You're watching...
Chris Stirewalt and guests discuss a painful budget vote, the complicated Mideast peace negotiations and Papal politics
Also in this playlist...
Auto-advance: ON
Auto-advance
This transcript is automatically generated
-- -- that the polls are like broke -- It's nice to -- and that includes those normal.
And that was Israeli President Shimon Peres talking to Fox -- his own Ed Henry.
In an exclusive exclusive.
Internet sit down interview that the two had.
And what.
President Peres was talking about where polls that like perfume are going to smell but not -- to swallow.
That said that Israelis were not that scene on the president of the United States Barack Obama.
Who is today.
Winding up his visit to that nation.
This is power play and I -- Chris Farrell.
And the president just wrapped up a speech to students.
In Jerusalem as sort of the third part of is.
Outreach to -- very special.
Ally in the Middle East Israel.
The first part was to shore up the special relationship.
I'm making -- -- nice with the prime minister of Egypt Europe no the prime minister of Israel different.
And then he spent some time earlier today with the Palestinians.
Reminding them that he's that he's trying to help them out and then the third speech was to young Israelis to say.
You guys need to embrace change you need to embrace peace quit being so difficult that tell your leaders to quit being so -- -- difficult so we will talk about.
I promise that we will talk about the new round fox polling.
That is revealing.
On the question of the budgets that are currently hacking and -- their way out.
But the United States congress doomed to failure but still politically significant -- now will tell you.
That and are you Catholic.
I'm not but.
-- the -- is and what he does is actually quite consequential to.
The geopolitics.
Of this planet your friend and -- will be here later Ron.
And he will explain why even you.
You dissenters out there should pay attention we would do all of that.
And we'll do with style because with us is AB Stoddard she is a columnist and your editor of some sort of -- I -- associate editor yeah I'm happy you should -- that -- usually have a better.
-- -- -- By the associated you should you should act like you should be like editor at large like Jonah -- people at a Paris.
Yeah exactly rom rheumatism and rebellion ahead OK so maybe the president.
Is.
Extending his charm offensive to Israel -- He added.
It is not a great relationship with Bibi Netanyahu.
The prime minister of that country.
And he's he will wrap it up tonight with any.
State dinner hosted by the president in.
Israel the president is not our -- the prime ministers are when the president is like it.
Like an elected king kind of where you're just there.
But.
Does this.
Portend some change does this portend that things are going to be different or is this just checking the box well I do think that -- start with things as they do in politics have changed quickly and they've changed quite the profoundly.
Politically for President Obama who's won reelection so the prime minister hopes that Mitt Romney who had.
The prime minister the president -- the prime minister wouldn't win reelection I had an answer.
Squeezed through in late January with a coalition government that's going to give him tremendous challenge.
So they need each other I think I would say that Netanyahu needs President Obama more than President Obama needs him but what the Israelis.
Though they don't trust President Obama very much for the relationship of the past need is unequivocal support and commitment.
In any kind of military altercation with.
With the Iranians and was just in terms right -- I was gonna mention in terms that they -- fragile and increasingly challenged.
Please in the entire -- mideast among the air it is changes brought on by the Arab Spring.
That's what President Obama at least this week as saying that he will provide -- that should be music to their ears.
The thorny hurt discussion of details that some kind of peace agreement that might might might might might might might not be just such a conversation later on -- for another 108.
President Obama.
Needed to put this off until after his -- out of the heat of his election campaign and he did and now he's trying to make sure that the Iranians know any means.
Netanyahu in the Israelis know any means.
Iran Syria as an entirely different problem for the president however but I think he's trying to leave town Israelis and Martina.
Right so.
The the -- -- that did the president spoken very strong terms yesterday talking about how the United States would.
Stand with Israel and and basically got about as close as he's ever gotten to blank check.
-- as it relates to if you guys bomb Iran in an effort to thwart their nuclear program will be with you he almost he almost said.
Right I think he's made that clear privately to them because some parents so much sets a few days ago.
He -- clearly it would be.
The US that -- this.
And and even if we got it started we could only finish it with to help with the US.
And so.
We -- that's -- this is an exchange that obviously has been.
Talked about room.
How away from the microphones you know for months and months and months.
And I think there is just going to be this moment where he would be ready to proclaim an out -- and this is the moment but I think everyone knows we have Israel's -- we have no choice.
-- and no matter what happens.
Though they might be willing to put this off a little bit longer in terms of measuring a window of opportunity.
And extending this diplomacy -- thus far gone nowhere.
So that -- com we're and it.
-- and of course as as has been discussed.
If that were to happen.
Happen and as you say Syria is just there are no happy endings that Syria this is just.
This is that it necessarily bad even the good outcomes are bad outcomes.
