Transcripts For MSNBC The Daily Rundown 20130206

Cuts, but republicans say, hey. Its the president s fault in the first place. Guess what . They all support it. The dumbest blame game in washington. Speaking of washington, the town barely reacts to the nbc news exclusive on that Justice Department memo authorizing the killing of americans believed to be top al qaeda operatives, but theres one democratic senator who is not holding back. And how do we make 2016 better than 2012 . Find out what the top advisers from the last campaign told me is needed to fix the next campaign before it even gets started. Good morning from chicago. Its wednesday, february 6th, 2013. The daily rundown. Im chuck todd. A lot of news to get to and by the way the u. S. Post office will hold a 10 00 a. M. Press conference that they are cutting saturday mail and they will take six months and a question we all have why does it take six months . Goodbye fiscal cliff and debt ceiling, hello to the efforts of delay or suspend the s word, the sequester, that automatic defense and spending cut mechanism thats set to take effect on march 1st. On tuesday president obama went public for the first time in a while with his opening offer on the budget battles ahead, and today he goes behind closed doors with Senate Democrats in their retreat in annapolis to strategize and preview his state of the union addressch the white house wanted to send two messages with the president s visit to Briefing Room yesterday. One, that the burden of shutting off the sequester is on congress. If congress cant act immediately on a bigger package, they should at least pass a smaller package of spending cuts and tax reforms that would delay the economically damaging effects of the sequester for a few more months. Secondly, the white house wanted to signal how they would like to see the rest of these budget negotiations go in 2013, not with oneonone dealmaking but passed through the regular order in congress. The president said he expects that its going to take time, and while white house wants immigration and gun violence proposals passed by say the fourth of july, they recognize that a budget deal probably wont happen until october. Now, as for sequester, cue the blame game. Sequester is the most unpopular thing in washington that everybody once supported and now nobody claims to own. While the president tried to blame Congress Republican leaders pointed their fingers right back at the president. The house on two occasions has passed a plan to replace the sequester. Its time for the Senate Democrats to do their work. Its time for the president to offer his ideas about how to replace the sequester. The house on two occasions has passed a plan to replace the sequester. Its time for the Senate Democrats to do their work. Its time for the president to offer his ideas about how to replace the sequester. Are you going to offer that bill again and vote on it . Boehner declined to answer that question, and yesterday the president signalled any alternative to the sequester has to include some taxes. If we are going to close these loopholes, then theres no reason we should use the savings that we obtain and turn around and spend that on new tax breaks for the wealthiest. The white house didnt put out a ratio of taxes to spending cuts it expects in a deal, but the idea of any new revenue was immediately shot down by republicans. Boehner said in a statement, quote, president obama first proposed the sequester and insist it had become law. We believe there is a better way to reduce the deficit, but americans do not support sacrificing any real spending cuts for more tax hikes. The white house believes House Republicans, who have warmed up to the idea of letting the sequester take effect, may get a wakeup call as they continue to see those the economy contract, that the Fourth Quarter numbers will be a wakeup call. The president pointed out yesterday that those cuts in defense spending caused the economy to shrink at the end of 2012. Weve been reminded that while its critical for us to cut wasteful spending we cant just cut our way to prosperity. Deep, indiscriminate cuts to things like education and training, energy and National Security will cost us jobs. New numbers from the Congressional Budget Office may provide some ammunition. The cbo projects the economy will grow at a measly rate of 1. 4 this year and 3. 4 next year. The cbo forecast is correct, 2014 will be the sixth Consecutive Year with unemployment above 7. 5 , but expect to hear from republicans about another big number in that report, and although the federal deficit will drop below 1 trillion in 2013, the First Time Since 2008 for that, the federal debt will stay at historically high levels relative to the economy through 2023 when it will equal 77 of the gross domestic product. Moving on to the drone story. President obamas time in office, u. S. Military and cia drone strikes have accelerated an an unprecedented pace to eight times the level under president george w. Bush. After nbc news exclusively obtained a 16page Justice Department white paper that concluded that strikes that target and kill u. S. Citizens who are operational leaders of al qaeda and are in fact a lawful act of national selfdefense, civil libertarian groups, including the aclu, which is challenging the drone policy and suing the u. S. Government over anwar al alakis death went on the record to condemn that white paper. It is a chilling document. It sets out the governments claimed authority to carry out the