Transcripts For KNTV Meet The Press 20140302

Secretary of state john kerry, and exclusively by republican senator marco rubio of florida, a key voice on the Senate Foreign relations committee. Also, a big moment in politics. The culture wars in america as arizonas governor vetoes a controversial bill that opponents labeled as antigay. How do we as a country reconcile concerns over religious freedom and Civil Liberties . We will analyze how this could play out in this Midterm Election year. Plus no end in sight to californias an devastating drought. I will ask jerry brown about the effects. We want to begin with ukraine. The latest on the dramatic events in this crisis from nbcs bill neely in simferopol, the capital of the crimea. Theres a real fear now that russia may try to annex the crimea. Whats the latest on the ground there . Well, david, i would have to say there has been a quiet but complete russian takeover of crimea. Their troopses are guarding key buildings here in the capital. The latest is that several hundred Russian Troops have arrived at a Ukrainian Military base not far from here where there is now a confrontation. The russians are demanding the ukrainians lay down weapons and threatening force and a group of ukrainian guards are behind the gate looking frightened. Its not a confrontation at the minute but certainly a standoff. Thats pretty typical. The russians, as you say, have certainly taken over this region of ukraine. Bill neely on the ground for us in the area, thank you very much im now joined by secretary of state john kerry. Welcome back to meet the press. Glad to be with you. Thank you. For the past ten days, the Administration Officials and the president himself have basically said to russia dont do this or else. Here just friday, the president laying it out when he spoke to Vladimir Putin. The United States will stand with the International Community in affirming that there will be costs for any military interventioning in ukraine. Now, youve called this an invasion. So what are the costs . Well, were now discussing all of the options. This is an act of aggression that is completely trumped up in terms of its pretext. Its really 19th century behavior in the 21st century and theres no way to start with that if russia persists in this, that the g8 countries are going to assemble in sochi. Thats a starter. But theres much more than that. Russia has major investment and trade needs and desires. I think theres a unified view by all of the Foreign Ministers i talked with yesterday, all of the g8 and more that theyre simply going to isolate russia, theyre not going to engage with russia in a normal business as usual manner, that russia is inviting the international stage. There could even be ultimately asset freezes, visa bans, there could be certainly disruption of any of the normal trade routine. And there could be business drawback on investment in the country. The oyfruble is already feeline impact of this and going down. The reason for this, david, is because you just dont invade another country on phony pretexts in order to assert your interests. There are ways there are ways to deal with this, and president putin knows that. President obama yesterday offered mediation. There are plenty of ways to protect russianspeaking people in crimea are 0 other parts of ukraine. But you know, they are really sort of a hidden pretext here of possibly trying to annex crimea. Is there a military option . There is as you know a security arrangement with ukraine that goes back to the 90s between the u. S. And ukraine and other western here to try to check any further aggression beyond cry meetia into the eastern part of ukraine . Well, nato is meeting today. The North Atlantic Council is meeting probably even as we speak now. They will be i know that secretarygeneral of nato rasmussen issued a very strong statement against what has happened. But i dont know what is actually on the table with respect to the steps they may or may not take. But theyre deeply concerned. Today or tomorrow, the European Foreign Affairs council will meet. They are very concerned about what has happened. We talked yesterday with japan, with others. This is a global concern because in the 21st century, countries have been working to establish a different kind of behavior as the norm. That i understand. Im just trying to understand. I think a lot of people watching us are trying to understand how important is ukraine essentially to the United States. Whats our interest there. Is this worth fighting for literally . David, let me make it clear. The people of ukraine reply fighting for democracy, theyre fighting for freedom. Theyre fighting to have their voices heard and not be governed by a clep tocracy, but a tyrant, by someone who puts a political opposition in jail, somebody who robs the country of its livelihood and future. And they spoke out againstcdban snipers from roofs who were killing them. They kept on marching, and fought for their freedom. Now they have the opportunity for that are democracy, and by the way, president yanukovychs only supporters abandoned him. They voted0de against him. They impeached him so russia and president putin are aligning themselves firmly with this clep tocracy, aligning themselves with the person who was legitimate little stripped of his power by the parliament, even by his own supporters. I think this is an enormous mistake for russia and we hope, president obama hopes that president putin will turn in the direction that is available to him to work with all of us in a way that creates in ukraine. This does not have to be and should not be an east west struggle. This is not about russia and the u. S. This is about the people of ukraine, and thats who needs to be front and center. I just want to clarify this. I mean, i gather by what youre saying you dont want to be too precise. Is there a military option that has to be contemplated here . David, the last thing anybody wants is a military option in this kind of a situation. We want a peaceful resolution through the normal processes of international relations. But in the absence you have president putin making the right decision to work with the