'Special Report' Online: 10/28

" What led to another edition of Special Report online I'm Bret -- thanks for joining us and death thanks for everybody already. Typing in we'll try to get as many comments and questions as we can. As you see on the bottom here of your screen there are a lot of polls that'll be going. Along the way and our biggest thing is the new vote on our online poll for your favorite topic for Friday's lightning -- segment it's a new feature. Call your choice on line you see right here democracy in action. Cast your vote we will accused the choices are congressman Alan Grayson antics. What's really happening with Iran. Obama that constant campaign here the H1N1 vaccine shortage and a look ahead at the climate bill. And its possibilities. This is your choice online and at the end of the night. We from from tonight's broadcast here we will this will be the first topic confronted lightning round on broadcast show. Right now Iran -- So our panel let's bring in -- Shannon -- Fox News correspondent thanks for joining this evening and Steve -- and Charles just finished up a couple of instant channel to channel one that talk about. Alan Grayson a congressman from Florida who has. Said some very interesting things you had a story on his antics today."

" I think we all know that he seems almost relish this role really stirring the pot throwing the bums out they're jumping back -- and was using the explosion. I anyhow a lot of fun with that he stirred up a lot of attention his folks say that it's been great for fund raising -- he's going to be looking at reelection in Florida next year. -- and a lot of ways they say this bombastic personality he's got opponents do. An analyst who are looking into consideration sort of saying it's you have a lot of big GOP names down there to run against him to run against him because they know they suddenly shy about going after police got a very strong personal fortunate happen to us well. So is scared away some potential contenders and challengers down there so it's working on that respect. But it -- him in a lot of trouble as of late referring two in -- Robertson SEK street poor and that is the quotes are moms. Yeah. I could even putting out there but the -- About it was the Press Secretary you came out and tried to make a case for the definition right war right how is not always offensive. Just rolled off the tongue for Brenda and in prison without the -- are now I'm so. And then he issued an apology hadn't yet really get people. Little did inactive he tried to defuse the initial -- service because that was set a month ago on our on radio show announced -- YouTube you know we can't hide anything if it's Internet and it's it's not ever going to see. An initial. Explanation from time after casting his spokesperson. I was look at the secondary definition the American Heritage dictionary when you go to the American Heritage dictionary you know you have -- Terrorist and a second evidence in and it says something to it fact that up a person compromises the principles for personal gain any sit notices of professional attack not a personal attack. Grayson thought it was wise and prudent to get the next that he has issued a formal apology in Iraq."

" Terry is from Florida says graces my congressman Terry is not a fan. But. Anyway that's statement Bob from Colorado great since you go back to high school Charles what about this guy he makes for a lot of headlines. Well I I love the apology which he said I apologize for using the word. That he said is so often. Seen as a disrespectful. Well you know it really now. But the the often is intriguing because of -- piece of equipment. Under what circumstances would not business -- women and perhaps if you said to him represented a great tonight here that you assist as the superior court. With all qualify as a non pejorative use. I mean how else can would be used to do this guy I think it obviously is acting as a clown because it gets some attention in the -- of the fundraising. Yeah I won't be an issue an apology don't use the word."

" Often. The president of fundraising out of Florida -- it's called him an outstanding legislator. While other Democrats like Anthony -- from New York have said that he's one Fries short of a happy meal. I mean there are some Democrats they're distancing themselves and others seem to still be embracing."

" I. Remember watching and Nancy Pelosi and house speaker be asked about him. And his comments on the floor of the house referring to 47 landowners are uninsured Americans of the Holocaust."

" And how her having to defend. Him and saying that they weren't going to take up resolutions. And and in this Joe Wilson Alan Grayson period was behind them but. But I think the sort of defends him I thought was just one by one of the most challenging moments of her career -- the fact that President Obama would jump in. With complements is really strange and he is Alan Grayson. Is it is true that he really relishes the attention that he's he's album. He really looses control and we have -- has not after the Holocaust thing in an even. Before the war on and he he says Republicans in the enemy in trying to ruin the country and every time he makes a public appearance he goes further than. He has -- before and and -- I mean I just want you know our viewers in the eighth district of Florida snow that. She as a lawyer -- to rule to wear pink cowboy boots so he could hold the attention of juries. And if he wins reelection and comes back sophomore legislator. We have not seen anything yet the."