targeted killing of american citizens, but the limits are really vague and elastic and very easy to see how they can be manipulated. At the Justice Department attorney general eric holder defended the policy. Our primary concern is to keep the American People safe, but to do so in a way thats consistent with our laws and consistent with our values. We only take these kinds of actions when theres an imminent threat, when capture is not feasible and when we are confident that were doing so in a way thats consistent with federal and international law. That message was echoed by White House Press secretary jay carn carney. The strikes are legal. They are ethical and they are wise. And though the unclassified white paper that was prepared to brief congress is now public, even members of congress on the Oversight Committee have not seen the original memo. Holder was quizzed about that issue yesterday. Why not release the memos. Youre a driving force behind releasing the Bush Administrations torture membero. Why arent you a force for this . Well, i mean, well have to look at this and see how what it is we want to do with these memos, but you have to understand that we are talking about things that are that go into really kind of how we conduct our offensive operations. And at the white house, carney offered another somewhat core toured response. Without going into the alleged existence of any particular memo or action, i can say that, you know, what we cannot do is discuss classified operations. But you will release t white paper youve pointed us to several times . I think its out there. Its online. Expect these questions to be raised at cia nominee john brenn brennans confirmation hearing. There are two ways, while senators like oregons ron widen are likely to make brennans hearing particularly uncomfortable, widen fired off a statement yesterday saying this. Every american has the right to know when their government believes that it is allowed to kill them. And saying basic questions need to be answered, questions like how much evidence does the president need to decide this a particular american is part of a terrorist group . Does the president have to provide an individual americans with the opportunity to surrender . And can the president order intelligence agencies or the military to kill an american who is inside the United States . Many other senators have been much more sanguine, rather than calling for the original Justice Department memo to be released Senate Intelligence chair Dianne Feinstein suggested full transparency has already been achieved, quote. I have been calling for the public release of the administrations legal analysis of the use of lethal force, particularly against u. S. Citizens, for more than a year. That analysis is now public, and the American People can review and judge the legality of these operations. The bottom line is that the white house doesnt steam have much of a political problem with the public. The public is intent to go after the bad guys, if you will, regardless of the concerns of a slippery slope, and unless the public begins to share in the outrage, congress may not show it, but its amazing that one of the three branches of government doesnt want to know why it does not have oversight over this executive branch policy. Finally, the reason were here in chicago today. Last night i sat down with the brain trust of the obama and the Romney Campaigns. Eight of the top advisers, all in one room at the university of chicagos institute of politics. Well take a deep dive into the politics later for now but for now three quick impressions from the night. Both sides one comfortable with the role money played in the process. Money is obviously a big concern, and the proliferation of money undisclosed i think is a very unhealth thing. Its a tragedy of, you know, candidate barack obama walking out of the federal funding system, and i hope in some way that we can change the system and try to get the genie back in the bottle. Citizens united needs to be overturned, legislatively or by the states. We were able to have a grass roots internet fundraising that no one had ever seen before and we could combat it like that and thats the grass roots way to do it, but longterm barack obama is a once in a generation politician and, you know, every person running in 2016 for president , my advice for them is go get a super pac. You would tell them to get a super pac. Yeah, figure that out. Secondly, both sides believe the length of the republican primary was perhaps the most important tactical asset to obama and the biggest negative drag to romney. Primary calendar. You want to see it lengthened, shortened. It should be shorter. Nothing to be gained by being longer that i can see. No one would argue that it has to be longer. We went through a twoyear primary campaign. That was a long, long campaign. Not sure barack obama would have been elected president without it, but it was a long, hard, expensive thing. I think the conventions are way too late. I would move the conventions earlier. For us it would have been a selfish reason for an Early Convention because the general could have started sooner which would have allowed to us tap our general election funds which were off limits to us. And nothing exemplifies that frustration for the Romney Campaign more than the number one reform they would like to see, fewer primary debates. The primary debate process just got out of control. The problem with the primary debates is that they became vehicles for promotion of networks and cables when they should be news events. Its up to the candidates and perhaps the party to discipline that process and say, no, were not going to have. No doubt in my mind. I dont think we were damaged by 25 or 28 debates in 2008. Theres no doubt that mitt romney was damaged by the proliferation, 2 it debates he had to go through. What would you do to the calendar . Look, i would have less primary debates. Like streams of cars trying to go through a tunnel. It creates a lot of headaches for candidates. Whats the right amount of debates . I dont know what the right amount is, but 20 strikes me 20 was too much. As too many. Well, there you had it. Eight people overall. 