[♪ theme music ♪] >> john: good morning, and welcome once again to the "bill press show." i'm john fugelsang filling in for bill yet again in spite of all of your very passionate letters and tweets and personal interception from message from reverend tootoo, i'm back. mitt romney's taxes, looks like

it will be coming back into the news next week. and is america safering rape abortion many politicians think no. and now to lisa ferguson. good morning, everyone. if it was that you could never satisfy president obama's research team, and now mitt romney says it's his religion. in an interview with parade magazine, romney says he does not want the public to know how much he has donated to the church of latter-day saints. the church never releases that because it's a very private thing between mormons and god. he did one release one year of tax returning, and it showed

donating $1.3 million to the church. he might have done himself a disservice by bringing it up again, because now it is back in the news. during a private fund raiser minnesota last night he said big business is doing fine. romney painted the president as out of touch with every day americans when he used those words. the irony here romney is keeping some of his own money in off-shore accounts. last night, romney said he would champion small business to stop it from getting crushed.

back with more john after the break, and we are live in chat, current.com/billpress. and social media. we'll provide unsurpassed insight into the most buzz worthy tweets, posts and pontifications, from the entire social stratosphere including you. join in, tweet us, and you could be a part of our on-air and online coverage. >>now that is politically direct.

♪ >> announcer: broadcasting across the nation, on your radio, and on current tv. this is the "bill press show." >> john: good morning people of earth and welcome to the "bill press show." i'm john fugelsang filling in for bill press on this friday. he had governor mitt romney booked as a guest for the next three years, but then i brought up that i would be asking

questions about his tax returns, abortion, and the fact he donated millions to planned parenthood back in the '90s, and they both said they gave 10% of their interest to their church. so mitt romney won't be here. if you are going to ask mitt romney a single question about the biggest story in the news cycle for an entire week about a story that would haunt his campaign for the rest of the election someone, you don't get the interview no more. and this is what rupert murdoch was talking about when he tweeted about the dumbness of mitt romney's advisors. >> it's unbelievable.

>> john: he said look this is rape fatigue, let's move on. reversible mittens came out and said that he really really will not talk to any journalist if they are going to ask those kind of questions. they are dodging the media, and this means the right wing radical they don't ever get to claim about barack obama giving inadequate numbers at press conferences again ever. >> yeah. some dumb advisor said governor romney here is the thing, they are going to want to ask about abortion, just tell them ahead of time you are not going to answer any questions and then problem solved. >> john: i have done a lot of

different tv new channels because every now and then they want a clown that looks like katie lang come in -- [ laughter ] >> john: i was doing a show and i'm a big fan of sewla dad. and eric fern strum was on. can i tell you how it went on? >> sure, yeah. >> john: so i was interviewing fehrnstrom and he is a nice guy, and to my shock -- this will help if you are watching bill's show, but she turns to me when she is off camera and gives me the look the you want to ask a

question, i'll let you ask a question look. and so i had no idea i would get to participate in this one because a lot of times on that show you have to sit there like app oil painting. to this was the third week of march, and we were still in the heated ugliest part of the campaign season, and this is back when they were all saying mitt romney is not a real conservative, which by the way he ain't. so i knew exactly what i wanted to ask because i thought the rap on romney is that he is too conservative. and i wanted to ask hey, isn't this guy way to far to the right to be taken seriously at this point? so i phrased it by saying excuse me, yes, mr. fehrnstrom considering that last time governor romney faced a much more moderate opponent isn't

there a concern in your camp that he has made out to be so far to the right? mr. fehrnstrom as communications director i would have thunk he would be asked a question like this. but this is what he said. >> it's almost like an etch-a-sketch, we can shake it up and start all over again. >> john: i couldn't believe he said that. we have grown very used to governor romney lying a lot. we can say this, right? >> yeah. >> john: apologizing for america, lying about the affordable act lying about it being a tax not a penalty, lying about the medicare savings of

$700 billion that obamacare has that mitt romney has factored into the paul ryan budget lie, lie, lie and this is a guy who believes joseph smith's story, so i don't think anything would come of it. so an hour later i get in the car to go downtown and i look on my lie phone and i see the number 1 topic was etch-a-sketch. i thought my god, finally they are holding his feet to the fire because one of his staff told the truth. and that's also what we saw with todd akin he said what he felt and now this story will never go away. that means to me it is time for the "full court press." >> good morning and happy friday -- >> john: there's no doping on

your part to do this right? >> no. >> john: i'm still waiting for that urine you promised yesterday, but go on. >> i'll get that for you. lance arm strong will so no longer be referred to a seven-time winner. the u.s. anti-doping agency is set to ban him from the sport for life they will strip him from his seven tour titles armstrong maintains his innocence but says he will no longer challenge them in court. >> john: what does the constitution have to do with making roieds to win a bike race? >> that's right. >> john: he said the only physical evidence hears is the hundreds of doping controls i

passed with flying color. and this is all based on circumstantial evidence and the people that used to work with him. and maybe he is creep to work with. >> you might be right. >> john: but by giving up the fight, that is an look of guilt. even if he was guilty you continue to run on the fight, and now i don't know how the guy is going to make a buck again. >> he was still making lots of endorsements. >> john: that money is gone now. by not keeping up the fight, he is going to be known as a cheater. if it is a witch hunt then why aren't you out there fighting. if you care about your

foundation, good lord just care about your image. >> the lead singer of twisted sister is mad at paul ryan and he's not going to take it anymore. >> john: you waited all night to bring that up -- >> you know he was practicing that line. >> john: couldn't you have chosen another twisted sister hit -- oh, wait. no, he is is a cool guy. >> every interview i have ever seen he is awesome. >> the republican vice presidential candidate played his fan we're not going to take it at a campaign rally earlier this week, he said there is nothing he agrees with except his workout regimen. >> paul ryan i think doesn't understand how music works. >> john: yeah. rage against the machine -- he

meant to say his favorite band is chill to the machine. >> and madonna is ready to bury the hatchet -- >> john: he is the best looking person in the world. >> yeah of course. the "huffington post" -- >> john: you know how much i hate having to defend madonna. >> she spoke about elton at a convert in france saying it is time to move on. elton did call madonna a trail blazer. >> john: yeah, she lip synced before i was trendy. she did. if you pay to watch a singer and you are actually seeing a mime, it is wrong. can you believe in the year that rem and lcdsound system breaks

