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Political Insiders 3/18/13

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    Pat Caddell, Doug Schoen and John LeBoutiller discuss GOP's bad message and budget talks

  • Duration 24:31
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Good morning welcome back to political insiders all of us are back together and healthy for a change Doug shown -- of off the disabled list back Fidel heading to spring training next week ready to go Java -- they were happy to be with -- we have a lot to cover.

This morning 9 o'clock the chairman of the regional -- national committee -- previous.

Unveiled a hundred page report -- -- the three of us have not yet read obviously.

Outlining.

What things went wrong in the -- twelve campaign specifically at the RNC not just the Romney campaign the orca.

-- get out of the -- computer thing yeah.

But -- -- put into this -- having been involved in some of these endeavors and I know.

-- you have in different ways what you try to do is be artful in how you talk about the past.

No such luck with the rights preakness he trashed the party he -- Mitt Romney he fares technology.

The only thing he said Republicans don't have to do differently is.

Their agenda city agenda is fine.

The problem is that the party doesn't know how to -- talk -- out of touch.

They are technologically.

Inferior their candidates said stupid things I think referring obliquely to the 47 and percent put another way he didn't -- watch the problem but I think for those of us who believe that there needs to be changes in the Republican message.

He specifically.

Stayed away from that but he was understanding.

It is criticism of all facets of the party from Mitt Romney on -- Well -- mom would be to read because I want to make sure that he wants to discuss the arrangements.

-- -- article -- race restarted with his chief of staff.

Who was the other participant and a 152 million dollar oops I do for our audience what that means what what happened was is -- -- when I spoke with C -- Is -- part of the problem is that the console -- -- is establishment.

Control stranglehold on the on the Republican Party.

He's that they give all business to each other they don't go out -- do with the Obama campaign did.

Recruit really first rate talent and didn't manage the politics but to do the geeks -- -- It's important that they're consulting companies in her old self dealing.

One of the things who was obvious and written about by the and as early as February of 2000 -- sometime in 2000 -- Was the fact that the super pacs and all the all these people role in the same room in the same building in the same office suite.

All giving contracts to one another and that they had you -- us probably what in the -- but it did she end at the end we discovered.

That.

152 million dollars in the last report.

Went -- companies founded by bringing its previous chief of staff who was supposed to be.

Originally the going to be the author of this report mr.

Larson mr.

Larsen and mr.

decent who was a political.

-- -- help you saw the original author of the report.

Was supposed to be one of the people forgot -- -- implicit in the endeavor -- -- this 152 million pat let me be clear for our viewers.

Is separate and apart from the 300 million that was spent by crossroads GPS well I don't really know you don't get it but all of the losing -- that's for -- And I don't think it I think some of the 300 went in there were three things that added up -- -- 152.

Some came from crossroads some from the Romney campaign but that may be some from the -- -- say some overlap yours would certainly at least 400 million.

That was incinerated and that's not including other big students had -- talk about closed off.

You don't and the money that was not these candidates really it wasn't soon bring you closer to a billion because of the none of the stuff that's not -- that's done this quote.

You know activities you know let me share something -- Our audience which I think you and John certainly knows well if not better than me but certainly the case.

Every ad that you put on TV.

Can be backed tested now through focus groups and online testing methods where you can get a pretty good sense whether it's gonna work and -- that is certainly the case.

As the Democrats proved with their own.

Outreach online.

You can test email blast you can -- social media initiatives.

Headlines the life.

So all of that to be tested.

Yet despite the fact that everything is subject to validation.

And testing.

It is still the case that is pat said the close to.

Half a million if not a billion dollars was wasted through expenditures that were at the very least pat including.

Well I don't I would say they -- improvement than those put it this way they were very narrow lead gone.

And as I said about the arrangements it was all -- and so.

-- you don't have you have this one little insight dealing Poland's ideally I wanna see what they said about it for instance in the media.

As I -- -- -- -- it was one media person making terrible lives or in the AFP a crossroads and for the Romney super pac.

Saying god and one and -- on the media buyer wondered then Romney came that I knows -- have a section I know personally knew it was we're gonna look.

The YouTube that I'm sure they'll get mentioned the problem is -- Is -- a presidential campaign yes they -- being tough on something there are some things they are not gonna get into which I which would cause a reaction to what I said -- Including from among Republican president former presidential game.

Candidates senators and others was and I went up and went to the heart of the pathology going on here.

I don't think there is chairman can do that I think some of the crews and they're doing a -- But you until you sit down and say.

About that campaign.

Here is how the stupidity.

With what did you business there's still pumping that line while -- we won earlier nominee could Romney couldn't spend money in the spring.

The question I asked -- C -- and I have passed every month wolf someone asked including I wish I got Chris walls -- -- -- interview.

