Beyond those who have been so outspoken to push back on that. Will we see other senators come out today and take a flake or corkerlike position on that . Well find out. But right now i doubt it. A standing ovation. I want to bring my panel in. Robert costa, National Political reporter for the Washington Post and bret stephens, an oped columnist for the New York Times and megan murphy, the editor of Bloomberg Business week. Brett, i want to start with you. One trump critic said the ice is beginning to crack. What were seeing with bob corker, with jeff flake, youre going to see more republicans follow suit. Do you think thats the case . Follow suit in denouncing the president . Yes. Or in renouncing their political ambitions. Fair point. This is the key thing. Theres a law in economics, greshams law, bad money drives out good. In a sense what we have is bad republican politicians driving out good ones who are just removing themselves literally
from circulation. There was this conceit among republicans last year if trump were elected, Congressional Republicans would control him. The opposite is happening. The president has the whip hand and is defining the party in his image. Any republican with a conscience or who feels hes accountable also to his grandchildren wants no part of it. So youre going to end up more swiftly than people realize the bannonization of the Republican Party. And is that a good or a bad thing for steve bannon . Bob, steve bannon loves this. This is his excuse to get more of his extreme guys in. But the more extreme candidates that steve bannon puts forward, the better chance democrats have of winning because people in the middle can simply say i cant vote for those loons. They are not what conservative principles represent. Well have to see about that because in a state like alabama, where roy moore won the primary against senator luther strange, it looks like that race is
tightening but its by no means a guaranteed win for the democrats in spite of the candidates hardline views on the republican side. But in arizona with senator flake departing, representative sinema has a real shot at being competitive in an increasingly purple state. She has a lot of Money In The Bank and democrats hope to have what happened in arizona in a few other states. Then maybe this is exactly what all President Trump loves, he loves to win today. Steve bannons plan all along has been to blow up the system. That works for both of them. But long term for republicans, how is this a win . Long term for the party its potentially devastating and crippling for generations to come. I want to push back on the description of roy moore as a hard line. He is not a fire brand conservative. He holds views which are an
enathma. It would be more understandable if the president had gotten further in his legislative agenda, if they had been successful dismantling obamacare, if the wall had been built, if some of these antiimmigration policies had come in. This is an incredibly unsuccessful administration so far in terms of key legislative priorities with a president whose Approval Ratings have dipped below 40 , down to the lower levels of what his perceived base is. This is the man that still given the type of statements that he makes, given what weve seen with charlottesville, with gold star families, that still so many republicans with a political who are contemplating their political future still resist standing up and speaking out. We still only of jeff flake, bob corker, people who have given up their political future so far. You know, bad money driving out good politicians. It will be much more interesting to see who is willing to come above who has an election at stake and future at stake and is
willing to replicate some of these comments. It is potentially devastating to the future of the party. Think about the people we know who are inside the white house. How much longer where are they, stephanie . Think about what were doing behind the scenes. I dont know, but out front You Aint Doing much. I want to share more of what jeff flake said and think about how his words should impact others who are members of the Republican Party and the administration. Lets take a listen. I am aware that there is a segment of my party that believes that anything short of complete and unquestioning loyalty to a president who belongs to my party is unacceptable and suspect. And right there, listen, you hear Sarah Huckabee sanders call bob corkers say bob corker and jeff flake, theyre grandstanding. Their tweets are reckless. When President Trump is the Reckless Tweeter in chief. Kellyanne conway has clearly said its always the president first. As i said before, the full mnuchin. Steve mnuchin has put his entire success and reputation on the line when he gets on his knees and praises to the president in front of the whole entire world. Yeah, he who tells the most outrageous lie wins i think is the operative political theory of the white house. And the truth is, its not im not talking about the morality of it. Its not bad politics. Whats happening here, i think what were fail to appreciate is whats happening here isnt its basically a culture war within the Republican Party. Someone like judge moore stands on one side of that culture war. Guys like jeff flake got into politics because they believe in lower taxes, small government, all of the kind of nice, neat, conservative ideas that attracted me to the Republican Party, you know, in the 1980s. But thats actually not whats happening here. And its important to understand sort of Steve Bannons ideological pedigree. This is a guy deeply steeped in marxist and fascist ideology and