government of ukraine, to work with the west, to work with all of us, as i said a moment ago, this is not about the russia and the United States. Its about the people of ukraine. And we asked president putinton step back from being in violation of the u. N. Charter, in violation of the helsinki final act, in violation of the 1997 russia, ukraine basing agreement. I mean, they are in direct overt violation of international law. Can i just challenge you on one point. We asked them to step back. You say its not about the u. S. And russia, but the reality is just wednesday, you told me ltclleague Andrea Mitchell that will Vladimir Putin said he would respect the territorial integrity of ukraine. Now youre talking about russia annexing the crimea. Something happened. I wonder as you hear some criticism from conservatives an that say the issue here is that Vladimir Putins not afraid, that he saw a red line by this administration in syria and then no followup, no kz an, that he thinks that he can provoke the u. S. And the west and that president obama wont do anything in response. We, hes finding out the opposite. Let me make it clear, president putin is not operating from a place of strength here. Yanukovych was his you know supported president. Yanukovych was thrown out. Despite putins support. Yanukovych turned on his own people. President putin is using force in a completely inappropriate manner that will invite the world and it also already is. He is not going to gain by this. He may be able to have his troops for some period of time in crimea unless he resolves this, but the fact is, hes going to lose on the international stage, russia is going to lose, the russian people are going to lose. Hes going to lose all of the glow that came out of the olympics. His 60 billion extravaganza. He is not going to have a an sochi g8. He may not even remain in the g8 if thisimlf with asset freezes on russian business, American Business may pull back. There may be a further tumble of the ruble. Theres a huge price to pay. The United States is united, russian is isolated. That is not a position of strength. Two quick ones here as we extend. These difficulties with russia, occur blunt talk this morning also extends to syria where youve been very clear that russias support for is assad in your words has allowed assad to the double down in his killing efforts of his opponent in this civil war. Isnt it true, mr. Secretary, that you support a more robust intervention into syria, that you would like to see some kind of military action to at least train those rebel fighters in syria . Is it time for that, and has russia complicated the syrian effort . I support the president s policy and i support what the president is doing now reviewing all of the options as he has been continually with respect to the syria, david. The fact is, we are doing more than almost any other country. Were doing an enormous amount. And once again, russia is playing a very duplicitous game and very dangerous game. They proclaim that they are worried about the terrorists, worried about syria, worried about the impact on jordan and on lebanon and surrounding countries. And yet, they continue to support assad in a way that prevents him or helps him to make the decision not to the come to the table to negotiate. Its a completely contradictory and cynical policy. And i believe russia, you know, in the crimea and. Syria is really engaging in activity that is completely contradictory to the standards that most of us are trying to operate by in the 21st century. Certainly not behaving like a g8 country. Before i get to my final question on israel with a big meeting with benjamin netanyahu, the Prime Minister coming to meet with the president , marco rubio is saying its time for the administration to publicly acknowledge the reset with russia is dead. Do you acknowledge that . Well, i dont know what you mean by the reset. The reset in relations that this administration called for. I know, but long ago, weve entered into a different phase with russia. I dont think this is a moment to be proclaiming one thing or the other. Theyve difficulties with russia with respect to certain issues and weve managed to do the start treaty. Theyve cooperated on afghanistan and iran. This is not a zero sum dead alive, its a question of differences, very profound differences on certain issues. And certain approaches. And weve made those very clear over the course of the last months. With the regard to the israel, youve worked so hard on middle east peace as threatenia hugh comes to washington, is this a moment of truth for him . Does he have to act for the Peace Process to be successful . Well, everybody has to act, david. This isnt just a question or i an series of questions for Prime Minister netanyahu. Hes been very courageous and hes made tough decisions with respect to entering into these negotiations and some of the things that hes indicated hes willing to do in the negotiations. Its also up to president abbas, the palestinians need to decide whether or not theyre prepared to compromise, whether or not theyre willing to do some of the things necessary. This is not a burden exclusive to one party or the other. So we expect to have a good conversation. I dont think its some showdown or anything. This has been a very cooperative, very engaged process on a daily basis with both parties. And even while Prime Minister netanyahu will be here there week, there will be representatives of the platoons here too and well have some conversations with them. And hopefully over the next weeks, we can reach some kind of understanding about how to negotiate a final status agreement. Mr. Secretary, we always appreciate your time. Thanks so much. Thank you, david. Now i want to turn to republican senator marco rubio of florida, a member of the Senate Foreign relations committee. Senator, welcome back to the program. Thank you, good prng. How did we get here. Do you agree with om so of your colleagues who say its the weakness of president obama and the United States right now that emboldened president putin of russia . I think our policy towards russia under this administration deserves heavy criticism. I