WGBH Radio; The Callie Crossley Show

I'm Cally Crossley This is the Catholic Crossley Show. When it comes to politics. It's never a monotonous moment here in Massachusetts and our politicians have done right by Bay Staters providing theater worthy of Broadway in Lawrence Mass. It's total recall the sequel with petitioners trying once more to oust a Maryland state side Scott Brown could face a serious challenger in Elizabeth Warren to jump into the Senate race on the national stage. The Iowa Straw Poll has put Michele Bachmann in the spotlight and with tempo and Texas Governor Rick Perry bursting on to the scene. Mitt Romney's front runner status could be on shaky ground and liberals continue the Obama critique this time for being tone deaf by vacationing in the tony parts of Martha's Vineyard. While the economy tanks. Up next we're talking all things politics from Beacon Hill to Capitol Hill. First the news. From NPR News in Washington I'm Janine Herbst. Heavy fighting in Libya today as

rebels battled forces loyal to Moammar Gadhafi over the only functioning oil refinery in the western city of Zawiya. NPR's Lourdes Garcia-Navarro is in that coastal city. She says it's chaotic. The rebels have moved in in force and we've seen many of them pushing into the city to engage in a battle right now of the fiercest battles are taking place at the refinery this is the last refinery under Gadhafi's control. And as such it's a real target for the rebels. And that refinery supplies oil and gas to the capital. The indictment against those accused of killing former Lebanese prime minister refused Hariri has been unsealed. NPR's Kelly McEvers in Beirut says it links four members of the Hezbollah militia to the assassination. The indictment was released by the special tribunal of Lebannon an international body set up by the UN tribunal officials have criticised the Lebanese government for failing to arrest the four main suspects in the case. All of them are members of Hezbollah which along with its allies now holds a majority in the Lebanese parliament. The

indictment cites phone records that could link the men to the killing. The lead prosecutor says the full story will only be known in court. Hezbollah has cast the entire process as a plot by Israel to destabilize Lebanon. Hariri is killing in 2005 sparked a wave of protests that saw an end to the presence of Syrian troops in Lebanon that had lasted for nearly 30 years. Kelly McEvers NPR News Beirut. Wholesale prices were up two tenths of a percent in July. But as NPR's Joel Snyder reports the weak economy is keeping inflation largely in check. Overall the Labor Department's producer price index was bumped up by higher costs for food but at least gas prices fell for the second straight month earlier this year food and gas spiked causing a jump in the PBI with those volatile categories are excluded the July core index surged by the most in six months. It rose four tenths of a percent. Higher costs for tobacco accounted for almost a quarter of July's rise in wholesale prices. With light trucks and pharmaceuticals contributing to the

uptick however weak economic growth and high unemployment make it harder for retailers in grocery stores to pass along increased costs to already pinch consumers. Joel Snyder NPR News Washington. The Food and Drug Administration has approved a first of its kind drug to treat the deadliest form of skin cancer. It targets a particular genetic mutation that's found in about half the patients suffering from melanoma. The FDA also approved a test to screen patients for that situation. On Wall Street stocks gave back earlier gains right now the Dow is down 22 points at eleven thousand three hundred eighty three. The Nasdaq is down 15 points at two thousand five hundred seven. Yes. P 500 also lower down one point at eleven ninety one. You're listening to NPR News. 1000 people have been charged in riots that rocked London for four days but a human rights group is expressing concerns that judges are handing out disproportionate sentences to men in northwestern England got four year sentences for using Facebook to organize disorder.

Prosecutors though defend those sentences saying using the web caused panic. More than 3000 people have been arrested over the riots that started August 6th. The High School Class of 2011 Ploesti posted a slight gain on their exam. But as NPR's Louise Schiavone tells us nearly three in 10 failed to meet a single benchmark that predicts they're ready for college performance on the college entrance exams shows minority students excluding Asian Americans with lower test scores than the national average. Report by the company that designs the tests measure the skills of the High School Class of 2011. It found that just four percent of black students met the college readiness standards for english math reading and science. Thirty one percent of whites tested is college ready and 41 percent of Asian-Americans topped the preparedness standards in all four subjects. Louise Schiavone NPR News.

Less than three months after the country's deadliest tornado in decades level the city of Joplin Missouri it's back to school time. Some children return to the same schools but high schoolers are in a makeshift location. That's after their school was flattened by the storm. Well prices are rising thanks to an unexpected drop in supplies of gasoline and also a weaker dollar are at their highest level in nearly two weeks up more than $2 at $88 a barrel in New York. This is NPR. Support for NPR comes from the William T Grant Foundation supporting research to improve the lives of young people online at W.T. Grant Foundation dot org. It's live and it's local. Coming up next two hours of local talk the Emily Rooney show and the callee Crossley Show. Only on WGBH. Good afternoon I'm Kelly Crossley. It's all things politics this hour the entire hour. We're going to start with a focus on local happenings and then transition to