up -- new kids on the break starts up? >> if you pay to see that you deserve what you get. >> john: yeah, if you have early '90s nostalgia for crap and i will call it crap -- how do you feel about the elton john madonna feud? >> i'm not a madonna fan, but calling her a stripper is -- >> john: i have to go to the fair in england. >> yeah, i like them both. i think he was out of line. i'm a madonna fan. >> john: anything since ray of light that you think is good? >> no. [ laughter ] >> john: i think elton john tends to do this when he has a new product coming out. last year you'll recall, elton

john came out and began talking about billy joel's drinking i grew up in long island and he is sort of our springsteen. and elton john talked about billy joel's drinking when billy wasn't there. and he was doing a promotional tour for gnomeo and juliette -- >> i had to go see it. i had to take my kid to see it. >> john: why? what did the kid do? >> i think that we should see a mash up between elton john ma donna, and nickelback and then

he healing with begin. >> john: billy joel tweeted him and said he has never had a talk privately about it and he ended with good luck with your movie. elton is a -- look elton made a really interesting record last year, with leon russell, which i really respect. and elton said he was so influenced by what dillon has been doing since 1987 and do cool albums that get no radio time. but i don't know this is just like -- you know smearing someone else just to get in the headlines. >> i don't see any products he is out showing. -- >> john: he is just being nasty. and madonna she has sort of earned it this year? >> she's in her 50s and she went up on stage a couple of months

ago and just whipped her boob out for no good reason -- >> john: i have no problem with that. >> but it's sort of weird. >> john: madonna has been an aging scandal addict for years. >> it was a terrifying album. >> john: it was. thank you, gentlemen. this is terrific. we'll have a lot to talk about between lance and mitt and all sorts of mall see fans. i'm john fugelsang thrilled to be joining you on the "bill press show" on current tv. >> announcer: this is the "bill press show." ♪ unsurpassed insight into the most buzz worthy tweets, posts and pontifications, from the entire social stratosphere including you.

join in, tweet us, and you could be a part of our on-air and online coverage. >>now that is politically direct.

you've heard bill's views, now let's hear yours. politically direct means no b.s. just telling you what's going on in politics today. >>at the only on-line forum with a direct line to bill press. >>it's something i've been waiting for a long time. >>join the debate now. ♪

>> announcer: heard around the country and seen on current tv this is the "bill press show." >> john: good morning, i'm john fugelsang filling in for the great and powerful bill press. i'm deeply honored to be here in the nation's capitol, joined as always by bill's loyal evil army of the night. good morning gents. >> good morning, john. >> john: lance armstrong loses his trophies but chris brown uses auto tune and gets to keep his grammys. he uses auto tunes and gets to

keep his grammys. some cheating we regard and some repunish. we're all surprised here that lance armstrong a man that compared his struggle against doping allegations to the struggle against cancer. he said today i turn the page and will commit myself to the work i began before ever winning a tour de france title. but by giving up his struggle and being perceived as being a cheater, the donations, i would imagine are going to dry up and there's more than a few people out there tragically who care deeply about fighting cancer who are going to throw away their live strong bracelets. >> i think you are right. he still has a presence while he

was fighting this. now there are so many things that we just don't know. why would he quit? >> john: and again he says he is tired of the struggle but his struggle is only beginning now. and i want to learn more about this. how would it be possible to pass that many doping tests -- does he have an extra bag of urine stashed in his leg at all times. >> you are absolutely right. he has never failed a drug test. but the worst thing he can do right now is to shut up. i think he needs to explain what is going on. >> john: yeah, i hate cancer so much, i would support him even if he did use steroids just to keep the donations pouring in. i hate cancer more than i hate cheating. but let me just say if we ever

found out that he did lie to all of us, and was doping all of those years, and cheating i think the best possible retribution could be for cheryl crow to come out and say she faked it. [ laughter ] >> john: we want to know what you think so call us at 866-55-press and give us a holler. later on today's show column, national energy correspondent, and the smear job, and "politico"'s senior congressional reporter. it will be a real smart show. i'm john fugelsang. we'll be right back with the "bill press show." >> announcer: this is the "bill

press show." ♪ (vo) every news network will cover the convention. but only current coverage will put you at the collision of tv and social media. we'll provide unsurpassed insight into the most buzz worthy tweets, posts and pontifications, from the entire social stratosphere including you. join in, tweet us, and you could be a part of our on-air and online coverage. >>now that is politically direct.

♪ >> announcer: on your radio, on tv, the "bill press show." new on current tv. >> john: good morning, i'm john fugelsang filling in for bill here on current tv and an your radio and on your computer. we're going to be talking a lot about mitt romney today, however, we're not allow to talk about his stance on abortion or the policies of todd akin the republican party's platform he

doesn't like it when you bring up romney care when you bring up his time at bain he doesn't want you to ask him about his taxes, or what he is going to replace the affordable care act with. he doesn't want us to ask about specifics in his economic plan or which discretionary spending he would cut, but other than that this man is an open book. but the obama administration is shrouded in secrecy. we want to know your thoughts so call us up here at 866-55-press for the "bill press show," and we'll be talking all morning about the very sad saga of lance armstrong. good morning, tom, you are on the "bill press show." >> caller: good morning, i really wanted to talk about the way we talk about this instance. >> john: please.

>> caller: you insinuated he was giving up the fight without much of a fight -- >> john: no, no, he has been fighting for a very long time. >> caller: right, but you implied that he gave up quickly. he beat a two-year federal probe that had all of the evidence the usda has. and this was not a criminal or a judicial act they are doing. they are just slamming him. >> john: so why do you think he as yielded and that he won't continue to fight the charges anymore? why is he essentially allowing his trophies to be stripped? >> caller: because they have already indicated exactly what they were going to do. and his only recourse is the federal court, and they said they don't have any jurisdiction over the usda.

