White House Enemies List?

" House war against Fox News has gotten plenty of attention recently. But this -- there were reports the Obama administration has targeted other so called enemies. Joining us are Bruce Johnston executive vice president of government affairs at the US chamber of commerce. And -- and executive vice president for America's Health Insurance Plans the trade group for private health insurers and gentlemen welcome to FOX News Sunday. At mr. -- you reported this week as saying the following about dealings with the White House and let's put up on this great. When -- on their side it's all okay but if you're not they rain held down on you. What do you mean rain held. Well there."

" Been a number of invective that have come out of the -- such -- trying to neuter the US chamber of commerce are trying to marginalize the US chamber. As we continue our efforts and work to represent our members to get the best possible outcome. On health care legislation which we strongly need and want. On cap and trade legislation with respect to climate change and with respect to the financial. Consumer product safety agency now. We have some differences of opinion with respect to the legislation unlike earlier in the year when we worked with the White House to help. Move for the stimulus package forward to help move the auto rescue package. But things seem to change and we have a difference of opinion okay mr. -- then you've."

" Does this go beyond the normal hardball politics in Washington. Now I think it it's normal hard ball politics but what's different now with the stakes have never been higher we're talking about one. Six for the US economy. This is something we have to get right. We support health care reform. But it's -- affordable that's gotta be sustainable and there shouldn't be a penalty for speaking out and introducing data into the public domain. And you feel there is a penalty well with there's burning a political public relations campaign run against people who put data out that says. Specific provisions -- gonna increase cost. For example if we. Have a plan that says. Wait until you get sick to get insurance everyone who who has looked at that says that's -- explode the insurance market and make it less affordable if we tax. Health care it's gonna drive up costs not bring them down. And so we're gonna keep talking about those issues. But we're -- gonna keep working with both parties to get this done. At mr. Johnson let's talk a little bit about the chamber because the chambers does as you point out now oppose the white house on several issues the public. Health insurance options certain specific about the overall policy but certain specific aspects of cap and trade in certain specific aspects particularly. Of the consumer financial protection agency the president. Called the chamber out this week and let's take a look. That's how business has been done in Washington for a very long time."

" Fact over the last ten years the chamber. Alone spent nearly half a billion dollars -- half a billion dollars. That you say the White House has launched your words -- assault on the chamber and let's talk some specifics -- cut the chamber out of meetings. They've made an Enron and talk to CEOs. Of top companies without going through the chamber. And an energy secretary to who has said that it's wonderful that some of these big companies. Are resigning their membership from the chamber. Is not so -- Well I think."

" The White House needs to appreciate a couple of things actually first off I'm not sure -- means by its wonderful a couple of companies a handful of companies have left the chamber 300000. We do have a disagreement with secretary issue -- earlier this year suggested that. The new clean energy technologies largely being developed by American companies be given -- way. Two emerging market -- that country's. Nobody's gonna invest billions of dollars which are necessary to get to -- the kind of outcome we need it does have to definitely get to my point what do you see as the purpose of all of these moves by the White House well in their words not mine and it's again to try new router us and marginalize us. What we think they're missing is that. They simultaneously talk about small business being engine of job growth and as I've said -- I am -- they get good advice from the corporate CEO's these are smart people running huge companies. But they're not the engine of job creation. And we need to get to that point we need health care and I agree with the president even acknowledge Mike's point. Unless we get everybody into a fully insured marketplace meaning the young -- vegetables who continue to opt out. It's not gonna work. Yet we have a piece of legislation this move through the Senate that has vastly weekend that obligation that those people get --"

" That the chamber of commerce. I don't have to tell you has a lot of clout in Washington -- one put up some numbers and these are numbers about lobbying. Donna here in Washington since 1998 the chamber -- spent 488. Million dollars on lobbying that's double. The American Medical Association which is number two when Washington lobbying at 208 million dollars. White House official Dan Pfeiffer says the insurers the chamber and other special interest have the run of this town for the last eight years. That's not true anymore question is it just that there's a new sheriff in town and you don't like it well."

" certainly didn't have the run of the town are a number of other chamber priorities that we worked on such as comprehensive immigration reform for more than two years would have been enacted into law. We also weapon that they're talking about in terms of dealings with -- White House. Well we have dealings with the White House. But what I have said is being invited to. Auditoriums -- 130 -- 150 people were the president comes -- prepared remarks. Calls on a couple people in the audience. Is not a council -- of outreach. That's not an exchange of ideas that doesn't even come close to a negotiation. And opened vetting process to understand we're both sides are some. The president when -- candidate said people should vigorously passionately defend their positions. And we should undertake those debates and a civil manner. I don't know where the name calling suddenly came from. Mr. topping your -- a hip the American health insurance plans issued a study and ran some ads opposing. One version of health care reform the White House -- some of the that the data in your study was misleading. Here's how President Obama reacted generally to the effort today."

" The insurance industry is rolling out the big guns and breaking up their massive war chest they're earning these profits and bonuses. While enjoying a privileged exception for more anti trust laws. A matter of the congress is rightfully -- Question do you review do you view that reference to possibly taking away your antitrust exemption. As a threat as punishment for the fact that you're -- The president Democrat and now we don't -- that is a very limited federal exemption. It has nothing to do every analysts was -- this has said it has nothing to do with competition. When it off my question a question is why do you think the White House and the president -- bringing it up right now well I I think it's a good talking point I think it's a good talking point but at the end of the -- it's not gonna bring on the cost of health care the American people. So what are we really accomplishing. And that's what we'd like to return the focus. -- affordability and sustainability get everyone in as Bruce said there is broad agreement in Washington unprecedented agreement. For rather than playing politics and pitting people against each other we should focus on common ground get everyone covered and bring down -- mr."

" Johnston there's a report this weekend that White House chief of staff Rahm Emanuel has accepted an invitation from the chamber to speak to your board of directors early next month. What do you hope to get out -- well we traditionally invite members of the cabinet. Two chamber board meetings to speak we invited -- earlier this year had a conflict which is understandable he could make it. We're glad he finally accepted this invitation that have an opportunity to present the views and hear back from our board members with respect to an exchange hopefully. That would be a constructive exchange of ideas and goals and objectives are you trying to dial down. Tensions with the administration now that -- has been out for several weeks and he apparently had clearance on his schedule to come and we welcome the fact that he accepted. -- Answer my question are you hoping that somehow you can dial down the tensions with the administration when you talk about the raining how long -- obviously I would like the the rain to stop let's be clear we haven't. Raised up McCain it came from their side of the street we intend to remain focused on our goals and our responsibilities to represent the American business community. And get the single best outcomes for the economy and the American worker and and and do what we do. We're not gonna take the bait and engage in -- name calling a campaign here of invective back and forth we're gonna stay focused. Mr. Johnston has toughened -- thank you both so much for coming into the --"