After the Show Show: 6/24

" Another edition of Special Report on line I'm -- there. Feel freedom writing and give us a question a comment didn't see on the bottom of the screen there there are a bunch of polls that scroll through. A vote on those and we'll let you know how it all ends up at the end of the show. Let's bring in our panel tonight Bill Sammon Fox News Washington managing editor and you saw the rest of the guys Byron York chief political correspondent. And washing examiner Mort Kondracke executive editor of roll call and syndicated columnist Charles Krauthammer. We had a piece about Iran in the show and the latest stuff protest flaring up again. We've talked to on this panel and yesterday about the invitation given by the administration to run in officials. To visit embassies for fourth of July. Festivities that has now been rescinded in fact secretary of state Hillary Clinton put -- a cable that reads in part quote. Unfortunately circumstances have changed in participation by Iran and diplomats would not be appropriate in light -- unjust actions that the president and I condemned. For invitations which had been extended post should make clear that Ryan participation is no longer appropriate in the current circumstances. So Charles."

" credit to make together. Who asked the president question yes today. In the news conference in which he said there has talked on the diplomacy still on meeting the invitations. To celebrate -- dogs in the fireworks and an American embassies around the world and these are important events these are events in these embassies. Where you know a lot of people show up you get a lot of diplomats it is one of the major events of the year and having Iranians would be something extremely new. But I think it was obvious in the administration and despite the wade wanted to. To pretend that it could to maintain normal relations. As they are with the Iranian regime it was absolutely impossible. With the literally with blood still low pressure on the streets of Tehran so that was a necessity. -- problem I think is what's happening in Iran today it looks as if repression works. And there of the revolution is really it's not in retreat it's really an hiatus and it's it's weakening."

" Yeah as you've seen these. Images more these are new images from the streets and and obviously protests are flaring up again what's your sense of things as it's developed this week."

" Well I'm I'm reminded that it that in 1979. I was actually in Tehran in that in that trough time between. When when the riots against the shots started and the final revolution when he was thrown out of office. And I remember the US embassy in the British embassy and I believe that even the Israeli embassy which normally has terrific intelligence about what's going on all we're saying well. We think the shock and get it under control I actually wrote a piece. Reflecting all that which the editor of the new republic of that time headlined the shots well -- king's cup. So a couple of points as the point is that's definitely I'd quit your entire unit right on and on convincing him to write the -- I didn't -- yeah. They the so you know that that's the way of saying that you it's very difficult to know truly. What is happening in Iran. Especially. There because there's so much intrigue among the most themselves. Mean it looks as though. Comedy that supreme leader and -- a new job are hoping. Two. Arrest all of their opposition figures including most of me but the question is will they get. Rafsanjani who is the sort of the kingpin guy of the of the opposition. And you know I would think that there's -- there's intense rivalry there. Who will be army's support. What the revolutionary guards even support. You know. When did his job in and -- how many have these these. Militia thugs that are running around beating people up and shooting them but the question is you know will the entire opera -- Go with -- with people who have now lost their legitimacy. And in order to survive well they will they side with with the up with the with the people on the street."

" Then in Lancaster says Iran needs are supported anyway we can give they want freedom Scott in Wisconsin says does the running government fall. Fire. That's that's the problem that we don't know I think what what Charles said about repression. Conceivably working at least for the time being is entirely possible. And and you know this fourth of July thing is the first I guess the administration's first concession. That engagement is not going to work under the present circumstances and problems for the administration is that they have. It's two separate timetables and neither -- any good because. Even uncertain under the circumstances they cannot really engage with Iran right now. And even if the regime survives it's going to be awhile before they could for the same time. Nuclear program goes on. And even Democrats in congress before this this election in Iran Democrats in congress for telling the president you've only got so long to try this engagement stuff. After a while you're gonna have to move to real sanctions and so that timetables continuing both of them make that terrible makes him."