But with Iran if the president still is holding out hope for asked a path that leads to.
We're kind diplomatic and regain -- regime change.
In Iran.
But if in fact Israel strikes -- Iran and we would find ourselves in perhaps -- shooting or pretty fast.
Right simply because of the proximity to Syria as well I mean that this is a really.
This is a hornet's nest right now and the Syria question.
Is when I think it about President Obama has been holding -- knows he has wanted to die and that.
He I think the sooner the better at this point.
Though as you said the outcome can't be good.
We've waited so long and there's so many.
Islamist forces making their way inched into.
That into that conflicted for President Obama to say chemical weapons -- red line and -- for him to do they're now.
Now with verification of a chemical attack what that says city Iranians what it says the Chinese and the Russians.
About -- is really dangerous.
It's not necessarily group idiot are you want to let -- talk now it's really since you asked are you want when I think I'm I'm still not -- it -- -- You can't follow -- putter did you know that Internet that's OK if you can follow me that -- stairwell and I could have my columns senate Democrats face painful budget so you can be boning up on that already you could probably in my column is on the Internet to -- -- -- -- -- the Internet -- beyond -- -- back.
While some of us care about the Internet so much that we want to make it -- high now right now that's all I'm saying it but I.
So many people would just say mean things that I clearly evident -- I can't even imagine my emails that.
Much of the Internet is kind of a -- nothing if not those knock this crap that's crap about many on the Internet are jerks and I'd like to say stuff on Twitter but it's entertaining to fight with them and now I have -- and Michigan just -- -- -- He's -- -- if there is no wager.
On the question of whether you're excellent gas and -- -- being with us thinking if I mean surely find a sure thing okay Internet we're gonna take a quick break.
But when we come back we will talk about the budget process ten.
House Republicans voted against Paul Ryan's budget presumably many of them thought that it was not austere enough 35.
House Democrats voted against the version.
That's making its way over in the senate now will talk about political consequences of this vote in this process and all kinds of good stuff and get to your tweets and your -- when we come back.
-- -- -- And -- his House Budget Committee chairman Paul Ryan he's the dude.
And that is Senate Budget Committee chairwoman patty -- And they are both offering and have offered plans to their respective parties and their respective chambers that could prove.
Politically dangerous.
We will assess those dangers and this is -- -- welcome back now here's the thing.
House Republicans have been down this road before they just voted for.
Paul Ryan's budget blueprint which has been made less realistic this time in the sense that it it assumes that repeal of the president's 2010 health care.
Mandate.
Insurance.
Entitlement stuff.
But it's more politically palatable is that things not that popular and at least it balances the budget senate Democrats though.
Haven't done this since April 20 ninth.
200933.
Of 100 senate members.
Had never bit in the United States senate had not been in the United States senate -- a budget was voted on.
How will this all play out you know who knows people who know.
That's what we bring you people who know.
Fort -- with us here in Washington DC.
Ford is the chairman of the civic -- act which sounds important civic minded but he is that Republican strategist former advisor to the McCain campaign.
Don't show.
Needs no deduction but I like to give him one anyway he is.
If Fox News contributors yes.
He is.
A former pollster for President Bill Clinton.
He is quite a Democrat in good standing.
But importantly to you Internet.
His OC campaign with a host of campaign insiders that you watch -- hear a lot about foxnews.com welcome brother show welcome back thank you so much press.
OK question we'll start with you Doug.
-- pay a higher price where they're voting on budgets this year house Republicans or senate Democrat boy you know when it.
There are a always relished the conversation Chris I don't always relished.
The questions because.
This is a -- And I think both sides are in very difficult positions because the Ryan budget I think goes too far.
In cutting.
Medicare.
Cutting.
An entitlement.
That is near and dear to the people -- mid term elections.
Which is seniors at the same time the -- budget which really doesn't do deficit reduction and raises taxes and other.
You know you billion dollars after the increase at the end of the year.
I don't think is particularly politically palatable by take your point something's better than nothing so.
I I think we're at the start of a process for us that has a long way to play out.
For what say you who's who who gets the spanking who gets a bigger spanking -- of these budgets well I salute Paul Ryan for.
Try to balance the budget but actually I think that it will be senate Democrats particularly if Patty Murray cannot get 51 votes this is all about whether or not she can get 51 votes.
And right now we're -- Republicans who do.
Don't -- control the senate to succeeds in his this they're self rule Democrats out there in red states that are that are really nervous.
In part of the reason -- is because.
They don't know -- -- gonna come from folks like Pryor of Arkansas so I think eventually this could actually come back.
To bite Democrats if they actually -- with a party line.
Who we have that's an excellent fresh polling in at Fox News Channel that said that asked this question.
American voters.
Do you think.
