After the Show Show: 8/19

" Welcome to another edition of Special Report on line on Brett bear. If you're logging on here you can now click to the bottom we have a lot of polls going on that have been scrolling through and you can see how. All the folks logging in our voting on the various issues we put up their plus will. Read your comments and your questions. Don't get frustrated there's lots of them come and and and our producers try to put his -- as they can in there. Of course we have a panel with us from the broadcaster remember Steve Hayes senior writer for the weekly standard AB Stoddard associate editor of the hill. And Byron York chief political correspondent of the Washington examiner. We don't we start with a story that Steve Brown did actually out of -- Moines Iowa the Iowa state fair farmers raising concerns about cap and trade legislation. Start with something a little different scene joins us now from the state -- first the ball and importantly Steve have you had. What does Carl Cameron said it was neat."

" Sunday. And and he I don't know and I I also did not have the Red -- freezing either Vicario and best sources that told me about that was the beverage of choice to go along with the I don't know that's -- contrary -- deserve to -- I don't know I was discussing whatever was. Listen you're talking cap and trade out there for farmers it would seem like they would. Factor into this equation that much that your reporting has suggested there's some concerns. There. They're very conservative talk with the president of the -- farm bureau on the he says that that his organization is adamantly opposed it and he offered up the first question -- today's town hall that day Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. Was coming home if you will to hold. It's not something that is playing well with farmers are very concerned about increase of one is called imports basically it's a cost of doing business. And there is a pretty wide recognition. Across you know all political spectrum viewpoints is that this is going to increase cost and performers or operating on very thin margins. This is something that really. Really gets their attention and is not made them happy. Combine that we had you know a couple of factors you've got equipment companies like John -- taking a look at maybe their sales. 50%. Of last year which is seriously bad news for in terms of a forecast he take a look at specifically working dairy farmers. Of which there are quite a few -- this serious effort particularly in Iowa and those folks are getting hammered on price right now. So today introduced yet another piece of legislation that might cost them a little bit more. Just is not playing well with farmers cross country. --"

" Says there's no way the Senate passes cap and trade Kathy from Little -- his cap and trade is a huge government program. Steve as their sense out there that. This actually has a chance on Capitol Hill and they talk about prospects of legislative action that's pending."

" Well all of the questions about this particular piece of legislation were -- greeted with a following sentence nothing is happening until left for health care. So I mean that's clearly a priority with the administration I think it's a priority -- the democratic leadership of the US senate but not more than health care debate which is taking. All the oxygen out of not only town halls around the country but all the oxygen off of Capitol Hill as well. There is also a sense that they're going to have to be some kind of reconciliation. Tom Harkin who is the Iowa Democrat. In the US senate who heads up the agriculture committee says that he wants to see an opt out clause or what he called in. Head and off the exit clauses so that a big industrial emerging countries. Like China and India they are participating well then we're not gonna participate any longer either. Because that is a major conserve. The cuts across both Democrat and Republican Party constituents especially out. In farm country here in the United States is that while. If they're not doing it why are we doing it before heading to the cost of our products going through the extra trouble to clean up the planet. In two of the biggest emerging. Countries. Democracies in that -- and economies in the in the world are not doing this. Then there why are we doing. Yeah and says cap and trade higher product in utility costs very high cost. Politically for a minimum benefits the last thing we talked about health -- you know folks there at the state fairs -- they'd like to talk about politics especially in Iowa. Healthcare is on everybody's mind right and they're talking about. Then I'm talking about it and you know it's a part of the ongoing debate I mean it was brought up here in the middle of the agricultural. Conversation that Tom Vilsack was -- were talking about. How it is that you know we need to get this done because. Costs continue to go up and you know. I it was a very sensitive those kinds of issues but he believes that it could be a competitive issue that cuts in favor. Of not only all sorts of industry but also agriculture as well if there is better healthcare -- out there and he points out. That rural Americans tend to pay higher premiums than those in cities. It up to a thousand dollars more per household. Four -- so you know that is something that definitely gets their attention. The question is again in Illinois seems to boil down to this one question how do you -- and can you really save money is the follow -- question. Based on what it is just come out so far in the house plan and what we've been hearing through negotiations for the Senate plan -- are they talking about it without a doubt."