national politics. Influence by some of our local folks. I'm glad to join the folks do anyway in studio today our own Robert Fortes and Marvin Vinay. Robert Fortes is a political strategist Marvin B'nai is the executive director of the Massachusetts black and Latino Democratic Legislative Caucus. And Alexandra seki is the executive director of always to a statewide Latino organization that among other things trains Latinos running for office. Welcome back everybody. It's good to be here. Thanks for having me. Thank you. All right let's just start right in Lawrence there. OK Mayor William Lynn we're calling this a total recall the sequel because this group has tried once before and now turned away some are suggesting maybe there's some funny business going on but at least for the moment the mayor and every and the official folks are saying that the organization I would like to

have Mayor Willie ousted or have a have their petition on record so that people could repeal him saying that eight hundred sixty six of the thousand signatures needed were not valid. That seems like a lot to me but OK if they're not they're not. Just want to get your response. Well I think initially you know it was interesting because there was a city council who was also found to have an inaccurate address which is alarming because this kind of speaks volumes to the credibility of who is actually. Researching and investigating whether or not these signatures are accurate I think the other thing that is interesting is that you know in the climate that we're in right now facing an economic downfall in a city like Lawrence where it's mostly populated with Latinos and the fact that they are trying to oust one of their very own speaks volumes that I don't think any record can overcome

necessarily. But I will say that you still see a large support supporting group for mayor Lanty while there that still exists day to day and has clearly proven that despite the challenges of that been to mount it with this campaign that they still are going to be successful in trying to keep him in office. What do you think. No definitely I think that you know Lente was definitely has a lot of support. I you know this whole recall is a for me it's been disappointing in that you know there are many ways that you can get someone out of office. Greatest of which is running against him so if I were on the other side I would have spent the time really training someone really or training myself or making strides so that in 2013 I'm in there. He was going to come up for re-election so if that he's running you know he has the mayor's position forever so. And I just saw this recall effort as you know completely divisive for the community and really you know it's like Marvin said just really something that Lawrence doesn't

need. On top of all of the other issues that they're dealing with and I really you know question who was really behind the recall and I just find it unfortunate that this is where the city of Lawrence finds itself with their it's a wonderful city made up of wonderful people who are deeply involved in politics I would love to get this many people involved in civic activity in other parts of the state it's just unfortunate that this is this is how it transpires around this time around. Robert does it say that people just can't wait to put up an opponent against Maryland that they want him out now. I would say that there's definitely a strong segment of the population in Lawrence that feels that they need to get the mayor out now feels that he's contributing to the problems that that city is suffering under. It is unfortunate because Lawrence is suffering under a great many problems I believe they have the highest unemployment in the state. So hopefully the people there if they feel that

the mayor must go if they can't do it this way that they will like my colleague said focus on politics in their city council races as well as their male races so that they can move on to the important issues that Lawrence is facing. But I think it's important to note that although they are trying to recall him and there is a referendum that has been going on for centuries it's important to know that there they have not put out a candidate who they think is credible enough to replace him. So it's one thing to put him out the door but it's another thing to have representation. And they've not afforded the community any sign of who they believe would be the next leader that they trust and believe would be available to do the job and willing to do the job. So I think that you know it's one thing to fight someone but it's another thing to have something good to provide as an alternative. And I and I'm and I'm not big on community folks who decide to just house you without coming out with a crowd a credible strategy on how to correct the problem. If there is a problem that they see right.

Because at the end of the day I mean it's about Lawrence and it's supposed to be about Lawrence it's just as Marvin says if it's all about just ousting someone and not bringing any kind of alternative then it's clearly personal it's not about actually lifting up Lawrence and doing what's best for the city. But assuming that these signatures prove to be correct that's a thousand people who are personally upset that by signing this petition for recall and by the way the recall effort is call it's your right. But the question is is that an emotional plea or is that an actual strategic play as far as what they believe government should be how government should be ran. I think most people are running off of emotions because of what they hear versus what they know. Right. And I also think it's a question of what what's behind I mean people say it's you know this federal investigation that's going on but a lot of it has to do with the decisions that he's made that have actually been good decisions around the police department and he has to make topical choices he's in a city that's an incredible amount of debt. And if those are the people that are truly behind the recall

and it's being massed as because he is you know under federal investigation or because the heating oil or what have you then you know it that just seems like it's manipulative of the community and doesn't serve the best entrance and let's just let's let's just be honest people will celebrate victories but no one wants to be there when the storm is passing and no one wants to be involved with the tough decisions. But they're quick to be on the on the opposition to say you did wrong but never came to the table providing you know suitable solutions to try to mend the situation early on so. Well I will say that all of you made very good points. Marvin your Yours is well taken but to the emotional point I just have to point out that a lot of people vote emotionally. So this is not so sure what I mean. Guess what their recall what it does is the city council has to vote on a new election within 60 days and I would put any amount of money on the table that if they did a re election Willie would win again. Right OK.