>> john: so he has no more recourse. >> caller: he has no more recourse. the only thing he could do here was stay in the process which meant showing up and letting him strip his medals. >> john: well what do you think he should have done? >> caller: i believe exactly what he is doing. he exhausted all recourse the usda is going farther than the federal government a two-year federal probe with all of the same eyewitnesses same evidence, same urinal us evidence, and they gave it up, because there was no evidence to convict of anything. >> john: exactly that's why we questions why is he giving up

now? why doesn't he sue them. >> caller: there's no way to sue the usda. it's an government agency which has what he says an unconstitutional authority as his rights as a natural citizen and as an athlete. >> john: so do you believe him? >> caller: yes, i do. >> john: why do you think they are doing this then? >> caller: there were two that were convicted and had their titles stripped and they are still competing. i don't know why, but he has won every legal challenge. >> john: i agree with you. >> caller: the usda is doing extra legal stuff. >> john: i completely agree with you, and i thank you for the call, but i would not give up

the fight, even if it meant a few more months because that's months that he could get more money. as we learn more about the case i'm sure we'll find that out. stewart is calling from st. petersburg, florida. good morning. >> caller: good morning. the question is how much is it costing to fight. >> john: but how much does it cost not to fight. >> caller: yeah. >> john: by giving up any fight his income is essentially drying up forever. >> caller: that's probably true. and then my opinion about the tax codes is when you have over 3.5 billion words in the tax code something needs to change.

if romney paid 13% is it fair? yes. is it fair that michael moore who is so far left how much did he pay? >> john: well number one, michael moore was not a millionaire at birth. he makes a lot of money some hears, doesn't in other years. mitt romney paid 13.9% on over $20 million of a declared income year when he wasn't even working. the argument is people who work for their income should pay taxes, people who don't work for a living should pay less. >> caller: and that's why the tax code should be same. we can't go to a flat tax, because that kills jobs. >> john: i agree. >> caller: as much as you might

notes like tax lawyers, they hire a lot of people. >> john: and 20% for guy for makes $20 million means nothing, 20% for a guy who makes $20,000 is a lot of money. >> caller: exactly. >> john: under this code of what the top percentage pays, you are going from income of $250,000 and higher. you are putting people who make a quarter of a million dollars a year on the same plane as a guy who makes 50 million a year and i think taxing those two income brackets is insane and it's a gimmick to keep who make $250,000 income fight really hard for billionaires because there's a lot more people who make 250,000 a year, than make a

billion. a millionaire-only tax, you would get a lot of conservatives on your side with that. thank you for the call. joe is calling from salt lake city utah. good morning, joe. >> caller: good morning. it has been a pleasure watching you and bill press. >> john: thank you. >> caller: lance armstrong, look at how much pressure they have been putting on him, and the guys who were his teammates, they are covering their tails, and the government is letting them off because of it.

>> john: by why is he being singled out? do you think the government shouldn't go after cheaters in sports. i'm not saying lance armstrong did it. i'm saying do you want the government to go after cheaters in sports? >> caller: no. >> john: i would rather have them go after bankers. >> caller: true. i would like to see our legal system go into wall street and start throwing around some cuffs. but the sec ain't going to allow that to happen because they are appointed by the banker and wall street nerds. >> john: and democrats are trying to play on the same format as the republicans. and i think this is a mistake of the obama administration.

i think that would actually help barack obama. i think it would hurt him with wall street donations, but that is already in progress. but joe, do you think that scott arming strong is innocent? >> caller: i think lance armstrong is innocent of the charges. they are making him get off of the bicycle once he wins the race and then pee in the cup. so what time does he have to change anything? he is getting right off of the bike, and now going for testing. >> john: yeah, i think his trophies are going away, but the controversy won't. i'm sorry, joe, we're out of time. we'll be right back on the "bill press show." >> announcer: this is the "bill press show." perspective. >>i'm a slutty bob hope. the troops love me.

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(vo) every news network will cover the convention. but only current coverage will put you at the collision of tv and social media. we'll provide unsurpassed insight into the most buzz worthy tweets, posts and pontifications, from the entire social stratosphere including you. join in, tweet us, and you could be a part of our on-air and online coverage. >>now that is politically direct. ♪

>> announcer: radio meets television. the "bill press show" you on current tv. >> john: lcd sound system right on. good morning, it is the "bill press show." i'm john fugelsang filling in for bill, wishing you a gorgeous and lovely within. very happy to be with you today. we have been talking about the mitt romney tax returns and the lance armstrong scandal now i want to welcome our next guests. he writes for the "boston globe," and i want to welcome you to the "bill press show" here on the eve of the gop national convention. welcome. >> good morning, glad to be

here. >> john: it's a pleasure to have you. i wanted to talk to you about the party platforms. current tv is going to be covering the conventions for the first time lead by al gore and. and i came across the republican party for 1956 and i was astonished to see how shockingly pro labor that party was, how proprogressive that party was, and i thought my god eisenhower was a democrat back in the 50s. >> you are absolutely right. they are talk about putting together one of the most conservative platforms they have ever had this year. and the subject of abortion has gotten a lot of attention this week, and i went back and looked and the wording this year is similar to what they have had since 1984 but it's more

stringent than that what i had in 1976. and they are a dissenting voices within our own party and there are people who fall strongly pro choice strongly pro life or somewhere in between. >> john: there are plenty of republicans who support abortion rights, but you are not going to hear from them. this year they are really doubling down to get the evangelicals to come out and vote. they are trying harder than ever to be the party of no abortion including of cases of rape or incest. are you surprised to see the republican party going this strong, are it is a sign they are concerned about getting out

the vote due to a lack of mitt, mitt mittdom. >> i think you really want to show unity and republicans this year in particular, i think especially with the impact that ron paul had during the season and he has many sympathetic delegates going to this convention, there was a great concern in the gop generally that they would sort of appear fragmented at this year's convention. >> john: are they not? >> well, there are but if you look at the platform there isn't acknowledgment that there is disagreement. so this document appears to

present a very unified front. >> john: we were talking quite a bit about this on the show yesterday, and the theory i put forth, and i would love your expertise on this, but the republican party in my theory will never allow abortion to become leader. anyone who has ever had family down south who gets these emails about abortion it's always attached to a fund-raising box on the bottom of the letter. and when the gop controlled the white house, house and senate for six years under george w. bush and announced today it's all they talk about. i keep seeing this pattern over and over again about republicans being quite serious about abortion on the state level but the ones in d.c. it seems like