" Okay Steve Brown at the state fair in Iowa Steve Karl apparently also recommends report shop on the state. Which is always a safe -- to say that Teva Ivax. -- from Chicago or shut down Christiane Saddam assuming she's from Chicago. If cap and trade pay it passes a lot of small businesses were closed Byron. I know we're we're talking about health care because it's everything we talk about these days but you look at what. Congress still has yet to do their appropriations vehicles that have passed there's so many things have to be done in short calendar. Wear this cap and trade stand in the Senate."

" Slow it probably doesn't happen in the Senate senator Charles Grassley the Republican senator from Iowa held a conference call. This week with some constituents some reporters. And he basically said you know and house pass this thing. It was a surprise to a lot of people and people and I would just didn't really know what was in it so there's there's what you're seeing now sounds like a familiar. Exactly it's a slow burn that same place on cap and trade now. Agricultural interest are very concerned about what's happening is. The Democrats are gonna try to buy them off like they've done everything else in this which is to give away a lot of carbon credits you know you won't have to pay -- you you know your emissions. And right now even you know Tom Harkin Democrat is demanding more and more and more so. It doesn't both of Iowa's senators are written making a lot of noise about this Republican."

" And Democrat can be. It was another 1400. Page bill would barely passed the house it was bloody. Is a fight to the Senate doesn't relish and a couple familiar names this week senator Nelson from Nebraska senator. Plants Lambert Lincoln from Arkansas senator Kent Conrad from north. Dakota has asked the leadership in the Senate to remove cap and trade from the Senate energy bill. Now these new faces on deadline they would like to complete cap and trade bill for the company and -- in December. As you mentioned -- they have to they have to deal with health care which is. I'm mess right now and -- pass all the appropriations bills cap and trade is as either dead and the Senate or or at least buried under a lot right now."

" We're we're gonna do a piece that lays out all of the things that congress is supposed to do coming up in coming weeks and it is mind boggling with -- gonna try to squeeze into them. A short amount time Steve any thoughts that cap and trade's chances yet one on the politics one on the substance first politically I think Republicans are in in the background right now. Schering begging. The Democrats in the Senate banking the administration to push this forward. In the fall I think the only thing that would be better for Republicans. Then having this come up in the fall would be if it got pushed back and they can deal with them election year because I think this is. Has has the potential to be. Another issue in which the White House looks out of touch with ordinary Americans surf town halls on cap and trade -- and I'll I'll ever say here cap and tax I mean remember they are really forced Democrats in the house to vote for it right so election -- time next year -- every member of the house is up for reelection. A lot of Democrats gonna have to defend that vote it's -- really kill him if they voted for a bill that later just died innocent. Okay let's bring in SE."

" White House correspondent Major Garrett talked a little cap and trade first of all major I think your jacket -- I am not this late August advantage you know. Casual manage. Late August what the heck I mean my my all the formality that -- I heard. I would come off that's right cap and trade with the administration really thinking about. That."