And let me just point to your point of a motion of motions are fine but when you sign a when you sign a recall referendum you are actually have thoroughly thought about why you believe this person should be in office so I don't think that's necessarily as much of an emotional plea as I think you made. You've made a prime decision you said this is the direction I think we should be going. All right well let me switch topics to the local city council race. The AT LARGE races that are are in play right now. The Boston Phoenix David Bernstein brilliant political writer has a huge piece about Ayanna Pressley and her career and her current status. Speculation about whether or not she'll be successful in her re-election bid. Robert what do you think. First I thought it was a great piece. I enjoyed reading it. You know I know that the talk of the popular talk around town is that you know councillor Pressley is the vulnerable one. I have my doubts about that. I really do. I think you know Michael Flaherty is obviously a very strong candidate

and he's he's running very hard but I think Iowa has some great things going for her. One is that she can point to herself as being the only female representation on the council. And I don't know if it would be a good thing for the city of Boston to have all males in the city council. I also think that she is you know she's had some personal tragedies but she's become very focused on on the race and I think one of the best things to be when you're running for office is to run scared run like you're going to lose. And if Michael Flaherty's team is running like they're going to win that could be a danger for them. I think that Steve Murphy could really be the vulnerable one. In this whole race because he just ran for another office last year and I think people remember that I've been hearing from folks bringing that up I've been talking to some of the candidates who are door knocking saying I've heard that same message. How powerful is the fact that a lot of people have to take into account that if you were not on the council

no women would be no. I mean I think it's a huge it's a huge factor it's not the only factor why. You know I and what I think I should be there come election time but I also think that you know as we look and see who's who's the most vulnerable and unfortunately I do see Ayana as very vulnerable in that our communities communities of color black and Latino communities do not and progressives her strong her base do not come out in these awful lections generally and that's I think why that why they why you know why I feel that Felix and I are the most vulnerable I think that having her on the council you know she had the issues of women and children are you know are front and center fold there on the council and that hasn't you know existed before. You know talking about issues that are uncomfortable for people to talk about and I think those look at swept under the rug were she not there. I also think you know it's really important for communities to come out and to come out strong during this election both for if for the candidate of their

choice but also to to show that we are a strong voting bloc but there are so many things that go along with that there's you know. Would it be called Bullet vote I mean there's so many things that savvy that I think that a lot of voters you know South Boston in West Roxbury in your you know traditional Irish Catholic voters have that. I think that's why we fear that both Diana and Felix are most vulnerable now. MARTIN Because you are the executive director of the Massachusetts black and Latino caucus. Do you think in the community people understand that if Michael Flaherty is being in the race I mean somebody is going to go and the most vulnerable people as Alexandra said look to be Felix and Aiyana. Is that making you know it clicks. I mean let's be direct it clicks I mean when when Michael Flaherty came out this is been a public notification prior to him drumming the beat and signing the papers and say that he was running. So I think that it's very clear that his his run. Will impede whether or

not there there is a shift in the demographics of the council the current council right now. Do I think that people will come out. I think the people are going to come out I think that what Ayana Pressley has to do councillor Pressley must go out the door knocking and she must she must get a grassroots strategy that is out there executing daily because she is not just and I spoke about this on a banner recently. Shes not just an advocate for one population as much as she is an advocate for an entire population that would be the best day better than right direct the base they banter and I think that is a critical for us to really recognize that if you if you take leadership like this and you minimize what it has produced and you try to just streamline its impact and never actually give it an opportunity to flourish then you're looking at all these overturning overturning and overturning. We don't have time to overturn leadership. We need to start cultivating leadership we need to start putting leadership where it is and start to allow it to blossom to the extent that we can see

success. She has been very successful which she has done in the communities of color. But she's also been successful in other communities like rest Roxbury like Jamaica Plain like South Boston. You know her outreach has become endless and I don't want us to get caught up in what conventional wisdom says. I love Dave Bernstein but this piece when one side here one side there he never really stuck to one position until the end where he pretty much outlined that she wasn't going to be successful. And I think that when you look at it you say well she was missing for half of the year or some time of the year because of her mother's death. Let me ask you a question. Where would you be if your mother was on her deathbed. This isn't to you Cal. This is to all of our listeners where would you be. You would be right next to your mom as Ayana Pressley was and I don't think that anyone should ever be challenged because they made the decision to sacrifice for family more important than their job. So let let's let's read let's read between the lines and get back on focus here. What I do like about these articles and about bringing the subject up though is that I do think it needs to be

set you know front and center in communities that it's very Do not miss this election you need to go out there is an upright you need to go out on the general election and you need to place your vote for your candidate it's not it's going to be close either way that it goes it's going to be close and that's why I think these you know coverage is very important. All right I have one more question on this subject when we come back after a break. I'm Kelly Crossley We're talking politics this hour with political strategist Robert Forte's Ella hundreds saint of East Day the statewide Latino organization and Marvin Benet of the Massachusetts black and Latino Democratic Legislative Caucus. We're opening up the lines you can jump in on the conversation at 8 7 7 3 0 1 89 70 8 7 7 3 0 1 89 70. Are you keeping an eye on the run for the White House have you lost faith in government. Why he ended 8 7 7 3 0 1 89 70. We'll be back after this break. Stay with us. Support for WGBH comes from you and from New England Subaru

featuring the 2011 all wheel drive Subaru Outback recipient of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety Award. Dealer listing at New England Subaru dot com. And from nature on WGBH to follow a baby humpback for a year as she learns life's lessons and finds her place in the community of Wales. The Fellowship of the whales on nature tonight at 8:00 on WGBH too. On the next fresh air power rating agencies like Standard and Poor's acquired the influence they have on the economy. The agency's misjudge the risk of mortgage backed securities. Now S&P is under fire for downgrading U.S. credit. We'll talk with law professor and finance expert Frank Partnoy who used to work on Wall Street to join us. This afternoon at two on eighty nine point seven.

