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Power Play 3/12/2013

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    Is Obama ready to pay the cost to be the boss? Plus: Senate push to defund Obama health law

  • Duration 24:29
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And those are cats cats indeed.

Whether you love them or hate them you know that they are harder to heard.

And this is power play and I increased -- -- Now there are no -- cats here so those of you with allergies on the Internet need to worry but the president today it would do little cat herding.

Of his -- as he heads to the United States and it.

With his former colleagues in the Democratic Caucus there to talk about.

You know doing some stuff we got to that eight trillion dollars to spend in the next year and a half or so.

We've got to borrow about one point three trillion of it.

How do you get together -- fiscal plan to get past Republican obstructionism in the house and you do something -- the president can finally start writing about something other than.

What he had for dinner with the last -- are Republican we will talk about that.

We will talk about.

Eight strange moment ain't -- a precedent setting moment.

If you will as the president's permanent campaign arm.

Organizing for action.

Is preparing to have their first national conflict they're gonna do it here in Washington what does this portend for the future for the Democratic Party is currently constituted we will discuss that.

We will also talk to Mike -- He is -- -- where he is from the great state of Utah and he will be with us later in the show.

To talk about why Republicans are banking on the president's 2010 health care law all over again in the 2012 election -- that.

-- -- not so you discuss those things you enjoy all of it.

But I guarantee that you'll enjoy this sport -- great deal because -- -- stuff your friend who is a columnist and associate editor for the bill.

-- beating.

Publication leading newspaper when we had such things they -- that covered the congress of the United States is there welcome back.

Good to be with you -- -- all right so here's the thing.

Is that.

We know that the president is doing some outreach has been basement we reached with Republicans to talk about doing -- larger deal.

Write that instead of basically it's like this the federal fiscal year what are we gonna spend for the next six months of the federal fiscal year that's what we're fighting over now but now president looks.

To the -- says you mean I'm gonna be fighting this rear guard action on deficits budget spending and everything.

Until the mid terms how -- -- unseat the Republicans if I'm talking about taxes and spending every day.

So he's got to go to get senate Democrats to help them out on this today can he do that.

Well that's a big challenge because he's been assuring them all along that they were just gonna get -- taxes and -- all all the numbers -- at all.

That hasn't gone so well sequestered did go into effect.

And he has realized that there's no holiest days this year -- grand bargain.

Or crisis -- is nothing in the middle is no consensus on an annual appropriations process.

We -- enough urgency.

Behind it to -- to bring -- parties together.

Two.

-- mutually agreeable.

Bill there's the grand bargain which -- something we haven't done.

We go all the way -- what we've avoided for years or there's this crisis to crisis so.

That's what we're seeing now is the president after saying we were is gonna get more revenue from the Republicans and and tie this all up for you America.

Is he's -- in -- to dinner I suspect she's telling them.

Things they want to -- because I've heard Democrats are for entitlement reform with me in ways the last week that I've never heard them talk about.

That he has to ask them are you willing to come to the table and give Republicans enough.

I entitlement changes so that we get actually squeeze revenue out -- tax reform from them and the S and ask that of them before there's going to be a lot of objection.

And keep that they are the starting point and -- finishing point.

There it now the president has had a problem with his party.

During his time in office which is that he's seen as somebody who eats alone.

He's -- he's not a party guy he's not say he's not a Democrat.

He's Barack Obama and he has not during the 2010 mid terms he was stepping away from the explosive device.

Long in advance of Election Day and in the 2012 cycle they didn't give much money they didn't do much to help other Democrats.

He's now asking them to do him a solid which is take a chance and violated core principle.

Which is we don't ever touch entitlements.

-- he needs to do that I want a bigger deal.

-- -- demonstrate the good faith necessary for Democrats say they'll stay and fight with us this.

-- he's gonna ask you this bouncing every promises them that if if if they jump off near the building with him on changes to Medicare.

That he will do his best to get them reelected the ones who are vulnerable to that I think to the ones who are on.