it is all a show. >> it's an interesting theory. i have a little bit of a hard time calling all of these republicans who seem to be so adequately pro-life disingenuous. i don't really know what is in their hearts but i think that certainly what you outlined makes good sense. i would add a lot of republicans in washington are big state's rights folks, and mitt romney would fall into that category although his position has evolved over the years on abortion. and he has gotten support the pro life amendment his preferred strategy appears to over turn roe v wade and take a more hands off approach. >> john: do you expect to see

any surprises this year's democratic perhaps that they will roll out next week? >> i think the big surprise is the fact that the party platform was going to officially endorse same-sex marriage for the first time. so i think they have already gotten their surprise out there if there is something else surprising, we'll all certainly cover it well. >> john: i think you are right, and that means it will be at least five years before mitt romney can claim he was always for marriage equality. >> yes. >> john: thanks for joining us this morning. >> thanks for having me. >> john: we'll be right back after this. >> announcer: on your radio, and on current tv this is the "bill press show." ♪

>>only on current tv.

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>> announcer: this is the "bill press show." >> john: this is the "bill press show." i'm john fugelsang filling in for bill. we have a lot crammed in for the next couple of hours of your life. i hope you will stay with us. i will be a preelection show with hal sparks in madison wisconsin at the barry more theater. we are talking about, of course governor romney this morning. but here is christine brennan sports columnist of usa today? >> what does it say?

does it say that deep down inside he thinks he is guilty? there are so many questions left unanswered. >> john: indeed there are, and i don't think we'll get them answered at this point. >> i don't think we will. he has got to sort of keep out there and fight it publicly if he's not going to spend the money to fight it in court. >> john: we're getting really interesting comments on twitter. hilary says i don't think armstrong's earning potential changes. the suspicions over drug use was already baked into his brand. which is a very, very good point. and margaret says the usda is funded with tax dollars, but it is not a governmental agency. if it is funded with tax dollars, it kind of is. i'm john fugelsang and this is

the "bill press show."

[♪ theme music ♪] >> john: good morning. this is the "bill press show." i am john fugelsang billing in for bill asking the question why if lance armstrong has to give up his trophies does chris brown get to use auto tune and still get to keep his grammies? a lot to talk about. our guest will include the atlantic's associate editor to talk about news weeks smear job

on the president. and we're also going to be talking a national energy correspondent corral davenport. but it's time go to lisa ferguson for a current news update. good morning, everyone. cory booker will get a part of the convention this year. and jennifer grandholm will also speak at the convention. but don't expect a ron paul revolution next week. team romney has managed to squall that one before it got ugly. his lawyer struck a deal with paul this week taking back a at of his delegates. since a candidate needs five dates to officially be

dominated, he is making a slight change at the convention. the original thought was to wait% until wednesday or thursday to nominate romney, but now they will likely bump it up until monday. and the pennsylvania supreme court is bumping up its hearing on the state's controversial voter id law. a state judge upheld that law last week, and pennsylvania was hoping the appeal could wait until mid-october. the obvious speculation there, it would be too close to the election to make any real difference, but the supreme court said it wants to hear the case sooner on september 13th. and as voter suppression takes place across much of country, a big win in california. californians need to register a full two weeks before the election, but now they will have all the way up until voting day.

more "bill press show" coming up. we're live in chat. unsurpassed insight into the most buzz worthy tweets, posts and pontifications, from the entire social stratosphere including you. join in, tweet us, and you could be a part of our on-air and online coverage. >>now that is politically direct.

♪ >> announcer: broadcasting across the nation, on your radio, and on current tv this is the "bill press show." now filling in for bill here is john fugelsang. >> john: good morning, and welcome to the "bill press show." i'm john fugelsang, happy to be filling in once again. i grew up in an abnormally catholic household, so -- because my parents are both exclergy, so we always enjoyed what we called way too formal fridays, and that's why i am dressed this way. i'm very glad to be

momentarially welcoming corral davenport to talk about mitt romney's energy policy. i have to do the very dignified act of including dan here. it's now time for the "full court press." >> what a sell. thanks for that. good morning happy friday. >> john: you have been way too pro nickelback this morning. >> u.s. olympic ryan locke spoke about his trip to las vegas where he hung out with prince harry. he challenged the gold medalist to a swimming race. he was very glad that harry did not invite him to play strip

billiards. and ryan enjoyed his time off and starts training for the rio games on monday. >> john: that's fantastic. >> he said the first time in three weeks he was in the pool was with prince harry in vegas. >> john: michael phelps is just forgotten. >> so he takes a three-week break every four years. a sounds about right. the man who shot and killed john lennon 32 years ago will remain behind bars for at least another 32 years. the man who killed though former beatle's rocker was denied parole for the seventh time. his next chance is in august of 2014. >> john: i'm of the fundamentalist beatle school

that this man killed john lennon to get his name in the history books. and any time anyone says this man's name it proves he was right. so if you care about violence and murder you don't say this guy's name and give him what he wants. >> good take. and congress has decided they will serve bottled water in january. the folks who provide d.c.'s tap water are not happy about that decision. d.c. water sent a letter to congress urging them to reconsider serving bottle water. while water in d.c. was not safe ten years ago it has -- >> hang on. no. let me tell you something, no. >> john: please, you seem eager. >> have you used the water from the sink in our kitchen.

