The Journal Editorial Report: 9/26

" Coming up next. We have sought. In word and -- A new era of engagement with the world. President Obama's United Nations debut he reaches out to of the world but he's wavering on Afghanistan and Medicare game border senator baucus six federal regulators on -- sure who cares to criticize his health care plan. The Journal Editorial Report starts right now."

" We have a clear and focused goal. To disrupt. Dismantle and defeat al-Qaeda. And -- and Afghanistan. To achieve our goals. We need a stronger. Smarter and comprehensive strategy. To focus on the greatest threat to our people America must no longer deny resource -- to Afghanistan. Because of the war in Iraq."

" Well welcome to The Journal Editorial Report I'm Paul as you go that was president Barack Obama back in March unveiling a new strategy for the war in Afghanistan. What a difference six months makes the administration now appears to be having second thoughts. Just as his top commander there says he needs more troops -- avoid defeat. Joining the panel this week Wall Street Journal columnist and deputy editor Dan and -- Columnist Mary Anastasia O'Grady deputy editor and foreign affairs columnist Bret Stephens and editorial features editor. Rob Pollock well last time we talked about Afghanistan here you predicted. The president would not have the staying power to stick it out in Iraq congratulations. On your impressions. YSE second guessing himself now."

" But the news is an exact figure -- in the crystals just come back into things aren't going very well and in a lot more troops in Obama saying wait a minute I don't know if I've got to support out there for this it's not polling well I think the latest poll was. Is I've seen is 46% approval of the war in Afghanistan. No it's not surprising that Obama is starting to rethink but it certainly. Makes me think twice about was he sincere when he -- turned Afghanistan the good war of the war of necessity as opposed to the war in Iraq."

" Well away so because a strategy implemented six months ago. The polls have turned against you and you haven't given a speech in the interim by the way it combat were explaining what we're doing there. And because the general that you pointed and you told to tell you what you need has come back and -- told you what he needs. You're saying hey I think -- better reconsider this is that what you expect from a commander in chief."

" I would expect to have I think I'm not surprised by the well okay so well but that's -- from a political leader I mean they're facing elections -- 30 and if they if the story line then is that the Americans are bogged down in Afghanistan. With suicide bombers putting American bodies on the front page of the paper every day. This administration is going to blank that's --"

" Or is -- I think although look I think the political calculation that the Obama administration is making is a mistake -- It has already done a lot to alienate centrists -- its health care plan it needs this president needs to show. That he has the strength. The guts the persistence to stick it out. In a war that as you just saw on on the screen he's been saying has been a war of of necessity 111 that we cannot lose it may not be pulling well now. But as Americans begin to retreat from Afghanistan and there's a sense that we're leaving behind. Another chaotic situation with the return of the Taliban the return -- it will pull even worse for him if not in 2000 -- and --"

" 2012 Mary there's lot of people who think that and some of the military that the reason the president is doing this is he doesn't want to anger the left while the health care debate is going on in congress but that after health care is done assuming it succeeds. Then you'll be able -- get back and say okay we need this and now you need to need to vote this."

" Well I think I think that what's really disturbing here is the president revealing to the enemy his lack of commitment while we have troops on the ground over there I mean imagine that you have. A son and daughter. A loved one in Afghanistan. And that he did say commander in chief. Is you know telling the enemy that he's not really committed to the fight. And that's going to be an extremely expensive politically expensive to Obama he could make the argument that we shouldn't be Barack don't agree with them he could make that argument but -- to get -- Or get out."

" The that the president of what do we know White House aides -- whispering in private what the reason this is really doing this is election went so badly so no longer have a lot at ally in -- We can really depend on I guess my response to that is. Do you should know that before I mean this -- never been up a pair Korean government -- I didn't Wii -- sit down and think about the election in advance and make sure."