90 minutes, one stapling. It was, well, just like the republican primary debates, so weve got much more from axelrod, fehrnstrom and all the other top Campaign Strategists coming up at the bottom of the hour. Up next, well introduce you to the florida democrat who ousted senate marco rubios friend from the house and now at the center of debate over immigration. And part of our meet the new member series. It continues with congressman joe garcia and todays politics planner. Busy day. Got the Postal Service announcement. The president meets with Senate Democrats in annapolis. Well have a boehner presser and biden meets with house democrats. Hes back from london. Well be right back. I want candy i want candy this reduced sodium soup says it may help lower cholesterol, how does it work . You just have to eat it as part of your heart healthy diet. Step 1. Eat the soup. All those veggies and beans, thats what may help lower your cholesterol and well thats easy [ male announcer ] progresso. You gotta taste this soup. Thats what may help lower your cholesterol and well thats easy we are gathered here today to celebrate the union of tim and laura. Its amazing how appreciative people are when you tell them they could save a lot of money on their Car Insurance by switching to geico. They may even make you their best man. May i have the rings please . Ah, helzberg diamonds. Nice choice, mate. And now in the presence of these guests we join this loving couple. Oh dear. Geico. 15 minutes could save you 15 or more on Car Insurance. Tdd 18003452550 tdd 18003452550 and the streetsmart edge Trading Platform from charles schwab. Tdd 18003452550 gives me tools that help me find opportunities more easily. Tdd 18003452550 i can even access it from the cloud and trade on any computer. Tdd 18003452550 and with schwab mobile, tdd 18003452550 i can focus on trading anyplace, anytime. Tdd 18003452550 until i choose to focus on something else. Tdd 18003452550 all this with no trade minimums. Tdd 18003452550 and only 8. 95 a trade. Tdd 18003452550 open an account with a 50,000 deposit, tdd 18003452550 and get 6 months commissionfree trades. Tdd 18003452550 call 18668842828. Were going to move forward because the country supports it, because latinos demand it and because democrats want it and because republicans need it. Florida democratic congressman joe garcia just doesnt talk about the immigration debate. Hes lived it and now has a chance to be an influential voice on how Congress Must move forward on immigration reform. As the son of cuban exile hes spent his entire life in florida, his dad washed cars and mom waited tables before starting their own business that put their son through school. At 25yearold he was tapped to lead the cubanamericans National Foundation exodus problem helping resettle cuban exile in the states and in the 90s served as the first hispanic chairman of the Public Service commission. Garcia later returned to the cubanamerican foundation as executive director and in 2006 gave politics his first attention. He lost for the first time intoMario Diazbalart and after taking a position in the Energy Position he ran in garcia and that ended in defeat to david rivera but he got a Second Chance against rivera in fall and survived what was really a Nasty Campaign and ended up winning big by ten points, joining me now, the new congressman from that area, congressman joe garcia. Hes a new member of the judiciary committees subcommittee on immigration. Congressman garcia, its a its a long string, big shoes when i grew up. We had dante fisell in that seat for years and careers. My High School History teacher, which i got to honor on the floor of the house this week, also our closeup guide, made me work for dante fisell and i stuffed envelopes for him. Hes a great man and represented most of the district i represent today so obviously very big shoes to try to fill. He is. Let me start with immigration here. Youre obviously yesterday there was a biglous hearing on this. What is the house bill going to look like and do you get the sense that House Republicans are waiting for the senate to act or they want to have their own bill and move it simultaneously with what the senate is trying to do. Look, they have come a long way, and for guys who dont believe in evolution, this is really good. They have evolved, but i think this is important. Got to find a pathway forward but thats the sticking point. They are stuck on this. This whole idea of a longer period or a second class citizenship is just against the very concepts of our nation. I mean, if you read the declaration of independence, one of areas where theres a sort of railing, the statements against the king, one was about indentured servitude, that vial state that kept you working and didnt give you a way forward in the society. The civil war again about second class