Seven out of every ten dollars spent on daily operations here at eighty nine point seven dollars come directly from listener support and thousands of WGBH supporters and doubled the impact of their financial contributions by having them matched dollar for dollar by their employers to find out if your employer will join you in supporting WGBH radio and television. Visit WGBH dot org slash matching gifts. We're running out of oxygen. I have so many people that I can trade the world on and it's not an easy decision for anyone to make. Coming up at 3 o'clock on an eighty nine point seven WGBH Boston NPR station for news and culture. Welcome back to the Calla Crossley Show. If you're just joining us we're talking politics this hour with a hundred same deal. Robert Fords and Marvin Benet Well a hundred is the

executive director of East Day a statewide Latino civic education organization. Robert Fortes is a political strategist. And Marvin Benet is the executive director of the Massachusetts black and Latino Democratic Legislative Caucus. You can join us at 8 7 7 3 0 1 8 9 seventy 8 7 7 3 0 1 89 70 where you have a focus on local happenings are going to move a little bit to national and shortly so give us a call if you have anything on your mind that is political 8 7 7 3 0 1 8 9 7 0. Here's a question I want to ask and I know that this is a little bit apples and oranges but I look at the race that Tito Jackson ran to get to be a city councilor and his focus was appropriately on getting out that vote. And he got out the vote and he did it but we talked here Robert about with all that effort. What was the result. And so if we're talking about an at large seat where the focus must be on getting out the vote as Ella Hondros said is a Yana.

Vulnerable in that way. Because if if the if the bottom line is people recognize she's done a great job they think highly of her she has lots of support as the Bernstein article suggests. But in the end about getting that vote out. Sure you know vote is tough and you referenced Tito Jackson's campaign and all that effort and the low turnout and you know that can be a consistent problem that you have an off year elections in communities of color if there's a governor or president or mayor not running. But I think councilor presently has the resources to make that difference to put together a top notch grassroots campaign and get out and get it done. I think a great model for her would be with the Democratic Party did an agreement a toile election last year in the city of Boston that was just a I have not seen a grassroots campaign like that in some time and I think if you can model herself on that she will be successful.

You know I just I I completely agree I think you know one of the you know someone on her team had said you know we're running a grassroots campaign and we're going to show that when you have a good candidate and you ask people to show up that they show up and I think that that's 100 percent true I think we can see. Our community is coming out and voting in big numbers and you know I think with the with the Get Out the Vote even in an off year election it's not it's something that she can do and if there's any candidate who's going to be able to pull that off and Presley and Marvin there is no primary so folks just have to know that this is it. That vote that comes up in the fall. I mean that's it. No I think it's critical for the grassroots campaign to go out spearheading the launch of identifying that there is no primary and really going into the fact that we have a general election that it's important for us to get out now this is why I think you know we heard recently she's launched 100 Club where she's finding 10p you find 10 people to raise $10 to spread her message across the board and I think that if she continues along that drumbeat

which she will actually in turn is spread out and open up a larger net to bring out the vote come November that's going to I mean starting it now is crucial because in the September is really where the decisions have already been made and walking into October is really just the standouts of the debates and making sure that you stay on message and don't lose sight of which you would you've actually projected in the earlier or earlier points of your your campaign. So I think if she stays on mixes and stays on message and she's door knocking and that her grassroots team. Robert has already indicated probably emulates what they've seen of the Democratic Committee. I think that we will actually I don't think I know that she'll be successful come November. It just takes and I think what Robert said was earlier point that he set off here and if you don't mind I think it's very important that we have to stay away from this word vulnerability because Rolla builds he will in fact speaks to someone being ineffective versus someone who has been successful. Ayana Pressley has been successful she has

done a great job since day one. You know one of the things that was pointed out in the Bernstein article is that you know she has learned has had to learn how to put herself forward because as an aide to elected officials and Congress you found that you have to silence your voice to become to allow their voice to bridge be projected. And I think that she has found her niche and is starting to grow continuously up that ladder to be released from that to actually speak from her own voice completely. She speaks from her own voice now. But I think that it's harder when you're so used to putting someone else's agenda. And now having put your own agenda forward I think she's done a great job on it. I think she has room to grow in it and I think that if she continues to stay on Beat Well what she's doing and use the fire from those who have said she cannot do it should be successful. Just one last note and that is the money raising is third down in money raising as this was the statistics as of the 1st of August Felix Arroyo had seventy six thousand dollars approx approximately. Stephen Murphy

the gentleman that Robert spoke about earlier forty one thousand Ayana Pressley 39 and on and on Michael Flaherty even only has 18000 which is kind of interesting. But the big money raiser is John David Bernstein is calling him J.C. Penney's Connelly because he's get two hundred twenty five thousand dollars so if money talks. John Donnelly has something to work with. I mean let's point out that John has been successful at fund raising in off years and he's been successful in fund raising all around. Year round so the money that John has I mean if you look at what he's raised in this period of time they're all on they're all aligned with each other in fund raising in this area in this in his time frame. But if you look at it from a larger picture you're going to see that John has an enormous amount of war chest for this race particularly. But trust me John is conserving that money that money is not all being spent on this at large race I can guarantee you that. All right you're listening to eighty nine point seven WGBH and online at WGBH dot org. I'm Kelly Crossley we're talking local and national politics this hour with Alexandra