" The -- the ruling cliff nobody expected them to be so -- about to be fair and it can also be -- and that's from rim indicated counterinsurgency challenge in Afghanistan. It's probably been considerably larger one -- the counterinsurgency challenge and Iraq America barely have the staying power of for that and that was before the financial crisis we find ourselves in a very different more constrain world right now."

" I could favor a change of strategy in Afghanistan threat to one like Joe Biden favors may be offshore if I work as well so worried about the impact it would have on Pakistan. Because Pakistan DOE richter -- the secretary of that they did. Person who's dealing with Afghan Pakistan for the administration has said he calls -- Half pack you can't think about one without the other so if you if you -- out of Afghanistan. What happens is you undermined are staying power that you tell the pakistanis we're gonna get out you better -- deal with a --"

" Look if you talk to Pakistan is they'll tell you that the history of their relationship with the the with the United States is one of the United States bugging out when it was convenient. In Washington but not convenient and Islamabad that's exactly what we did in after after in 1989 after the Soviets. Left Afghanistan and that that turned out to be disastrous. For them so its its its apps indicator of true that it would be very hard for any -- any leader in the future to save let's stick our necks out for Washington to fight against these these talents. In in swat. Because you know that after five or ten years. The Americans are out of."

" Marriage John McCain said this week generals really have two choices -- orders or resign. Should the crystal resign general -- Kristol the top commander in Afghanistan he doesn't get the troops he says he needs I think you should. And right when we come back Obama and the world the president promises a new era of engagement we'll take a look at his debut speech before the UN. As well as the administration's actions on the world stage so --"

" Because the time has come. The world to move in a new direction."

" We must embrace a new era of engagement based on mutual interest. And mutual respect and our work must begin now. President Obama calling for a new era of engagement in his debut speech before the United Nations this week all right -- what is an era. And engagement mean in practical terms what is the president trying to do. Michael Jackson instead but we are the world lives. It's gonna this is the end of the -- of of American exceptional us and at least in the view in the view of this of of this president that's a view that America has a -- that big goal signing shining city on a hill the American global leadership. Who's really done it in -- since -- post World War II by both presidents of both parties what war that's right and the question is who exactly are you engaging -- for engaging with our allies in Europe or our allies and in Asia for common security interest common values. By all means that's -- it of the presidents of both parties have done for a long time but how then are you going to -- the engagement Kim Jong -- Laura Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. Serial. There's also a world conference there's also world of confrontation and that's what this this president's speech. Built correctly with I guess you would argue that look we're gonna get new sanctions were going to be able to organize will be tougher on these recalcitrant like Iraq or like Iran and North Korea when they when they don't abide by international rules that seems to be that what what what he's saying if they don't sign up to new treaties if they want abide by the treaties. -- be tough on."

" Yup that's what he's saying and but the point is I think to pick up -- point. Beyond that there is always the possibility. Northern has been a military action and that's where they don't want to go there pork in this speech the president talked. Repeatedly about his commitment to the United Nations system and so -- what. He's doing here is taking United States out of a leadership role in enveloping it with in the United Nations system where you have a kind of collective effort to solve these problems which basically solve your political problem and takes you off the military --"

" I mean talk about lack of sanctions what does president Obama's reaction to it to the fact that Iran has a second -- a secret secret nuclear site. Friday morning gets up and Pittsburgh and he reiterates the rams right to have peaceful nuclear power it's a right to it. That's amazing to me why does Iran have a right to it given have a responsibility. They've --"

" Otherwise yet it's really interesting listening to the speech very I didn't quite get this from the president's. Campaign when he was a candidate but he really does believe that nuclear disarmament. Isn't going to be one of the major goals of his administration he thinks he can get this global arms control regime. And that we can reduce our own stockpiles enormously and get pretty close to a -- wherever you were very few people have nuclear weapons or we all just having."