it is milky white. we make coffee and drink the water out of our fine water cooler. >> john: does it glow in the dark like frac water? can it be used as a heating source. the d.c. tap water they want to have served at the inauguration that would come in bottles too. >> they would have plastic cups i guess. >> yeah, but they say don't serve spring water. >> it's a matter of national security don't drink d.c. tap water. >> john: it is a fascinating bottled-beverage controversy,

disani is french for pepsi just sold you water. as soon as they said little girls can't bring lip gloss on a flight anymore, that's the point in which you could only find purified tap water. i think that's the conspiracy that jesse ventura should be bringing up. anything else? >> that's it. i'm going to go listen to nickelback. >> john: correll davenport writes for the national journal, and you are about to head to the gop convention. >> absolutely. and it's -- it's interesting we saw mitt romney unveil yesterday all of the full details of his

energy policy. >> john: which is a really marked reparture. >> it's pretty much a standard oil industry wish list. although markedly different in one significant way from the john mccain energy policy even though we remember so clearly and vividly the drill baby drill cries at the mccain -- >> john: typically said by people who are a shil baby shil. >> well just four years ago john mccain was campaigning on a policy of climate change. four years ago we had a republican presidential candidate who actually was a pioneer and leader in saying climate change is a big problem and we need to fight it. it's amazing to look at the difference that four years have

made on that issue. >> john: the leader in acknowledging the world scientific consent on this subject. it seems like we really are now entering the golden age of republicans covering for pollution by using the word jobs. >> i don't know if i would go that far, because what mitt romney has done in his energy plan in the way he is framing, selling, and promoting his energy plan is exactly what candidate obama did in 2008. we remember clearly as well in 2008 candidate obama running on an energy plan by calling at it jobs plan. president obama was running on a very clear policy of mandating renewable electricity from wind and solar -- >> john: which would be the big difference. >> absolutely. and passing cap and trade to tackle climate change. and i think campaigns think

those are both tough sells for voters. and an easier way to sell it is to call at it jobs creator. so in 2008 candidate obama called it a green jobs creator. it kind of ultimately fell flat. but amazing we're now seeing republicans and the romney campaign doing a different kind of thing, saying let's drill ever. >> john: but is that really new coral? i remember george hw bush talk about drilling jobs. they keep saying time and time again it's about jobs jobs jobs. i think the distinction with president obama is he was presenting a 21 century way of

promoting jobs. although both seem to be fans of that mythical clean coal. >> yeah. you don't hear much about coal. it is really focused on oil and natural gas, and one of the reasons for that is coal is on the decline right now. no matter which party becomes president, we're probably going to see a decreased market for coal, and not a lot of market of the clean coal which as you say is a unicorn. >> john: i didn't know coal was on the decline. >> they are fighting for their lives, the coal industry. really it has more to do with the fact that in the last couple of years, we have seen this

huge, huge boom of production of u.s. domestic gas. coal and natural gas are the two big competitors for our electricity environment. cole has been the stakeholder for most of the 20th century. we have seen natural gas come in and dominate that market. it's cheap and electric utilities prefer it, and a lot of policy makers prefer it, because it produces a lot fewer carbon emissions than coal. and based on its -- you know it's cheap price abundance and lower carbon emissions. natural gas is edging coal out of the market. this year for the first time ever more natural gas was produced than coal. >> john: i had no idea. >> yeah. coal is on the way out.

and if you look at both of the messages both are celebrating natural gas. this has to do with market forces, but both are celebrating natural gas in their energy plans and not seeing that much about coal. >> john: and this also means the negative buzz on frac-ing hasn't become that much of an issue yet? >> not yet. that will be key to watch in the next administration. they are both celebrating the job potential of natural gas celebrating the exploitation of this new natural resource but there's a big question of what are the impacts of frac-ing? is it going to hurt water supplies? use too much water. there are a lot of environmental concerns -- >> john: does it cause earthquakes and your taps to

catch on fire. >> right. so it's potentially a game-changing new natural resource, depending on what the side effects are and both sides are wary of how much regulation does it need? if you look at romney's jobs plan -- energy jobs plan there is not very much about regulating frac-ing. the obama administration is definitely looking at regulating frac-ing but they too are wary of shutting down what could be a jobs bonanza. >> john: of course. we'll be taking your calls with coral davenport when he come back. we're at 866-55-press on your radio and current tv. do not go away. >> announcer: radio meets tv. the "bill press show" now on current tv. ♪

perspective. >>i'm a slutty bob hope. the troops love me. >>only on current tv.

(vo) every news network will cover the convention. but only current coverage will put you at the collision of tv and social media. we'll provide unsurpassed insight into the most buzz worthy tweets, posts and pontifications, from the entire social stratosphere including you. join in, tweet us, and you could be a part of our on-air and online coverage. >>now that is politically direct. ♪

>> announcer: this is the "bill press show." >> john: in is the "bill press show." i'm john fugelsang happy to be filling in for bill press. i'm delighted to be with coral davenport. have you been to a lot of political conventions before? >> this will be my second one. >> john: it is fun to be

there -- >> it's nuts. it's a zoo. it's fun. it's exhausting it's crazy, it is a 17-ring surcuss. there was talk about this would be a scaled downconvention because of the economy. but people are saying no at the last minute it looks like it is going to be just as much -- >> john: it will be a pink floyd concert for both of them. >> for the republicans the two big concerts will be journey and leonard skynard and willie nelson -- >> john: for the republicans? >> that's what i hear. he is a known opponent of taxes. [ laughter ] >> john: so was al capone but still i'm really

surprised -- wow. >> it has been reported. >> john: willie nelson is allegedly singing for the people that want to put him in jail. well the democrats do too. what about the democrats? >> common i know is performing -- >> just this morning they announced james tailor. >> john: wow. willie nelson i'm not going to believe i until i see it. >> the other one i hear about the demes is reports of bruise springsteen, which would make a lot of sense. willie nelson's new album which is called "heros," it begins with a track that begins with

snoop dogg who sings on a song that calls roll me up and smoke me until i have died. i have been inside willie nelson's tour bus. i will be shocked if he appears at the gop convention. when i watch the gop convention i like to play drinking games with my friends. >> it's a ripe opportunity. >> john: there are a few words i choose to be the designated driver, middle class, bin laden, and climate change -- i don't think climate and change are two words we'll be hearing in the same sentence at all. >> absolutely. but i would add that we probably won't hear too much about it at the dem convention either. both candidates don't want to pay too much attention to this issue right now.

