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Power Play 3/1/2013

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    Save the Nincompoops! Will sequester sting? And what's a sequestration really?

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And those are he sequester warriors team sequester.

Arriving at the White House the leaders of the Republican and democratic parties in the senate and house you know them.

They're pretty famous even if they're not very popular and this is power play and I am in fact Chris firewall now look.

It sequester Friday.

There he took my -- -- I have no idea what else could befall you during the course of the day.

But if the road that you're driving on disappears beneath you or the -- that -- flying on vanishes into thin air our apologies in advance.

We will talk today about the sequester hype and reality is we will do that we will talk about.

What it brilliance because you may be interested to know that there are some mechanics involved in the Office of Management and Budget wobble -- -- Mike Emanuel will be here he will make it more exciting than it sounds as described.

And we will have a great panel to talk about the question political consequences from this sting of this sequestered.

And the not staying at the sequester who needs what to happen and now.

He will do that you'll enjoy it I promise we're waiting for the president to make some remarks.

The meeting with those folks having just concluded.

He's going to come out.

Here is a hint for you Internet -- -- balanced approach may occur at some point during the president's remarks but as we wait.

For the leader of the free world to join us we -- joined with one of this by one of the finest journalists in the free world you -- -- and the she is the chief congressional correspondent for the Washington examiner she's Smart and you don't let Susan does better than almost anybody.

She knows what to actually panicked about.

And what not to actually and it about and you were coverage of the sequestration has been very helpful because what everybody was saying oh my god.

It's what is going to happen you said.

If you think this is bad.

Wait till you see what happens on the 27 of march with the continuing resolution -- the government with the debt ceiling deal yeah yeah yeah so -- issue.

Thank you very much and that status is more important because.

A government shutdown occur after the triceps or partial governments that forces and act this sequester.

And it is sort of a rolling thing where and it's it's a small amount of money it's only about 1% this year it's only about 44 billion this year that would here's this one point -- -- it's like 44 billion about 8% domestic budget it brings us back to 2009 spending levels.

And how are you in 2009 -- -- at the airport well yes but it -- Ricky good to see your body -- -- -- experience has been pretty consistently wrapping things are not the same then as Darren so you have to keep -- in perspective and overtime you know George Mason put -- this really fascinating studies.

Yeah.

University X George Mason University Fairfax Virginia put out this very interesting statistic showing that over from 2012 to 20/20 one kept the -- place.

Spending that would increase.

From one point 6% to one point 7% so it's a point 1% difference for talking over how long a few times ten years.

This is a tiny amount of money all this whole battle all we're seeing on Capitol Hill tells me one thing the only thing it says is.

Washington is positively allergic to spending cuts play like they break out -- -- or in this case to break out and anxiety and panic because they cannot contemplate the idea of cutting this humongous growth in spending in so they can't do it and that's why you're seeing everybody go into these -- you know fear and rage over the idea you know losing a few bucks here and there from spending but what what.

I wrote.

In my confidence if you follow me antsy Cerro -- several -- Twitter clarity treated it for you because -- -- -- view Internet.

I -- it saves an income groups.

And the point being we've heard for weeks federal government is dangling by a threat we've heard for weeks that congress isn't just -- -- Bunch of hold true this terrible awful awful.

And good rationale of the president's been -- long -- and that we need more money for all of this urgently right urgent it is urgent that we have more money for this.

And you start to wonder the Fox News poll said and this was amazing -- plurality of people went as far as his balls that.

Yes question -- and her.

But a majority 57%.

Said this.

It's probably have to do automatic spending cuts because to your exact point these people are not capable of doing it themselves.

Not they say over and over -- fact.

That -- you talk about your column makes a point to that IC a confluence of events working in the favor of spending reductions there are various polls there was one out by -- week or so ago that showed the first presidential priorities of public -- debt reduction is the most important by 74%.

-- never seen numbers like that.

For anything you know and so you combine that with the fact that people -- gonna go to the airport people -- gonna.

Live their daily lives and not feel a lot of pain from sequester combine those two things I think there will peace -- this groundswell of further desire for cuts.