" Not much at all and here why. Remember the calendar why was there such an emphasis on health -- by August because the White House assumed that they got built at least one in the house while August that it could have September and October to devote its attention to health care. Leaving November and December -- four. Cap and trade well forget that that's scheduled completely blown. I've talked house democratic leadership aide to say the soonest and health care bill could get to the floor of the house would be the end of September quite possibly the first week of October why. Well it also relates to cap and trade to have a lot of nervous how that moderate Democrats they go actual. And no I just think that we should do that until the weather changes and get more appropriately cool here in DC until then no -- but back to cap and trade with the house Democrats moderates voted for this thing when they're now afraid that the Senate is not gonna act on meaning that -- round their -- that they have to defend its not gonna create a legislative final product at the savings bank sector anxiety. About health care as it relates to public option. Why should I these moderate and centrist Democrats say the speaker Pelosi. Vote for something like a public option that may not make it through the Senate or be part the final compromise I won't do it so cap and trade for all of these reasons. Primarily because of -- political anxiety generated by health care but also because the entire legislative calendar has been blown. It's not going to be an issue this year at all and if it comes up next year I think he pays accurately pointed out it will probably be a net plus for Republicans. And southern Democrats are gonna have to slog through in a very difficult political climate."

" Okay joining us here at the table with a jacket on Carl Cameron -- it tie off because I was gonna viewers will see there's just way too much brooks Brothers everybody and they asked if she York."

" Up front I don't I'm -- up here here you know. Exactly."

" So does that Leo. Yeah capture cap and trade is start isn't isn't isn't major trouble Democrats have been expressing misgivings about this for some time. They made a calculated decision in the beginning you're not put cap and trade at a reconciliation -- opportunity to blow up the filibuster passive if you want health scares them enough cap and trade so. They've got some moves a move some real problems to face and -- don't know how to do it was not just about Republican opposition democratic misgivings -- it has to go right back to those Lou Dobbs who live in places where. People are very very concerned about. Climate change taxes. -- if you let's go to health care yeah."

" This thing has really. I can't even explain what happened over the weekend with public option no public option. And then we got to go it alone not going to the lone -- is the message train completely off the track anyway."

" House in the minds of many democratic strategist who want to see health care reform this year the answer is an absolute yes I have had several conversations last 48 hours with democratic strategist. Who are sometimes brought in to help counsel the White House sometimes not as often as they would like to be were saying we just don't understand it. Hey there's not a White House plans so there's nothing centrally to message around. They also complain that they don't get coherent message points from the white house on a day to day basis but to suggest an internal breakdown in the communications strategy. I won't do this though Robert Gibbs said there's been consistency about the idea that public option was not the be all and end all of healthcare and in fact he's right about that. Remember the press conference President Obama -- the briefing room in June it was focused primarily on Iran in the election because there was so much controversy there. He said back then there were no bright lines that he was gonna draw. In favor of public option. That was the first time he made it clear that the public option was shall we say. Optional why didn't make big news there because the political momentum for the president was still regarded to be a net positive and Democrats had encountered at the grassroots level. Resistance on health care now they have so now in face of that resistance from the White House. Or health and Human Services Secretary to get this say it's not essential element it goes into a much bigger deal won the White House had to spend the last 72 hours. Pushing back on. Why because the leftists saying if there's no public option we may walk if they walk there's no health care reform at all and by the way I love that that may dress himself his own question yes -- because that I -- because I could always. Go to the whole had a major there I don't always."

" The net hasn't that's another component to this has happened on the Republican side and it really is right in the person Chuck Grassley. He has been the lead Republican negotiator in the so called gang of six if you can call a lead of three Republicans it's himself -- it is now. And there had always been some concern among Republicans that maybe Grassley is gonna be inclined to cut a deal too soon because that's the legislators do forget he's a conservative Republican caucus. Democrats and senators have begun to realize that you know. You Grassley is not new to this thing he's done these things the -- before. And in the past he's made us nervous but he's ended up on the right side of the angels when it comes to conservatism most of the time. And this is also had some on some level recognition by the White House that those three Republicans who have been negotiating. Are in the process of walking away and he has said no way to the public option Grassley has had no into the public options. Weather not snow recess that doesn't really matter is that Grassley and as -- she's going to be all by herself and that's not going to be enough. So Republicans who have been negotiating keeping the ability of the GOP to say that we are seeking a bipartisan solution. Are now they say being pushed away by the administration's --"

" AB we talked about this that the White House is saying that they were forced into this move by Republicans and that's just. Michigan."