the obama campaign has made that clear. they will say you know where we stand on this issue. people who care about this -- >> john: that's another record-hot summer after a record-hot july. it's not very timely. mitt romney has had a fair amount of flip flopping on the environmental issue. >> mitt romney has had a 180 flip flop on this issue. i think energy and the environment are a great lens in which to look at the way this candidate has changed. when he was governor of massachusetts, he embraced a green energy fund that was specifically for funding and renewing affordable energy projects in the state of massachusetts. he charged his energy department with a plan to tackle climate

change. one of the things that is fascinating about governor romney is one of his top environmental officials when he was governor of massachusetts, the one charged with working on the massachusetts climate change plan was a woman named jeanne mccarthy. she is currently the number 2 in the obama epa, where she was the clean air and climate program. that's who mitt romney was -- and she's from boston but that's who mitt romney was hiring when he was governor of massachusetts. he famously stood in front of a coal plant and gave a speech about how he was going to shut down coal plants because coal plants kill people. now -- and -- and -- and in his book -- >> john: i'm afraid we are actually out of town, but i'll be looking for your work at the nothingsal convention. have a great time and thank you

for joining us. >> thank you for having me. >> announcer: this is the "bill press show." ♪ cover the convention. but only current coverage will put you at the collision of tv and social media. we'll provide unsurpassed insight into the most buzz worthy tweets, posts and pontifications, from the entire social stratosphere including you. join in, tweet us, and you could be a part of our on-air and online coverage. >>now that is politically direct.

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for your family at e-trade. ♪ >> announcer: this is the "full court press," the "bill press show," live on your radio and on current tv. >> john: good morning, everyone out there in bill press land. i'm john fugelsang filling in for bill again this morning. thrilled to be with you until 9:00 am eastern standard time. i'll be taking your calls all morning long at 866-55-press. i'm sorry we ran out of time with coral davenport, but you

can follower her on twitter and read her stuff on the national convention. and i'm very excited to welcome our new guest, fans of elegant fiction were enjoying news weeks cover story by neil ferguson all about barack obama and how he wants to eat your children. but the atlanta had an epic takedown of the facts, and that was written by our next guest. he is the business -- let me get your title, right. you are the associate editor of business and economics for the atlantic. you are matt o'brien, you wrote the piece, welcome to the "bill press show." >> thanks for having me. >> john: when this piece came

out, did you read it right away and go to your editor and say let me take this guy down. >> i read it and basically my hair was on fire. >> john: yeah, paul krugman points out the errors on this piece, it's kind of like he has been right about so many things in the last 15 years that no one really cares, and i think that's why in many ways your piece was even more powerful. this is just a very meticulously researched takedown of what ferguson tried to do. what was the most glaring in inaccuracy inaccuracy. >> first off obamacare. he said this ads to the deficit.

>> john: which governor romney has said. >> yes it's just a lie out there. and he quotes the cbo and only the costs. >> john: uh-huh. it said it would shave over $126 billion off of the deficit, but it was repeated yet again, and it's sort of like the big lie theory. >> right. so then when he was challenged on this by krugman he defended himself by going back to the analysis by the budget office and he doctored a quote saying they didn't say they would save as much in medicare as they say. and there is quote saying it's unclear how these savings will be achieved and he cuts it off with a dot, dot, dot and it goes on to say they are not sure

which way it will be saved. and then he doubled down with an even more obvious lie. so i went back and reread the piece, and in that light every little error or case where the presented a lie became more and more glaring in my eyes. >> john: it's interesting i want to find as many positive things to say about governor romney as i can. but i'm really shocked at the amount of lies and easily refuted lies that have come out of his mouth. i guess it has to do with that 50.1% of the vote that he has to get. governor romney has become so adept at weekly lies.

the most recent being medicare. that obama is stealing from seniors and robbing from the socialism to pay for socialism. i would like to think brothers as sisters would be as outraged as you are. >> i have no problem with ferguson making as strong as case as we wants about obama. that's great. >> john: liberals do it every day. if i want honest techniques of the obama administration i have to go to the far left guy. >> all they have to talk about is the fact that unemployment is still so high. instead of doing that ferguson distorts and makes things up. and it's totally unnecessary,

and it's a question of why are you doing this? if your case against him is so strong why do you need to do this? >> john: uh-huh. he writes in his notorious you didn't build that speech which barack obama clumsily plagiarizing elizabeth warren and saying obama listed what he considers the greatest achievements of big government, and even bizarrely the creation of the middle class, sadly he couldn't mention anything comparable that his administration has achieved. how did you feel when you read this passage? >> it is just blinding. this is from a historian. he is suppose know about this stuff. america was one of the first -- the first nation to make school a government entity.

and if you want to talk about what things the government has achieved a littlely how about making healthcare universal. >> john: and they finally did it by taking a conservative policy. it's socialism, that's what our congressmen have and medicare socialism, social security socialism, and obamacare is forcing americans to buy a private product. but still when it's so the opposite of socialism how they can get away with just repeating the lie over and over again. >> when mitt romney was in israel he praised their healthcare system. and in israel you have four choices of different medicare plans. >> john: there are four mandates pick one. >> yeah, a choice of four

different public options, and they compete, and they deliver high-quality care at about half of much money as we do. and he praised their system and said we had a lot to learn from them. i agree with them. it would be great if he would say that here. >> john: yes, but he can't. when you consider that the number one cause of bankruptcy in this country is inability to pay healthcare costs the liberals are the ones screaming for single payer, the democrats were screaming for a public option, and if you just woke up from a coma you would be shocked that the republicans are saying keep it is as it is right now. they have completely flip

flopped into each other's stereo types. >> mitt romney says replace obamacare. but he hasn't say with what. >> john: you are right matt because he talks about his plan versus obama, and he wants you to believe that his plan is a penalty and not a tax. and a day later romney was refuting his communications director by saying it was a penalty when he did it a tax when obama did it. what happened to the corporate media that they are so eager to take naked falsehoods? is it just that it is all about

alienating the republican base. >> for the republicans it's not just about health care. the latest attacks on the swing states is about welfare and how obama has supposedly taking the money out of welfare. >> john: yeah, you have bill clinton calling you a liar which is like richards telling you to slow down and take care of your health. and this was a waiver that governor romney himself sought for massachusetts. when we come back -- we do have to go to break. my theory on all of this is the news week are trying to save print in their own way by having red meat for conservatives every quarter. this is a way to get the right-wing to go out and buy

news week enmass. we'll play a quote when we come back. you're watching the "bill press show" with matt o'brien of the atlantic. don't go away. >> announcer: this is the "bill press show." live on your radio and current tv. ♪ >>i jump out of my skin at people when i'm upset. they're doing this this corruption based on corruption based on corruption. >>that's an understatement, eliot.