" But -- he's definitely an attention down again that's shooting was wearing with -- quote for the rest and time. EC I am wearing yeah scary that he did EU Wonders Foundation was trying out for a roadshow of guys and dolls yeah. I think I'm Billy Connecticut says I wonder what Grayson is mom things were apologizing to -- good vibrations a media chasing horses -- thank you -- See what -- think before him."

" What I mean I wonder if we if when the president called an outstanding legislator maybe he meant that very narrowly like actually as a legislator and you know that's and BitTorrent working. -- Let let me stipulate that what that's the stuff he said the things we discussed that disgusting he should apologize. There's also in this this Cheney. -- Way over the top. But you know congress has way too few of these kind of character. Idea I mean it congress has become boring all these people who would everything they say is poll tested and focus groups they say only the things you expect them to say only those things that will appeal to. 51. Put percent of their of their district I like somebody who speaks out and who's you know even if he's a total free -- and at least an authentic."

" Free and then maybe our partisan recruit candidates in silence."

" Now there. Yeah yeah."

" Just I. All right Joanne and Colorado has enough on this guy she didn't say god but. We will move on -- let's bring in senior White House correspondent Major Garrett on the north lawn. As always we have some. But I can't hear it again. There you you're taking Grayson away from me again like blob what they no longer know -- it on Joanne says we got to move on. I you say let me ask you about first of all this. Back and forth about a Washington times article they came out today about. Access to the White House for cash you know we've seen in previous administrations. This happen. It seemed like Robert Gibbs had a little tough time the questioning on this and it seemed to be a focus of the briefing was our lead story tonight."

" What was the focus the briefing for a couple of reasons it's it's no surprise to anyone audience that during the campaign. Barack Obama the candidate promised to change a lot of things about the way the White House operates and suggest that all throughout the campaign. That he would be different when it comes to the question of money and access and maybe. Parenthetically different when it comes to money and maybe ambassadorships or significant roles in the United States government well. -- ambassadors in some cases are huge campaign -- no different from his predecessors but more of the same. In this regard The Washington Times using memoranda they came from the Democratic National Committee. Shows that some people who were big donors 300000 dollars with the threshold that's special access to senior administration officials. Now Robert Gibbs said what just because you give money doesn't mean you get or are denied access but in some specific cases clearly. The writing of a check got you meetings with people of significant. Policy and political importance here at the White House that is it consistent in general sense with what has happened in previous administrations. But it does ring hollow win those folks in our audience remember. What it sounded like it was going to be a completely different page turned of this White House if Barack Obama got elected."

" Yeah Walters says Lincoln bedroom part two. Charles is this a problem for this White House -- a candidate Obama who said that day was gonna change the way this whole thing operated."

" Well it was so. He was being so obviously disingenuous -- idea I know that these -- people believed him. But if they did then they deserve what -- god I mean this he had that he was gonna remake our politics. Politics from the -- banished -- any changes from the temple. Was ridiculous here's a guy who went out and raise the most amount of money in the history of humanity. And and and now he's giving -- that's how it works there was never going to be any change. And I'm not shocked surprised -- anyway dismayed I expected no better. Or worse it's he sort of the way all our presidents are but the idea that he was gonna be revolutionary in bringing clean government. Was preposterous from the very beginning you really had to be a swarming. College just student to believe it and apparently we've got a lot of them in the country."

" And you writes is that pink ribbon behind you for breast cancer month and yes the answer is yes this major -- only. North portico. Let's turn to health care. Where where are we here we we spent a panel. Right battling back and forth about the public option the opt out for states and the fact that really we don't know. What is in this potential bill was the White House stand in this whole back and forth Harry Reid."