That will make it -- kind of forced lawmakers to go along with this -- an -- and we want point 1%.

-- aren't deeply if we can't cut that now.

What hope is there ever -- making any reductions by the time the president leaves office there'll be what it twenty trillion dollar debt at least.

So right what does that mean about one of people to a stop on -- back line to buy our debt and what will happen to public to think about -- so.

Well they may not think about the specifics of that but they do have a broader sense broader understanding that this much -- is not cool.

They have a hard time thinking far far -- Republicans don't do good job.

Harnessing.

-- -- so far harnessing -- I information as is talking about kind of relaying it to the public to get them on their side they spent a lot of time dickering with the White House.

When they get before the mikes -- depicting the White House when a bond yesterday for the mice he's rallying the -- behind -- she's winning that game in the Republican Party so far.

Hasn't really do that so you know until that change is still the odds are in favor that I still think the president is still somehow eked out ahead on the -- Yeah but it's I mean look at everybody everybody stake in their games on this and it was interesting to watch the beginning -- -- -- it looked like president.

Was thought he can jam the Republicans on this pretty good.

And then you had a couple things -- they sent off those illegal and that's right in the honey I don't get as good -- ever present -- and I -- there again it teaches.

I'll tell the Internet on the Internet spread the message it's pronouncement -- -- camp.

Can knock him in West Virginia and now why or whatever else anybody's names and hawk county west Virginia's what you -- basic law.

It's fun to say everybody should do it.

But yes Arnie Duncan.

Today and this is it Arnie Duncan -- -- David's case made a good excuse.

Today -- -- I said teachers are getting noticed some implied layoffs coming tomorrow that's not what I said they're getting slips now the fact is whether it has happened or not the impact is very significant.

This would fall into the category fake -- accurate and -- Yes but there are people really are getting these notices ignoring it and what -- -- lose one day a week of pay -- what I.

So twenty if you think about what it 20% reduction in pay would mean to you if you've got furlough that would be pretty consequence right it would be a big deal.

There's probably not gonna happen because what John Boehner said today Susan when he walked out of the White House was.

We're gonna have a continuing resolution for funding the government next week.

Which means are already done with it.

And they're gonna he's gonna try to sell it to his members next week so these cuts don't art it looks less and less likely to ever really going to play.

Well that's only if you have a lot of hope.

That practicality will overcome politics I haven't seen that happen all of the years and we'll let it.

Right now it's just so political out there that even if -- -- looked beautiful on wrapped in a bow.

Harry Reid who runs the senate is probably not gonna take it up does not.

-- I know they say well don't just feel pressure they'll have to do it but I don't think that means the Democrats will do it because it doesn't dollar tax increase would be speaking.

You -- -- -- that I listen you I have -- I've I've listened to work with red -- and religiously for a long time but you mean tell me.

The house Republicans next week passed -- continuing resolution provided it doesn't say like we're taking all the cuts out of the president's health law or something that the senate passed the ball -- -- -- tell me if they were to come up with essentially a plausible continuing resolution for funding -- for the next six months that reflected these reductions that the senate would say.

That's correct and that's because his signal -- shouldn't and the government.

That's yes sounds really good free calling is I got we got in there except that's not work so far I think -- -- as a president will get.

In front of voting and blame Republicans Republicans in and say well.

We're not gonna do this we're not gonna make these cuts because it's gonna hurt you know teachers in head start and low.

I think that they will continue down that noted that as a hard since leaving it won't -- that they're taxing.

Old -- and let's take a listen to credit.

-- take effect today.

I've told them these cuts will hurt our economy.

Will cost us jobs.

And to set it right both sides need to be willing to compromise.

The good news is the American people are strong and the resort.

They fought hard to recover from the worst economic crisis.

Since the great depression and we will get through this as well.

Even what he's -- -- place folks all across this country will work hard to make sure that.

We keep the recovery going.

But Washington sure isn't making movies.

And time when our businesses -- finally begun to get some traction.

Hiring new workers bringing jobs back to America.

We shouldn't be making a series of -- arbitrary cuts to things that businesses depend.