(vo) every news network will cover the convention. but only current coverage will put you at the collision of tv and social media. we'll provide unsurpassed insight into the most buzz worthy tweets, posts and pontifications, from the entire social stratosphere including you. join in, tweet us, and you could

be a part of our on-air and online coverage. >>now that is politically direct. ♪ >> announcer: this is the "bill press show" live on your radio and current tv. >> john: we are back this is the "bill press show." i'm john fugelsang filling in for bill yet again and joined by matt o'brien from the atlantic

who really has the story of the summer which is your epic takedown of neil ferguson. i want to play a sound bite we didn't get to yesterday of ms. tina brown who i like very much, defending her magazine's cover story, smear job on the president. >> neil is a swashbuckling -- i think he was spectacle about those conclusions, and that could have been more clear but he has clarified that in his rebuttal. he has really tried to do what i think the republican party wishes was happening right now. just have a discussion about the economy. he said this president has been a failure on the economy, on drugs, and the deficit. that is his view. i do think the cover of news

week is a place to have battle of ideas, and that is certainly what has happened. >> john: us in week doesn't have a fact checker for this kind of cover story, do they? >> no. >> john: it sounds like what tina is saying is everything he say is full of crap but my mandate is to save this magazine. >> yeah, no. it's just trying to be as explosive as possible. get as much attention as possible. >> john: yeah, and that's what happens when capitolism eats journalism, i guess. and god bless. it seems like she is trying to defend what he did while also distancing herself at the same time. >> she is not quite write about what he did with the cbo which is what people are going to

read. there's no question he misrepresents the cbo, and continues to misrepresent the cbo. in his first clarification he doctors a quote from them, and the second time again he clarifies again and tries to make steps back from that. >> john: and that is what is being done with the you didn't build this controversy. the president clumsily ripped off what elizabeth warren first said. his sin tex wasn't as fluid as ms. warrens, and to the president's credit, he hasn't backed off from the position. he came out with a statement about how they are lying about what he said. and we see that now with the gop saying we built this for the convening. which is funny on two levels,

one, they are embracing collectivism. and they are displaying that in front of a building that was paid for my government. >> of course. for the last two years he hasn't done those things, because they stopped him from doing them. it's hard to attack him for not creating jobs when you blocked the jobs act >> john: it's like lucy blaming charlie brown for a lousy kick when she blocked the ball. >> that's right. >> john: mr. ferguson said not only did the initial stimulus

fade, but the president has done absolutely nothing to close the long-term gap between spending and revenue. i went to public school and even i know that's a lie. >> the funny part is in his collation indications. he went on tv and said anyone who studied this closely knows that there was a surge in employment in early 2010 from the stimulus -- >> john: exactly we were losing 800,000 jobs a month when bush left. and the stimulus stopped that. >> and it gets better. he confused the stimulus hiring from the census. he doesn't know what he is talking about. and the second part, you know, there's at least two times where obama has tried to do a long-term debt deal. during the debt ceiling he had an offer to the republicans that would have made democrats scream, which is about 90% of

what the republicans wanted and they turned it down -- >> john: uh-huh. because they didn't want to see the economy improve to see his recollection. >> in august 2009 he wrote he thought the stimulus was a good idea, and now he thinks that -- i'm not sure if he thinks it wasn't big enough. he thinks the debt too much. >> john: let me tell you my theory, we have to go to break in a second matt. i think fox news wants to see barack obama reelected. i think they had eight years of the hate clinton network, and eight years of the defend bush network, and they have had a very lucrative time during the hate obama network. i think it's bad for business. i think mitt romney is bad for their ratings.

i want to ask you more about that. we'll be right back. this is the "bill press show." >> announcer: this is the "bill press show." ♪ perspective. >>i'm a slutty bob hope. the troops love me. >>only on current tv.

13 ♪ >> announcer: this is the "bill press show." >> john: if y'all read only one piece this week, make sure the piece you read is matt o'brien's take down of the smear on the

obama. it is neil or nile? >> i think it's neil. >> john: okay. do you think this is going to be -- the lies that you and mr. krugman have pointed route going to stick to him? >> i think neil has reached a point where he is kind of -- not bullet proof, but things bounce off of him. he's -- you know ensconced in that right-wing echo chamber, and he telling them the thinks they want to hear like the lie that half of the country doesn't pay taxes. >> john: yeah. you are never going to go break telling people about everything since the clinton's first budget have hurt the american people. thank you for your piece and thank you for your service, and we look forward to having you

back again. >> thanks for having me. you want to save money on motorcycle insurance? no problem. you want to find a place to park all these things? fuggedaboud it. this is new york. hey little guy, wake up! aw, come off it mate! geico. saving people money on more than just car insurance.

[♪ theme music ♪] >> john: this is the "bill press show" on your radio on current tv. i'm john fugelsang filling in for bill. it has been a very exciting couple of days, we still have another guest coming on who is "politico"'s senior congressional reporter and i'll be taking your calls at 866-55-press on the eve of the gop convention. i can't wait for the gop convention, i just hope it is not played by all of that racial tension. so let's go for a current news

update with the brilliant lisa ferguson. good morning, everyone. we are nearing the end of the post expensive presidential race in history and the ap is reporting insider info on how mitt romney is earning his millions in fund-raising. according to the press romney's success can in part be traced back to his secretive data mining project. computers sift through american's personal info? order to pinpoint wealthy new donors. the company started that process for romney in june. the firm has also done work for one of romney's colleagues at bain. here is where it gets tricky. under federal law companies cannot use data analysis for cam bane contributions, but it says

it is not directly bringing in donations, just generating information for romney's team. and files include private audits and finance records eluding to blockers on romney's investment. they restructure your income to help you avoid paying taxes, but both fortune and business insiders say there is nothing to see here that it does not give any new incite into romney's finances. on the same day romney is defending his experience in sphere there is an article called what i learned to run bain capital. more john is coming up after the break, and as always we would love to hear from you in chat

current.com/billpress. and social media. we'll provide unsurpassed insight into the most buzz worthy tweets, posts and pontifications, from the entire social stratosphere including you. join in, tweet us, and you could be a part of our on-air and online coverage. >>now that is politically direct.