citizens. The civil rights struggle was about people who were less than fully americans because they werent able to enjoy those great civil rights, so i think its a mistake for republicans to go that way, but i do want to commend colleagues of mine from south florida like illeana ross and Mario Diazbalart who are working with some republican brethren. Dont need them all, but we need a gnu few to understand that this is something that america does better than any other country in the world and that is take people and make them americans. There was some talk yesterday, youve heard some House Republicans float the idea of of not having a path to citizenship for everybody of the 11 million undocumented workers, but have a path to legal residency but not give them a path to citizenship, sort of this i guess putting an added hurdle as a compromise. What did you make of that proposal . Type b and type a. The ones that get taxed that dont get representation, the ones that have all the responsibilities but nonof the great benefits of being a citizen. Look, this is precisely where we make a mistake. If you look at failed immigration systems, you look at the german system, you look at the french system, where people are dont become french. They dont become german. They are turks who live in germany or muslims that live in paris, the reality is we need full americans. These folks work hard and take care of our children. They pick our fields. They work in the most difficult jobs, and what we need to do is make them pay their back taxes and make them learn english and get them in the back of the line and at the end they get the great benefit, bounty and responsibility of being a u. S. Citizen. Very quickly and i want to move on to another issue before i let you go. Is our time line before the fourth of july, or is this going to bleed into the fall . Well, thats up to republicans. Clearly democrats are working. Senate folks like Chuck Schumer have done a magnificent job. Again, marco rubio, i commend him, hes also on my state. Hes moved greatly. I want to congratulate him. I think the senate is pretty close to having something very comprehensive. I dont see that willingness in my colleagues on the house side. Hopefully well get something out. My hope is by the middle of the summer well have something for the president to sign. Do you think that by the end of obamas second term there will be open travel, open borders between the United States and cuba . I dont know. I i dont think so. I think theres a lot of things that we need to fix, but what i do think is the president s policy on cuba makes sense. More peopletopeople contact. Its a smart thing. Its helping develop the Civil Society that somehow the communist government is now in favor. Well, look, when youre enemy is heading in the right direction you tend to help them along those lines. More Civil Society programs, mow Free Enterprise and more contacts with their fellow brethren in miami, thats good for the long term and an investment in americas longterm relationship with the cuban people, not the cuban government. Joe garcia, democratic congressman, new democratic congressman from floridas 26th district, southern part of dade county, all of the keys. I know if i were you, i would only open my offices in the keys, key largo, key west. Opened the first key west office. Were enjoying it. Thanks for coming often welcome back to washington . Thank you. Up next, president obama will head to israel for the first foreign trip of his second term. In his visit hell revive stalled peace talks, and how will the emergence of a political newcombner israel change the already tense relationship between the president and president netanyahu but first todays trivia question. Who is the longest serving chairman of the House Judiciary Committee . Tweet me the answer and the first correct will get a follow wednesday from us. Im only in my 60s. Ive got a nice long life ahead. Big plans. So when i found out medicare doesnt pay all my medical expenses, i got a Medicare Supplement insurance plan. [ male announcer ] if youre eligible for medicare, you may know it only covers about 80 of your part b medical expenses. The rest is up to you. Call and find out about an aarp Medicare Supplement insurance plan, insured by unitedhealthcare insurance company. Like all standardized Medicare Supplement plans, it could save you thousands in outofpocket costs. Call now to request your free decision guide. Ive been with my doctor for 12 years. Now i know ill be able to stick with him. Youll be able to visit any doctor or hospital that accepts medicare patients. Plus, there are no networks, and you never need a referral. See why millions of people have already enrolled in the only Medicare Supplement insurance plans endorsed by aarp. Dont wait. Call now. Your Financial Advisor should focus on your longterm goals, not their shortterm agenda. [ male announcer ] join the nearly 7 million investors who think like you do. Face time and think time make a difference. At edward jones, its how we make sense of investing. President obama will visit israel next month. Its his first trip to the country since becoming president. He will be the fifth sitting u. S. President to visit israel and the first to make it the first foreign trip of a second term. Giving president obama a chance to mend what is a sometimes tense relationship with Prime Minister benjamin netanyahu. Joining me now is the israeli ambassador to the United States, michael or in. Ambassador, good morning, thanks