And workers to -- -- like education.

And research.

And infrastructure.

And defense.

It's unnecessary.

At a time -- too many Americans are still looking for work.

It's an excuse -- Now.

What's important understanding is that not everyone will feel the pain of these cuts right away.

The pain -- will be -- Beginning this week many middle class families will have their lives disrupted.

In significant ways.

Businesses that work with the military like the Virginia ship builder that I visited on Tuesday.

May have to lay folks off.

Communities near military bases we'll take a serious blow.

Hundreds of thousands of Americans who serve their country.

Border Patrol agents FBI agents.

Civilians who work at the Pentagon.

All wolf suffer.

Significant pay cuts and -- All of this will cause a ripple effect throughout our economy.

Layoffs and pay cuts means that people have less money in the pockets and that means they have less might spend at local businesses.

That means lower profits that means fewer hires.

The longer these cuts remain in place the greater the damage to our economy.

A slope wind that will intensify -- each passing day.

So economists are estimating that.

As a consequence of the sequester that we could see growth cut by over one half of 1%.

-- will cost about 750000.

Jobs at a time when we should be growing jobs more quickly.

So every time that we get a piece of economic news.

Over the next month next two months next six months.

As long as this question is in place will know that bad economic news could have been better.

If congress have not fail to act.

And let's be clear none of this is necessary.

It's happening because a choice that Republicans in congress.

Have made.

They allow these cuts to happen.

Because they refused to budge on closing.

A single.

Wasteful loophole to help reduce the deficit.

As recently as yesterday they've decided to protect special interest tax breaks -- well off the -- And you know what the rest of that sounds like because he said that before that's President Obama talking to reporters about Republicans being blamed for things that relate to the economy being terrible.

Etc.

it's better if you want to watch the rest with president says.

We can flip on Fox News Channel and enjoy that.

But Susan we heard there from the president.

That.

If you hear any bad economic news for the next two months.

For the next six months these -- -- conference we're talking about up to.

The funding the federal government deadline on the 27 of march then on the beginning of may you have the debt ceiling fight.

And then in six months you have -- federal fiscal year running he's saying anything that you hear -- that time will be the forward.

We changed his his tactics a little bit instead of talking about TSA agents and air traffic controllers which was a real Armageddon scenario right it totally is backed off on that -- not talking about how.

This is really interesting thing is things are gonna get better they would've been even.

More improved if not for the republic and he's he's really walks back to his original -- -- army tanks -- to this whole sequester.

And and that that I think is significant they -- tactic but he's still not willing to give up the blame Republican sing which is why I think this -- -- which is coming up in March where we're gonna have -- sequester all play and he's still going to be using the same tactic of blaming Republicans that's why don't think they're gonna accept what the house that's for.

-- Susan appreciate she knew it all along she knew -- even before it happened.

And if you read her and tolerances in -- -- -- you'll note to Susan thank you very much -- had a good sequestration weekend.

They're okay here's what you guys think.

-- LTE says this was the president's script already written before negotiations took place this morning.

He probably knows this stuff so well now yes he knew he probably doesn't even need prompter for that.

Your parents are -- says Washington isn't making it easier no Obama just you.

You're not making it easier OK so not a fan of the president's there we will be back we will break this down more and more when we come back -- -- -- -- -- -- -- Very specifically.

Very -- -- is that I'm prepared to take on the problem where it exists on entitlements.

And do some things -- my own party it really doesn't like.

If it's part of a broader package.

Of sensible deficit reduction.

So the deal that I put forward.

-- And that -- President Obama and I'm still ongoing press conference that you will what does that kind of turned into like a mini press conference.

That you can watch on the Fox News Channel that you can -- elsewhere.

A -- you know what you in this is powered by.

Gotta make clear about that but what you cannot get anywhere else.

Anywhere else in the entire Internet right now is the conversation that wolves currently take place that will be fair minded patriotic -- us.

Between David Mercer -- democratic strategist he's former deputy national finance director for the DNC.

And -- like menus of he is a former deputy assistant.

To president George W.

Bush.

