But tom price says the cuts are needed to get this economy rolling again. On defense eric cantor warns these cuts will harm National Security. But wait. Tom cole says fiscal questions trump defense. And when it comes to compromise, Lindsey Graham says hes willing to raise revenue. But boehner already slammed that door shut. The revenue debate is now closed, he says. Republicans cant get their stories straight. Theyre a joke. It would be laughable if it werent hundreds of thousands of jobs on the line. Today president obama went to a shipyard in virginia, the states largest industrial employer, to point out how crippling these budget cuts would be to our military, our safety net, and our economy. All told, the sequester could cost tens of thousands of jobs right here in virginia. But it doesnt just stop there. If the sequester goes into effect, more than 2,000 College Students would lose their Financial Aid. Early education like head start and early start would be eliminated for nearly a thousand children and around 18,000 fewer virginians will get the skills and training they need to find a job. These cuts are a disaster for virginia and theyre a disaster for every state in the country. The president is trying to pull america together. But republicans are falling apart. Joining me now is congressman bobby scott, democrat from virginia who traveled with the president today. And richard wolffe. Congressman, help me out. Does the republican position on these cuts make any sense at all to people in their district . Well, first of all, it depends on which decision which position youre talking about. But the fact is the idea the sequester should go into effect is absurd. You have 1. 2 trillion worth of cuts over ten years that would be inflicted on the budget. In our area of virginia, the impact of job loss would be about the same impact as the 2008 recession. Devastating impact on jobs. The idea that we need this to grow the economy is ridiculous. This will destroy the economy of hampton rhodes. But the fact is that the acrosstheboard mindless cuts of 1. 2 trillion will have to inflict pain. And there really is no alternative. You cannot have well, lets have some surgical deliberate cuts. That doesnt help. The number 1. 2 trillion is so huge that youll have nationwide between 700,000 and 2 million jobs lost. If you did this strategically, you may save those jobs, but the problem is 700,000 and 2 million other people would lose their jobs. The fact is you cant cut the budget 1. 2 trillion and not inflict damage and havoc on the economy and with government services. Thats why you know, congressman, what i keep trying to get people to understand and said in the introduction is it was designed to be so damaging and painful that wed never get here. I mean, i dont understand how people would not understand that its painful. It was designed to be so painful that wed never do it. No one imagined they would actually do it. Well, it was designed to be painful, designed to have us come up with 1. 2 trillion in alternative cuts. The problem is you cant do 1. 2 trillion in alternative cuts. You havent seen a list of cuts that amounts to 1. 2 trillion that anyone wants to be associated with. You cant do a list. So the idea if you want 1. 2 trillion in deficit reduction, you have to have revenues. You cannot do 1. 2 trillion. And thats why no one has come up with a list. Thats exactly right. Every the only thing youve seen when they talk about they passed a bill, all they did was come up with a little funding to try to delay it for a little while. Come up with 100 billion, but not 1. 2 trillion. Lets put this in perspective let me get richard in this a minute, congressman. They keep saying that the president doesnt have a plan. He has outlined a plan. They may not like the plan, but let me show you the president s plan and let me get you to respond. All were asking is that they close loopholes for the welloff and the wellconnected. For Hedge Fund Managers or Corporate Jet owners who are all doing very well and dont need these tax loopholes so we can avoid laying off workers or reducing Financial Aid for College Students. I dont think thats too much to ask. I do not think that is partisan. The majority of the American People agree with me. I dont think its too much to ask either. And i dont see whats complicated about it, richard. And remember that the president just won this debate both in an election and in the debate about the bush tax cuts. So republicans are on very weak ground here. They also know it. Thats why their messaging is all over the place. Is this good for the economy . Is it bad for National Security . Thats a party that is struggling. Theyre out there doing polling and focus grouping right now. They need to throw up a website that you saw on the podium. Because no one is buying the message. Theres no consistency because they cannot agree as a party. These defense cuts were supposed to be so bad, republicans would stop them from letting them happen. And they have now shifted from even where they were a year ago. They are all over the map. Their messaging is wrong and the president s message just on this piece of it had just worked. Now, congressman, while the president explains whats at stake to americans, cantor is out saying the republicans not only can the republicans have come up with a new complaint. I want you to listen to this and respond. The president ought to really stop campaigning and work with us. Hes focused on campaign rallies. The president seems more interested in doing his campaignstyle rallies. Now we need the president to stop campaigning. So you were traveling with him today. Let me get this right. To bring the case to the American People on how it