philosophy from the 1920s and 1930s. Hes operating on a playbook which is, first of all, take over the institutions. How does that square off with good old Family Values . What are Steve BannonsFamily Values. Ding ding ding ding ding. What are trumps Family Values . Bob, you tweeted that many republicans no longer want to listen to them. Is it that republicans dont want to listen to them or is it that republicans are frustrated that not much is getting done in washington . I think the frustrationins a the grievance within the Republican Base are more than just frustration about tax reform being stalled or the Health Care Legislation being put on the shelf. It is about that culture war within the Republican Party. They see in the partys establishment a group of people who came out of the Ronald Reagan mold but did not perform, did not became part of the washington scene, and so since the Tea Party Movement began
almost a decade ago, theres been this unraveling on the american right that has exploded now into this trump moment, this bannon moment, and no one really knows how to control it, especially leader mcconnell. Bob, its not like President Trump or steve bannon walked in and said i have the better repeal and replace plan. Its not like there are republicans simply being obstructionists. No one came up with a comprehensive plan that suited all the things that President Trump agreed to on the Campaign Trail and at the same time were in line with the republican principles. That would be the normal way of competing for a partys power. Im sorry, i asked for normalcy. Stephanie, just think about this. Support their whole aim isnt scoring a legislative win but just disruption. Which is Steve Bannons role. From the beginning he just said i want to blow the system up. Jared kushner has told people i know, look, its working, were blowing it up, and leaving nothing on the other side. If they had legislative wins,
much of trumps base would be hurt the most. A lot of people felt that way. Health care experts thought the Health Care Proposal was about cutting the medicaid expansion, so thats a valid point youve made. Okay. Before we go, bret, when steve bannon gets on the podium and goes after the globalists and the liberal elites, and again i remind you when he goes after those corporate globalists, steve bannon fully funded by the mercers, cofounded by the hedge funding, do we ever take a step back and say many of those who are saying these are bad ideas would benefit. You want this tax plan . Great. Lots of new yorkers will do really well, lots of people in california. But its trumps base who actually get hurt. Do they not realize if these things went forward, they would be the ones to suffer . Look, i disagree with your premise. Go for it. I think Corporate Tax reform and general tax reform, simplifying the brackets, lowering the rates, would be
broadly speaking good for the economy. No, no, i agree with you. It would be good for the real economy. Im not just talking about the stock market, speculation economy. Then why not just be straightforward and honest about it from the getgo. Why does the president and Steve Mnuchin early on say this isnt going to benefit the rich of the just say what it is. Well, there should always be truth in advertising in terms of your politics. But again, theyre not talking about really economic politics. Theyre talking about fueling a politics of anger and an anger directed, not so much at the wealthy so much as the cultural elites of the coasts, whom they feel benefit the most from this. So sort of seeing this in a Policy Perspective i think is the wrong lens. Just in terms of what bob was saying, hes exactly right. If the goal is disruption, they are certainly achieving it. But at what cost . At what scorched earth . At what promises taken away from a generation . At such a landscape where there is no civility, no discourse, insults. We talked about this before, that is where they comfortable, really taking people down to a personal level. You will wake up at the ending and look at what you have created and you will have sewn the seeds of a new disruptiveness the likes we have never seen. Thats what im concerned about. Thats what im concerned about as a parent. This is not the politics of courage. And more Conscious Capitalism and acts of inclusion and Extraordinary Technology and we have this war raging inside this country. Weve got to take a break. Still ahead, weve got more on jeff flakes decision to not seek reelection when we talk with a fellow republican who made a similar announcement a month ago. Congressman charlie dent of the state of pennsylvania. Next, President Trump tweeting that hes got great support from many sides. You remember what many sides is for the president. But as republicans try to come
together behind a reform bill, minority leader Chuck Schumer says the only way democrats will get a voice is if the bill fails. I think many is trumps favorite word. He loves that word, many. I write them a poem instead. And one for each of you too. Thats actually yours. That one. Yeah. Regardless, were stuck with the bill. To many, words are the most valuable currency. Last i checked, stores dont take words. Some do. Not everyone can be that poetic voice of a generation. I know right . Such a burden. The Bank Of AmericaMobile Banking app. The fast, secure and simple way to send money. avo but you also have a higher risk of heart attack or stroke. Noninsulin victoza® lowers a1c, and now reduces cardiovascular risk. Victoza® lowers my a1c and blood sugar better than the leading branded pill. avo and for people with type 2 diabetes treating cardiovascular disease, victoza® is now approved