He's good at politics he is a Republican and he is a professor at the Georgetown University gentlemen welcome while -- was -- OK so.

The president says is so.

Good to the shorter version of what the president said was.

Okay so today is not going to the airplanes are not going to follow this today.

But the sequestration.

Is going to eventually.

Be damaging and will eventually be bad and he said something very important which was this.

Anything bad that happens in the economy.

Mix this month next month -- in the next six months is the fault of these -- on grass -- Republicans that.

Here's a question.

People by and large and not paid attention to the sequestration.

When forced to pay attention to the sequestration -- those that think it's a bad idea as Douglas -- he can says a bad idea whose time has come.

So David here's a question.

The president has dialed back the fear factor in what he's talking about.

What happens though if there isn't if if calamity does not in -- What -- I'm not sure that calamity is the right word or that he was trying to instill fear he Lewis.

-- little but he was pouring out there -- as CBO has an open Congressional Budget Office and others.

That you know 750000.

Jobs.

Could be lost as a result of the various cuts.

Furloughs to our armed services -- To prison guards.

On the whole bunch of we saw -- -- sounds good theater any -- go -- yeah.

I don't -- with all those jobless is when we sort of 200000 -- private sector jobs in November.

Or two -- fifty nearly 8000 jobs in December.

-- do you have the sequestration.

And that cuts of it be arbitrary.

Rather than a deliberative process to establish what cause we should -- we could.

Stem the tide in terms of the hurt that is caused both to individuals as well as to the economy as we're trying to -- a a bigger recovery and bigger growth -- bread and.

A realization.

That crept across Washington like -- rising gone this week was that wait a minute this is really about the continuing resolution that comes on the 27 of march.

And this Kabuki dance that Republicans were doing for eighteen months -- us.

These are terrible these are terrible than the president came once again these are -- -- -- -- -- -- these are our yeah you're right what we're told me.

But the realization has crept across that today is man.

But.

-- the fact is this is really about a battle over.

Whether the Republicans can run a continuing resolution out of the house next week that will preserve these levels of spending right this is this is the appetizer for running car.

I don't know I'm not that I'm not -- it yeah.

And if people are -- finally understood that the president is the man who cried wolf.

He sent all his.

Instead of the president preserving and defending us and telling his agencies that are sequester happens I've instructed my agency's causes least pain as possible.

And disruption the American people do the opposite he told them to inflict as much -- -- the American we'll talk about the -- or talk about the pain and and nobody's buying it even the press.

Called the president on -- Arnie Duncan.

And quite frankly lied when he's old now I believe.

I believe it it was not and I think -- I think he lied.

When he said that teachers that were being furloughed were caused the sequestration that's that's Internet and on gifts and all I can't get -- -- it's not truthful and it you know he's a -- like rice was a -- -- Prevent -- these guys are willing to sell their credibility went.

Well I'm upset with us David -- -- that the real problem is coming -- -- the continuing resolution which will make the sequestration.

A blip on the radar screen the fact is we wouldn't be having and the continuing resolution to see frustration we had a budget.

And the bottom line is we must have a budget to understand where we are and where we're going this continuing resolution is nothing but again the self inflicted wound.

By a president who has failed to produce -- budget and a senate that's propelled to produce a budget under democratic leaders.

Every black Brad -- today we'll have to do that let's go to -- in the sequestration it was.

In it in the inability for congress to to do a deal with the president of grand bargain he got sequestration.

Which is to say.

Look congress -- some more time to go to work.

To make the -- so that we don't have to have automatic sequestration.

They fail to do that and in -- and not coming to an agreement.

We're sitting here now.

This was not Obama's.

Major push for a sequestration it was congress' inability not to come to grips with the spending cut its OK there you have now automatic cuts facing you and and the Republicans.

We want.

And are letting this ago when they could avoid it good boat load balance of spending cuts and revenue -- -- The president could solve sequestration in and a half hour he calls his his.

Budget director -- any orders him.

To offset sequestration cuts with other costs and then he -- the leadership of the house the senate in and say look we're going to shift costs.

In in it and get us over this hump and then deal with the continuing resolution I'm offering you.