" too but maybe for now it's it's it's this particular day and they are that the Democratic Party is wrestling with itself from the fact for the administration did not see this coming. Did not know that the public option. Was it was going to be the holy Grail from the left from the left point that some of them little would be willing to kill. Health care reform and walk away from anything in her mouth and put out an -- confident they think that's the latest."

" The fact that that the Obama administration and walking away from preexisting conditions that yeah. Away from I think actually walk away decade ago work impasse is what gridlock that positive debacles now that's been essentially compartmentalized and put to the side the only if you look at the public option. Would -- administration walk away from three quarters of a -- I think it's moving towards."

" Incur incremental reform and I think the fact that the administration. Wasn't able to see this company not only."

" misread the public and and and and misread independent voters seniors suburban women. And down out of town halls right of the bus off. But that the fact that they wake up this morning intervening in the Washington Post that they really can't believe the left is doing this I mean they've misread their own party. The big house democratic majorities for their conservative majorities in the congress if you got a conservative Republicans of the conservative Democrats in the conservative majority. In both chambers and the fact that were in August and the administration is just figuring that out."

" It's really tough stuff you have. The song is that song really just emotional and I think you always hear this kind of talk in politics but. One of them -- realistically we really think that the liberals are going to be the ones to bring down president Obama's health care reform package I don't buy for a second remember. After Hillary Clinton dropped out of the in the presidential race against Barack Obama. He had some people talking about 25% of Hillary voters were gonna vote for John McCain -- That she secretary of state I mean if you get I think people get get part were definitely there."

" Yeah. Really -- immunity what is. So where does -- head from your -- then there's one thing I want all of us to focus on and that is the practical. -- considerations that house Democrats and some senate Democrats are going through right now. The shift back to public option and the very strong reaction among the left on the public option is creating a kind of echo chamber one level that is. Subterranean for most people enough for the politicians. To question that the White House left once these members to ask themselves is not are you worried about a general election opponent. Are you worried about a primary opponent in the spring in the last 48 hours liberal groups have raised -- 150000. Dollars doesn't sound like a lot but. Any kind of when he raised in the -- time like this. Get the attention of politicians for those members in the house who publicly said they're not involve -- the best have a public option it's okay that's money flowing. Two people who have made a pledge on important public policy issues. Those who on the fence begin to wonder wait a minute -- gonna get an opponent and cannot -- tap into that same ability to have money raised on their behalf but I bet there are none is only addition is that that's going on right now aren't there more does not."

" Democrats who -- in sharp turnaround aren't there more moderate Democrats who are at greater risk if there is a public option. Then. The ones that would be threatened from a primary challenger on the left in some of these middle of the road districts. Where the Republican actually could win back the seat these receipts that Rahm Emanuel coordinated together. Yet congress in the Democrat red -- red state."

" Now and that's this house that's the steps of shakedown cruise that's going on right now that's the calculation that members are gonna have to make what's a bigger threat to lie. Future as a political. Is it a primary opponent is it a fight within my own party or is -- general election opponent and in some cases. They don't face either but they worry about both. And I'll just say this based on my legislative experience I know -- agree when members are worrying about these sorts of things as opposed to helping the White House. Engage in a very aggressive message management campaign and tough tough. Legislative fight things begin afraid it's brought it also an unexpected and unpredictable direction."

" There's a long history of presidents in both parties throwing their members in congress under the bus when it comes to their first term -- Clinton did it. President Bush got into trouble couple times for doing it very there this happens so the idea that -- the house Democrats. Expect any great loyalty -- protection those conservative house Democrats in red states and red districts. They know they're on their own on this so there's not a lot of loyalty does not a lot of affection. From one of the Pennsylvania Avenue to the other when they recognize that if they don't hold the line the administration will support those primary opponents to take them out."