for coming in. Good morning, chuck. Impressed with all the statistics. Very good. Let me start with this, and we know the way that both press corps can be when it comes to u. S. Israeli relations, but theres an expectation that the president wouldnt have accepted the invitation if Prime Minister netanyahu wasnt ready to make a gesture on the Peace Process when the president visited. Is that something we should be looking for . Listen, were delighted that hes coming. President obama was always welcomed in israel. Hell be received enthusiastically by the government of israel, by the Prime Minister of israel, by the people of israel. The white house has made very clear that the purpose of the trip is to strengthen an already historic bond between israel and the United States. I think it will send a powerful message to the middle east at a time great uncertainty and upheaval throughout the region, and i think that is the purpose of the trip. But what about on the Peace Process . When you want to read between the lines here and youve got to be careful with what you want to say, youve got the president thats going to be visiting the west bank and visiting israel and then going to jordan. Let me ask you this. Is juror downs king hussein the new mubarak here when it comes to the Peace Process, that he might be the the sort of mediator in the region . King abdullah. King abdullah. His dad was king hussein. Jordan has played a crucial role in the Peace Process and we welcome that role. Historic relations between jordan, historic peace treaty between israel and jordan. We look forward to working with the king in the future as an important partner in the Peace Process. At the end of the day though it the peace has to be made between israelis and palestinians. Thats the way we made peace with egypt back in the 70s, the way we made peace with jordan in the 90s, the way the oslo Peace Process with the palestinians began in 1939 by israelis sitting down with arab leaders. Weve been waiting for the palestinians to sit with us for the last four years. They havent done so. Were willing to meet with them today in jerusalem and ramallah here in washington, d. C. , we dont care, to discuss all the outstanding issues between us, whether its border securities, jerusalem, to reach a peace based on two states, a jewish state of israel leaving side by side in peace and security with the palestinian state. What message did you believe the israeli folks were sending to your government, the netanyahu government, with the surprising rise of a new party, lapins party . I think its reflecting changes in israel. Israelis israel is a very young country. We have the Fastest Growing country in the industrialized modernized world. Many israelis under the age of 30, that generation has experienced two transformtive events. Theres been terror, suicide bombers, peace plans that have been rejected by the palestinians on one side and then israels emergence as a hightech powerhouse which has caused income gaps and questions of whether the middle class can make it. I mean, these are issues that americans face as well, and so that that centrist party is reflecting some of these changes that have occurred in israel, these transformative events over the last ten years for people who are under 30, who are on one hand struggling with security questions but also struggling with the questions of whether they can afford housing. When when syria falls, the assumption is when assad falls at some point if this is unsustainable, and the assumption i know by a lot of experts in that region, that its unsustainable there in syria, what role does the do you want to see the United States play in a postassad syria . What is the role that israel believes the United States needs to play . Well, keep in mind that nobody knows whats going to happen. Understand. We dont know that syria is going to break apart. What we do know is that syria has an immense amount of weaponry, including the largest chemical weaponry arsenal in the world and were communicating with the United States very closely about the control of that chemical weapons arsenal or the lack of control over that arsenal, and i think its really very important for the future for the United States to cooperate closely with the allies in the region, israel one certainly, jordan, to meet any possible threat from syria. Having all said that, our hope remains that a peaceful and Democratic Syria will emerge from this crisis. Ambassador michael oren, israeli ambassador to the United States. Thanks for coming in this morning. A bunch of us are looking forward to the trip to israel in late march. Indeed. Thanks very much. Developing now, the president has just added an official event to his schedule. At 2 00 p. M. This afternoon we can tell you this. The president will nominate sally jewel. She eats chief executive of the Outdoor Equipment and Clothing Store rei, and shes going to be nominated to replace ken salazar as the next secretary of the interior. Up next, to tell the truth, complete with celebrity panelist. My conversation with the top strategists from the obama and Romney Campaigns. What they say really changed the game during the 2012 campaign. The one big thing thats likely to be different in 2016 and the worst moments on the trail. Our deep dive is next. Watching the daily rundown only on msnbc. Well now im her dietitian and last year, she wasnt eating so well. So i recommended boost complete nutritional drink to help her get the nutrition she was missing. And now she drinks it every day. Well, it tastes great [ male announcer ] boost has 26 essential vitamins and minerals, including calcium and vitamin d to support strong bones, and 10 grams of protein to help maintain muscle. And our great taste is guaranteed or your money back. Learn more at boost. Com [ dietitian ] now, nothing keeps mom from doing what she loves. Being my mom. Id like to thank eating right, whole grain, multigrain cheerios mom, are those my jeans . [ female announcer ] people who choose more whole grain tend to weigh less than those who dont. Multigrain cheerios [ male announcer ] its red lobsters 30 shrimp for 11. 