Independent Reaction

" Is Uma Pemmaraju. Welcome to the strategy room 1 o'clock here eastern time here on the east coast. Fox news headquarters in New York is great to be back I've been away for a few weeks but I'm glad you necklace saddle again. And hoping to connect with all of you out there and meaningful way. We have a great show today. Of course politics is topping the news item a because. There were some interesting dynamics at play last night with the Republicans. Creating quite a stir. In the races in Virginia as well as New Jersey and also in the congressional races here in New York so. I want it sort of go over some of that with someone who is an observer a political observer who. We all love and adore your strategy room Stephen Smith who is. Goes on but as a registered independent and very vocal about that stance from that perspective. -- to have you here thank you very much -- and also folks if you want to weigh in with your comments and concerns. Email -- the strategy room at foxnews.com wanna hear from you of course there's always. Okay independents. Played a big role last night major room. What message do you think they're sending both parties."

" Well I think that what what they're sending both audiences that we wear a centrist nation bylaw Joe where are not comfortable with extremism to the right or to the left. When you look at the Republicans when they took control of the house back in 1994. He sure got the impression that the Democrats themselves we're looking at it. With the level of scan this some skepticism and cynicism very very irate over the fact that lost control of the house and and ultimately George W. Bush came into the presidency. About six years later he sort of got the feeling that the Democrats were aching for that opportunity to get back in control. It sure enough when they took the one that took place in 2006 it and ultimately -- Barack Obama. Became the president United States in 2008. He sort of got this thing where everybody was so happy it's our turn now. Now we're going to take control of that now and we're going to do what we wanted to yeah yeah they did he -- it seemed like it turf war seems like a little -- it's about. Ideologies and agendas as opposed to what's in the best interest of America and I think that particularly in the state of Virginia. And New Jersey got to remember Barack Obama carried the state of New Jersey by 50%. He carried the state of Virginia by wanted to stay above Virginia. By six points that's that you don't know normally Republican state by six points. But yet you saw what happy so what -- did too deep in Virginia he's so what Kristy did last night to the incumbent Corzine. So that they can send it has sent a clear message that. Let's not go too extreme to fought to the left. This really -- each other we're not comfortable with Democrats or Republicans have control of the house the Senate in the presidency. We just don't like that we don't like -- just a monolithic vision like that."

" You don't think it's independents. Right running away the Democratic Party and looking for tomorrow. Conservative let's say agendas that what I with the Republicans and I noted there's others -- dynamics behind the Republican Party as well. But in terms of the independent voter self."

" I don't think I don't think it's a -- of them running away from the Democratic Party I think there running away from what they've been witnessing from. The Democratic Party since Barack Obama has become present United States this say wait a minute we have faith the -- what you try to remember that. Barack Obama campaign is a pragmatist as an incremental list that somebody that was woman across party lines. But ever since he got into an office at least the perception has been that he's been extremely to the left. You've got people wanna write calling him a radical and when you look at the fact that you know again the 787 point two billion dollar stimulus package to 410 billion dollar omnibus bill. The cap and trade tax and that you can't we universal healthcare but unemployment continues to -- around when he -- puts forth the stimulus package they said that we're going to squash. That elevation of unemployment but it went from like eight point 1% this now and not -- and that scares people rock."

" Basra that he senses White House there -- such high hopes that young people really expected some immediate results released something tangible to see that. Actually that jobs are being created and or preserve and I think the high unemployment rate has really. It's rough take taken at a deeper told I think this administration -- the Atlanta."

" The point that I wanted to make as this the number one thing that I love about Christie when he in New Jersey and more importantly we don't win this. In Virginia. Was that the point has been made that the unemployment situation. Is priority number deadly -- economy. It's part I don't think he was underestimated just -- to to what extent it was going to. Resonate with voters and in the course the whole country is being affected by this every State's gonna show us your -- but I just. Just I'm clueless they that's my point what that's just so you because at -- how could -- how could you ignore the fact that. You know -- accused the president himself of ignore the issue but how could you ignore. The economy being the number one -- and Jason right now we have we we we have nothing but love and affection and complete support for us soldiers. In both -- Iraq and Afghanistan we certainly wish that whether it's 46 million or thirty million or whatever than numbered the accurate number is of -- uninsured when it comes to healthcare certainly these are prevalent issues in the something that that should not be ignored. But the bottom line is. People want two things they want money in their pocket and they wanna preferably by having a job to go to go to so they can earn that money in your pocket in any politician and -- paying attention to that. And understand the -- where are being that doesn't understand -- that is priority number one is as close as they come and they should be removed."