" the White House doesn't know what's in the bill at this point the White House is really curious about what's in the bill. Because Harry Reid is got to test the votes in the Senate and what's happening right now what was most fascinating I thought on healthcare today at the briefing was the not answer from Robert Gibbs about. Does the White House support any outside democratic political opportunity for moveon.org or any other sympathetic. Liberal group on the outside pressuring moderate Democrats in the Senate to get on board with whatever it is that Harry Reid is talking about but hasn't yet written down on paper. And Robert Gibbs and I'm not gonna get into hypotheticals. Folks it's not a hypothetical. The left is organizing. Putting together money ads emails phone banks on the centrist Democrats to get them to roll over. To a seat to Harry Reid's request to back an opt in or opt out public option and that's what's happening right now the big. Debate right now the big. -- and mystic maneuvering going on has nothing to do with policy. It's about moving votes and using outside democratic pressure groups to move those votes in a certain direction. If that happens then the policy I predict will follow and the White House will walk along that policy path. But until those votes change and it's gonna be outside groups who are gonna have to change them. It's all very much in limbo."

" Yeah and that may be mentioned that on the show America this move was largely about getting moveon.org to stop the ads against Harry Reid. Bob in North Carolina says his or asks is read really in trouble and of that. Oh yeah I think -- me in recent polls say he has."

" And he is in a category. Like. Senator Lincoln in Arkansas where he's well actually yes. But and he's from Newsweek opposition so if opposition suddenly shelves Harry Reid he he could be in. That could be the end of him Andre he's fighting very hard to raise good money and and cement is position but he's. He's really under performing in his approval ratings at home. And he's he's very vulnerable I think the White House found really has gotten what it is asked for though because. Congressional leaders have bagged President Obama to step into the debate sooner than he has he actually tuned to this night has not stepped in the debate."

" And is hoping that he can do so at the conference committee level which at this point in between ten so that -- met."

" The bill is being written by Harry Reid and he's come up with this bizarre opt out thing. What to which the White House responded this is dangerous and we told him you're the vote count but don't come crying to us if you can get -- votes. Is really the White House is choice if they wanted to get him and start micromanaging the sooner they really could have made did not."

" One quick thing -- if I could yeah a couple of points first -- Harry Reid is running behind in the polls he's done a good position but -- love the Republican. Who is most likely to become the nominee for had a bad week she's not really well. Organized registration totals in Nevada are not moving toward Republicans -- lot of new voters in Nevada. Read remains very powerful I still think he's the odds on favorite to win there though in jeopardy quickly on. This opt in opt out thing the White House understands. That Harry Reid had a bad week last week counting votes on the Medicare. Reimbursement rates for doctors Harry Reid says I'm a great vote -- what happened -- to Democrats turn against them. So this is no Harry Reid ball game the White House is watching but they know what happened last week they don't wanna see a repeat."

" What's amazing to a lot of people who are typing in now lot of people email the show. It's how 16 that the US economy can be decided upon with no one knowing what's happening no one knowing exactly what's in this bill. It's mind boggling. When there's a fight over looking at the language for 72 hours. -- is there any thought about transparency. On this legislation. From the White House point of view or they just kind of lets see have a legislative. Machine works here."

" Did the White House is for it. But not so much that means not not not -- in the way that would in any way jeopardize what's going on the fact is. It is really this is really I think unique in my experience covering legislative politics on Capitol Hill since 1990. A massive bill -- easily a 2500. Pages -- at all sorts itself out with -- enormous economic medical implications. That no one can see. No one can see it. And it's not just a few people can see it in most of us can't find nobody can see it because it doesn't exist. It exists in the theoretical mine of people there yeah. Right it's all -- right now and I'm telling you whenever you try to theorize legislation. Of this magnitude. It doesn't work."

" Steve and thoughts on what this that this is I think where they run in defeat you to continue problems. This is not unique insight necessarily but it's when you put this on paper that people can pick and it. And find things that they that are so objectionable we saw this in August when you started seeing. You know these plans these evolving plan -- parts of and the people objected to the abortion. Issue he'd be illegal immigration issue all of these things public option when they get spelled out. This this house of cards that that Democrats have built -- mean they've they've used this idea of buying off stakeholders it's -- their plan. We'll buy we'll buy them and we'll cut them a break and they'll support our plan will a lot of these. Groups that are sort of armed border at least have one foot on board are not gonna like what they see when the details to come and that could be a problem -- you."

