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Former Sen. Jim Talent (R-Mo.) on Romney’s economic plan and his position on the health-care law.
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Should begin with so it's obvious that the economy is slowing barely recovering -- yet Mitt Romney is only tied -- President Obama in most polls.
That's former GE chief Jack -- and Rupert Murdoch chairman of our parent company News Corp.
saying.
-- -- needs to shake up this campaigns that joining us now is former senator Jim Talent and on the economic good buys there.
Senator welcome to this show.
Of what it well we're next what do you I'd say -- and day -- -- -- -- within the campaign about this criticism.
That Romney you guys are on the same page that he doesn't seem to have a focused message in at this point he'd better find a way to get in the best talent.
Did to make it to did -- into the White House.
Well -- you know I think the elections shaping up.
Pretty well into a very clear choice which is what you're trying to do with campaigns is present a clear choice on the one hand.
The president's failed policies which have.
Cause unemployment to continue below 8% for longer than since the Great Depression on the other hand and then.
A series of other issues the suppression of energy production the enormous deficits that he promised to reduce.
And then we have the candidate who has a record of producing jobs and policies that -- -- it sobbing we pay that's presenting a pretty good choice to the American people.
Then why aren't the polls reflecting that I mean I think I almost feel like you answer my question but indirectly in other words it feels like the campaign.
Has something of a ten there -- to the polls into the reality that.
This great message that you just holding isn't resonating with the public so -- airport you may have to find a different way to -- -- to get it out there.
Well -- I did get talents view I'm in this is with my own campaigns as well as this one I mean I can always tended to discount polls at this point with the when they were good -- army -- bad for me and I do the same thing with regard to this campaign.
Because I think this election's going to be close and I think we're gonna see close poll numbers through the summer.
And then into the fall of the undecideds begin to make up their mind I welts and I think most political observers believe that's that.
You know -- in common is trending.
Below 50%.
And he's very well known it's not very got -- the American people know that we needed change and I think we're in a good position to present this choice and win this election.
-- -- -- Or or does it suggest that the Mitt Romney's gonna have what a lot of people -- it's been a passion will passion lists.
Campaign thus far in other words -- President Obama.
Just -- himself up rather than presenting why Mitt Romney is a better candidate.
-- for those who want to see how -- presenting the failures of the Obama campaign I really suggest they.
Going to look at the videos in the ads that we produce something governor Romney's been very strong and it's because he feels very passionately.
That if we don't turn this around we're gonna lose things that are very important about this -- -- -- Half of the kids coming out of schools can't get a job you -- you we just can't continue doing that.
He feels very strongly about and I think the campaign to this point is reflected that so it's good enough to say President Obama spelled give me a shot rather than presenting.
Your case for the job yourself in other words you -- run over Romney's record at all or just run Obama's record.
No I mean it's definitely not good enough fan and we have present -- governor -- continues to believe that were called the ads we talked about.
The first day in office what we would DO.
I mean everything from I mean this is in the news now regarding China but declare China a currency manipulator approve the Keystone Pipeline immediately.
Demand 5% cuts and and that's just the beginning in domestic spending.
Is there's a -- that's why -- presenting a whole series of things that we do right away.
And then in the first year governor -- running on the most detailed and comprehensive platform for change I can ever remember a nominee running on.
Mr.
mr.
-- there's one detail let's not straight in the Romney campaign that's whether Obama cares attacks are not Eric first from the Romney advisors said it was not a tax.
Yesterday we heard governor Romney say it was attacks.
You gotta get that message straight or somebody's got to go and it's not gonna be Romney may be should be mr.
-- strip.
While governor has been pretty consistent about this I mean anybody mr.
-- -- Germans and opposite.
Well the both positions -- that look.
Governor -- -- or or thought going and it's as most of them.
Conservatives -- that this was an unconstitutional exercise of the commerce power the Supreme Court has now declared authoritatively.
It was unfortunately a constitutional -- -- -- the taxing power.
So that's you know that's the president when the mr.
Forester was asked specifically.
Is that a penalty a tax you should call -- a penalty.
He said that's correct it should be called a penalty not attacks when is he gonna come out and correct the record.
Well I -- extent needed correcting I think governor Romney did that yesterday when he said exactly what I just said the Supreme Court -- declared this.
And a -- unfortunately constitutional exercise of the taxing power and that's what that's what we all have to accept its the president.
Who argued first to the congress that it was an attack right and then to the courts that it that that it was attacks and now he's back saying it wasn't so he's along with the inconsistent record to -- While you know but again you know you wanna get away from this notion of uplift whopper particularly on this would seem to be something that.
That this right -- for for the Mitt Romney campaign.
And they don't get their act together on this what else could be -- I wanna do I'd change stopping for a moment senator.
A big jobs number out tomorrow and of course you know economic growth has been anemic.
How critical are these monthly jobless numbers particularly as we get closer to November will they actually.
Being ultimately what determines who occupies the White House after November.
Well Charles I think they're very important but I also think it's really important that would that we put them in context which we're trying to do I mean as you all know.
-- technically now in the recovery.
OK and that's in the third year ever recovery this economy should be booming and it should be growing above.
4% producing millions of jobs.
And these reports are anemic at best -- burning through what should be the best years of the recovery and in danger of slipping back into recession which even Democrats are talking about now so.
I think this is very important.
And you know we're gonna continue talking a -- and hammering on it because it's I think you're right it's the key issue in the election.
And there will be a Mitt Romney will be able to articulate why his jobs plan.
To get his back to to those great glorious post recession recoveries that we've enjoyed the past.
Buyout a lot of confidence -- -- remember this this is a guy is is gone through some tough campaigning and done pretty well -- he has the experience in the background.
-- thousand be able to talk about these things credible and -- created jobs in the private sector.
-- an effective job in Massachusetts.
And we're gonna keep hammering on those issues and I senator talent you know a lot of people who -- rooting for you but feel like you guys are aren't necessarily.
Capitalizing to the degree that you should.
Yeah -- my -- -- you know I mean obviously you know these guys have a game plan but some very Smart people out there worried about the way to campaign has been run.
I think at the very least might have to acknowledge that even if you don't make any changes.
Well we're always gonna try to do better I mean -- -- around the organization never never lets up.
We do appreciate the support we receive -- you guys know about all the contributions we've been getting them in the last week or so setting records there aren't getting good crowds and so.
-- I think is is going to be a united effort.
And and we're gonna have an excellent chance of winning in the fall but it's going to be tough senator Jim Talent hope to have you back soon thanks I appreciate it.