" were you surprised by the coverage today a little bit in that a lot of people were saying. That the Obama administration and the president had changed his rhetoric and that this was a firm stance. We talked about yesterday how that home. Really didn't back up the outrage in the hell I finally -- there's a distinction between the words that he wrote or that were written for him that."

" He came out delivered at beginning of his so press conference yesterday. In the way he. Delivered on the demeanor there was no sort of righteous indignation there was there was that cooled his passionate. You know Obama ask detachment. That that he had when he used those words and and yet the press gave him credit. I think that we -- some credit was due that he did change the actual substance of his words. But I tell you. Good -- I think Charles is right about Major Garrett starting the ball rolling on this reversal of hot dog diplomacy. You saw how uncomfortable and even angry the president was that major asked him that question. Think about -- untenable. This would have been for the next ten days as we lead up to July 4 the story would have grown legs. You've got these ongoing images of blood in the street in Toronto you've got -- mixed expelling Iranian diplomats because Iran's expelling British diplomats. You've got all these images and we are gonna say they're -- how hot dogs he was untenable situation. It today it was revealed that he would -- the administration has sent a letter of outreach to Iran and looking for dialogue The Washington Times that if he's about this and I think the White House. I'm not -- so much it was a concession on engagement as it was it was a concession on public relations today the White House said. They -- this out this reversal right after the Mark Sanford it. You know thermonuclear. Coverage for coverage which sucked all the action general. My hat is off to the PR shop over in the White House this is when you dump a reversal is what everybody's assessing -- other story. Nicely done White House nice and."

" He's -- mentally says in terms of detente with Iran hot dog diplomacy just isn't Kosher OK great thank you very much for that. Listen before I want to turn now if we can to this story about mark Sanford and we covered it obviously in the panel with got to vote here. About how it and 68% of you think that he does resign. As governor of South Carolina. Duncan we go to Carl Cameron yep sure chief political correspondent Carl -- actually have New Hampshire. Karl this whole thing develop you were traveling with Haley Barbour who's out there in New Hampshire denying that he's running for president 32. What was your -- What was your sense in this day."

" I would say these denying it is okay I'm learning right. -- I think he'll take. He'll take a few city he said he'll take a look after 2010 after the mid terms -- which they are definitely not ruling it out in fact is leaving the window very much open to jump through. Say listen this is this is very very tough news for the Sanford family. Governor Sanford has always been sort of an idiosyncratic. Sometimes eccentric. Politician. He and -- he has no compunction about telling friends and allies went -- when he disagrees with them in some sometimes colorful language. It's not Democrats are going to be his biggest problem in the next few weeks in the aftermath of this acknowledgment. It's going to be its own fellow Republicans he is TV tolls on average over 200 -- a year. And some of those the Republican bills that he vetoes that. Isn't a very -- long term way of saying popular as a politician and gotten in is sailing South Carolina he's. Not particularly popular and there were whispers this morning before -- public disclosure of the affair. That Republicans were going to be pushing power potentially even they haven't impeached. That's the fringe and GOP it's not likely to happen clearly there's a whole new side to this with a great deal of sort of I outpouring of public sympathy for the -- family if not the governor. But it's true that Republicans are going to be very angry. And Mark Sanford. -- still got more explaining to do."

" Yeah a lot of people weighing in saying. Does it really matters got Jensen says says the -- story really matter honestly doesn't Brett you can't afford this story whether it's Korean and Iran. Instead of where Sanford left his boots overnight that's from Christopher in Missouri. We get it but it is today's story and something that we are covering. Charles you said that he doesn't go that long. Key in this position and I."

" Single week as governor but it's a big story because he was an up and comer. People are looking for leadership for 2012. When he was one of those who was being mentioned by the great man -- But he's no I mean he's gone he's been self windows. And -- so that makes an extra bit I agree this is not. This is not going to have legs is going to be a three day story that a little -- That particular favorite."