" And some rain yeah trust but verify it. I think basically what he's trying to say is that he can make friends with a lot of the world's tyrants and convince them. It really the path they've been on for the last twenty years is is not a good idea. And you know there's a question about what it costs to be friends with all these these these tyrants and I think the example in Honduras right now. You know he sort of saying to. Lula Chavez you know what. What I can get along with you. And here's my tray you can have thunder he's the Venezuelan dictator yes you can have Honduras and and not you know what have a a better relationship than you -- with George Bush."

" Collette what liberals -- Brett the president White House is now saying look we've got a breakthrough here. The Russians have come on round on Iraq Medvedev said this week president of Russia that he sent and is now favorable to sanctions and look this is the -- From the fact that we gave up those what -- method of did Paul was that he defenses -- civil offenses in an eastern here short Medvedev cleared his throat and this administration is acting as synthesis. -- an extraordinary breakthrough but the word something here. Is that the time for effective sanctions on Iran is clearly. Or very nearly passed so we're talking about sanctions when the only thing that's going to stop Iran. As they get this much closer to the goal line ports which they've been working for for for a more than. More than twenty years is probably going to be if not military action in the threat of military action. And the three leaders Lou Sarkozy of France Gordon Brown -- and and and Obama and in in their press conference yesterday. Made it clear crystal crisp clear that military action is nowhere near. Being considered. One quick question -- the president also announced that the solar B the G-8 group of nations meeting any -- the G-20. And they're going -- basically PF peer review of economic policy."

" It's yet another sign that he thinks that the problem in the world is that we haven't brought enough people to the table to discuss and -- collective fashion. You know what what -- we should go on this very worry -- for."

" Those of us who believe that American leadership is important -- Mary thank you still ahead Max Baucus is gave the order of the Montana senator six. Federal regulators on health insurance company for daring to criticize his bill even though the CBL backs up its claims of -- Medicare cut its. Critics better watch what they say about Max Baucus is health care bill the senate finance chairman six federal regulators on the health insurance company -- enough last week after it sent a letter to customers. Enrolled in its Medicare Advantage program warning that quote. Millions of seniors and disabled individuals could lose many of the important benefits and services that make Medicare Advantage health plans so valuable. The good senator asked the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services federal agency led by a former baucus aide to investigate. And that they did -- order Humana to cease and desist calling the -- it mailer misleading and confusing. But CBO director Doug and -- backed up Humana -- claims on Tuesday. Telling the Senate Finance Committee that is planned to cut -- 125 billion dollars from Medicare Advantage will result in lower benefits. And some two point seven million people losing this coverage senior editorial page writer. Joe regularly joins panel -- and so what's Max Baucus is political game here."

" Well as political game is to cram down Obama care because what this reflects I think is the fact that. This initiative this huge you know when it began it was going to be a big entitlement that presumably the American people really need it. Medicare for all it has so disintegrated over the process that we have reached the point. Where this senator baucus now feels compelled to basically threaten and intimidate one of the participants in the bill. They have lost so much political legitimacy around this bill. That the only way they're gonna -- passed is by doing this sort of thing or as we know that 51 -- reconciliation. Process that is gonna blow up the Saadat."

" Right Joe what is Medicare Advantage and how does it differ from normal Medicare. -- that it there's been private plans administering Medicare for. A few decades now but this is a specific program created in 2003. Where instead of sending seniors into this very decrepit system called fee for service they would get a benefit from private insurers. And if you look what it's done this is -- a lot of care coordination it focuses on quality. There's a there's a lot of extra benefits in the programs -- seniors I don't have to get these wraparound."

" Plans -- one and four of seniors are on this about ten. Point two million Americans are on Medicare Advantage and that's right what what baucus is worried about is that people really like this -- they -- extreme view the the extra bells and whistles. And they don't wanna give it up and they don't want people to understand. That's the that that this bill is gonna cut that money on."

" And it's important to remember that a lot of seniors in Medicare Advantage are low income seniors the reason they go into these HMOs and accept the restrictions on -- doctor Trace is because they're getting extra benefits that they wouldn't get -- fee for service to the baucus goes directly targeting strangely enough low income."