Gregory is my responsibility to congress they're appropriate there's -- there was an -- isn't cutting president's commander in chief he sold out his military would this report I'll call.

Oil well it -- until we run out of time before we need to get disproportionately out of.

Time the question is this Susan Frazier says that even if even if the house can pass the continuing resolution which is an open question is the greatest as the John -- let me tell you this.

The greatest test John Boehner has faced so far can he pass a continuing resolution.

Constituted in such a way that reflects these cuts that senate Democrats feel obliged to pass so what happens if -- can do that -- bridges and Harry Reid will spike it.

Forcing a government shutdown would be.

I think that is a I'm not very optimistic about just Boehner so leaving -- to do this right line.

He's of the -- of the congressional leadership.

He's got the lowest poll numbers and approval ratings of any of 9% -- just another.

I think yeah.

Yeah.

Actually had discussed about job losses -- presented with a question about the level of job losses nearly three quarters of many people.

You know -- as a response was so will be here soon -- up and that was just yesterday so I don't -- that Boehner is in the position as we've seen in the past.

Two alone get his caucus in there -- almost attempt container do this you can.

-- sell a deal can he sell a deal to its members and get a majority of the Republican conference in the house.

That will -- and preserve the spending levels.

But distribute them in a way that is more -- They -- we'll pass them.

The deal yes like he has to get us out of sequester that the senate may not act on it will be the senate who shuts down the government if you think we -- -- probably helps you ain't seen -- We've seen nothing yet we we've learned to expect so little from the city that in fact perhaps that is perhaps David is quite right gentlemen we're so grateful that you -- time for us on this is going to be here Friday and you can see -- -- also lost his -- to sequestration could like -- power by the guys thank you have a great sequester weekend.

-- -- On the hot but Jonathan Hunt is coming up next and I know you look forward to that -- -- -- like that very much and I know you're quoted Charles but before you get to that.

About some power points.

Let's just think about it.

-- your -- points today 57%.

57%.

-- percentage of voters in the latest Fox News poll.

Who said that the -- corporation or automatic reductions automatic increases in federal outlays were necessary because lawmakers were so bad.

Get their jobs that they did not think that they could affect the necessary cuts themselves this is it that poll that.

Plurality.

And overwhelming plurality said.

You know what these things are gonna be terrible so how about that majorities has.

They're terrible they're terrible but as Douglas will -- to describe them a bad idea whose time has come so here's your first PowerPoint.

29%.

Must not be watching 29% of people said that congress and the president could come up with their own spending reductions on their own well you must not have been paying attention if you -- -- -- 29% because we events in the state of -- dysfunction.

Since the spring and the late winner of 2011.

We this city stinks and it.

Making government it's really bad at it and there is no sign that anything is going to get better -- -- your second point.

Defining deviancy than we have set -- get a new low.

For dysfunctional government.

We had to be automatic decrease to the automatic increase we have conflicting auto pilots crashing planes in mid air.

As they cannot effectively fund were functioning government we have -- deviancy down now.

To the point that the government.

That cannot budget.

Cannot cut cannot tax cannot do any thing just stands around and -- each other.

So -- your sister PowerPoint auto pilot 26 team.

Perhaps somebody should come up with a robot.

A governing robot that will just come up with things the American people seem to like the idea of automatic.

I've also met this city so why don't we just run a robot for president and 26 game and say that -- make all the cuts they'll make all the changes on his own based on and Margaret.

Just -- thought maybe it would be popular probably it probably would have beat Mitt Romney.

Those are your talking points and lose your PowerPoint soon.

There's your power -- not talking points are qualities the problem there well hope you have a great weekend a great sequestration sequestration weekend and we will see you back here on Monday same bat time same -- it.

If -- partners or to highlight every day.

All of these useless obsolete or idiotic stuff happening in the federal government.

It isn't hard to find every -- senator Coburn and compiles a list of all this waste and stuff it's all out there.

What you do is an example -- day every day and -- and say to the administration why did you cut acts.

Which is laughable.

And instead you cut.

Police -- teachers.

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