Sankyo executive director of stay the statewide Latino organization. Political Strategist Robert forts and Marvin Benet executive director of the Massachusetts black and Latino Democratic Legislative Caucus. You can join us at 8 7 7 3 0 1 8 9 7 8 7 7 3 0 1 89 70. All right so let's turn our attention to some national politics influenced by the locals. The Democratic Senate race with the six hopefuls poised to oppose Scott Brown they're announced. But all the attention focus seems to be on one unannounced candidate Elizabeth Warren. There is even an organization that's raised or is raising $100000 to persuade her to get into the race. She herself has said she's not the same thing till after Labor Day. And however though she's taking some counsel from some former Governor Deval Patrick associates campaigners. So will she get him Robert.

I think she will. I think she's stuffing very close to getting in. I'm hearing that she is taking meetings with some operatives in my neighborhood in Dorchester So I think if she's going through those motions she's going to jump in. I think it's interesting that the Democratic and Washington elites I don't know my man Scott Brown has done to their psyche. But they they they are so terrified of him that they are marginalizing this the sixth the Clery candidate who they obviously don't think are good enough to challenge Senator Brown and are running right over them trying to develop a candidate on their own. Well you work with Scott Brown. How do you think he's going to respond if she gets into the race. I think he's going to remain focused and remain true to his promise to the citizens of Massachusetts to put their interests first. He's concentrating on jobs in this very tough economy and every doing everything he possibly can do to help further job growth in Massachusetts and the country as a whole.

No name recognition and 100 mean always stay trains people to run for office. Is that the number one thing to get your name out there. So how detrimental could that be. Even with an enthusiastic grassroots for Liz her join us for a yes no I mean I think you know she's she's doing the right thing right now she's doing the speaking tours she's doing it in neighborhoods across the commonwealth and I think that you know you build recognition that way. You know and if the party you know the party has clearly not fallen in line with any of the other candidates going to be a difficult race because with when you have a Democratic primary you have six or seven candidates. Then how do you how do you campaign so that you're not tearing each other down so when there is that final candidate in September that there's not you know all this fuel for the fire for the other side now you know I think Elizabeth Warren is a is a great choice I think she has a certain fire that that the other Democratic leaders recognize and she also has the fund raising capability I think that is a huge huge piece of it as well so I think she's And I think she's in after Labor Day in.

I think it's it'll make for an interesting race and I think the party learned you know with with Martha Coakley you can't just assume that things are going to go your way you really need to jump in and put you know all your support around you can't it. Marvin hundred thousand dollars is good but it's not Scott Brown Good Scott Brown's got to work. He's ready to take on all comers No hundred hundred thousand is short of money. Frankly I think that you know let's before it comes from a national stage of being connected to President Obama and that affords her inroads into you know doors that other candidates possibly do not have but I wouldn't necessarily put the put the babies the bad on these other candidates just yet. I think that it's an opportunity for them now to really speak to why they are particularly valuable for Massachusetts. She's coming out of Washington you know the question is going to come down to what has she done locally to make an impact. And if they're looking for a voice that understands them has represented

him then is she going to be the optimum candidate. I'm not against Elizabeth Warren but I'm just pointing out some I'm making some points because I believe that most of our constituents here in Boston love local. More than they'd like to but let me point out she's from here. She was a professor at Harvard by the way before she came to the attention of anybody nationally. She was known for a book that she wrote about middle class people and the struggle for two for two income earners to make it so she could certainly say I've been writing talking about the central issue that's out here about what is the impact on middle class families can she not Robert but you can write about it it's another thing to have lived it. And I think that you know I'm not discrediting I'm not discrediting her in her abilities and her intellect what I'm challenging is the mere fact that most of our constituents will find themselves resonating with the individual who they find most like them. All right. That's when we I think very well I want to hear Robert on this because he's Mr. Scott Brown's going to be jobs

jobs jobs. So I want to know what jobs he's actually produce. Well that is not the only. You know Robert this is your guy's coming from the right. Jobs jobs jobs and Elizabeth Warren intellectual or not it's coming from middle class. You know we've got to pay attention to this. That seems like a fair fight. I think it's a perfectly fair fight she couldn't she could talk. But I think she is connected to the Obama administration's failure on this issue. I think she comes out of a certain approach and Scott Brown will have a certain approach and will be able to put those two approaches before the people of Massachusetts and I feel very confident that Brown will be victorious in any debate of that nature. OK put aside Allen what do you say OK well I have two points One is you know I think that you know very very much so this it's going to be about local It's going to be who's going to get down there it's going to be grassroots and just very much like the city council election we're going to see it next year it's not it's not the presidential race that four years ago