99 pair any two shrimp selections on one plate like mango jalapeno shrimp and parmesan crunch shrimp. Just 11. 99. Offer ends soon im ryon stewart, and i sea food differently. Today a deep dive into the brain trust behind the obama and romney president ial campaigns. What drove their decisions and what kept them up at night. On tuesday i got to sit down with eight of the campaigns top men and women at the university of chicagos institute of politics. One of the hottest topics, the influence of big money and super pacs. The president , of course, initially opposed to super pac funding but his team realized early on he would have to change his position. One day i did a round of calls to people i trusted and wrote on my white board how much i thought they were going to spend, and i called david in, and the number was 660 million from the super pacs and david look at that and said we need to have a meeting, and we and we flipped soon after. For the Romney Campaign, super pac support was great once it focused on him, but while he was still fighting his way through the primary season it gave his opponents an advantage they wouldnt have had in the past. Campaigns never end because people want campaigns to end. They end because they run out of money, and super pacs took that quality away from a lot of these campaigns. It served to keep candidates alive that didnt have the fundraising ability otherwise which is why campaigns end. At the time, republicans tried to justify the long primary as a way of testing the candidate under fire, but his team says it didnt feel that way. I asked what was the low point, the os moment, if you will, of the campaign and heres what the romney folks said. Colorado, minnesota and missouri because it was just oh it was totally o. S. Because we had like just like another month of this. Losing michigan would not have been a positive experience. We went in and it was a very expensive state and a state with a lot of symbolic ghosts, and and it was really handtohand. As the long slog, which is what we called the primary process got further and further along, there were some big states that cost a lot of money to put up on tv so there were certain moments in our campaign where we took our our bank down close to zero. Stuart stevens said late forget primary season had been shorter he believed it could have changed the race. For the Obama Campaign was the biggest fear was that the republican primary would be too short. Our biggest o. S. Moment in the primary is we were worried they would end it after New Hampshire and we wanted a long primary so once we figured out they were going to go long and we figured out what to do and when to do it. That oh. S. Was our oh, good moment. Instead of having unofficially wrapping up the nomination the romney team had a tough time of the bridge between the primary and convention because of the limits on the ads, limits the president didnt have. We were raising money but not all money that we could immediately send out the door. Our donors would call and say why arent you up on tv, let me explain what money we can use, very frustrating. Define mitt romney before the conventions and that, you know, it was better to it was la y larrys proposition to take money out of september and october and put it into may, june and july, and so the other big thing that happened in june is we started running ads about mitt romney. Stevens also told me he hopes big money plays less of a role in future elections. These billion dollar campaigns, which will be 2 billion campaigns, are an abomination and we saw it now when you had people campaigning heavy fundraising schedules into september instead of meeting with voters is not how the system should work. The likelihood is that wont happen and hopes that primary seasons will get shorter arent expected to bear fruit either. One place though where you may see some changes in 2016, the Partys National conventions. Both teams laid out the pros and cons of when these big events are held. I think the whole Convention System needs to be looked at. I know the chairs of both committees are doing that, and i think thats very good. Shrink the awkward period between the primary period and convention. Kicking it off in the beginning of the summer and getting voters refocused so that the general election is two months. The general election is four months. For them to be successful for our parties we have to build it bigger than those rooms and days for other people to feel engaged. No better platform for introducing a candidate and the principles of a party. A lot of people right now that are kind of dumping on conventions and will they ever even exist one day . I think they are an important part of the process. Its a moment where people Pay Attention and focus and theres a chance to get across in a very significant way who you are. This whole thing is going to air on cspan, just so you know, for you