usually shy away from that when its important for the nation to speak with one voice. Im enkirnlged which what i heard secretary kerry say a moment ago. There already things i would like to see us do in addition to the steps he outlined. As we look forward to our future relationship with russia, its important to learn from the errors of the last few years. I think we have not accurate lit assessed clearly what it is russias goals are under Vladimir Putin. Theyre not interested in building an International Norm that nations conduct themselves under like what secretary kerry was describing a moment ago. Theyre interesting in reconstituting russian power and russian prestige. Often at the expense of u. S. National interests. What do you do about that . Because that was true under president bush, as well. Who famously said that he thought he could the trust Vladimir Putin only to find out what he couldnt and then putin invaded separatist region of georgia and the u. S. Didnt do much about it. Isnt the same predicament here . You may know what putin wants to do, but what are you prepared to do in terms of the use of American Power to stop it. First of all, i think previous administrations deserve criticism, as well with regards to clearly viewing what Vladimir Putins goals are here. Moving forward, if you look at secretary kerry a moment ago mentioned success with the start treaty. We know the russians have basically violated every major treaty theyve entered into. Weve seen how theyve basically lied. They are lying and this government is a government of liars, the russian government. You see whats happening in crimea. Youve got individuals showing up in unmarked uniforms wearing masks. Clearly theyre Russian Troops even though they refuse to acknowledge it. Youre dealing with a government that lies as a matter, of course, and its very difficult to enter an understanding with them on anything when they are willing to lie and cover things up in this way. Youre saying as you did in a piece you wrote for politico that weve got to the use blunt talk. I ask you for blunt talk. Is russia an enemy of the United States now . I think theyre increasingly behaving like an enemy of International Peace and norms. After the end of world war ii and through the cold war era, the spread of democracy and freedom and established norms for nations to interact with one another so we would never have another world war. Under this president putin, russia does not seem interested in any of that. They are an enemy of that and an enemy of the United States with regard to those things ive outlined. If you look at the issues theyve taken on issue of an issue, theyve been an obstacle to u. S. National interest. The president said the were watching and we want to make sure that will nobody crosses the line or there will be consequences. Last sunday at this table, susan rice, National Security advisor, said it would be a grave mistake for russia to invade the crimea. On friday the president says there will be a cost to intervention. What does it say to you that Vladimir Putin has ignored the United States for ten days . Well, part of it is hes made a cost benefit analysis. He has weighed the costs of doing what hes done and the benefits. Clearly he concluded the benefits far outweigh the costs. We need to change that calculus. I think secretary kerry outlined accurately enough one of our goals here needs to be to isolate russia, exact an extraordinary price to payen Ot International front for them, for their ambitions, ultimately for individuals in that government and for their economy. The other part of this thats not receiving enough attention is the u. S. Must convene our allies both in europe and through nato to strengthen the interim government in kiev to allow them to transition to a drake government, be able to hold their elections. Thats critical, too. I think the next phase in this, perhaps youre seeing the outlines of it already are russians trying to undermine the government if kiev. Do you think there is a military option for the United States ornate tote . In other words, do you advocate now going beyond what you just heard from secretary kerry, which was economic isolation, perhaps expelling russia from the gparticular sanctions to key russian officials and the like . I think if youre asking me whether the u. S. Should be taking military strikes against Russian Troops and ukraine or in crimea, i would argue i dont think anyone is advocating to are are that. I am saying however that our Nato Alliance needs to be reinvigorated, is an important alliance. Countries that neighbor ukraine, for example, are poland and others who had part of that alliance, we need to be providing them assurance hads of the importance of this alliance including perhaps we should revisit the missile Missile Defense shield we talked about so often. Beyond that, i would say its part of strengthening and stabilizing the government in kiev now so they can transition to stability down the road, as well, i think part of that should be strengthening their defense capabilities. I think this threat is a longterm one theyre facing youve been focused on Foreign Policy challenges in venezuela. There are protests there against the government and a crackdown against protesters in the streets. What would like to see the administration do . First we need to clearly pronounce ourselves as more than just concerned about whats happening. We need to say clearly the United States and its people and its government are firmly on the side of the ambitions and desires, the rightful desires of the people in the streets, the students and young people protesting against violations. Beyond that, i would like to see specific u. S. Sanctions against individuals in the maduro government that are systematically participating in the violation of human rights and antidrake actions. Those would go a long way in that regard. I want to ask you a couple questions about politics here back home. One has to do with the big controversy out of arizona, a bill that was vetoed by the governor and the general concern than some conservatives in the party have that as gay rights rights advance specifically, that sometimes