To sit mr.

Romney spent 45 million dollars in 2008 when a hopeless campaign.

And there you are in the spring -- -- I don't know how many of your lower end it TIM don't you -- why did -- write a check or even -- -- -- campaign.

What what what I want you do you want to be present -- you do that no one will -- the obvious that -- I mean you're going up to a point.

And -- -- -- whole lot.

And in it you don't -- -- -- need to you get into the specifics of my real backup from its message.

You know it's all about technology technology is fantastic.

But speed technology works in a vacuum and there's -- message and this was the worst strategic messaging in the history.

A big campaign -- should've won not just -- Romney but the entire Republican part.

But what.

I great I would take it a step further it was a bad message.

-- a candidate who is kidnapped.

But it was also and previous to his credit I guess spoke to this this morning it was not inclusive it was exclusive.

The focus groups of the reserves they did apparently showed.

That they -- they the respondents saw the party is -- party of affluent.

Aging white males of which we are not part of because we're getting younger every day every day but but sadly being said and by the way John.

Used by the spring training are you going at the spring training getting that I ageless arm of -- and.

Great yesterday haven't paid by the way there -- -- -- -- going you will be called the good news is your year -- its failure to -- -- guys and I I think this is why we love this show because you don't get.

Political consultants pollsters consultants like you to.

Speaking honestly on any show about the downside of your business for the business she's doing -- well.

Look -- doing -- I think we are observers and participants.

Occasionally that would try not to get.

Involve full time for fear that we'll get -- but but here's the point shot.

With the amount of money that's involved as pat has eloquently.

And quite comprehensively and singularly in -- unique -- spoke to the amount of money involved and the tools and techniques that are available.

The fact that the Republicans failed so utterly.

Is assigned not only of malpractice.

It's a sign of malfeasance -- con artist -- a little.

Let me make a point to that's important.

Which I -- them another -- not barking -- -- You'll not see what I talked about -- -- you know I've had almost no incorporates.

From the mainstream media money that's all right -- -- Doug tell me if I'm wrong I know you want a reason for this is simple.

They depend on decent people I'm attacks are raising serious questions are calling racketeer -- whatever you like I did the -- event.

What did they depend on them has -- given inside polling inside campaigns up.

Those consultants lose and lobbyists that is -- -- lives with his press relations they have a city -- -- a correlation with the presence -- hole.

And those people don't want to get into the sadly so I got -- one more number to add to that.

150 to the 300 million from crossroads today's numbers.

The polling in the focus groups.

Guess how much that -- no helmet Allison eighty -- -- of just ten million for this is for whose campus that 5000 interviews and if you focus for a hundred -- For the RNC this at all yet they spend ten million dollars -- -- for the god did you -- you know I don't know -- I you know listen in all of us I'm not a consultant never have well there's more money going to consult exactly I mean exact.

That highlights an exact problem that's what I said he hoped god -- ten million dollars or re search.

Polling focus groups to write this report right wasn't a matter of them.

Really did -- -- number it was a ten million dollar study they said.

They talked to 5000 people across the country.

And -- a bunch of focus -- -- here's another thing where the Republicans got a wild backwards was this same game this report that we're talking about which shows all the mistakes.

Should have come out before they re elected creep us.

There should have been a challenge to pre S based on us there should have been an argument.

In a good sense inside the Republican Party over what went wrong there has been -- so it's -- you're exactly right you know because you real quick -- but it's more.

It's a matter of in and what it does anybody have any -- let -- politics.

If you feel you should go.

You know you lose I mean this way instead of everybody -- -- training coming up and I return.

To baseball.

In 1962.

When Casey Stengel was manager of the Mets I think there were 42 and -- -- -- yes Casey Stengel was famously quoted as saying.

Can't anybody here play this game.

The only game that it appears the Republicans didn't play.

Is anticipation of assets.

Rather than affect you said incinerate they actually -- burning a hole on their own pockets with the Monica that -- -- But -- all of it's designed to do that.

But what's it look what's missing the core of this now is that -- it would you know it's -- Roman won about who will sit in judgment.

The judges when they themselves should be in the docket.

You know this braves -- should not be -- resigned as chairman.

Mitch McConnell should have given up being minority leader -- -- somebody should pay for an election that you don't want me he did not all right it'll reelected America and doubled.

-- we get somewhere along the line you're not gonna get to the heart of the problem.

In -- -- -- look -- which cited the place Ted Cruz in Carson.

Brought ran the whole pause after Ben Carson.

I'm silence after and Carson's -- -- -- just yesterday I thought we were getting -- -- producer and telling us we have to take a break.

Set a good point is hundred pages ten million offers -- reserves it's a 100000 dollars per page -- often does it.