so you're really you know we're going to have to look at bringing out our communities and making sure that they're out and voting and I would say you know you know. You know I don't like Marvin I haven't you know I haven't decided who who I'd support in this race I think they're all they're all fabulous candidates I think they're all have bring a lot to the table but I also think that you know when we look at when we look at Elizabeth Smart she has been able to come a she wasn't an Obama person and so she you know came in as the head of the consumer bureau and she you know couldn't be they didn't elect her to head that because they knew that she wouldn't get past the Republicans and I think that you know she really brings out a fierce battle nature inherent in a clear understanding of the economy the economy and where people are suffering and what needs to be done to to fix it and being able to go across the aisle to do that as well. They didn't no one thought that the consumer protection plan would go through and it did. And that was largely her. All right well let me switch very quickly before we go to break to her boss her former

boss President Obama who is concluding a short tour to the Midwest to talk about just some of these issues middle class values where we are. Jobs creation. His frustration with Washington. How do you think he's being received. See it's the first time he's been below 40 percent in terms of approval ratings is at 39 percent. That's a big deal margin. Well let me just correct one point. I've already endorsed U.S. candidate U.S. senator candidate city worn four for the seat. So I just want to clarify that. Do I think that he's being well received. I think he is being well received but I do think that there are frustrated voters out there who are concerned about how Washington is handling this mix up when it comes to the economic downfall of the economy so I think that he he's getting mixed signals. Thirty nine percent is very low for a for a gentleman of his stature who has always had an high number in every

category that you could possibly think of. So what it tells me is that this vacation is much needed. We're going to tell you we're going to let you talk about the response. But but I say that the tour is it speaks to who Obama has always been and how he's campaigned in a way and how he has promised and has delivered throughout his tenure. And that is continuously being engaged with the voter to make sure the voter knows what is going on. And he comes in a fashion. But I think it's important he takes his tie off he loosens a shirt rolls up his sleeves and he just has a conversation he's not afraid to get to give a voter an opportunity to ask a question that they might challenge him on. And I think that that in itself shows his respect for the average voter. All right well a hundred he did have a heckler on the trail. The guy was a self-identified Tea Party representative or representative of the Tea Party in fact a leader in that so one might say that that would be expected.

What perhaps is not expected is that there was a demonstration here in Boston by a group of Latino activists who were protesting Obama's immigration and immigration policy saying he is worse than George Bush. Right. That's not voting well is you. That's not. I don't know that I would agree would agree with that statement you know the immigration policy has not been where it needs to be and the truth of the matter is that the immigrant population is what's going to sustain the economy of America and we don't get that immigration reform right. Whichever president then we're going to be in some serious trouble. Obama has not. You know this the Secure Communities problem Secure Communities program is is a big issue it's a big issue among immigration advocates Noons of all came out and didn't sign it and then the federal government said it doesn't matter we're going to go through it with it anyways you know. And I think that what happens is is that we fall in line with the right Araik of this anti-immigrant rhetoric and for some reason that is so much louder than the actual

benefits that immigrants bring to the community and people are very disappointed with the administration and what they've done on immigration and I have to say that you know I you know in my heart of hearts I feel like you know it may be compromised leading to reform but you know a lot of people don't you know don't don't don't agree with me on in you know I think that if re-elected I think he will you know will lead down the road of immigration reform but you know its mission is not done what it needs to do in this first four years on immigration. But could they have. That's what you have to also ask too given everything else that was on the table. But we're not done with this conversation because we've got to come back to what Robert's got to say to this. And you know Robert has something to say. Yes I do. OK. We're talking politics one of the standouts of the White House. You can get in on the conversation 8 7 7 3 0 1 8 9 7 8 8 7 7 3 0 1 89 70. We'll be back after this break with Robert's comments. Stay tuned to WGBH.

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Good afternoon you're listening to the Calla Crossley Show. I'm Cali Crossland I'm talking politics this hour with Alexandra S. Dion Robert Forte's and Marvin Vinay. Robert Fortes is a political strategist. Marvin Vinay is the executive director of the Massachusetts black and Latino Democratic Legislative Caucus. And Alexandra S. Young is the executive director of the East Day a statewide Latino civic education organization. You can join us at 8 7 7 3 0 1 8 9 seventy 8 7 7 3 0 1 89 70. Are you someone who is a little frustrated with the president right now. But would you be out on the Midwest tour cheering him on. We're 8 7 7 3 0 1 8 8 9 7 8 7 7 3 0 1. Eighty nine seventy. Now before the break we were going to get back to your Robert's take on a number of things. President Obama as we said the polls are now characterizing him at 39 percent that's the first time he's been

below 40 but specifically there was a demonstration outside the Democratic Party headquarters here in Boston by a group of Latino activists who are very unhappy with his immigration policies and one said on immigration this president is a Republican. Now that was not a compliment Robert. You know what I wanted to get your take on that plus the response that he's getting out on the Midwest bus tour. Sure I will begin by saying that you know I think folks have heard me on the show before say the president has failed in his leadership. He has not led it on many issues that I think are even important to his own base. You take immigration reform I think the protesters were absolutely correct. Where has he been on that issue. You know I know he said a lot on the campaign trail but he hasn't led on that issue. George Bush when he was president put together an immigration reform package put it up to a vote. It was voted down by Democrats in Congress because