religious freedom in this country is being trampled on. Is this a key issue for republicans, you think, in this Election Year . Heres the key issue. On the one hand, i think americans the vast majority of conservatives are against discrimination, the notion that someone because they are gay would be denied service at a restaurant and so for the is the something americans dont support, conservatives dont support. The other side is imagine now if you are a Southern Baptist or catholic or evangelical photographer who does not believe in gay marriage and because of that you dont want to the provide services for a guy marriage. Should you be sanctioned by the state for refusing to do so . Thats what they endeavored to deal with arizona. I never read the law. As i said, weve been pretty busy this week on a number of fronts. The governor maybe felt that that law extended beyond that, but that is also a legitimate concern. Its one were going to have to balance as this issue continues to unfold across the states here in america. You dont think this was an open and shut case . This was tough for you. You think the law had some merit without saying that you support it. I dont believe that gay americans should be denied services at a restaurant or hotel or anything of that nature. I dont believe however that a caterer or photographer should be punished by the state for refusing to provide services for a gay wedding because of their religious believes. Weve got to figure out a way to the protect that, as well. I know you and others who are often talked about as president ial candidates in 2016 are trying to deal with the business at hand. Theres a lot of speculation about your standing. I want to the read chris cillizza. No matter what rubio does now to placate conservativatives his opponents will im the voters of his involvement in legislation that provided a path for undocumented workers. While that may be a general republic point where republicans badly need to court hispanics, its not likely to be popular in places like iowa and south carolina, two states that cast some of the earliest votes for president in 2016. Are you damages goods because of your support for thats right immigration bill . I dont know. I certainly knew going into Immigration Reform thats not exactly sa the kind of issue you take on with regard to becoming politically popular among some segments. I would say the concerns conservatives have are legitimate ones. What i endeavor to do is try to find a solution to a real problem the country is confronting. I understand its a difficult one. I knew that going in. Ill continue to do whats right for the country, what i believe to be right on issue of an issue and where that leads me politically, thats what elections are for and campaigns are for. But im not going to let the future of Political Considerations stop me from doing what i believe is right for the country or doing my job during my time in the senate. Are you undeterred at this point . Will you pursue the president is i in 2016 . Well, i havent made that decision and i didnt come here this morning to make that announcement. Thats something ill consider later in the year, next year. As you know in 2016, pie term in the senate expires. Ill have a decision to make either way. I think our countrys at an important crossroads on the International Front and a domestic front. Ill have to think about whether from that role in the presidency i would be able to influence that in a positive way. Senator rubio, a lot going on here internationally and in politics. Thank you very much for your time this morning. Thank you. So you just heard this talk from both secretary kerry and marco rubio. Next our roundtable is here. More on this crucial test for presobamas leadership overseas and specifically in the ukraine and the culture war i mentioned with politics. How will the debates over freedom and religion and gay rights play into the 2014 campaign . Andian rand paul is urging caution in the gops fight with president obama. There are times when people are using language that shouldnt be used. I recently criticized someone for using some of that lock. Im not going to bring it up, but i will say that we can disagree with the president without calling him names. Meet the press is brought to you by boeing, where the drive to build Something Better inspires us every day. [ male announcer ] we know theyre out there. You cant always see them. But its our job to find them. The answers. The solutions. The innovations. All waiting to help us build Something Better. Something more amazing. A safer, cleaner, brighter future. At boeing, thats what building Something Better is all about. At boeing, thats what building Something Better is all about. So our business can be on at ts network for 175 a month . Yup. All 5 of you for 175. So oour clients need a on at ts netwlot of attention. Nth . Theres unlimited talk and text. Were working deals all day. You get 10 gigabytes of data to share. What about expansion potential . Add a line, anytime, for 15 a month. Low dues, great terms. Lets close new at t mobile share value plans our best value plans ever for business. We are back now to react to events in ukraine and discuss the big week in politics. Im joined by the roundtable. Our political director chuck todd, Jeffrey Goldberg from the atlantic magazine and stephanie rawlingsblake, the mayor of baltimore, tina brown, founder of the women in the world foundation, and nationally syndicated columnist from the Washington Post kathleen parker. Welcome to all of you. This is a conversation about obamas leadership, pure and simple. This is a major test for whether the rest of the world, particularly bad actors, take him seriously when he says to not do something. Chuck todd, the Washington Post editorial that ive been looking at this morning says this. It took Vladimir Putin less than a day to trample on president obamas warning against a Russian Military intervention in ukraine. The u. S. Now faces a naked act of armed aggression in the center of europe by a russian regime that is signaling its intent to the steam roller this u. S. President and his allies, mr. Obama must demonstrate that