There's a -- now 1010101000.

To -- here in the aftermath 101000.

But it but by the way if anybody out there it's got a ten million dollar project.

Where they want a hundred pages of -- the firm of shown in -- Will -- -- -- out of a page 5000 from pat Barton and will rise to give it just I will look like you did or why you didn't look -- it's seven I applied does the political insiders will be right back at.

Were backpack -- Doug shown and probably -- political insiders great discussion so far.

-- and I -- mind continuing at.

By playing soft number six which is governor Romney speaking at C -- on Friday.

We've -- races before in the past.

But those setbacks prepares for larger victories.

It's up to us to make sure that we learn from our mistakes and my mistakes and that we take advantage of that learning to make sure that we take.

Back the nation take back the White House get the senate and put in place conservative principles.

I asked for that tape because the bit about my mistakes now going back to a pat what you and I were talking about the consultants.

When this guy became the de facto nominee in March.

He was running the Republican Party you're the -- head of the whole operation when you're the nominate an -- Yet the consultants ran amok but -- He's the head got the head guy has got a ride herd on this operation he's got to want to win so bad.

As Nixon or Colson -- -- crawl over my grandmother to win the election look.

Romney would have done very well to have had -- Committee Delilah by the president running his camp you know -- how about -- -- Nixon in 19667.

And eight.

Was campaigning.

For.

Members of the house -- do know that he wrote out notes on every congressional district in the country he -- -- -- -- had a book.

Written up any handed -- to John Mitchell and set I want you to run the campaign according to this plan.

Every district I've told you what the issues are from everything.

Mitt Mitt Romney couldn't have written the introduction of that book -- -- -- And here's my point his point and I want I want this dog -- it -- it here's my question here's a simple softball.

If you were indeed who was the better CEO will be year.

Barack Obama the community organizer or Mitt Romney the great Obama to console Obama look it here's what I would bar.

What a little reason we've been trashing.

The Republicans I think quite rightly today let's spend a little time of the Democrats.

Obama had a very bad hand to play.

The economic problems of the country where it's clearly not solve unemployment was well over 8%.

For the bulk of the campaign there was a sense of the country is heading in the wrong direction.

Obama understood that if he trash Romney.

And ran on redistribution.

That in the absence of a compelling Republican message he would win it.

And he he in fact did win.

And he length of that victory by a pointer to based on a very good.

Geo TV and technology.

Effort.

Obama made early decisions to invest resources in technology what it wasn't clear what the outcome.

Would be and frankly to Pat's question I know that there's any doubt what and I that.

I mean the way you phrased it is.

The community organizer which was mocked for years by people what is a campaign.

Community organizers for -- -- -- and the guy is good about it.

He's good at it in that but he wanted to campaign he's that you want what what I -- can tell you is missing in this report.

Is it starts with the question that I keep asking an argument could be done.

Could the election but -- -- -- could why wasn't yes but -- that's where you must start with which is what with the fundamental strategic mistake in the.

Romney campaign and a republic we will abandon Obama can we don't have to do anything all we have to do is wait on the economy and we will win.

And run anti Obama run anti about what does Obama do.

As David.

Axle -- said he -- or whatever I mean and how they relate to it and I thought for sure they already figured that out in the spring time.

Romney is not -- define himself we will go -- and upon form.

Always how often -- -- hole and how many time do we say.

Romney wants to make the Republicans desperately need to make this a referendum the Democrats need to Obama needs to make a good choice they took control of the definition of the campaign.

That's the kind of thing that you will not reading this report can't.

On this exactly point on the report we have a comment from Chris service -- asked this question of the three of us who was responsible for Romney becoming the nominee.

Did the ten million dollars tell them that.

I don't think I don't think they address the question with one caveat.

What -- -- said was no more debates.

That is cut debates down by two thirds.

He has an idea with -- with all due respect to the Republican National Committee mr.

previous I think it's a bad idea -- he wants to move.

The convention up to -- -- until now this is not a good idea before a bunch of reasons one of which is you have a convention in June.

The Democrats go in late July early August they get the momentum out of the convention you -- hear from the Republicans it is a dangerous idea because again it.

Miss understand what the problem -- correct it I guess the proof that nominations -- pushed to the law means you'd be committed.

Should have been early all of a sudden be on it but to go to -- insanity yeah.

-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- On on Romney and on the debates I mean Romney won the nomination fair and square cast upon -- 00 okay.

It was not fair -- -- she was the super pacs.

That prayers -- and trash Santorum I'm no fan politically of either one of them.

I disagree with -- new and and Santorum.

On the issues -- Disagree fundamentally.

The but it is if you looked at those polls race by race.

But for the into objection of super -- on behalf -- Romney is very very unlikely.