That reducing the federal budget deficit is a worthy goal in and of itself or not yes it is said 85%.
That is up.
From 77%.
When we asked the question in January.
That I will submit that the it in the time since those polls we've talked an awful lot about the budget and we've heard the president himself say that he's not interest him in deficit reduction.
As a as an entity unto itself he's only interested in stimulating the economy within this suggests that he's losing the argument it.
It suggests that there is a large argument.
Chris that he is now finally participating.
-- Though I think if you look at those self same polls you'll see as much if not greater interest in stimulating the economy.
Creating jobs as you do a deficit reduction but you're absolutely right.
There is huge concern about the deficit and the problem and the real question and I'd be curious yours and Ford's reaction.
Is are we get a get a grand bargain before the debt ceiling.
These -- up against this summer.
Are we gonna get the two sides compromising or are we so far.
Apart once again that that's just a pine -- Toward.
Doug is is knowledgeable impression.
As he points out about there are many that are that say deficits.
Are not the primary concern.
But in fact stimulating the economy here's what another Fox News poll question asked.
Which one of the following should be higher the higher priority for the president and congress right now increasing government spending to create jobs -- 38%.
Cutting government spending to reduce the budget deficit 54%.
So that your team is winning on that one.
But to Doug's point.
This is good in the abstract.
People -- deficit reduction in the abstract.
But come July the Republicans are gonna have to face some pretty tough questions about what exactly they would cut in order to get a budget deal to take us through the next federal fiscal year -- that that's exactly.
And right in the key here is his.
Never has a party in the history of the world got more mileage out the word balance but it Democrats are -- but now that people are paying attention the question is are we actually -- it towards it.
And one of the things it isn't pointed out this poll -- that.
Essentially he can bring in deficit reduction.
You can actually create certainty in a private sector that you create jobs -- the one thing the Republicans need to learn to do is and try to move towards a grand bargain.
-- explain how deficit reduction can lead to greater private sector job growth and that's a real -- -- as a causal link that they cannot draw if they can do that then they can make a better explanation about what the cup because we don't know wanting to the American way.
People want other people stuffed cotton operators and that's one of their greatest hurdles there to overcome -- sure everybody agrees that that spending ought to be cut almost everybody agrees but he ought to be cut.
But -- when it comes to whether it's.
Bombs.
Or butter is a big difference.
So -- you know who's Smart.
Our viewers are Smart and frank and Kona.
Who follows me on Twitter at -- -- -- Frank and -- says this are you budgets I honestly question whether congress will get anything done since there is no political benefit.
To budget compromise or balancing that isn't it so that.
That -- -- more to be gained from looking good -- impasse then there is in making a deal.
Well I am one of those who played a role.
In facilitating a deal Chris in the mid ninety's with President Clinton and then speaker.
Newt Gingrich so clearly.
President Clinton got some benefit I think.
President Obama sees the advantage in getting -- -- -- with the -- functionality in Washington I think there's at least an argument that.
The stature of both parties and their incumbents would be increased with a deal but that being said those on the left.
Who don't want to touch entitlements and those on the right who don't wanna raise revenue both I think of their own mind have no incentive.
To do business.
-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- Make sure you watched.
Political insiders it's important it's important Internet television.
-- we thank you to your your Internet television is important to OK we're gonna take a quick break but when we come back we will talk about he'll pop pop the Pope.
He is more than just the leader of faith he is a geo political figure who does a lot to drive the discussion about how the United States acts on foreign policy.
You may remember a little something that we like to call.
The fall of Soviet communism that was kind of a big deal probably wouldn't happen the -- it -- Pope John Paul the great.
We will talk about that when we come back.
-- -- -- And that's.
Is hope.
Francis delivering his first come -- as the leader.
Of the most influential largest Christian sect of them all the Roman Catholic church and this is power by now look.
If you're Catholic you care very much about what.
-- Francis thinks about matters of church doctrine.
And whether you're going up or down when the whole shooting match is over.
Those things matter a great deal to your immortal soul but even if you're dissenter bike so many before me in the line of power plays as -- it matters a lot to you because what the Pope does remain geopolitical perspective is quite consequential.
Somebody who knows that well -- explained it -- -- clear -- entertaining fashion.
Is our friend and manager he is the deputy editor of the wall street journal editorial page yes that is true looks good on the resume but he is also.
The author of the Thursday wonderful column in that.
The Wall Street Journal the wonderland column we love it we read it every week welcome back Dan -- to -- with -- -- OK give the Internet -- riff about why they should care why the Pope is a consequential figure beyond.
Just matters of spirituality affect.
Well a couple things Chris there are all one point two billion Catholics around the world that's now a 20% of the world's population they're everywhere.