cant be done. And he said dont do it for ten days. This is not the first time with putin. He actions, obama warns. Putin acts, obama warns. This is a pattern he cant afford to stay in here and just continue to warn. You heard john kerry more warnings. Ive talked to some folks. There are some moves they could make and could make right now. Theyre not act of war moves. They are immediate economic sanctions. Russias largest banks are state owned banks. You could choke them economically in a hurry. The Largest Energy company is a pal of putin. Just do it. Just suspend it, be move, start the meeting. That was the sense that youre wondering why isnt the president out there saying okay, we have made these moves. Hes done this. You know, it was before it was trying to play some diplomacy. But theyve got this 24 hours and you hear john kerry with more warnings. They know hes got to act no more just issuing is harshly worded statements. Tina brown, look, part of the bush era a lot of people recoiled against was the idea of talking tough and projecting American Power as if somehow feeling better about that makes the world better. Absolutely. Theres no need to go off and be bellicose. Now its now what. Marco rubio actually said haggle and kerry should go immediately to kiev. You think what then. You have to have this follow up. What i do think seems to keep outfoxing is obama is a real reading who putin is. Its almost as if putin is brilliant really. Hes sort of outfoxing obama all the time. Hes very clear. The reason he wins in a way, hes the only one who knows what he thinks. Hes clear. Hes clear he wants to increase russian power. He doesnt care what other people think. He doesnt care. We say he cant do that. Thats not the way people in the real sophisticated Foreign Policy world behave. Hes not that the guy. Unfortunately its not match. Com. Hes secure with who he is. Hes a brutal, crude, cunning powerg, ruthless guy. And these, kathleen, these are issues that tend to overwhelm a presidency when hes fighting somebody like this on numerous fronts. I agree completely with intina. I think putin looked into obamas eyes and saw his soul. President obama doesnt like conflict at all. And you know, putin is, as i think john kerry said, hes clearly, no, im sorry. I disagree with kerry on this. He said you cant make this a u. S. russian chess game. I dont think you can say ta at all. I think our allies are clearly watching us. Other nonfriendly people are looking at how we handle these things and obama has drawn the red line. Hes moved back from that. Putin sees that. Hes weakening our position when he says there are going to be costs its sort of like putting arms an kim bow and threatening timeout. This is a test for him. There are things he can doing immediately rather than these mayor, you have to be looking at this as a lotof people are. Saybts our real interest here, and no doubt, the president s making that calculation, as well, that americans are not going to be supportive of a tough line with russia over ukraine. I know you didnt ask me here for my Foreign Policy expertise. I look at this as an american who i think is in tune with the president. You said you know, that the president wants to avoid conflict. So do americans. That is why he was elected. He promised to get us out of foreign war boston we are exhausted. Military conflict necessarily, i dont think thats an option. You have to be strong in what you say up front and then you can follow through. You take one step, you take another step and then youre going to find yourself in a place where you have to put up or shut up. Yee want a president thats going to look at diplomacy and other options and not get us into well write a check our you know what doesnt want to cash. Jeff goldberg, youve interviewed president obama, an interview that will appear later today. You asked him a question more broadly about how hes perceived. Tell me about what that question was and then ive got a portion of the answer. Right. What i asked him was, i was talking about the Iranian Nuclear program, one of his biggest Foreign Policy challenges. I said do you believe that the iranians still take your threat that all options are on the table, which is a euphemism for military force . Do you believe they still take that threat seriously after you showed obviously reluctance last summer to strike at syria yar after it crossed his red line on chemical weapons. And he gave an answer. Well put part of it on the screen because he says about syria, the process has moved more slowly than we would like the president tells you, but it is actually moved. And weve now seen 15 to 20 of those weapons on their way out of syria with a concrete schedule to get rid of the rest. That would not have happened had the iranians said obamas bluffing, hes not really willing to take a strike. If the russians had said dont worry about it, all those submarines that are floating around your coastline, thats all just for show, of course they took it seriously. He doesnt like the idea that people think hes weak. He argues very strenuously against it. He argues that the iranians are at the table because they fear him, they fear the consequences of violating the american will. He believes that and he told me this, he believes that iran is on the back foot in syria, that iran is fighting kind of a rear guard action to keep its only arab ally. This relates directly to the way the white house feels will ukraine. They dont see this as an advancing russia necessarily. They see this as russia trying to pick up the pieces of a few russian enclaves on its borders at all costs. They dont see a russia advancing in the world but trying to piece together what that it has left. So were conflating a big political season thats beginning, chuck, with this international backdrop. But i do want to talk about the politics of the moment and this midterm year when you have this arizona controversy sparking as i asked senator rubio about, this balance between religious freedom and Civil Liberties, specifically gay rights that are advancing around the country. Are the culture wars back in the midterms . Well, democrats want the culture wars to be