That he would have won those -- certainly not enough that you -- exactly right he won because.

All the money.

Those that super pac for him spend nothing and developing as I kept saying what -- -- -- of what we talked about all year -- message.

Only did -- go win and wipe out the opposition.

And had a little effect -- I didn't munition or ironic that it's that that that the issue that we used to talk whereas the better candidates chose not Toronto plant that is a -- that's that's a different question but here's the bottom line.

Mitt Romney in terms of personal advocacy.

And of course of a 22 and a half -- campaign had only ninety minutes the first debate.

Where he was at all compelling and many minutes in the -- -- -- -- and let me tell you watch what happens insane but here's something you won't read the report.

There did the presidential commission I wanna see -- plea deal was maybe they did.

The Republican member chairman of the Republican person on that frank -- -- -- traditionally.

Did they are just take -- to the cleaners every presidential election look at the moderate.

Candy Crowley.

-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- But but I mean but nobody said Robin Williams final what was formerly called me after midnight after time -- -- only tonight where was ballots -- the -- in this particular there's another ship let let let let let's let's be blunt.

Let's be direct and let's be honest -- Poll for president -- -- for a number of candidates.

And you've told me with great humility.

And person passively.

That.

In the declining days the -- waning days of the eighty election you had the unpleasant task.

Of telling the president that it was going south hills golf and I would tell you I've been -- -- situations -- you say the president it's either good or bad but what you don't want to do was give a president or presidential candidate.

Bad information in this election.

Governor Romney went into the third debate.

Playing defense he went into Election Day ready for a victory lap there -- was so bad.

And so inaccurate that they honestly believe they were gonna win an election.

That every public poll showed that they were gonna lose and John.

-- you -- me and pat on this network on the web.

Predicted an Obama victory -- as we work for Obama are against Romney or vice Versa but because we call it as we see it.

The fact that the Romney campaign with over two billion dollars in money directly and indirectly spent.

Could not come up with a accurate projection.

And prediction of the result is beyond political malpractice.

-- -- tells you everything you can run that nobody opening scene is all of the big bombers all being flown flying the boy they've -- -- -- a hundred jets.

Flying to Boston for the victory party dep and being briefed during the day -- -- -- -- gonna win and then abandoned because I.

By the way another event in the old little -- and -- inch hole even is on although we have talked about today looked at 26 -- Why can't the same thing happened again -- the big money gets behind an establishment guy maybe it's Chris Christie I don't know.

And they ram it through the first audio news when.

Iowa New Hampshire and you're the nominate or get a couple more and it's -- over.

John there is no sign for what we've heard today so far and we will read the report we will consider what people said.

But there is no sign from what we've seen today that the Republicans have learned anything from their dissertation of over a billion dollars to ten million dollars and study there is no sign of any growth.

Residents are acting it's -- and you could have done this stuff and higher process.

Well west in the -- and whether we need to tell the have you noticed that in the hottest speaker at C pac.

Was not Marco Rubio was not doctor Ben Carson was not Sarah Palin should.

-- -- -- had brought down the road of slice off telling the truth about what we've talked about it John that's what campaign insiders and political insiders has done.

To tell the truth.

Pat is a singular example he deserves commendation for what we've done we all follow the same model.

Which is -- it is it about ideology it is -- about what we believe.

It's about what what my dogs big event leading 323 and the comment big inning 32 -- falling I thought the last election was over.

And what we do on football you losing game don't you won again you get that 200 tonight's pared down can I speak to -- -- yeah.

Video right.

What you haven't heard from the Republicans you didn't hear from rates.

Previous today is here is our new -- articulation of a message a strategy a vision for America they don't have one right -- entity that is the point.

You if you did it in and -- -- once.

You look at the past because you must be from.

In order to understand where you must go you must be honest and candid brutal with -- yourself because but that is a pivoting -- to what you're saying -- What is our vision why are we arguing for jobs.

All of these things -- Johnny sage says if Republicans have to become Democrats to win minority votes.

Then what's the point they don't know -- -- -- -- side on corporate ownership growth right and operatives what they.

I'm pat I stop and answer I don't know that the ultimate.

I said that the C pac and I and I -- -- -- here -- and -- audiences.

Someone pick out the one moment of spontaneity.

Is.

It empathetic moment a broadly to ordinary Americans didn't exist look bright.

And somebody tell us when Barack Obama offered a plan to balance the budget and promote growth didn't happen.

Right right guys great show which we had more time we don't today but we're gonna read the report we're gonna talk about it maybe next week.

Along with other things that are developing.

Please join us next Sunday at 525 on the Fox News Channel and next Monday at 1030 here on foxnews.com.

For.

Packard bell Doug Shaun McDonald -- -- football insiders say an -- --

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