" Of the fiscal -- right wing and when he was slated to figure you know when you went to 2008 Republican rallies. The base always talked about federal spending I mean there was a war going on and all sorts of other things going on in the number one issue for them. Plus federal spending and even though he is not the most charming fellow and in the world. I keep Sanford was a real favorite my ankle so he was also -- favorite religious conservatives -- you know he. Was was one of the bill holier than thou crew and and and not as much as John Henson who was the leader of the band against to throw. Larry Craig out of the Senate but -- but nonetheless. Sanford identified with religious conservatives and I would think that they would be them the people who most is when with a."

" Hey Carl Ledbetter and -- Vegas has a question for you she said. Would would you say that he was a true serious candidate for president twice twelve record he had one."

" What could he have one is very difficult answer because this is so much time to have to pass before that and now. But as you just heard -- talking about governor Sanford has strong had strong credibility of both fiscal and social conservatives his rejection of the federal stimulus money from the Obama administration. Really raised his speed his stock. He had he beat the governor from South Carolina. A critically important state in presidential politics. The palmetto state has the first in the south presidential primary folks in South Carolina our political junkies much like they are in New Hampshire and Iowa. Could he had been viable absolutely he would has often been mentioned as a potential running mate for past Republican nominees so. Very much in the next he wasn't the chairman of the Republican Governors Association because he was insignificant. Mark Sanford has been a leader and a strong voice in the GOP. For a number of years now there's always some truth in governors being more politically viable for the presidency -- senators and congressmen. Generally speaking unless you've got two senators running against each other like we did -- with -- Obama and McCain. Senators tend to lose to governors so Sanford had that advantage going for it. It's hard to imagine him explaining his way out of this. Much more -- difficult in the case of Sanford dent in the case of senator Bentsen who. Disclosed this publicly there's still some questions about exactly what's going on with the people involved in his personal matters out there in Nevada but. There are some Republicans who -- already saying look you know he might feel about -- that and still make a few more runs to Iowa New Hampshire test the waters for 2012 perhaps less so for Sanford."

" Bill. Guess that's what he says his name is says come on Brad ask about the emails from state newspapers publishing these emails that they say they obtained back in December. Bill -- and we have now posted them on foxnews.com. So people can read them -- there."

" Leisure. I want my journalistic duty and you routed through them very very careful look at them than I went back through an on line some I really did. And let me just give me the cleaned up version -- he wraps it arises about her tan lines and talks and -- He talks about his phrase sexual details let's just leave it there. But you don't I don't necessarily think it was the affair itself that has assault talking in the past tense about met Mark Sanford political viability I think. As is so often the case. It's it's the handling of it -- the cover up of it or whatever. Because politicians have demonstrated that affairs can be survivable. Politically but don't if you saw this press conference today. It was a train wreck the guy had to have discipline he was. All over the map he was talking about whether he did misled his staff for what he told the staffing was an Appalachian trail. And you say well you know this is probably more detail that you're going to want to hear bought. I mean no politician should that sentence should not come out of the mouth of any politician -- in my office with. Michael -- we're watching and sort of analyzing it and providing their own little color commentary -- to watch it and as he dug this hole deeper and deeper for himself I sit in my class that. If he has a brain left in his head he won't take questions and in the next -- the guys that will also put up for questions on the east coast yeah it's over -- of the fact that he disappeared. For all of those holidays fun which leads an issue an issue of instability to simply having an affair with lots of people who have done."

" says how do you obtain emails basically somebody gives it to you so I think. Ferret them out legally illegally that we don't we don't know that. Fired a lot of questions since you're on the panel hear about on the wall -- story and where we are. With this this is the inspector general for americorps. Was let go because among other things the White House said he was disoriented."