In on the senate side at least and it occupying seats.

Instead accompanying -- -- -- -- Romney won a fiscal -- -- -- asking for their election.

And so the interesting thing is does the very Democrats who -- of there -- Immigration conference -- guns.

So the president if he wants them to work with -- on anything it's really needs to make educate the case to them that.

-- a balanced fiscal deal is the best thing for their reelection prospects it re you know it protects them against future rights on more partisan.

Issues.

Like guns and immigration combat that she will be there at the end to raise the funds and making appearances and not make the appearances that -- I got -- -- for some of these people in the senate.

It is -- the president don't help them in cases of primary challenger help them with -- with -- general election voters.

In other cases it's please send money but not yourself -- as long as you don't ever acknowledge me in public but I -- you help me raise money where I needed.

Then that's the case for these moderates in this report more -- -- -- This is Mark Pryor of Arkansas this is Mary Landrieu in Louisiana and so they would all be helped if there was a bigger deal that got them out of this sort of chance.

Right and and I -- -- he has to offer them Chris is not only money and staying out of their districts but you know mobilizing his his ability to mobilize you know his voter.

Is what got him elected -- the reelected.

Alleged person reelected to when he lost into the very center of the voters that that elects to mentally he went and found new ones.

This is not gonna work in the mid term model per say but it's -- certainly a place to start the democratic.

Party would certainly like to see more help.

Was getting out the vote getting their voters out so it's not just seniors and -- non college white males and and the more Republican voters who really gave Republicans enormous victory.

In 2010 he wants to get Latino Asian Latin American.

I mean Latino gay African American -- all the voters that he won with does Democrats are looking for a little more than mobilization.

Com and and he could tip the scale on some swing you know.

Good -- today that Monica now I was amazed by -- That was Pew Research Center did a fascinating.

Study of its own polling on trust level of trust in government level of confidence in government.

And it stinks.

26%.

Of Americans.

Have confidence that their government will do the right thing all the time -- most the time.

-- what I can seem to be the lowest ever ever 33%.

Approval rating for the federal government.

Is part of this for the president getting deals going to reverse that because when Americans look at their federal government they say these guys can do anything like zero at all.

If they if they don't start doing something why would people have confidence for them to do even more.

You know I don't know -- President Obama has the American people's trust the federal government really at the top of his list and takes it to heart when he.

Gets up in the morning to tackle this day I think he's starting to realize.

That.

The only path to legacy is through fiscal hole the only way out -- -- like a wise man once said and so.

Not gonna get much of anything -- and as I said just lurched from crisis to crisis the next three years.

Unless it's a very very slim chance it's democratic majority in 2014 I mean it's really sit -- it's.

It's just stacked against them and so.

She's realizing wow without something to break the logjam and and break the fever which a big fiscal deal would do.

They can go on to clean fights where there is bipartisan consensus on education reform people in both parties -- that energy.

You immigration guns guns.

Expect them AB Stoddard and those things you can read her -- if she -- ever -- on -- should have a million followers instantly she's she's cooler than that that's.

In one day I reiterate because you're working so hard on it's fine it's fine if we can get Charlie herd on Twitter I feel like one day we can get you want OK okay -- we're just setting.

Setting -- low thresholds that legacy disappointing goalless that's right -- he says the -- -- thirty plus pieces of legislation awaiting -- send them to the senate for an up or down vote.

Obstructing.

Wolf you're using you're assuming that obstruction here it's meant in pejorative sense sometimes obstruction is the highest.

It's the highest order of political action especially if you only have one of three parts of the of the rule making or law making federal government.

You just have the house Democrats have the senate the White House.

Obstructing is that sometimes.

What your voters -- you to do sometimes they like that.

Let's say Obama rules -- closing with an iron fist with this he doesn't have to -- -- anyone else on the oh no there is no iron fist ruling president has mostly when you say -- you -- the -- -- ignored.

Congress -- it was clear that he wasn't gonna get anything more out of them -- is lavishly ignore congress and.