back. Okaying . Lets remember what these campaigns are about. Democrats believe Terry Mcauliffe won because he was able to pick split women off particularly on issues of contraception and abortion in the state of virginia. If you look at some of the democrats that survived in 2010, Michael Bennett now running the Democratic Senate Campaign Committee he will tell you he won on the culture wars. Yes, were having a conversation. If the culture wars are back, democrats want them to be. This is how theyre going to fight. They have the economic message but on the ground, what theyre spending their money on, how theyre targeting voters they want to create this divide because they know when the Republican Party essentially is split on a lot of these social issues. You have the evangelical wing of the party that is not moving the way the rest of the country is. I this i this is going to be a longterm problem for the republicans till they settle on. You can picture hugh this could be an issue in the president ial. As for midterms, i dont know if its a huge problem for the republicans because of the nature of the electorate. Democrats are trying very hard to make this an issue. In some of the red states where Democratic Senators are in trouble, theres a lot of the republican zaebment that says put the culture war aside. Talk about obamacare. Theyve been listening to the pope i think who says calm down, these things matter but we dont have to talk about it all the time. The war on women is an equally offensive and not quite correct term but its one that works for the democrats and, we to draw women away from the Republican Party. The reverse . There was a time the culture wars, republicans wanted to have the culture wars. Do you agree with that . Youre secretary of the dnc. Go ahead. What i did say was quite significant was jan brewers language when she vetoed the bill. Her language almost dripped with disdain for the other side. She simply said, for the republican side even. The bill itself. She said i dont know of a single case where religious liberty was violated by this idea. And you know, he thought that that was very significant because you know you might have expected her to kind of give a little bit more on that. Marco rubio wouldnt support it but he said we have to balance these things carefully. You have to balance be religious liberty and certain extreme cases and human life, the abortion issue is one thing. But i dont see how you come to terms with the idea that you can discriminate people because of who they are. On balance, i think the Lgbt Community would be better off, save the weather. We cant promise you the weather but better off in baltimore. Im more than happy to welcome them. Its a much dprendlier place. It burns me up to know that a community that haszsr given so much, particularly for the democratic party, is under siege. Its 2014. I feel like people should just get on with it and get over it. And we have a great Lgbt Community in bal more. I did the first lgbt the samesex marriage in the state right after knew years, and you know, theres no war going on in baltimore. Jeff goldberg, before you spend a lot of time covering Foreign Affairs you were covering politics. Five years since the tea party started. Heres rand paul, a 2016 contender with a message for his party be careful how youre conducting yourself. He spoke this week. In order for us to be a bigger party though, we have to reach out to more people. Not just those of us here. It has to be a bigger party. It has to be bigger movement. There are had times and i dont think it is our movement but there are times when people are using language that shouldnt be used. I recently criticized someone for using some of that language and im not going to bring it up, but i will say that we can disagree with the president without calling had imnames. Okay. This is a cluck just said he did call bill clinton a sexual predator but aside from that. He wasnt calling names that day. Thats different. Its interesting positioning. It is interesting positioning, but hes fighting again, talking about rear guard action. Hes fighting a party you asked marco rubio himself. The reason he may not be a serious contender is because hes alienated a right wing base on a matter of immense political concern for the future of the Republican Party, bringing in hispanic voters. I mean, obviously if youre a gay or lesbian person in america and looking at what happened in arizona, youre thinking maybe that party is not the one for me. I mean, serially theyre alienating different constituencies and certainly alienating younger people who have much different at that timitudes towards it. One small i wasnt going to call it a Suicide Mission. It seems like a Suicide Mission if youre trying to be a national party. The one small intervention is you know, in the 50s and 60s, a lot of people used theological arguments to argue against absentgration. Lets not forget that. History is not working on their side here. Let me take a break. More with our roundtable a little bit later. Coming up, im going doing ask can governor jerry brown of california about a hot button political issue, whether its time to fully legalize marijuana in americas biggest state. Interesting answer when we come backing meet the press is brought to you by mo predicting the future is a pretty difficult thing to do. But, manufacturing in the United States means advanced technology. We learned that Technology Allows us to be craft oriented. No ones losing their job. Theres no beer robot that has suddenly chased them out. The technology is actually creating new jobs. Siemens designed and built the right tools and resources to get the job done. Now to california where you would have thought the rain 0 would be welcome after the record drought that left the state bone dry. Right now, the strongest storms to hit the state in several years have caused mud slides, evacuations and power outtages. I want to the turn to california governor jerry brown who also announced his bid for an unprecedented fourth term. Welcome back to meet the press. Well, thank you. Its a big fight for hollywood of course, but youre dealing with something far