" Our New York senator today addressed a question about this very topic and he said. Well listen once we get the Congressional Budget Office numbers we'll see if the Senate majority leader puts enough Republican sanction or not. It is easy and that's how we answer crazy. And as the reporters still there I think shocked saying really. But."

" It's not only that is not it's not miserable or. They're not being honest and open was any over the numbers. They're building in his major's reporting sort of an inherent. Conceptual in coherence. If each of the pieces of the bill is being constructed. By what. You can purchase in terms of less supportive remember you remember there in the Senate your senator there. You can end up -- they hodgepodge that makes no sense whatsoever in terms of overhauling -- sixth of the economy. So it's going to be what whatever needs a little area. We'll get a majority without anybody conceding and is stepping back and asking. Are these little pieces are gonna work together as a whole what's gonna be the effect and -- work against each other. Nobody is even asking that and that's what I I think Steve is right when we see this on paper and -- of these elements and the questions are going to be asked. I think we're gonna have a repeat of August and December."

" Yeah. Someone asked where did the lovely miss spring go she she left her -- she did the Alan Grayson Hardin took off thanks for the the message major on a lot of people writing in about the election. And New York 23 -- special congressional race there the conservative candidate getting a lot of support Doug Hoffman. Even over the Republican DD -- and I've really worked as saying that it ahead of the Tuesday com. So what about this the Democratic National Committee puts out a release that says that this vote could be a vote of confidence or some -- Somehow referendum on President Obama. That's rarely happens for party to go that far on a race like this."

" Well that's right President Obama carried the district New York 23 in the 2008 election. And wonders remembered now that Democrats and carried this congressional seat functional lines have been -- drawn several times and -- 1852. Democrats hope this will be. The tiebreaker. On election night come Tuesday a narrow victory for John Corzine incumbent Democrat in New Jersey a sure loss for -- to democratic state senator running for governor of Virginia. And then Bill -- a Democrat eking out a victory in the New York 23 but. This Doug Hoffman -- phenomenon has really gained. Some tremendous strength in that district and now Democrats are complaining about Republicans pouring lots of money without -- groups there's a small. TV ad buy from a democratic group. Against Doug Hoffman today indicating that Democrats believe the recent polling data suggesting Hoffman might be pulling ahead could in fact be true. That's gonna be one to watch and a couple of levels one. If Doug Hoffman wins then Republicans are gonna start asking themselves. As a party. Did we get it wrong by letting the local Republicans. Create a nominee that was perceived moral left us and more progressive than the voters there wanted number two where it independents go and why. And number three the White House is gonna look at and say well. Republicans and independents can't even when it's a three way divided race figure out a way to win and complicate our legislative strategy. That's gonna. If Doug Hoffman wins prompt some rethinking here at the White House. That's gonna be I think the one to watch on Tuesday night and remember the president goes to Camden and Newark on Sunday for two rallies for Jon Corzine what does that tell us. Yeah that the polls are closed there in the White House is nervous yeah. I'll really I would as any other way then it's that is hadn't Corzine's wife. Well -- I mean it it is sure president and for the -- seal on the deal. Well -- yes but if the president didn't have to travel on Sunday to Camden and Newark which is all about turning up the African American vote he wouldn't go. Yeah but this is something that the Corzine campaign obviously looking internals. Would feel much more comfortable about there were two presidential -- that's what they're gonna get."

" As Steve Ben and upstate says two polls show Hoffman had you know some of these small districts you don't know about the polling and how at all. Pans out but. It could be very telling for the Republican Party if half poses that I."