No I mean you know he's he's gonna think of himself and his legacy and -- library via the -- and they really have.

-- long term situation they lost.

The redistricting balance when he's and they really face.

The inability to win house -- to reduce its into 20/20 -- -- -- -- -- -- and these raise their own money outside of OSK and everything else so they yeah they don't actually say they don't jump when he says John.

The real estate is really expensive it's true in Chicago and why it's a bit of surveys for -- A big thank you very tentative thank you very much -- that we're gonna take a quick break when we come back but of your very favorite panels will be here Debbie -- and match lap will be here and we'll talk about the president's campaign -- and is it the real deal and what does it mean for the Democratic Party will discuss it and come back.

We're small I think you're misrepresenting the group as I understand it was I've read about it it does not it will not take a position elections -- focused on policy issues in the president's policy agenda which.

Organizing for action.

Has been designed to promote.

Consists of item after item.

Dead.

Have had.

Bipartisan support in the past they should have bipartisan support in the future.

And that.

-- stretching up on his very tippy tippy toes was Jay Carney the white house Press Secretary is saying that the president's permanent campaign organizing for action.

Is is bipartisan it's not about bipartisan issue war.

Or another that many of these things Republicans used to and should support this is just an issue advocacy -- so why are people being so.

-- about it.

This is powered by welcome back now look.

Let's get right to the business because we have two very Smart people that can tell you very Smart things that he -- she is the president of the strategies and extreme Democrat.

We shall -- that she is sparrows to.

The dean of the house Democrat Chuck -- from Michigan.

And match -- he is a former White House political director under president George W.

Bush that makes him and Republican strategist.

And your permits -- -- -- that's correct all these things that are correct Matt how come you guys didn't do this.

You like just didn't and you didn't think of this that when you were -- White House it's brilliant unlimited contributions and it's great.

Well you know I think get those of us who worked in political circles probably advise the president do all kinds of things to -- even more money and I think the president.

As he often did slapped her hand there are just certain things that are beyond the pale.

And in order to can.

And in Soviet the president I think is do something it's amazing -- hypocritical he thought he.

He initially said he would take public financing of his campaign.

In -- when he realized he could raise more.

Money -- that he decided that he would find it -- himself.

He said he would not have super pacs he said he would not play with C force now is the -- -- -- that was basically all the leadership of -- -- four.

Was a leadership of this -- election -- Anybody one -- -- -- IRS code designation for issue advocacy groups.

They operate in a very Fuzzy very unusual space inside -- -- political code Debbie I heard Debbie Wasserman Schultz chairwoman of the DNC's say.

This is -- this is this all mess our efforts this is -- we're not worried about them taking money from us.

There's the president raises fifty million dollars as as they're trying to -- they're having their first conflict in Washington this week.

He -- fifty million dollars this is kind of a zero sum game that means less money for other democratic.

Well unfortunately.

It's one of the reasons I think we need to have trying to financing former record of reform in terms of -- -- because I don't think it is zero.

Acting game I think there's more money out there been any investors to think about and it should be transparent they should be limits and we should know.

Having said that I think we're playing -- a level playing field that the Supreme Court repealed it I'd like TV congress.

Pass something more stringent but effective manner is -- that there's some very serious policy issues we watch the world evolved this is what it takes to get something done.

This is what it takes to get something done but.

If Matt had done this when he was.

Screamed like we are -- -- it would also be an -- girl like.

I mean that's I don't like to use the word came but it is it is where we're playing -- I feel we should he do what he said he'd always doing because donors public shouldn't he at least make the donors public -- -- -- let's see what happens you know -- games.

Yeah I mean I.

I don't know what you know I not any any -- -- all of this but I do know that they're very serious issues at stake that the American people need to talk about need to have -- Stein and this is a way to effectively do it in the world in which were operating.

-- one of the reasons that people have gotten queasy about this and that -- -- Public citizen and other left leaning watchdog groups.

Are upset about this is because.