to lower the risk of major cardiovascular events such as heart attack, stroke, or death. And while it isnt for weight loss, victoza® may help you lose some weight. avo victoza® is not for people with Type 1 Diabetes or diabetic ketoacidosis. Do not take victoza® if you have a personal or Family History of medullary thyroid cancer, multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Syndrome type 2, or if you are allergic to victoza® or any of its ingredients. Stop taking victoza® and get medical help right away if you get symptoms of a serious allergic reaction such as rash, swelling, Difficulty Breathing or swallowing. Serious side effects may happen, including pancreatitis. So, stop taking victoza® and call your doctor right away if you have severe pain in your stomach area. Tell your doctor your medical history. Gallbladder problems have happened in some people. Tell your doctor right away if you get symptoms. Taking victoza® with a sulfonylurea or insulin may cause low blood sugar. Common side effects are nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, decreased appetite, indigestion, and constipation. Side effects can lead to dehydration, which may cause kidney problems. Ask your doctor about victoza®. Expect. We believe that we will get faster Economic Growth that will exceed this 1. 5. So we dont anticipate a big Deficit Effect from this tax reform. Models with very aggressive assumptions. That of course was Speaker Paul Ryan telling us what to expect from republicans upcoming tax bill. In todays money, power, politics, nbc news has learned House Republicans aim to unveil their plan as soon as november 1st. Ben white spoke with Senate Majority leader Chuck Schumer for his latest episode of his podcast, politico money. Trump tweeted this this morning, working hard on the biggest tax cut in u. S. History. Great support from many sides. Big winners will be the middle class, business and jobs. But heres what Chuck Schumer told you on democrats and the path forward. Take a listen. There is a path forward, but only after this tax bill fails. The hard right, which cares so much about just reducing taxes, its becoming clearer and clearer they dont care about the deficit, they dont care
even about middle class people, they care about tax breaks for the wealthy and the powerful, has a stranglehold on the Republican Party right now. And i dont think theyll give it up unless this bill fails. Is that really the only path, if the bill fails . People want bipartisanship. They do, but i dont think democrats have any illusions that theyre going to take part on a Tax Reform Bill if the house reduces a bill which is get rid of the amt, lower the tax rate, theres a lot of stuff that accrues to wealthy people. Theyll wait and see if trump can slam that through with all republican votes. They assume corker or flake or any of these other people at war with trump could torpedo it like they did with health care and then they could be having a seat at the table to fundamentally change this Tax Reform Bill. You and i both know there are parts of this country that are
suffering. They have jobs but not highpaying jobs and havent seen their wages go up. While Corporate Taxes are high, the statutory rate is high, Corporate America is kicking it. The stock market is enfuego. What about the argument, corporates, theyre doing pretty damn well, they dont need a tax cut. Corporate profits are high, the stock market is high, but you can make the argument and schumer was open to this that the statutory corporate rate is too high. It distorts the Way Companies do business. They go overseas and do a bunch of weird things that they wouldnt do if you got it down to 25 , got rid of loopholes, then i think you could be talking about perhaps higher paying jobs, more jobs without increasing deficit and the debt. Democrats are saying give us a revenue neutral tax reform not tilted to the top and well deal on lowering the corporate rate because that would be a good idea to do. Whats to say that couldnt happen before this bill goes through. The bill isnt written in blood. Cant they sit down and say what
are we going to bring to the table . When you looked at the 401 k offering over the weekend, it doesnt have to be, well, right now you can contribute 18,000 and now its going to go to 2,400. Maybe its somewhere in the middle. Lets just say i dont know what a great idea it is to be targeting peoples 401 k contributions. Yes. But im just saying a middle ground. Maybe they should come to the table sooner and this is a dicey area for them. The same thing in the house where youve seen publicly they say bring us to the table, we want to deal, but they dont want to be seen as collaborating with trump, dealing with trump, because the Democratic Base despises trump and they dont want to see democrats help him get an achievement. But ideology doesnt put food on your table or get you a job. Do people care about ideology or do they care about thriving. There are two separate threads. The political thread democrats are dealing with in terms of working with trump and the reality of getting something good done for the middle class and the economy. I think they think they can do the second one and the first