they don't want to give Republicans that type of victory. So you have George W. Bush who put the issue up for a vote. Where has President Obama been as far as his 39 percent approval rating I think that reflects people's have lost confidence in him on the economy. This is a president who. A year and a half ago many people many people in Republican Party begged him to concentrate on the economy and on jobs he decided to do health care put together health care which is a job killing bill. A great example of how he's lost his focus on the economy. Just listen to his rhetoric. He talks about I'm going to focus on jobs and in the same sentence he'll talk about you know we need to tax the wealthy and we need to tax corporations. Well unfortunately in our society these are the only people that can create jobs. So you're telling them on one hand that you're going to tax them and that this freezes them. That uncertainty you know 60 Minutes last Sunday I don't know if anybody saw had a great piece on American corporations and why they are forming incorporating

overseas we're losing corporations to Canada Ireland and losing those jobs with them. You know I was shocked to see the corporations that they they focused on you had Google Facebook Cisco and a whole host of others but some of those corporations were the very same CEOs. That met with the president before that bill and to tell him you know give them advice on what to do on jobs. So none of the surprises you know surprises me at all obviously he didn't listen to them because they're continuing to move their operations offshore where you're talking let me just get you to weigh in on the president's vacation which you know we expect that his critics would be hot and heavy about that as they have been this will be his third year going to Martha's Vineyard. But this for the very first time we're hearing from some people from the base and some of his supporters who say maybe not such a great time to go on vacation. Understand that you need one but call Congress back and do the business at hand. Niki Tsongas our congresswoman has one of the voices that's out there. There are

others. Just a quick comment from you Robert. Well we move Well look I just blasted the president on one hand and on the other hand I will say I mean let's be a little realistic I think you can take a vacation if you want to it's not like he's not going to be connected a lot like business will not get done just because he goes to Martha's Vineyard. You know he has a cell phone he has a BlackBerry as ever. But you know. He'll be able to conduct business. There is something to be said if Congress is serious about coming back into session and really working on a jobs bill then ok fine but if if they're not serious and they're not very much on drugs. Yeah but I think it's been it's been a silly debate all around I mean I really have to agree with with Robert on that one that it just you know everyone needs a vacation and all of that taxpayer money in terms of protecting I mean he's that's anywhere that he goes. So you know I agree I mean it's just been just another thing added to a silly debate.

MARGARET I think money is used conveniently. And the fact that this is an issue about what it will cost like Alexander said no matter where the president goes we're paying so to be caught up with whether or not he should be cation I think is just contradictory to what we try to live with is this peace and liberty an American during one point I want to ask if you don't mind. Robert you mentioned you mentioned George Bush in his immigration reform was that his first or second term as president. Try to remember and I want to say it was going into his second term. OK. And the reason I raise that point is because if we're talking about inheriting a country that President Obama was able was inherited and then trying to transition and do some things that have partly been done before. I think that it's important to recognize it takes time. So I'm not saying that immigration reform should not have been addressed early on or did it should not be an important issue. But let's be honest and say that there have been a number of issues that have the need to be

addressed in immigration reform is one of them that I think that will become a top priority. It might not have hit this season but I don't think that the season is up just yet and we still have work to do. And I'm not just defending the president as a much as I'm defending any leader who takes on a job of this nature. The other point I want to raise is that you know the vacation I think is a critical not just for himself but for him to reconnect with his family if he loses sight of his base. How do you expect him to run a country if he doesn't have a relationship inside of his home. Ok i'm just put it out and just say this is what the critics are saying I wanted you to get what you want to weigh in on it. One thing I did want you also to weigh in on the joint select committee which is the super congressional committee that's going to address this debt reduction plan that you know it took forever for them to come up with some tentative plan. So there's 12 congresspersons. They've now been appointed the co-chair of the committee is a woman. I thought at the very last

moment two persons of color were added by Nancy Pelosi and that's Xavier Basara and Jim Cliburn. But everybody else that's it. The rest of the panel it's me and it's only they were just they were just at it and it had she not had them we were about to have an all white panel with one woman. Right. And I you know I you know and I don't find that surprising at all and I think. You know unfortunately the gridlock in Washington was very much a reflection of both parties and their inability to really put what what's best for the country first and put partisan politics aside now. How effective that board is going to be I'm you know I'm not really sure when you're you know it's the similar debate that they have in redistricting right whether you have the legislature do or you have independent commission do it while the commission is then you know appointed by the legislature so you know how much you know I don't see anyone on the board who's actually going to be an independent independent voice so I think it could lead to just continued gridlock but you know maybe

