.

Republicans between now and then that the mayor didn't repudiate the Republican -- and get them for democratic control.

That.

It would agree political says what a great political -- right what what a great job thank you for everything that you're doing congress and Mr.

President but.

It at a certain point.

Is there a moment of voter frustration where you get to -- -- point the people to say.

I hate all incumbents I hate all the incumbents we saw you know 2010 was a Republican -- but it was also an anti incumbent -- it was a strong.

Urgency of anti incumbency.

I think right now you're seeing a lot of hysteria and I think there's a lot of messaging going.

-- -- in the Republican Party on how do we change the tone how do we change the message who -- -- candidates I think.

Do you get this ongoing dialogue -- a reflection of the fact that.

Voters are -- the end.

I think they are -- and I think that that Republicans holding their ground right now on the on the secrets to -- deal is.

What else can they do I think they key with this tax hike a few weeks ago and they're holding their ground right now I'm spending cuts and I think.

Ultimately we'll get to march 27 and that's where hopefully we'll see some of a bargain again.

But does not mean much of -- something it is likely that.

Because Republican they will kick the can down the road and again because of that number eight years that they I think actually we're at a point in which where the public -- The dam has broke I -- you know congress has an approval rating of depending upon which poll you look at -- And twelfth -- 950 -- -- right yeah the president is actually doing much better and I think that.

You know I listen to the congressman you -- on.

And and I understand you look he has his constituents but.

They are losing this messaging war right now that's good to see they didn't district and no maybe not his district but -- -- insurance -- -- -- -- national messaging war they're losing and I think that it's.

John Boehner and many of the people in the car in the leadership I think they're figuring well look -- can't get much worse and we did pretty well in 2010 -- 2012 with.

Pretty bad approval numbers maybe we need to message our -- keep them intact so that you know that doesn't.

You know erode in so it's.

I'm sorry what did it -- that's next on what they absolutely do I every night I'm not saying this is the racetrack here and I thought -- -- -- next time.

Okay look you're gonna take a quick break but when we come back.

We're gonna talk about this really talk about fact that the president's nominees to run the treasury.

And the Pentagon.

Are moving forward finally but what went into the deal and how the deal on doing the deal affect the other deal -- deal with that when we come back.

-- -- -- And those two people are the last two of the three amigos.

Once lots still available Kelly yeah page call your office of the that's John McCain and Lindsey Graham that -- best he is inside the Republican conference.

This power play welcome back now look.

Washington functions very much like the old Soviet Union in this way.

Nothing gets done until somebody gets taken care of somebody has to get paid whether in -- -- something else for anything to happen.

And what happens when congress has a lot of work in front of it as things get all tangled up and twisted.

And you -- one thing for another and it goes back and forth so John McCain and Lindsey Graham also happened to be pushing.

A bipartisan compromise on illegal immigration -- border security it's Federer etc.

So the president has agreed to meet with them elevated them on this subject help them out to try to do a deal.

On that they have agreed now I'm not saying that this was it went from 13 of the they had agreed that they're going to quit filibustering -- making noise about Chuck Hagel.

The guy who president wants to run the Pentagon he's on his way now for what will likely get cloture vote the -- and final passage.

And today president also got.

It is nominated being sacred treasury out of committee that clue what's going forward.

And with the stores -- -- -- -- Cornell.

God is my cynicism so deep and myself and -- so marinated in Washington cynicism now that I can't just see that.

John McCain and Lindsey Graham have just changed haven't had a change of heart.

Yeah well there -- one missing point -- I think pretty accurate description of what happened.

Lindsey Graham needed for about two months to take it to have a fight with the White House server and -- he it -- it started with Susan Rice.

When she was you know when she decided not to would take her name out of the running for state.

Then moved to -- cable.

And he is obviously looking to try to do I think avoid any sort of primary in South Carolina he needed -- pick a public fight with the president.

Because in order for him.

To do immigration.

And survive in South Carolina I think he needed some cover with this is my own democratic cynical view -- but he needed cover.

That he was willing to stand up to the president on Ben Ghazi on Susan Rice on cable this was a fight everybody everybody -- talking Sarah.

Out Mitch McConnell made based Tea Party challenger Kentucky I'm not sold yet guys not.

He is not steeped in Kentucky Kentucky -- And has so far not not the experience the blessing of the house of Paul or any of the other powerful political folks in Kentucky but Lindsey Graham definitely.

Most definitely is in terms of ranking Republican who could face a tough tough primary focus -- Carolina it is him.

It is and so he needed this teeny disintegration -- -- to -- -- -- -- -- the blessing from him and and -- and rolls forward.

Man okay so I would but I've I've only marinated partially cynicism.

Guys we thank you for donating excellence as usual thank you for being with us today.

Here OK first of all let me tell you should be reading my column because I wrote it that's been a lot of time doing so what's the least you can do if you follow me Nazis are all you can be participating in the -- right now spending -- -- the silly stratosphere and children.

You're -- -- everything I promise you a Gregg -- is filling in for Jonathan -- up next.

But before we let -- -- -- about.

Some PowerPoint would you like some I don't care giving to you anyway today's -- -- here.

You do not have.

Have to be easier if fortune teller to know what the future will hold in terms of budget fights for Washington.

You do not I promise you do not because that's what we have the congressional budget office for -- here's your first -- PowerPoint.

If you think this is bad.

See here's what the sequester it's it's not really a budget cut at the time travel machine that takes you forward to the -- three or four years -- win.

The entitlement spending when non discretionary spending continues to grow to squeeze out what's left it will.

However you think money ought to be spent on aircraft carriers or head start it doesn't matter that way is gonna get squeezed down because that -- well.

As we did it wrong congress did wrong.

So that is going to happen.

Second PowerPoint neither supply or demand whether -- supply side person -- demands that person whether -- liberal -- whether you're conservative there will be less money available in the near future.

Whether you think stimulus is the way to go tax cuts with the -- by defense spending don't like defense spending.

Doesn't matter the universe of available dollars non deficit dollars is going to get smaller and smaller and smaller the sequester is just -- advanced case this is and -- -- blue -- Of what the future is going to be like in Washington.

So here's a third PowerPoint.

What we are engaged in now is what we will call an auto pilot crash landing.

Out of -- refusal to govern.

We have ended up with auto pilot.

Increases auto pilot decreases in people who do not want to take accountability for any -- save the accountability of blaming someone else.

It doesn't work it's a very -- way to -- government and we are starting to suffer the consequences that's all true I can promise you.

Does your power points and now as we like to do every day we want to leave you with the word.

From our French are.

It's an example of the cynicism his campaign is one lobbyist.

For liberal causes leading 3000.

Organizations in opposing the coyotes who -- why -- the post the following the worst case scenario.

Is this sequester hits and nothing really bad happens.

I think in the cynicism of that.

The worst case scenario is that the government makes a smaller miniscule.

Cutting spending on the way to the beginning of a journey.

-- -- road of recovery -- fiscal health and that it doesn't hurt us if we actually come out of it alive.

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