real political junkies, and another long conversation we had was on the importance of the month of june. Wait until you hear what team obama feared had the Supreme Court ruled the other way on health care. Hump day gaggle will be here next. Were talking about the upcoming fights on the hill, immigration, drones and oh, yeah, the budget. But First White House soup of the day. How about this, coconut shrimp. Should be some sort of cab theme since the president is going to annapolis. Follow the he is on facebook. Weve got more than 10,000 likes which im told is a good thing so keep them coming. Well be right back. [ kitt ] you know whats impressive . A talking car. But ill tell you what impresses me. A talking train. This ge locomotive can tell you exactly where it is, what its carrying, while using less fuel. Delivering whatever the world needs, when it needs it. After all, whats the point of talking if you dont have something important to say . Hes going to apply testosterone to his underarm. If you dont have something important to say . Axiron, the only underarm treatment for low t, can restore testosterone levels back to normal in most men. Axiron is not for use in women or anyone younger than 18. Axiron can transfer to others through direct contact. Women, especially those who are or who may become pregnant, and children should avoid contact where axiron is applied as unexpected signs of puberty in children or changes in body hair or increased acne in women may occur. Report these signs and symptoms to your doctor if they occur. Tell your doctor about all medical conditions and medications. Do not use if you have prostate or breast cancer. Serious side effects could include increased risk of prostate cancer; worsening prostate symptoms; decreased sperm count; ankle, feet, or body swelling; enlarged or painful breasts; problems breathing while sleeping; and blood clots in the legs. Common side effects include skin redness or irritation where applied, increased red blood cell count, headache, diarrhea, vomiting, and increase in psa. See your doctor, and for a 30day free trial, go to axiron. Com. Immigration was the hot topic on capitol hill tuesday with House Republicans addressing the need for reform. From the leader on down to the rank and file. This is about trying to get it right. On behalf of the American People and those who are suffering under an immigration system that doesnt work very well for anybody. Its no secret that there are more than 11 Million People here illegally. Many of whom have become part of the fabric of our country. We all agree that our immigration system is broken. Lets bring in the wednesday gaggle. Executive director for the Latino Partnership for conservative principles and former chief of the office of citizen for george w. Bush, alfon alfonso. Let me start with you in this compromised proposal that you heard House Republicans push yesterday and i want to get your reaction to it, the 11 million undocumented, that some of them would never get a path to citizenship but a path to legal residency. Let me first say that this is incredible progress that republicans are willing to accept a path to legal status for undocumented immigrants and i would hope the democrats and white house dont play politics with the issue. They would have to explain to latino voters that they didnt allow or support a bill that would provide and bring undocumented people out of the shadows just because they wanted a path to citizenship. Would i like to see an eventual path to citizenship but if the only thing we can get is a path to legal status, that is great. Let me add, theres been great progress in the house and senate, bipartisan progress, democrats and republicans are talking to each other. The only person absent of this discussions, and perhaps this is why weve had progress is the president of the United States. Let me stop you there. You hear criticism, and i want to get this when hes involved. Republicans say, dont get involved and when he lays back, youre criticizing him for laying back. No, no, no, no, no, no. In every single issue ive heard leader mcconnell and Speaker Boehner say we havent heard from the president. The president since the election hasnt called one republican. You would think thought that he would have called marco rubio to discuss immigration. The white house hasnt called one republican. How can you get things done and govern if youre not willing to reach out across the aisle . Margie, is there any way that the white house could sign a bill that didnt provide a path to citizenship for all potential 11 million undocumenteds . Would they pay a price with part of the Hispanic Coalition that could the them reelected . Its not just hispanics who support a path to citizenship. Gallup showed threequarters of american support a path to citizenship so you cant get numbers like that without support from voters across, from republicans, from nonlatinos. Twothirds in the exit polls. Polls consistently show majority support for a path to citizenship so republicans need to get in line with where the American People are on this issue. Jackie, i want to move to budget here a little bit and what the president was throwing out there. Did he make the case for sequester in a way thats going to make congress respond, or does sequester still look inevitable to you . I think it depends on what part of congress youre talking about. There are some, you know, that might favor going going over. Not going over the cliff, got so used to saying that at this point. There