" Right Carl Thomas from Texas wants to talk about this letter from Waxman and his committee to insurance companies when you read this letter and here's a copy of one of the letters. Is pretty stunning I mean it's. Pretty chilling what they're asking these companies to come up with immediately by September 4. And there are a lot of people asking what is this how can congress asked companies they wanna compete within health care about their business practices. What what is."

" Is there is -- their revenues their profits they're dividends where they choose to have their corporate conference is what the draft memos for the messages in the planning for all of us sort of things work. How would you feel if the government sent to a letter and sent open your -- by such and such today that happens to Americans it's usually done by the IRS and it scared the Jesus out of this is happening to insurance companies 52 of them not the entirety of the insurance industry. No but that's successful to some of the biggest. Some of them most active some of the most successful are part of this and they are not all critics. Some of these insurance companies in fact say they do support bipartisan reform which is to say that they have issues with a public option but going back to. Portability and preexisting conditions that are that are. They're prepared to talk about those things and come to a deal so basically they sit sit at the table with the Senate Finance Committee. Hammered by Waxman's house committee and have to do -- provide these documents while they don't."

" Your intimidation and -- That they're doing they did this was some of the companies that receive TARP money on the on the grounds that these are companies that he got a capital infusion of taxpayer money. It Waxman instead bag give absolutely no reason we are investigating this and as part of that you have to give us all this and actually than the than. The viewer had a very good singer and yeah I mean if you have a public option. You're putting and a government plan to compete with private plans and now the government is using thought about it -- hours to get all that information from its potential competitor the question leave from Mal Moore says. In the insurance companies resist."

" This yet the minute that this is not gotten to a subpoena yet this is the house Democrats alone they don't need the Republicans that would need to get the whole committee together to issue a subpoena but the fact this happens in the middle of August. That there was no triggering event where we found out that some assurance company out there which grossly -- its executives of ripping up with patients -- that's. There was no triggering event it comes out of the blue. There's no explanation Waxman -- Stupak offices were completely on helpful in terms of explaining my thought on the methodology the title of the impetus behind any of them everything."

" Triggering event as the town hall's interior that is if there's there's the potential death of public option. This is jamming up the left it's it's it's that then flexing their muscles and saying. You know what let's let's get back on the insurance industry is -- man message and keep pounding it inside."

" This could have been this couldn't have been down remove it that's in fact the case we talk about you know fueling the fires of fueling concerns that people have about a public option this is exactly what people are concerned about it is precisely what people are concerned about the --"

" and -- has its blatant bullying by the administration it's outrageous. Is it legal lot of questions here people fired up on on the the comments major wanna bring you back in on another story. We did in the grapevine that the administration is going to loan. A Brazilian oil company two billion dollars to drill off the coast of Brazil. Drill -- out before that National Security Adviser Jim Jones. Went down Aaron talked about this incidentally that company. Is. A big part of George sources portfolio of 22% of his portfolio did you have some after we wanted to."

" gets done that I just wanna explain to our online audience of practical effects the positive practical effect. We'll be taking off my jacket followed by U -- there followed by Carl Cameron getting rid of his brooks Brothers because we've just confirmed that very soon probably tomorrow the administration is going to lower. The projected deficit number for the 2009 fiscal year from one point 842 trillion dollars to one point 58 trillion dollars yeah did we -- that. I just said we did what else you know got. Well it's online it's fun. It's common cause and effect just don't think OK good now back to Petra box here is the Brazilian oil firm that is gonna drill offshore. I called the National Security Council about to select we really don't write about I'm sure if it's in Orlando might be an export import bank sort of deal I think yes but. This was talked about when the National Security Adviser Jim Jones traveled to Brazil. Very recently said oh yeah that's tribal get back to you well they haven't gotten back to us yet there's no denial first of all so it's probably in the works. The question that many Americans -- some Americans might ask his. Why would be okay alone to drill offshore Brazil Rio de -- the actual location when the administration isn't open to it here."