bigger. That is a storm thats hitting the state. Taking the state by storm. But is it enough to really deal a blow to the drought which has been such a huge issue for california . No, not at all. This is the driest period since records have been kept going way back to around 1850. And the terrible thing is not only is it dry, but because of the dryness last year, and the forest fires, theres flooding now. And theres mud slides. So you get hit a number of ways. But it just is a portent of very difficult and extreme weather that we are facing into the future. As a western governor and a governor of, as you say, one of the most populace states in the country, i wanted to get your views on the big politics of the day. Youre running for your fourth term as governor. Youre very popular. You took a state a lot of people felt was ungovernable, chiefly because of the budget deficit and now theres a surplus. Is there a National Leadership lesson that california provide . Youve got to be tough on spending. At the end of the day, fiscal discipline is the fundamental predicate of a free society. And you just have to maintain that. Secondly, you do have to find a way to create a governing consensus or coalition. In california, we do have a majority democratic party. And we dont have the any constitutional blocking points like the 60vote requirement in the senate or the division of parties in the house between the house and the senate. It is interesting, is there a lesson for president obama no matter how liberal you are, you said, here the president s about to present a budget where hes saying look, the deficits are coming down for now. Weve got to spend more. Were only going to get the economy going in a meaningful way if we spend more on infrastructure and the loo i can. Yeah, spend more but in the framework of adjusting your longterm liabilities so were in balance. So thats not inconsistent. You can invest and create jobs but over the longterm, your revenue has to meet your liabilities. Thats not the case today. Its interesting as you look back on the grand sweep of your career, an interesting piece on friday in the Washington Post, and this was the headline, in california, governor moon beam goes mainstream. Over a 40year political career, how have you changed . Im just reviewing my transcript from meet the press in 1975. I find a lot of similarities. There i was talking about limits, im still talking about limits but also talking about full employment and equality. So the i changed. A, im 40 years older. Two, ive done a lot of things. And ive learned a lot of things. So im older and wiser. But im just as energetic and id have to say just as ambitious. Youve seen. Arizona big debate this week over freedom of religion but also the specter of discrimination against gays and lesbians because of the bill that was ultimately vetoed by the governor there. Are the culture wars rearing their head again whether its about religion or gay rights or abortion, contraception in this Election Year . They might. I can tell you if you ask me how things have changed, 40 years ago, one couldnt even talk about gay rights. It wasnt the word didnt even exist then. And that an has changed. The same thing with immigration. We had a governor that was elected basically to keep undocumented people in their place and get them out of the state. Today, we have drivers licenses for the undocumented. We have the d. R. E. A. M. Act. So there is evolution. 40 years ago, we werent talking about legalizing marijuana in states either. Is that a good or bad idea for california. We have medical marijuana which gets very close to what they have in colorado and washington. I really like those twos states to show us how its going to work. The problem with anything a certain amount is okay. But there is a tendency to go to extremes. And all of a sudden, if theres advertising and legitimacy, how many people can get stoned and still have a great state or a great nation . Worlds pretty dangerous. Very competitive. I think we needed to stay alert. Its not 24 hours a day, more than some of the pot heads might be able to put together. As a tv guide i know a good sound bite when ive heard one. I think i heard one. I want to ask you about the National Political picture for the democratic party. Youve gone against the clinton machine in 92. Does anything stop Hillary Clinton in 2016 . I cant see it. The clinton machine was strong, obviously, it won. Hillarys a heck of a lot stronger. Shes got more experience both domestic and international. I mean its her nomination if she wants it as far as im concerned. Governor jerry brown, thanks so much for your time. I appreciate it. Thank you. Real quick, chuck, quite an answer there on marijuana. It is. Its actually a similar answer youve heard from some other democrats that have been saying it. Everybody just assumes this is a straight democrat versus republican issue, but you know, obviously from a state by the way, california, hes. Reez right. I vet very quiet. The premartini lunch was invented during the cold war. You dont want everybody stoned when the russians invade crimea. Were going to take another break here. Were coming up next on the day of the Academy Awards, harry smith meets the screen writer of 1 years a slave who explains the importance of confronting the pain of americas past. The importance of confronting the p[ male announcer ]ast. At northrop grumman, weve always been on the forefront of innovation. When the world called for speed. When the world called for stealth. Intelligence. Endurance. Affordability. Adaptability. And when the world asked for the future. Staying ahead in a constantly evolving world. Thats the value of performance. Northrop grumman. Thats the value of performance. Up next here, harry smith on the political lessons that can be learned from one of the Academy Awards best [ girl ] my mom, she makes underwater fans that are powered by the moon. [ birds squawking ] my mom makes airplane engines that can talk. [ birds squawking ] my mom makes hospitals you can hold in your hand. My mom can print Amazing Things right from her computer. [ whirring ] [ train whistle blows ] my mom makes trains that are friends