" Seniors. So Mary I mean I think you have a situation here where some Democrats Bill Nelson or even into the Florida senator he's even worried about the fact that he may end up having to vote for Medicare cut so he's been saying. No cuts in Medicare Advantage."

" Yeah what happens here with this particular argument. Is that it reflects more broadly on the plan that President Obama and the Democrats want to impose which is that the government. Would become very much like Medicare today and it wouldn't be affordable what they're proposing. Does not do anything. To create choice and competition which is what we need to drive down prices and you can see that problem specifically in Medicare which is why if we're going to go forward spending more money. We have to cut."

" What this is some of the Democrats -- say and some of our own critics would say look you guys are hypocritical you've been saying for years that medical or Medicare spending is running out of control and now you're saying you don't wanna reduce this program don't we really have to Joe at some point. Cut spending and Medicare. Well I mean sure we do but there's there's much better okay -- It will lose there's much better ways to do it than just cramming down on the one program. That has a chance to rationalize Medicare. You know you could very easily see some thing. Like Medicare Advantage bringing choice and competition is as -- discuss into into the health -- market for seniors instead of just the brute force of of Medicare. Price controls. Global budgets and an -- added that that the Democrats lose the only way you can reduce spending."

" And that's actually the way the prescription drug benefit works now each senior gets -- defined contribution and private insurers compete. To design the benefit that meets their needs and -- sure they pay out of pocket and it's really kept costs down. As opposed to what we expected only --"

" Sergio thank you we have to take one more break -- we come back our hits and misses of."

" Time now for our hits and misses of the week -- up. -- produced -- Barney Frank of Massachusetts congressman has been a long time supporter of acorn the community activist organization the President Obama worked with in the 1990s. And which is long but have been dogged by allegations of -- their voter fraud and and other kinds of corruption now. Recently there were videos released showing. Back -- acorn employees and multiple offices offering to help. To fill filmmakers posing as a pimp and -- prostitute disguise the nature of their business and avoid taxes -- apparently Barney franks decided now finally enough is enough for at least that the U. It organizations shouldn't be getting any more government -- he says quote I do not believe that acorns responses been adequate for an organization that has received public funding. Good for him and."

" All right Mary. This is a -- for president Sarkozy of France. He has a proposal to make happiness. Part of GDP French GDP and he wants the rest of the world to also put happiness into their GDP. The idea here is that forget about financial success as we normally measured as it as a measurement of progress. Instead he's going he says we should look at happiness. A general happiness of the population and now this is kind of frightening to me because. And mr. Sarkozy is happiness my not being my happiness and it government become the arbiter of happiness I think we're all in trouble -- just."

" Well energy secretary Steven -- was Sandra journal reported this week about climate change and he said. The American public just like your teenage kids aren't acting in the way they should act. The American public -- has to really understand in their core. How important this issue -- Now this sounds like a mess but it's actually -- hit. If in the new spirit of maturity the White House starts talking about the tax that it wants to impose on all forms of carbon energy. -- will make groceries gas. And electricity more expensive. So."

" All right -- thanks I'd I'd like to give -- miss this week to the 53 senators including 51 Democrats who voted down. An amendment by Republican Jim diminutive South Carolina. To stop spending federal funds on the airport that Pennsylvania congressman Jack Murtha built with more than 100. And fifty million dollars in federal subsidies. And earmarks over the last twenty years the airport has just three. Count of three daily commercial flights all the Washington DC. The federal subsidies average a hundred dollars for each of the fewer than thirty passengers. Who use the airport each day would be cheaper for taxpayers to buy -- train ticket for congress Murtha and every other Washington bound passenger than to keep the airport open proving. That when it comes to spending the only change in Washington we've seen is the political party that's doing. That's it for this week's edition of The Journal Editorial Report thanks to all of you for watching we hope to see you right here. Next week."