>> it is hard to overstate the hold that this president has over republicans in congress. russia was the greatest threat to this president until the president cozied up to president putin. they were the pro trade party until the president started launching trade wars with china and u.s. allies. the deficit has ballooned under his watchful you're not hearing much from those fiscal conservatives in protest on why that's happened during his administration. i think he was willing to use the bully pulpit at his disposal and build the case. not just to republicans in congress. he would be able to do it. what he doesn't want is the blowback. >> could it in some ways be a nixon goes to china moment for him. on most issues, republicans are hand cuffed to him. this is one issue where he is hand cuffed to his base and the nra. when you hear him, like he's