They feel like this is a way for people to buy access to the president.

And that they feel like this -- a way to do it and there's the game as it was previously constructed was there was a gamble at least.

In making a large campaign contribution which was maybe your -- won't win and in fact if the other guy wins I'm going to be in big trouble as a as a fat -- -- to the other side.

Do you think that's a legitimate concern.

Completely would any of these people be having lunch with Barack Obama if they hadn't given half a million dollars that -- thirtieth this they are definitely getting access.

To the president is the president that said -- would need to deal with lobbyists he was gonna make sure that the public policy process was very pure but now it's like if you give enough money.

I'd like to -- -- any lobbyists are going to be in this room with him they say they're not -- -- love to see that -- we won't know how to place until you say that I would this tragedy is so I.

I actually get a little offended sometimes absolutely pure good people who -- -- trees that are expressing a viewpoint that this White House so rampant -- -- -- to technique to have their right now that that and then replied no obviously knew the Obama administration it is he was -- coffee -- over the line.

And the thing that they did during the -- in this is I hate to tell you this Internet but lobbyists have gotten a bad rap in Washington and it really substantial equity people that are just.

And -- agreed that these people are.

Just water carriers they're just trying to do their job and two additional funding for education cancer well here every single regulations for their company or whatever it is the people who really -- influence in Washington.

Never registered lobbyists because if you register as a lobbyist and you can't do half the stuff and you can't go have lunch with the president.

So -- -- a -- but by the way while talking to -- that he -- for my -- learning from my interest so there's a word in defense of lobbying that you won't hear very often.

-- before the president they said that they can help Democrats by pushing these issues on gun control on immigration and other things.

But in most of the districts that house Democrats are looking.

To get ahead and win back seats and retake the majority.

These things -- not.

To very moderate districts are very -- -- this is gonna -- Have to walk of eerie sense is tired helplessly as you know -- the gun controls right from the very beginning it's going to be.

I'm very delicate tight that she's got to be honest both sites in demonizing.

Gun owners is not gonna stop it says he's gonna have to be some real Smart politics but to all of this a -- -- to what the American people really want.

And delivering legislation that the American people.

There he wants to moderate Barack Obama I'm looking forward to see in -- we -- open.

It did today today today -- was an added benefit big guys as we talked about before you know we see that approval ratings go down.

You see people though we have 26%.

Americans in that Houston -- back -- segment have confidence that the federal government will do the right thing that's.

And all of these things if the president wants to do something he he.

If he can get senate Democrats to go along with the that he would offer some and -- look a little moderate right now off the Republicans good two weeks would turn into some pretty rough several months witness.

That's right -- -- -- great presidents of both parties.

Have to rise above just their own political self interest -- do something great for the country Reagan and Rostenkowski.

Clinton with folks like Newt Gingrich and Bob Dole great presidents do this George W.

Bush did with Ted Kennedy and education.

Obama hasn't had assumed he passed health care were Democrats a little.

He needs to have a moment where it looks like -- city -- party this is right for the country it might not be right and our platform we're gonna make it right.

Okay.

And that Debbie for you.

The the issue right now -- and you've talked about this before about the need to have this course the need to -- Salute to revive the discussion for the president -- -- spent ten days.

He's still -- question revivalist the amount mail it's been great it's already been there before but I'm.

I -- in the Mediterranean it is good and people are actually talking there's real dialogue is there a middle ground.

Because I believed this country is -- that middle ground that they want to find that place that we can agree and make speech.

All right so we -- -- this before.

The United States government is going to spend a battle a trillion dollars between now in the mid term elections.

It sounds like a lot of these vandalism Big Three 110 million people who spent a lot of -- And we're gonna have to borrow like one point three or one point four trillion.

To get that done the only way to get it done is to do a deity who that it doesn't become this continuing played a game of -- site thing.

-- is for.

A deal to expand beyond the parameters of just that money you have to start dealing with future expenditures in order to get Republicans on board.