will affect their lives and how they will have the brunt of the pain if this, in fact, goes into effect is wrong theres something wrong with that, congressman . No. It just averts attention from the reality where we are. We can afford to get out of this mess. Weve had january 1st we passed almost 4 trillion in tax cuts. Were looking for just over 1 trillion in deficit reduction. Obviously my position was we should have passed maybe about 2 dont pass any of the tax cuts, take care of the sequester and other problems, have a jobs bill. Youd be much better off. But having passed 4 trillion, now we have to find a trillion dollars worth of deficit reduction. The president s plan is very its on his website, on the white house website. It includes significant revenues. Unfortunately it also includes cuts in Social Security and medicare. Now, remember, all of these cuts were talking about now are there only because we passed the tax cut in january. Thats exactly right. And were trying to pay off were trying to pay off the tax cuts. Now, so the moneys there. This isnt a situation like greece that just doesnt have the money to fix the problem. No, the moneys there. Richard, let me say this as we have to go. What bothers me is how it affects working class people and poor people. 600,000 women and children lose nutrition aid. 125,000 families lose housing aid. 70,000 kids lose head start. 25,000 fewer cancer screenings. On and on. I mean, these are real live people who cant afford to take the brunt to protect loopholes for yachts and private planes. My criticism is honestly if theres a criticism of the white house, the ships are not nearly as important as the kids. Theyre at a naval shipyard. I understand its a big thing in virginia and politics. The items you just mentioned, thats what the president needs to be talking about. He needs to be with families who are going to suffer because of this. And really going to suffer. Congressman bobby scott, richard wolffe, thank you both for your time tonight. Last night we reported these budget cuts would also shut down the airport in paul ryans hometown in wisconsin. Well, it turns out the cuts would just shut down the tower. Not the airport itself. Although the airport director says it would still make an impact and create a slowdown in traffic. So it turns out mr. Ryan may be able to fly home after all. And hey, thats a good thing. He can explain to voters why hes refusing to stop cuts in his home state that could cost 120 teachers and aides to lose their jobs. Kick 900 kids off head start programs. And cut 653,000 for meals to seniors. One more thing. While mr. Ryan may consider an airport without a working tower to be officially open, it would definitely be closed for me. Ahead, the right wing is at war with Chris Christie and he just put fuel on that fire. Big news today. And the banks Worst Nightmare is getting worse. Elizabeth warren took on the banks in a big way today. And bill oreillys in denial, so hes going back to the makers and takers line. Big show coming up tonight. Stay with us. [ woman ] my boyfriend and i were going on vacation, so i used my Citi Thankyou card to pick up some accessories. A new belt. Some nylons. And what girl wouldnt need new shoes . And with all the points ive been earning, i was able to get us a flight to our favorite climbing spot even on a holiday weekend. Things are definitely looking up. [ male announcer ] with no blackout dates, you can use your Citi Thankyou points to travel whenever you want. Visit citi. Com thankyoucards to apply. The end. Lovely read susan. But isnt it time to turn the page on your cup of joe . Gevalia, or a cup of johan, is like losing yourself in a great book. May i read something . Yes, please. Of course. A rich, never bitter taste cup after cup. Net weight 340 grams. [ sighs ] [ chuckles ] [ announcer ] always rich, never bitter. Gevalia. Have you joined the politicsnation conversation on facebook yet . We hope you will. Today everyone was remembering Trayvon Martin who was killed one year ago today. April says we love and miss you, trayvon. You will never be forgotten. Felicia says i am wearing my hoodie today. And ebony says ive lost a son myself to violence, so i can empathize with how horrible his parents are feeling today. Coming up later in the show, well talk to trayvons parents about how theyre coping one year later. We want to hear your thoughts too. Please head over to facebook and search politicsnation and like us to join the conversation that keeps going long after the show ends. With americas favorite so. Bring out chicken broccoli alfredo. Or bestever meatloaf. Go to campbellskitchen. Com for recipes, plus a valuable coupon. Campbells. Its amazing what soup can do. Did you know not all fiber is the same . Citrucel is different its the only fiber for regularity that wont cause excess gas. Its gentle and clinically proven to help restore and maintain regularity. Look for citrucel today. These cuts are wrong. Theyre not smart. Theyre not fair. Theyre a selfinflicted wound that doesnt have to happen. President obama today making a key point. These automatic budget cuts dont have to be automatic. Republicans have manufactured this crisis by not making a deal when they had a chance. In the summer of 2011, president obama and Speaker Boehner were this close to a grand bargain that included both cuts and revenues. But then boehner walked away. Now we know why. In an explosive new article by new yorkers ryan lizza, eric cantor told me that it was a Fair Assessment that he talked boehner out of accepting the obama deal. Cantor said he told boehner that it would be better instead to take the issues of taxes and spending to the voters and have it out with democrats in