" I -- stories this is that -- Question it's it's easy -- what about Florida yeah. Maybe yeah. I don't care what it. Soros connection out its its just -- and big Obama isn't a debacle a public relations debacle I have no idea there was rumors for awhile. That Obama was gonna need be shift a little bit on domestic offshore. For us here and try to use that as a bargaining chip in the energy. To be. This offshore. Brazil and it just Soros connection deal is sending Jim Jones down Harris. This is not a good move on -- from Ohio as the SARS virus infection bus and then we make the contract. Sounds fishy Republicans. Have been pushing their all of the above plan for a long time and obviously that includes a lot of drilling and to see the administration. By end to the only thing about. Plan is that not in the United States believe it's just going to be a huge. Huge selling point -- Republicans in the fall. -- thinks we should add cocktails to this entire idea how it changes here. -- room on -- so that was a mistake folks I was more than a blog yeah. A."

" Somebody else says you're trying to for The Daily Show we wanna keep you here. A fox had a short tryout I guarantee you. We're gonna wrap up here the second Karl looks the rest of the week when we when we look and I think I did I I think to."

" Today it was a very very very important day in Washington health care in the Obama administration I think that the way in which. The notion that the Obama administration is now encouraging Democrats -- talking trial balloon going it alone. Is isn't seminal moment -- President Obama he was supposed to be post partisan he was supposed to be bring us health care in a way that would with a with would shock the world with the smoothness. We're now looking at debacle. We're looking at him unable to keep yet another presidential promise. We're now looking at Democrats many of them reluctantly being forced down the road to the nuclear option of reconciliation -- to get anything. It's a very very big deal you not hear much about it on on in in in most of the nation's mainstream media because he's such a lousy day for the Obama administration after the first they trial balloon bailing on the public option now -- trial ballooning going it alone it couldn't possibly be worse and this was the month they were looking to build momentum."

" Do you want Carter says there was this the Brazil loyalty goes out -- governor Sanford was in Brazil so much. I don't think now yeah. You know from my New Jersey says I -- had another comment there but I'm not going to -- from New Jersey says. -- Cosmo for AB do you accounts."

" I think at this time standing next time I join -- online show I'm going to be in Iraq attacked from -- right. My own colors and -- have. Here he's going down. Any final thoughts major final thought report. Well just remember the Senate doesn't have sixty democratic votes it has fifty that's practical unfortunate somewhat ghoulish reality Senator Kennedy and senator -- not available to vote. Democratic leaders know that so. That's part of this ongoing calculation. -- I'm for beer beer healthcare and hatred I think that I have to I'll take anything uneasy and I think and to me just point they're gonna be looking for snow and and it just looking for one more. Obama's problem is that the more heat personally tries to sell something the less popular it becomes this is completely against the mindset that they brought into the White House and he's gonna be on vacation next week he has to figure out some way to read approach that's. Okay pets -- loved Brett and I think actually that might be my mom."

" And one more thing majors somebody singing in the background is that from outside the gate."

" This is outside again it's a protest. For a group of Ronnie and Stewart sympathetic to a camp that was in north still is. In north eastern Iraq. Protected by US forces until just recently the Iraqi Government went in. There -- some people killed some hostages taken that's their opinion the Iraqi Government calls them legitimate prisoners they have an open ended permit. To protests here outside the White House -- them by the BC government even though. Some members of the group MEK look it up online are on the State Department terrorist -- that's how."

" The story yeah. -- in prep you for that isn't a question that you don't know what's that shrub right behind what the."

" that. -- say yes smelly oleander and."

" Did you guys just walked by him. Iron Man thanks as always calls me may be Byron. That a lot of fun we do every Wednesday at 7 PM eastern time thanks for watching Debra there will see you next week. Will decide whether we're gonna wear jackets or not and -- 6 eastern every weekday for special reports. --"