" Confused and disoriented at a meeting -- as the he had with the corporation for national community service which runs americorps. It was on May twentieth. And that the issue is. Gerald Walton was very critical. Of an investigation americorps had conducted in two the do workings of a prominent Obama supporter. Kevin Johnson and her Sacramento who had run a program got 850000. Dollars in. Americorps money at least half of it was misused. The the management of americorps settled the case put them so we wouldn't really be punished much Waldman greatly disagreed. There was confrontation and Walton. Walton was summarily fired he got. The call on the evening of Wednesday June 10 from the White House Counsel's Office which said you have an hour. To either resign or be fired and that's very odd because there is a law that requires -- the president. Once the fire inspector general he has to give congress thirty days notice in -- the reason for doing it White House is neither. Question is there's still a number of questions about why this was done and -- it was done in the way it was done but what's happened in the last few days. Is that. After Democrats showed a little bit of interest senator Lieberman and senator Mike Cassel. In the Senate and asked few questions of the White House. They have lost interest in -- so senator Charles Grassley the Republican. Who -- longtime champion of inspector general is is asking a lot of questions and it appears that he may be going it alone."

" More than just going places this have legs of the media the -- you know people are critical the only ones covering -- Byron and us right that's all along the wall street journal editorial page has also spoken out about this and and likens it. Legitimately it seems to me took it to the question to the uproar that was raised about the firing of the US attorneys by by George Bush. And that that story never went away just you know it it grinds on with. You know attempts to get people before congressional committees and all that due to explain -- they're hoping to. Put somebody in the -- a frog march them to jail for for lying about it I mean I it seems to me. That if there is any. Oversight. Tendency. In that democratic congress toward the White House this is a perfect case for them to prove. That they are not lap dogs and of the White House to find out what what really happened here. I think. You know that that that -- that probably went too far in trying to. Block a grant to the state of that to the city of Sacramento where where Johnson is now the mayor. You know because of his misdeeds before I mean it seems to me that he shouldn't punish. This is citizens Sacramento because of the misdeeds of the of the mayor in a previous life. But but nonetheless all that should come out and hearing. And and and the and the press ought to ought to be asking about that and then you have the first lady's chief of staff who's heading over to americorps to be on the board. Committed just there's a lot there that needs to be looked at that hasn't been yet -- society and our report look americorps. Serves a useful purpose this was this was the misuse of off of a few volunteers all over the country americorps volunteers are doing good work. Yeah and he had poor areas. The country. You know helping not doing jobs admit that nobody else to be doing and congress just decided to double the size of America corporate you know this was. This was a Bill Clinton program which George Bush continued and now Obama's expanding service."

" It's not surprising they're Democrats in the congress have no interest. This is chapter 89 of the press in the tank. There's no interest in this there was as you said there was a frenzy of interest which is not stopped over of the very constitutional. Firings of the of the district attorneys by about President Bush. It's a combination of travelgate which had to do with the First Lady at the beginning of the Clinton administration. And and those who firings is clearly there's something here that is not Kosher but the press has zero interest he would rather. Broadcast. Shows out of the White House. Health care as we're going to see tonight."

" In fairness to to to the Democrats on this. McCaskill on some of the other Democrats dropped their objections. After Obama put out a letter explaining. This you know why he allegedly fired back previously McCaskill on some of these other Democrats who had been involved in writing the IG act. That explained how you have to go about firing somebody were upset because he did it without any explanation since he gave them that political cover in the form of a letter. That's when they said okay now we won't know we will furiously I got -- didn't ask about what was in the continental. -- and precisely say this is how you behave in that meeting and I think the substance of the fire had to sell this again is this who who who could testified the suspect because you there's another TARP there's another IG this one over the TARP."

" That had the temerity to ask for you know this is the nineteen inspector general is supposed to be investigating thinks he asked for some information on one of the TARP fund recipients. And he hit it and the Treasury Department said no we're I've given it to you and then went to the Justice Department said. The do we have to cooperate with the sky Angel wants do we have to tell the staff I think the Obama administration has a problem with it investigators. I think that's the broader story."