" You know -- five fascinating though that the fact that. People are feeling more power right now -- stay you know what I am not happy I'm not satisfied with. Status quo and that even though this is people were looking to -- administration for about changing. The fact is it's been -- affect them both sides is I think both sides have to step back and take notice both Republicans and Democrats say that. It's not and also for the independence but also people within their own party you're saying what is going all of."

" They're not hearing the irony is that Barack Obama and I don't care how to Obama administration trusted to -- couch this this is definitely a blow what happened to. In Virginia New Jersey that has been thinking -- if not a referendum on the White House spin me of course that's that's ridiculous of course it is to some degree we're not totally but to some degree but what. And then -- Obama -- New -- five times we go to K what what what what he went three Thompson showed about five campaign stop -- Corzine in and that was nice find good Indian but it showed that the influence that he has. Pertains mainly to him. His popularity ratings don't dissipate put so much but it's not about who like -- It's about who you can convinced to light the other Democrats in the house and the Senate. If you don't have any -- a -- that is concern which clearly. That was demonstrated last night that is a significant problem for the Democratic Party because while you are trying to push universal healthcare. Now you've got those Democrats when this blue dog Democrats or anybody else that has to sit in the house -- the citizen. And what we're about oh really in the house because -- twin -- election. They have to sit in now and where we about the old future and self preservation is always priority number one when it comes to politicians. We all know that and I think that that's the point that that that that Obama is going to have to deal with now more so than them. That and also the fact that we're hearing that health care of the health care -- may not be evident to me. Brought up for debate until next annual they would actually saying that they're -- we're hearing that but they also say that -- be available the full house but this week it's like we're supposed to be happy how did you get into -- about to tell you about this did you hit it -- actually supposed to be happy that it could be working on Saturday my -- so -- with so privileged that these congressional think he's actually going to show -- because I -- they usually work from home one on Monday and Friday can't get off -- why. The American people we're supposed to be on it that you gonna show up and actually work a little bit over top it's disgusting and I think the message that was sent. Injured in Virginia in New Jersey last night is how disgusted we are. But what we've been witnessing from all of them back again we wanna pull you to that we wanted to on the war. We -- checks and balances we don't want anybody operating with impunity in the world of politics because of very few of them if any of them can be trusted."

" Included as a sort of fallout from this too they're gonna have a big gap. Not from the election -- say but just this is all part of what we're discussing it tomorrow I'm Capitol Hill they're gonna be having this big rally yet for health care -- and regular citizens and those -- in the -- I'm Jamal can NN -- and company are gonna be out there trying to send a message. It to the halls of Capitol Hill that. You need to be accountable and we're gonna we're gonna watch you would if you don't I hear us we're going to send you messenger doesn't what I think that the report."

" Mcginnis slashed that conservatives need to be extremely careful because you have to decide. What was most effective. Do Republican than now Republican governor. In Virginia and Virginia he campaigned on the economy he can't paint on jobs he had a conservative yet pragmatic approach romantic. So his campaign in which can't be ignored it wasn't that he thought he years. And that grass rule the rule to rapid movement that's far. The people have been the connect. It's not impressed with rapid movement might call rather because it is I think it was for -- on both sides who gave good -- point up frustrated disgusted with the status -- the way things are being done in volume but you -- a lot of people that we're looking at some of the facts that will be disseminated and had some questions about it and some of the folks. That war against there was some people that will legitimately against what Obama was for polls and because they were knowledgeable about what people don't. And they -- adamantly against it. Then you had others that would just to get an idea -- for example if you remember when the president the United States -- my mom and independent but I've been very very critical of some of the things that Obama is that as it pertains to the economy could possibly don't agree with that. But at the same time when the president United States is trying to go to elementary school. To give a speech to the kids. And people going crazy accusing him of potentially indoctrinated not children and I'm looking at a woman or TV crying. As if some thug is about to roll up to an elementary school is given limited daylight dedicate any sort of idea what point -- like listen I. I disagree with some of the things that he's doing to. But this is -- extreme. And let's let's realize cells then let's be substantive and knowledgeable about a arguments were we an opposition whatever the president is doing so we act. We can come across as if we have some sense is that of operating strictly one emotion and fear that quick they're pretty much as unfounded the situation."