How far in the neighborhood of tax increases would Republicans be willing to go to -- walked out of the senate democratic conference and said guess what.

Were ready to do Medicare I need to do it.

It's a great question I think that they are not gonna use that term tax increase -- -- in your conversation about revenue how much with the government growth is Obama right in his.

In and and how -- says the economy isn't gonna improve over the next ten years do you have entitlement reform and along with that we get closing of some -- so let's be honest.

Closing a loophole is tax increase right in it is more revenue.

But within the context of a growing economy and doing something on.

You know on these health care -- -- -- security.

You know I think there's there's there's there's reasonable route for a deal on that yeah but -- enough.

OK so let's get the last word daddy.

Deal or No Deal.

I hope there's India.

That's an inspirational stay -- a very -- Race.

Prayer that.

And Gary it's -- bust at presbyterian street exit of world world with -- that we could have functional government would be a good bit of interest in change of pace.

We thank you threw that's against you guys are on the Internet very favorite could.

Smart and your fair in your office.

-- that's why you get in trouble that's why we like -- you -- probably wouldn't be so much fun.

Senator Lee was detained and hearing we're sorry they'll be with -- soon will be schedule I promise I promise I promise but it is important things to do.

There what will -- back soon and we will ask him if you want to know about the green GO.

Chris service one says this lobbying is one thing buying outcomes is another yes that's called no risk -- there's I don't as a go write checks and make sure that you get what you want both sides do it and what big donors want.

He's a sure thing if you really get right to be checking with -- and I hope of some good things future.

Is simple says that's that's -- excused for its rules it's a very serious issue.

To be fair this is every about every time -- politician breaks the rules that states it will this is I'm only gonna do this one time it's very very serious is very important.

Robert Hawkins if you borrowed a trillion dollars a year to pay for the things you don't have money for -- you have to country dollars in spending to balance your budget yes but knowing what to -- Aussie -- they shouldn't Obama as leader at least that plan that is one that takes into account.

The other side one that worked for both sides of politics yes but he's not -- happy when he doesn't have much experience no experience there's so he's gonna try this is.

The training -- he's got the training wheels on to see if he can -- -- clintonian pose.

He's been -- ten days who knows what the future right on the -- jackpot is up next that's true.

And you like that.

And Charles is here for you it's excellent Charles today but how about some power points before you get there.

Here to there here to there are points today.

One point five trillion that's about how much money the federal government's gonna have to -- before.

Voters get another chance to break the deadlock we've had in Washington since 2011.

So cool.

What's gonna happen number two budget busters to budgets are going to be on offer today for the rest of this week -- and -- -- they don't count.

They don't matter.

They are important however when voters.

-- Making their choices because people are gonna have to cast votes on this so Paul Ryan has a budget that says.

This person voted to preserve obamacare when Democrats vote against Paul Ryan's budget the Republicans will say you voted to preserve obamacare.

And -- Democrat -- Republicans vote against senate budget they'll say you voted to protect millionaires and billionaires and it's all a bunch of silliness.

But it it will occur anyway so here's your third point fight or flight fighter like those of the two main.

Response human responses.

To a threat.

Do you fight.

Where do you is it time for -- what we've had lots of flight.

We've had a president in flight we've had a congress and fight they've been here so little of late -- the traffic's been great but they haven't gotten much done.

Now it's time for fighting fighting -- okay you -- in a way that isn't destructive that -- mean spirited but it's time to fight this out because if we don't.

Getting that one point five trillion dollars borrowed and spent.

Is going to be a brutal process that very few there be very few winners in all of that except for the people -- -- Are.

Those are your are points where today.

And now as we like to do every day we -- -- -- you the word from French.

It's.

Deal or No Deal.

I don't know I don't I'm I'm Charles I don't I don't see it.

Our premium deal on the budget or yeah yeah I think there's something coming in and I think you're gonna be surprise because again.

I think we're in a new moment here.

You know to know the moment that's happened.

That's it for the -- State's June 1 story that just makes no sense.

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