the election. Okay. I get it. So republicans wanted the 2012 election to decide the debate over cuts and revenue. Well, guess what, it did. President obama won. They lost. Americans want fairness. But republicans like eric cantor are now ignoring the lessons of the election. Theyre talking like it never happened. Just check out what bill oreilly said on his show last night. The countrys changing quickly into an entitlement society. Its not so much that apathetic americans are embracing the the tenats of themselves. Americans are selfish. They want money for nothing. This is straight out of mitt romneys 47 tape. Republicans havent learned a thing. Joining me now is journalist who won an award of breaking the story of the 47 tape. David corn for mother jones. David, whether its bill oreilly on 47 or eric cantor on taxes and spending, why cant republicans accept theyve lost the election . I think they accept theyve lost the election. And i think they want to blame everybody except themselves. You know, mitt romney after the campaign was over said the problem was that obama just gave too many gifts to the you know who. It was basically another version of the 47 . And paul ryan talked about the urban voting areas. They were just too difficult for them. They are sort of stuck in amber like fossils. They have these ideas about the rove government and taxation and everything else. Sometimes theyre conflicting such as our ideas about deficit reduction but also doing nothing about tax loopholes. And they just cant get out of this hole that theyre in. I think part of that is just intellectual rigidity. The other is a base thats gone so far to the right. Whether on notions or social issues like immigration, gay rights, and guns. So theyre just totally pinned down and they just cant find a way forward yet. But we know whats so appalling and confusing at the same time. Take for example, bill oreilly last night. He claimed that president obama encourages victims who want to be paid. Listen to him say what he said. Thereve always been people who see themselves as victims and want to be paid for their perceived suffering. Weve always had that. Now those people are in a comfort zone. Because their victimization isnt being challenged. Its being encouraged by the obama administration. I mean, why cant they get out of this takers and makers and 47 thing . I mean, what is that all about . I have to say, i dont even know what hes talking about. They used to talk about welfare queens. We know what that was code for. When he talks about these folks is he talking about people on medicaid or medicare or Social Security . I just dont know what hes talking about. Thats whats kind of bizarre here. These high flying abstract concepts that struck a cord with whats left of their base. But its not really ever explained. And i think its very isolating for them. Very. And when you look at the effect of the Republican Party, 62 say the gop is out of touch with the American People and they wonder why. I mean, its appalling. And as you say, it is so sweepingly unspecific that everybodys got to say what are you talking about me . But let me tell you how much of a joke theyre becoming. And i mean literally a national joke. Just check out one of the categories on last nights episode of jeopardy. Last night. Okay. Here are the categories for you. Funny things people say. A bunch of stuff. And a binder full of women. A binder full of women for 400. Shes the 111th justice of the supreme court. Keith . Who is Sonia Sotomayor . Yes. I mean, when you have jeopardy mocking mitt romney about the binder full of women from a president ial debate, once youve lost alex, youve lost america, david. Of course lets look at the president s state of the union speech. One of the key things he talked about was universal preschool for kids. You and i know how essential it is to get kids on the right path to education from an early age on. This is so that they wont grow up and have to rely on entitlements. Those are the kinds of things at jeopardy. Ill have to leave it there. Those are the things republicans dont support and thats what i dont get. David corn, thanks for joining me tonight. Sure thing. Ahead, what a difference 12 days make. Im introducing john mccain to john mccain. And Elizabeth Warren does it again. Who is she grilling on fairness today . And the gop war against Chris Christie just got worse. Oh, im sure this will end well. Stay with us. Ive been coloring lizs hair for years. But lately shes been coming in with less gray than usual. Whats she up to . The new root touchup by nicen easy has the most shade choices, designed to match even salon color in just 10 minutes. 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For all of your Wealth Management and retirement goals, discover how pnc Wealth Management can help you achieve. Visit pnc. Com wealthsolutions to find out more. Today we saw an end to one of the most embarrassing, shameful examples of republican misbehavior in recent political history. Late this afternoon the Senate Finally voted to confirm president obamas nominee for defense secretary chuck hagel. It was a vote long overdue. For weeks republicans had attacked hagels policies, his competence, and even his patriotism. Our concerns pertain to the quality of your professional judgment. Isnt it interesting that iran supports chuck hagels nomination to be secretary of defense. It may be that he spoke at radical or extreme groups or antiisrael groups and accepted compensation. We dont know. Thats right. They didnt know if he accepted money from extreme groups. Because he didnt. The attacks from the right were especially poisonous because they were so personal. Theres a lot of ill will towards senator hage