I have a problem with that because well I have a problem that Jim Cliburn particularly Congressman Jim pry burn would be just recently had it considering his leadership throughout his tenure of being in office not to mention the number the number of support the number of support that he has throughout the delegation. So that's just you know it's kind of contradictory to what the image of the country looks like in itself that you would just add in minorities at this point in the gate the fact that the population that will get you elected in most cases are minorities if you engage them. So you know point out that half the population is women and there's one woman that you can argue she's a co-chair but still so let's go back. What do we need to go back to women's rights and civil rights. I'm going to you know and I'm not you know I'm not disagreeing with you actually. I'm agreeing with you because I think the country has come too far to stop this to start taking the steps backward and going back to where we were some 60 years ago plus we need to really start recognizing that our leadership needs to be

reflective of its demographic. And I agree about I don't know how far we've come I mean this you know I think there's a false conception of where we've come in terms of our race politics and our race theories and how we how we treat one another and I think that you know it's a shame. Like what Margaret says I completely agree but I I'm not surprised in any kind of way and you know it's really quite this lisc society and that's where immigration is also base is also is tied up and that's we have not had the race conversation and I'm just tired of being surprised I want to see results. Robert you want to weigh in on that. Well you know I was I was just thinking I think you know and Marvin made some great points and you as well. The one co-chair but I think. Also it's interesting I think there's a larger point here and that I know when I put the committee together they were really looking at people who had strong backgrounds and in finance tax policy economics. And when you look at the population as a whole unfortunately women and minorities are not well represented in those

industries and you know that when I say a conversation you know a larger conversation as a whole that goes back to where we're at in you know in the finance industry and education and things of that nature. Well just to follow that point also a lot of the people as have been noted by some political analysts are already on committee chair committee chairs or are considered to be important on other kinds of committees and it takes a while you have to be in Congress for a while to ascend to those positions not the least of which is you have to have have the party be empowered that can appoint you number of their number of CBC members who are chairs. There are a number of Hispanic Caucus members who are chairs. Yeah I know there are a number of legislators who are minorities the whole chairmanships on both sides of the ouse so I make it plain I'm just happy. I think we always go back to that are you know but it's always historically been and is going to take time it's going to take time while you know it's been a long time and where it is time is when are we going to break

history. Well CBC members seem to get disrespected by their travel at caucuses to those listening seem to get disrespected by the Democratic leadership as a whole like Why is Jim claim boy not the minority whip. Right now he was in line for the opposition but when they lost the majority they booted him created some office for him that I rather so because because of Nancy Pelosi's you know argument that she should still be a voice but I think at some point you have to recognize the leadership wasn't successful and I'm completely with you on this. You know I don't I don't get why our leadership starts to galvanize around the same old folks forgetting that it's the same old folks that got us in the position we're in currently. And instead of restructuring and trying something new again traditionalism needs to be broken. All right well Michele Bachmann is trying to break it. I know. I know you know as I mentioned I just have to help her understand why Elvis was born and died. But other than that she came out on top and I don't know whether she wins or

not seems to be Robert she's going to be a force. She is definitely going to be a force. I don't think that she will be president. I don't think she will win the nomination. I think if you look historically at the Republican Party the person against the very even though we have these spurts where the sort of the grassroots a Ron Paul you can see Sarah Pailin doing well out there with the grassroots. We're very much an establishment party when it comes right down to and that will be it will probably be an establishment candidate that wins the nomination. Yeah I think it will be a sad day for McCain like you know you know he's really here he's a possibility but I think what happens when you have and this often happens in the Republican Party and when you have those people who are so far to the right even your scent establishment candidates are starting to cater to those to those to those votes and so I think that you know Michele Bachmann I don't think she'll be the nominee either and I don't think you know it will be president but I think she will bring into it that conservatism that even your

established and central candidates are going to play to those to those voters. Michele Bachmann is your next vice presidential candidate for the Republican Party. That's your project that's my prediction I'm sticking to it. And I'm also saying. Rick Perry in his discussion of burning I think is just atrocious. You know how is it that he's arrested that he had committed a treasonous right. I mean how do you make that statement about about a gentleman who was under your party's a ministration before coming into the Obama administration has continuously worked hard to try to sustain the economy and then you make a comment like that when you're in it when you're in a state that has had the high yes death rate for decades. OK so now we're into why brick Perry can't win. Well. Just so I know you don't know you. OK all right OK. That's right. So I go back to say Michele Bachmann is your next vice presidential candidate.

And I also say that you know she show great signs which she won by a short margin against Ron Paul. I think Ron Paul has stepped up his game and grassroots and I think that he has he showed that he can be come a candidate. He still has a lot of growing to do but I think the Tea Party has really given him his due respect and they're going to fight for him. So I think moving for Rick Perry is going to be under some real big fan scrutiny. OK you heard it here first Mitt Romney Michele Bachmann. That's the ticket right. That's the ticket think OK. We've been talking politics both local and national saying the executive director of East Day a statewide Latino organization political strategist Robert forts and Marvin Benet executive director of the Massachusetts black and Latino Democratic Legislative Caucus thanks all YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU I'M top of the caliber show at WGBH dot org slash Kelly Crossley follow us on Twitter or become a fan of the Kelly Crossley Show on Facebook today show was engineered by Alan Mann It's produced by Chelsea lurkers will Rose lip and Abbey Ruzicka our

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