" If it could be in once and I mean what it is and it isn't on the one hand. It's it's that we told me your district and there -- weird dynamics that have happened in this race that we're not likely to see. Specific to these candidates replicated over and the entire country on the other hand is almost in a way a test case of this is this idea that people are affiliated themselves less with the Republican Party and more conservatives are calling themselves independents and supporting independent but conservative. Elected officials this is and isn't something that's actually been happening for quite awhile if you go back and look at Gallup polls over the years. You'll see that conservatives maintain an ideological edge. You know sometimes as as great as twenty points. -- and Republicans meanwhile -- party ID. Commission."

" And Charles I'm sure you're going to say that if often wins this would be huge win for Sarah -- I would be reluctant to let it will look back. But I need -- I think it's as if Steve is saying. It would show it would be an ideological successor rather than a party success actually would be failure of the party. And it would would emphasize how you have the Gallup poll recently showed I think was -- of 40% of Americans to call themselves conservative. Half that number consider themselves liberal. And about 36%. Are moderates. And then that tells you that if you play took to the conservative ideological constituency and Sarah Palin does. You really have a base and I think it does since she sort of ostentatiously. -- broke was a party over this. At least we've done with the party establishment idea I think it would be offended and her camp."

" I actually think there's only one member of the party establishment who endorsed it Jesus -- fava. And that as former house speaker Newt Gingrich he stands alone that he is being ridiculed for this. And the cavalry has come in for dot -- governor Pawlenty former Governor Palin. Fred Thompson former senator from Tennessee. Lots of people coming in from the national Republican leaders coming into backed out Kaufman now Mitt Romney is getting nervous and staying quiet and I do think Charles. That this. Really means they're Republican Party. Open season in the mid terms next year if Doug -- homeless -- pulls this out he tells independent disaffected conservatives. Who who who decide not to run under the Republican label -- can go out on my own. And I'm gonna get therapy and and everyone else on here to help me at a national level. There's that incredible grassroots intensity -- often ripping through this country right now and it peoples and out. That's -- very tough for Republican incumbents who are going to lose votes from spoilers in next year's midterm election when the Democrats. Are poised to possibly even lose the house."

" Charles a lot of it lot of viewers would like -- you -- they also like and the internal back on Friday this issue if they do it if nominated I will not run. And if elected I will serve back. Not a campaign finance. Major wrap -- up here what else are we missing that we did report today on the show."

" Well I would say this about the the ongoing Afghanistan deliberations the president meets here on Friday with the Joint Chiefs of Staff every indication we've got to that's going to be the law of the last of the think sessions on Afghanistan policy. We're not exactly sure what the window is on the discrimination. But it looks more -- more like the president is gonna come in if you listen to John Kerry who I think it's kind of a decent prison to wear the White House is on this less than the 40000. Additional troops that -- the crystal the general in Afghanistan appointed by the president has asked for but not zero. The betting is possibly somewhere 1520000. Which would give a couple of brigades for counterinsurgency. One brigade -- entirely to accelerating the training of Afghan police and army forces. That could pass congress clearly. And that might be where the president comes down at a middle ground on Afghanistan when -- that is that it doesn't happen this week. -- everything I've gathered here at the White House and believe me this change -- changes our hour is not this week. But I'm feeling a little bit less certain about that the that was let's say when I woke up this morning."

" Yeah I hear what we're gonna follow it every step of the way majors always thank you very much in the north lawn and by the way your choice on line for Friday's lightning round it was a close vote as you can see right down here. The close vote but Obama the constant campaign here. One with 37%. Rhonda what's really happening had 26 and the climate bill predictions. 25. Alan Grayson 48%. Showing an H1N1. Vaccine shortage at 5% --"

" We can't run if you think this. -- on the other guys I was so I wanna see a UN inspection of the vote here."

" A third of the votes have been tampered with right Obama of the Catholic campaign your choice that'll be the first -- online for the Friday lightning round. Thanks for watching Special Report on line I'm Brett -- we'll see you next week Wednesday night after the show of course and that every weeknight 6 PM eastern time for Special Report. Controller metal wave goodbye."

" Abide by the way this is Michelle Randall Larsen blasts Special Report on line she's a fantastic producer -- there shall. Okay. We'll see yeah."