" He's -- give us a bit about this thing about fear though there's a lot of fear out there yet now that I just in general about what the future holes because there is. Very little confidence that right now this economy is gonna hold to get better and his wife and their people. As you know I know we're still struggling. To make ends meet him to move to make their mortgages on one of food on the table that if I did this is still very and we haven't seen any real tangible results from and the stimulus package at center -- again."

" That's a bet that validates my argument because what I'm saying is I believe the Obama administration. The administration and congressional figures and you obviously they've given us more than enough ammunition. So focus on the issues and attack the issues at the polls to engage in hyperbole in -- grasp and destroy -- return. Just because we don't like the -- all I'm saying is. There's plenty of ammunition the economy the unemployment rate is at nine point 8% I'm a black man. An African American community it is more than 50%. I've got a big time problem with that I got a problem which you continuing to come of course what Texas. Just reach in the epiphany that you know what maybe I need to do something to give small businesses a break since they compiled 7% of my workforce. Which is more than a 132 million people in this country who have so when you look at it from that perspective that you say -- some. Vice president Joe Biden President Obama what are you -- as it -- the economy. It's about really yourself in an understanding. Are you pushing an agenda because it's in the best interest of Americans or you pushing an agenda because this is the legacy of your presidency and you know you're not going to be able to put little bill's congressional think he's a born. In 30. You might think that's in the best this -- of the -- of the country. In my opinion the best interest of the company the country is to make sure that people have jobs people have money in your pocket they will figure out a way to work when everything else."

" He can no longer legitimately say this is a problem that he's inherited so it's you know out of I don't think out about his control you know light of the fact that they keep it had been blaming the bush administration's a net he has to he owns it kind of -- is --"

" I agree with you but that this is the one thing and and and again this is not defending Obama but I really believe they have a lot to do with his administration. I think has a lot to do what congress. I don't believe that he's exhibited the level of leadership that I. I think it'll take somebody on -- can't wait when asked what I say I what I have accused him while more than anything else is being a bit solved you know what I'm not giving help time. I -- health care plan for Nancy Pelosi to design you design you know exactly what you want 69 million people voted for you have faith in you -- looking for you to set the agenda not to leave the somebody else's hands and we you've done that you've lacked the leadership necessary. In and out and I believe that's detrimental to his presidency I've got to the point where I firmly believe. The only shot. That Obama has to be reelected is -- Pelosi and read our goal. Date and that somehow someway we didn't need to. -- things a little bit more to the right so they could be a tug of war so we could see this pragmatist -- got a little cross party lines this woman to -- ultimately negotiated an incremental lift. Crossing party lines like he campaign going and getting it done that way but if you got Democrats and house the Senate and the presidency is not gonna work they have got to go."

" Okay that's great I I think it's if it's wealth that Wilson and Steve it's a pleasure having you do everything -- as always but. The public to go through what's what's your prediction for tonight also was --"

" Yankees the Yankees Andy -- to get it done I mean I'm elated and I've had some troubles in game five of the left in Philly won the first two in Philly. They were up 31 they want to win back into new Yankee Stadium anyway. They'll get it done -- show up Teixeira will show up tonight A-Rod gonna show up tonight don't know about -- got problems with him but that's a small thing. -- will show up. Just keep Philip Hughes out of the game if I -- intelligent go to right what is meant to. Don't put -- using you've given them enough chances he's wet the bed hasn't gotten it done forget about him. Just make sure that you have -- and go from -- He'll give -- seven strong -- transition from that to Joba Chamberlain and eight bring Mariano Rivera to greatest closer in baseball history it to close without the -- Done deal stay away from -- views do not put them in the game."

" yeah well there you go the man knows his sport everybody you know he's former ESPN. A sport that's right now he's on the political trail and that we're glad that you're hearing that you still doing this it's a pleasure having you here and."