" We're going to spend the thing that got my. Caught my attention and I thought I would catch any reporters' attention was when you find out that this guy got a call on his cellphone 531 Wednesday afternoon he's driving around. And it tells them that he has to be. Resign or be fired and it you just think that is not the way this should be operating there was some reason it appears that the White House. Wanted to perhaps push amounted jobs so they wouldn't have to go through this process of giving congress thirty days notice and telling you why so it all the questions in my mind start from that one moment."

" is Glenn Beck and mr. Walton on the show long before anyone else give him credit when I said we Yemen the big week Fox News Channel -- and close cyclone marches the -- affairs like Clinton's travelgate and unfortunately this will fizzle away too let's bring yen. Senior White House correspondent Major Garrett major you're getting a lot of praise. From the posters here. About the questioning of the present the other day. As recently as yesterday yeah as recently as yesterday that's right it all -- it seems so long here yes -- What what was your take out of that and -- and he pushed back after that press conference."

" No none whatsoever I mean. I believe Rahm Emanuel and Robert -- David Axelrod knew that was exactly the question had to be asked to the president that was the question I think they feared would be asked the president. I tried to make it a simple and blunt and direct as possible because I thought that was the question on the minds of most Americans. Listen to the president at that moment -- comparing what they were hearing for the first time what they heard from the White House. All the days preceding that about what was happening in Iran. And the president didn't like it he gave me the very hard Obama's there and that's -- I know I'm new I'm doing my job."

" Yes let's talk health care because the job going on inside the White House behind you today has been ABC's job of broadcasting from inside the White House still have a special town hall. About the health care issue later tonight. Does the White House believe that healthcare is on track on Capitol Hill. Asbestos."

" It can be when you're dealing with the -- of an issue of this size. And the difficulty of assembling a political coalition behind it. Now the White House tells me over and over again look we can get this through we can get this through. And I say all right explain to me how you get it through with sixty votes -- we can't explain that so clearly as we can explain how can get it through its 51 votes which means. Reconciliation which is a legislative process unique to the Senate. Where if you have a piece of legislation that is deficit neutral has paid for you can use reconciliation. To avoid a filibuster that 51 votes which means they only have to pick up a couple Republicans or maybe no Republicans and they can lose several Democrats and still get health reform. Now the larger focus is always been that this White House wants a bipartisan deal but there are increasing signals that that strategy is going by the boards let me listen we quickly. The White House now speak routinely of making this bill. Deficit neutral that's the key word for reconciliation. Harry Reid said today we don't need very many Republicans make this bipartisan its fewest three and we'll take it. Charles Schumer said earlier this week Democrat from New York we may have to go alone on this I think there are signals increasing. That when it comes to the Senate and push comes to shove. The White House will not lose this on the shoals of bipartisanship. -- try to win this by whatever means necessary translation reconciliations."

" Okay couple comments Stewart says majors Obama's Sam Donaldson. Comment from Diego may major should be promoted to lieutenant colonel. Promotion they yelled Mort we talked about healthcare throughout the week. Your take. Of where it stands now. I think something is going to pass. And that. Kent Conrad was it was the star speaker at a panel that. Roll call ran today up about health care. And and he said that this is got to be. Sixty votes because what happens in the reconciliation processes that you can raise points of order against. And non germane subjects in other words if this thing if they if the bill has items in it that that are not strictly budget related. You could -- points of -- on them which are which are -- require sixty votes. In order to outposts and in order to knock down so. What Conrad says is that the end of the day if we try to do this and reconciliation and all these points of -- are raised. This bill is gonna look like Swiss cheese so we'll go all the elements that Obama wants to get in the bill. Are going to be blown out of it and then he's gonna -- much left that he wants. Find what would the reaction be."

