Enemies List

" If the president and his top aides treat people -- different views as enemies. Instead of listening to what they have to say. They're likely to end up with a narrow view and a feeling that the whole world without the draft. And as those of us who served in the in the Nixon administration know that can get you into a lot of trouble."

" That was Republican senator Lamar Alexander of Tennessee who accused the White House this week of street brawling with opponents. And -- the west wing strategy of freezing out its critics. Is the modern day equivalent of president Richard Nixon's enemies list of the attacks on this network have been well publicized but the White House is waging. Another war as well that's what -- businesses that fight its agenda. The United States chamber of commerce is the latest group to find itself and administration target. Having voiced opposition to many of the president's priorities including some aspects of health care reform financial. Regulation and climate change legislation. We're back with Mary O'Grady and -- and Wall Street Journal columnist and deputy editor Dan -- also joins -- so Kim. Chamber -- an umbrella group for thousands of businesses large and small why would you fight with. Business the business lobby if you're trying to persuade them -- to help you on these issues."

" It's -- divide and conquer. We need to be had here at the very deliberate thing that what his father at the White House about the chamber is that the chamber. Is very effective about the things when does push that -- given the administration some help. On things like stimulus etc. it was for this stimulus more cash for -- formidable at our gala for everything. But you know what they have pushed back on his card check on climate on some of -- financial card check of the union organizing make it easier to organize unions yet so that. This bothers the White House -- attribute is undermining organizations that they can then. Pick on individual CE o.s CEOs are easily intimidated get them to distance themselves from the chamber and then chambers less forceful -- that's what -- look."

" Seems to be working in some ways you have 45 firm big companies and resign from its. Parts of the chamber of not the entire chamber Axl on the big utility a couple of -- cabinetry Apple Computer and where Al Gore is on the board resigned in in the peak over."

" Climate change well first of I think we should make it clear that it's not unusual for a business group to be interest in subsidies. So we shouldn't be surprised that they climbed on board with some things that the Obama administration has done. But I think what you're seeing here is a little bit of what. I would call their corporate this agenda mean in under corporate chasm which is an economic model that that links business labor and government to gather. Government house to give business its legitimacy. It signs off on which businesses are legitimate and and it it does not support really an entrepreneur now you pick winners and losers exactly opposed to. -- support for mark yeah and the chamber here has not and you know and they're not global warming and hires. They're not against a government subsidy in health care they just don't like the particular model that's been set forth here so. The fact that they're pushing back and there are some dissent the White House doesn't."

" Football maybe we should think lower as someone wants about what's. Get out of this policy doesn't start to get credit to real dirty stuff bright look. A lot of what this administration is trying to do to health care initiative. Happen trade legislation carjacked. Is really not. Despite what they say in the mainstream they think it's in the main street it's hard they've been having a hard time passing this stuff. As to what they've decided to do is use the full force and power of the federal government to say to these institutions. Look if you oppose us this is what's gonna happen you remember the insurance industry was with them on health care. Until that strategy wasn't working so it just carved out the insurance industry and make them the at a medical device industry they said you know all the machines you go to India a certain amount of money. The device makers did -- up enough so they don't. Well I forty billion dollar business blackjack politics."

" And and it's not just that and you look when Humana which is an insurer sent out information to its customers saying. Medicare Advantage is going to get cut under Obama care they got it would be true or by the way. That would just look -- they got hit with a gag order from the federal government. -- insurers came out recently criticized the most recent healthcare product this week that congress was talking about stripping them of their antitrust immunity is the closest I."

" raw raw of robbery part of the problem is that the upon it campaign. Had such smooth sailing everybody loved him everybody climbed aboard and now when he starts to run into some resistance. I think he doesn't really know how to deal with it and he is. We are turning to those laws that is an interesting figure out about your point."

" they are really trying to restructure the American economy moving it towards more about social market economy like -- Where the government does guide in many ways there it's much more stronger regulatory. Phenomenon and it takes a lot of effort to do that you have got to push. The private sector in the United States to accept it and -- ago he can you talk to -- head of the chamber this week to look like he's back at."

" And you know it. Is that an -- he was he was certainly not out an aggressive about some of the people the White House and others who -- them but but definitely strong -- out of sort of the argument -- we have the right to go out there and and the complain talk about the things we don't like and that is not good for business community we're gonna keep doing what what --"

" The dangers your game for a for a White House that places kinda bare knuckle politics and in. Early in administration have all the power but sooner or later I assume you're gonna need some Republicans you're gonna need some conservatives. And in if the if you've alienated the mall when you need them on Afghanistan or something -- enough may not be there."

" Well they may not be there and I also think there's a media problem call the word nixonian is getting kicked around -- Richard Nixon was present in 1970s. This is 2000 night. Media presence is pervasive and when you elevated the way it has been elevated it doesn't look very attractive and that was Barack Obama's. Biggest attribute he was an attractive new politician he start -- look kind of tarnished all right thank you when we come back."