with trees. [ train whistle blows ] my mom works at ge. My mom works at ge. So our business can be on at ts network for 175 a month . Yup. All 5 of you for 175. Our clients need a lot of attention. Theres unlimited talk and text. Were working deals all day. You get 10 gigabytes of data to share. What about expansion potential . Add a line, anytime, for 15 a month. Low dues, great terms. Lets close new at t mobile share value plans our best value plans ever for business. On friday, i spoke with democratic congressman chaka fattah of pennsylvania about president obamas new initiative my brothers keeper, part of our tenquestion series at meet the press. Com. Were back in a moment here with a special look at 12 years a slave on this day is built for business. Built for your company. Your customers. Your. Sales department built from the ground up. For fast downloads. Fast uploads. For a. Built for tablets. For laptops. For. This. Built for saving money. Built for saving time. Built for architects. Built for. Sign up for internet and voice and find out how to get four weeks of internet for free. Comcast business. Built for business. Theres nothing like being your own boss and my customers are really liking your flat rate shipping. Fedex one rate. Really makes my life easier. Maybe a promotion is in order. Good news. I got a new title. And a raise . Management couldnt make that happen. [ male announcer ] introducing fedex one rate. Simple, flat rate shipping with the reliability of fedex. [ male announcer ] introducing fedex one rate. Predibut, manufacturings a prettin the United States do. Means advanced technology. We learned that Technology Allows us to be craft oriented. No ones losing their job. Theres no beer robot that has suddenly chased them out. The technology is actually creating new jobs. Siemens designed and built the right tools and resources g we live in an uber connected, hyper documented, social media savvy and totally technologically enhanced world. And its important for you to be the first to talk with your kids about the internet. Youll help them be responsible online. The more you know. The movie world is gathering in hollywood for tonights oscar ceremony. One of the favorites to win best picture is the 12 years a slave, the story of an africanamerican man who was sold into slavery in the mid19th century. Harry smith now explores how americas ugly history around race still resonates in our modern day politics. Slavery is an american sin for which there is probably no forgiveness. Its sheer cruelty made manifest in Steve Mcqueens film which has won nine oscar nominations. I said come here. I brought her back. Its the true story of solomon, a free black man who was tricked, then sold into slavery. Northrop wrote a book about it, a bet seller in 153. Turning that book na a screenplay was the job of now os koor nominated writer john ridley. I read it. I thought the way that he wrote, the elevated nature, the clarity of detail, the lack of bitterness, the lack of hatred that he spoke with about the circumstance with absolutely phenomenal. My back is thick with scars for protesting our freedom. His story filled gaps in ridleys own understanding of history. But you start to realize how little we as americans really know about this aspect of history and how it affected all of us. You know, certainly people of color, slaves, no pun intended, got the bad end of the stick. Any more, ill earn you 100 lashes. Collective consent where whats evil becomes ordinary. The film shows that in a way rarely seen on screen. Ive gotten really emotional. You go to screenings and people walk out and want to hug you, they want to shake your hand. As powerful as the film may be, some like talk show host tavis smiley were left with a feeling of frustration. Tears i think are important. Its important that we like our jewish brothers and sisters never forget, but what does that have to do with what were doing in realtime to value the lives of black men, of black boys and black people at large . Smiley believes the present and the past are the inextricably linked. Strip your clothes. All these years after 12 years a slave, the fact that we still have in this country an intractable issue like racism even in the era of the nations first black president , its a shame. And a disgrace for all of us. Reporter but if 12 years a slave moves people even a single step says ridley, thats important. I want to live. My hope is that people will come out of this theater moved and not decent sized but sensitized and say if i feel that way about a film, that way about a story that happened back then, how should i feel about whats going on in the world right now . For meet the press, harry smith, nbc news. Going to be a big night tonight. Is this winner tonight for best picture . Sounds like it. Im behind in my movie viewing. From what ive just seen, i wouldnt be surprised. I didnt predict the invasion of crimea but i think this is going to win. There was such a lot of expectation that lincoln was going to win last year. Sometimes it is a grueling movie and a very painful and harsh movie. And the only thing that could happen is that gravity gets it because people just enjoyed it. Its a powerful movie, but i would vote for house of cards. American hustle based on abscam. A great year for movies. It really was. You could see that will hollywood is more interested in writing about history again and some things. Kind of nice. Also, your interview with president obama on Bloomberg View as of 2 00 p. M. , a lot on the middle east and syria. Thank you all very much. Thats all for us today. Well be back next week. If its sunday, its meet the well be back next week. If its sunday, its meet the press. Captions by vitac www. Vitac. Com when you get closer to the action, and closer to the moments that matter. You get closer to the sports you love. Nbc sports network. Hockey day in america begins appropriately in our Nations Capital where the Washington Capitals take to the home ice with a sunday matchup with the longrival, the flyers. They are in a competitive race. Joe is with john carlson. You have had an excellent year, and youre better since the olympic break. Wh