are some that might not want to do anything on this, others that are floating certain pope proposals, but well see what kind of cuts they are offering. Republicans will want something for this and if the white house cant accept, that we might see ourselves at another stand still and i have my critical ball here. I kind of think we might be there again. Its funny. Looking at political opinion. Alfonso, there are a lot of conservatives who say, you know what, take a cut, take a spending cut. This is a builtin spending cut. You dont have to if you dont do anything, a cut goes in. Thats appealing to a lot of conservatives, is it not . Well, sadly saturdaying to sound appealing because we go back to the president not talking to republicans. Since new years he hasnt talked to the Republican Leadership on meaningful cuts. Yesterday he gave a speech and talks again about increasing revenue. Where are the meaningful cuts, and i think the impression the American People are getting is that this president is really not serious about cutting spending and about cutting the debt, so to many republicans, yeah, its sounding to be attractive sadly that we may have to go that route. Margie, ive seen a lot of Public Opinion that says, you know, you hear from secretary p these sequester cuts to go through, particularly on defense. The defense cuts are perhaps the most popular part of the cuts. Defense cuts may be popular, but ultimately, American People, they Want Congress and the white house to Work Together and take action and not just let these automatic cuts go into place or continue to have these showdowns, a series a Mountain Range of fiscal cliffs. People are going to want to see everyone on the hill cooperate and Work Together. They associate that with democrats. Lets sneak a break in and get the trivia out of the way. We asked who was the longest serving chairman of the House Judiciary Committee . I know jackie was really fired up about this question. New york democrat emanuel cellar. He was instrumental in eliminating the quota system in immigration law. You see why we asked the question now. If you have a political trivia question for us, email us. Well be right back. All stations come over to mission a for a final go. This is for real this time. Step seven point two one two. Verify and lock. Command is locked. Five seconds. Three, two, one. Standing by for capture. The most Innovative Software on the planet. Dragon is captured. Is connecting todays leading companies to places beyond it. Siemens. Answers. Big time taste should fit in a little time cup. New single serve cafe collections from Maxwell House now available for use in the keurig kcup brewer. Always good to the last drop. Lets bring back the gaggle. Jackie, that deafening silence you heard yesterday was the silence of congress apparently not caring that the Second Branch of government had no oversight over the executive branchs definition of how and when to go after an american al qaeda operative. Are you surprised at the silence in congress outside of a ron white . Yeah, it was surprising that there wasnt a lot about this yesterday. I think well hear more tomorrow as john brennan goes through his confirmation hearing. But yeah, it is surprising. This sun pris unprecedented tha cant hear more. Margie, is this a case where in a few good men, the great monologue from Jack Nicholson where he starts yelling at tom cruise. You know, you want me on that wall in places you dont want to talk about. Is this where the American Public is . They just dont want to hear about it . They know the stuff goes on, but they dont want it brought up to them and thats why theyre okay with this . Well, i think its an important conversation to have, but the last poll i saw, it was from a year ago, but a Washington Post poll showed 83 of americans supported the use, 77 among liberal democrats. Obama has been strong on Foreign Policy for a while. So im not surprised that this is where the public is. Alfonzo, do you think more republicans are going to speak up about this . I think so. I think the double standard is incredible. Remember the brouhaha over the Bush Administrations enhanced interrogation techniques. Holder attacked the Bush Administration over torture. And then silence now. And nobodys saying anything now . Its ridiculous. Theyre playing our song. Shameless plugs. Alfonzo, you get to go first. Today is the 102nd anniversary of Ronald Reagans birthday. So we send our very best to mrs. Reagan, and we remember people, that Ronald Reagan understood his tann hispanics and supported proimmigration policy. Usa today had a great story yesterday, it is on congressional gun ownership. Read it. Its great. Did a lot of work on it. An important story on the ncaas messing up of miami as well. Margie . America had a great event last night. Abortion is not the only womens issue thats going to be important this cycle. Family medical leave. Stronger gun laws. And violence against women act. Thank you, all. Thats it for this edition of the daily rundown. Chris jansing is up next. Byebye. Im bill karins with your Business Travel forecast. A lot of fog early today down along the gulf. We have a lot of warm air and moisture surging up through texas and louisiana. There will be fog and thunderstorms in san antonio. Eventually this is the moisture that will move tomorrow and the potential for a nor east we are snow in new england on friday. We are gathered here today to celebrate the union of tim and laura. 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