" On Capitol Hill if if -- do use reconciliation. I think you I think it would mean nuclear war and and and senator Conrad did say that pretty clearly I think I think that there. There are fortunes changed it was and and it was a week ago Monday about 5 o'clock when those CBO numbers came out it was it was like one of these cold fronts that comes in a town in fifteen minutes later it's thirty degrees cooler. People just. They they looked at the cost and said that that I think what what that did was. Is it made people realize that the Obama administration is trying to kind of constructive perpetual motion machine that. There's this idea that somehow you could uncover that you could cover millions of currently uncovered people and have it costs less. The idea that health reform is deficit reduction all that just fell apart. And in one day and they have not put it back together again in the the other thing that Conrad says about reconciliation is it just isn't quite simply it's it's not intended for a measure like this it was never intended to do something like this to."

" major the other piece legislation that's moved forward on Capitol Hill is of course energy. And the climate change bill that the house could vote on is expected to vote on Friday. What about the chances of that from the White House point --"

" White House is backing up house speaker Pelosi and taking this very big risk of bringing this bill to the floor. And oftentimes and how she never bring legislation the floor unless you're sure you have the votes right now the speaker is not sure at least publicly that she has the votes to pass the legislation. We reported through our. House producer -- program that Al Gore is gonna come up and try to sit down with a skeptical house Democrats and persuade them. That this is not only in the best interest from a policy perspective of the country but their best interest politically that's going to be difficult needle to thread. If the house passes it then the ball game again goes to the Senate. The prospects there are much grimmer. For energy legislation because of the regional skepticism about the implications of cap and trade. And the tax system behind reducing greenhouse gases rapidly at the White House wants to. You seem less focus on that just because as far and accurately pointed out. This chill has come over health care and the White -- basically using every day. It can to keep pushing the health care argument not conceding it -- that it will that it can't be done. And as a result there's less focused legislatively on energy it may become a casualty."

" This energy. A deal that they're going to try to push through by Friday night or perhaps in the Saturday morning represents a significant political risk even Nancy Pelosi. You've got it -- bring in people like Al Gore to twist arms I would be surprised if the White House gets involved in lobbying lawmakers. They're Democrats are pushing all of their ships and going all in all the sudden. On cap and trade this energy legislation. And and if it fails majors right you normally don't bring the bill to the floor. In the house -- you've already made sure that you about the votes I think it's going to be a -- The fall short it'll be a major setback and if it succeeds. Again majors right it probably won't succeed the Senate because. Senate Democrats like. Who's the guy from my house shared brown -- are very liberal guy but he's from a -- state. He doesn't want to see what's essentially attacks on carbon emissions so -- have a much tougher time in the Senate. -- torture of."

" Any of -- pass in the Senate and passed since there will be a political catastrophe. For Democrats it's gonna it's gonna be a liability to explode the budget people organize huge energy compels and they you know it's from back. There's really no way I continue to get really -- and industrial states. The lucky is still things that could happen but the politically to Democrats is to is to not get this through the house and let."

" And god knows what's gonna this is severely restricted air missiles realizes they're gonna stretched deadlines the effective date is not going to be is not going to be until the next generation. And and you don't so that the -- you not think that because was Jesus it's -- and I really don't apply it to anybody in someone's art major give you were Twitter address a lot of people saying you have the best -- it's tough enough that the thank you nothing personal about me all this news major at WH that's the Twitter address okay Special Report is also on there we Twitter as well. You're still on the time."

" Now here we really are -- major thank you very much also major does not use a teleprompter whoever asked that question. It's pure major all the time and he Nagin and lieutenant colonel one of these states. Out thanks I write I would nominate him for general. How all the way out there listen thank you for tuning and I want to show the four group we shot of the four crew over here. These are all the people that worked behind the scenes. We get a wide shot you can see him there the dark figures behind the cameras there waved their way ago. There we go they stay -- this entire time how about the control room a big waves. Okay. That's it for this week tune in next week online 7 PM and of course all throughout the week 6 PM eastern time. Special Report we'll see you next."