And it's the pope's job to protect them wherever they may be the Pope is inevitably a man in the world on like the sort of -- senator Rand Paul has had been suggesting.
He cannot withdraw from the troubles of the world he's and it.
Secondly.
I would argue Chris that.
Freedom to worship freedom of religion is not merely an idea it's a public policy this is at the sixteenth century.
And I think on nation if it wants to join the civilized world.
Should be expected to allow freedom of worship -- the same thing -- if you wanna play by the rules of free trade it's the same thing.
As if you want to try to spend your time hacking into people's -- works.
The idea that people should be able to worship freely is not that controversial but in places like.
China the Middle East and Nigeria.
It is saw a difficult problem it's a matter of white and doubt for the Christians and those countries.
What do you see what you what what is your -- sense tell you about what kind of -- role Francis will play.
In we're in regard to this is he going to be out on the front lines in this fight as John Paul the second was.
Or do you think that he will be more retiring.
On the question as the academic Benedict the sixteenth was.
I think go we're gonna see much more -- -- Pope in the mold of John Paul the second of course who.
Explicitly got involved in the fight against Soviet communism and he won that one.
Now it.
Both Francis comes from when a saris he has lived with that difficult government in Argentina for at least 25 years I think we're gonna see a much more politically supple and new wants Pope.
Then we -- with Benedict and I would expect that if he can clear out the jury's gonna need some people along side of them in this fight.
-- bureaucracy is a problem like our State Department.
I would expect to see -- very much engaged in the affairs of the world it's going to be an absolutely fascinating paper city.
Dan headed here master of politics and parole and ecclesiastical.
We thank you for making time for the Internet today thank you Chris.
Okay Internet.
Jonathan Hunt is up next -- -- you like that I know you could you've told me.
And it's good and we thank you -- quotes and comments have -- 1953 says this patty Murray's budget bus.
Was that when built in fueled in candidate to Zain they'll be here -- try to deal with young.
How about some power points would you like to have some power points I think you should I think it's good for -- PowerPoint -- -- and a confidant.
That's not just a lyric from the golden girls theme song that is in fact.
-- -- golden girls theme song that was used in a video by the Israeli embassy.
That was totally bizarre.
That showed sort of jib jab moving heads South -- moving -- Obama and Netanyahu shaking hands.
And comparing their relationship to that.
I guess Atlantic and Sophia.
On the late eighties early ninety's sitcom golden -- so it's weird but it's true this is -- special when we talk about special relationships.
Others only to -- really exist diplomatically for the United States that's Great Britain which made us and that's Israel that we helped make.
With by the -- -- -- of Britain.
And those relationships -- in -- special.
How special.
Here's your first PowerPoint.
First -- is five in 65 and 65 years.
Of the Jewish state.
Fair.
There have been five -- Obama is now the fifth US president to pay a visit will Richard Nixon was the first.
Jimmy Carter didn't he win because that was kind of his bag.
Bill Clinton.
-- George W.
Bush went -- -- about what Ronald Reagan being the only two term president since Richard Nixon.
To not pay a visit to.
That nation so what.
Why why is Israel also important.
To the United States well here's your second -- five point seven.
Plus six point five what does that mean that means that there are by most estimates about five point seven million.
Jews in Israel there about six point five million Jewish Americans.
You put that together that is not only a strong cultural religious alliance strong connection.
Between the two countries but as I said before there would be no Israel if it hadn't been for the help and intervention -- the United States and that help an intervention wouldn't have occurred had it not been for the large Jewish population at the time aggrieved.
Over the tragedy that -- the fallen.
Their fellows.
In the Holocaust.
So this is old it is important it is culturally significant.
But here's the third PowerPoint and this is the most significant one.
As I suppose is appropriate since it's the last one worth knowing yes.
Chuck Hagel talked about the Jewish lobby made it -- little sinister yes many people have wondered why it is that the United States tangles itself up.
So often.
In an effort to aid Israel and the strategic importance it no doubt is great in the -- standing by your friends in this country that we help midwife.
Yes these are very important things but also Israel turns out to be a country worth knowing because it's good it stuff.
Israel is eight economic boom place.
On the cutting edge of a lot of technologies up by the way they've also just discovered a whole lot a whole lot of natural gas just off their coast.
And they're good stuff they're good people and -- good trading partners and it's worked out well.
In many regards for knowing them and it's proved a.
Some brief relationship for both countries so there's just some power points about the special relationship with Israel in the United States that you -- -- know.
And now as we like to do every -- we normally do the work from our friend Charles.
Well it's hard to guess because -- president has shown.
A complete reluctance to do anything that would be risky in -- it's in some ways understandable.
After the Iraq War after the problems we've had in Libya.
And then -- affair where we helped topple a government and it turned bad.