♪ >> announcer: broadcasting across the nation on your radio, and on current tv. this is the "bill press show." now filling in for bill here is john fugelsang. >> john: can we stop saying governor romney is a flip flopper. i think it's unfair can i point out to you losers that governor romney has always been willing to say do and believe anything to get your vote. whether it's believing in climate change and then changing his mind, women's reproductive rights, civil unions the man

has always consistently been willing to be a human wind sock for votes. the gop, they are the real flip floppers. i think it's time now for the "full court press." >> i wasn't quite ready. >> john: oh. i have this theory that you play this music as part of foreplay. >> like nickelback. >> john: here it is. it's time now for the "full court press." ♪ >> announcer: this is the "full court press." >> john: it sounds like you are beating up a kas you keyboard it's awesome. >> lance armstrong dropped his fight against doping allegations yesterday, and they are banning him from cycling and other

sports for life. and they are stripping him of his seven tour titles. he is maintaining his innocence somehow, and continues to call the allegations a witch hunt, but will no longer challenge them in court. >> john: and if the u.s. could enforce banking rules as ferociously as we enforce doping rules for cyclists we wouldn't have a problem in this country. >> sasha and malia are allowed to watch keeping up with the kardashians. mrs. obama said it's important they learn lessons from everything, the great and the not so great, like the kardashians. she said she hasn't seen anything that would make her

turn off that show. >> john: i have a third choice to vote for now. michelle obama i love you deeply, i think i said yesterday on this show that you are the first hot first lady, at least in the age of cameras and television, but when you have a show that is all about shopping and talking about yourself and materially. it's important to point out -- and she is letting her daughters watch the kardashians -- >> she is not endorsing it. >> john: the kardashians send out an important message and that is you can make yourself out to be anything you want as like as you marry a rich guy and

sen out a sex tape. >> the singer of twisted sister is upset with paul ryan and he's not going to take anymore. >> john: you did it again. >> it has been two hours. the lead singer of twisted sister is mad that paul ryan played his hit, we're not going to take it at a rally contest yesterday. he said there is nothing he agrees with with paul ryan except his workout routine. the romney campaign responded by saying we're not going to play it anymore. >> john: oh, you crossed over the line. i got to meet him one time and what a real lovely intelligent guy. >> he is a lot of fun. >> john: yeah and journey is playing the gop convening.

journey began as an offshoot of santana. although they have are playing their song i have been waiting for a shil like you. summer writes that willie nelson was also playing the gop convention. which i find shocking. his excellent new album leads off with a song where snoop dogg sings called roll me up and smoke any until i die. he has a non-partisan performance, he is now out and

[ inaudible ] john is in. >> oh. >> john: i have no problem with these guys doing veteran shows -- >> so you have been on willie nelson's tour bus. you sort of buried the lead there. >> john: i was inside willie nelson's tour bus at farm aide when it played louisville kentucky. it was a great honor. he was the last person i asked to autograph something for me. i worked with george harrison springsteen, but it's like you don't want to -- i feel like a loser asking for it. but a couple of people i have met, bb king and willie nelson. and we were shooting in his trailer and i had to ask if i could move a bowl of something out of the way for the shot.

and it smelled like a hundred christmas trees. >> i have the song you were references. >> john: it's clean. willie nelson releases so much great music every year. ♪ roll me up and smoke me until i die ♪ >> john: is from the album "heros." ♪ just roll me and smoke me when i die ♪ >> john: now hear who sings with him. >> i'm surprised you remember being on willie nelson's tour bus. >> john: i was working, sir. as i walked out dave matthews and hooty and the blow fish were walking in. they had more fun. oh, i talked over it.

♪ if anyone don't like it just look me in the eye ♪ [ laughter ] ♪ i ain't leaving so don't sit around and cry ♪ >> that is awesome in a weird, weird day. >> lovely. and there are a lot of other country stars that jump in later on. and willie also does a great cover of cold play's song scientist. it's a lovely album and it's willie singing a lot with his son lucas. if you have seen the family in concert, it's a great show. >> very cool. so willie nelson will not actually performing at the gop platform. >> i will sleep better at night for knowing that. >> john: willie nelson was

arrested for growing weed in his tour bus. >> yes. >> john: i wanted to say what a pleasure it has been being here. i watch this show every morning i have a newborn, unfortunately and he is a horrible screechy thing, and he makes me get up. but i get to watch the "bill press show" at 6:00 am on the dot, and my kid actually calls bill press daddy. >> 6:00 am that is sort of a sleep in for a newborn baby. >> john: yeah, for every night this week he has slept for at least ten hours. >> wow, that's great. >> john: yeah, but we'll see. and my baby was born on mitt romney's birthday -- >> born under a bad sign. >> john: mitt romney and ron jeremy share the same birthday.

imagine that overexposed tool and ron jeremy share the same birthday. when we come back we'll take your calls. it's 866-55-press. i'm john fugelsang for bill press on your radio, your computer and current tv. be right back. >> announcer: this is the "full court press," the "bill press show," live on your radio, and on current tv. ♪ dose of politics from a fresh perspective. >>i'm a slutty bob hope. the troops love me. >>only on current tv.

(vo) every news network will cover the convention. but only current coverage will put you at the collision of tv and social media. we'll provide

unsurpassed insight into the most buzz worthy tweets, posts and pontifications, from the entire social stratosphere including you. join in, tweet us, and you could be a part of our on-air and online coverage. >>now that is politically direct. ♪

>> announcer: heard around the country, and seen on current tv this is the "bill press show." >> john: i have got my first piece of angry hate mail filling in for bill press. >> congratulations. >> john: thank you. every day of my life i'm usually called an obama appal gist and obama basher. this is from mary who is very offended because i said michelle obama is hot. i was angered humiliated and offensed by this talk. i hear this insulting talk about our first lady, this is inexcusable. so i wish to offer a complete

retraction. michelle obama is not hot, she is not in the least bit attractive, and you are very silly mary when we have seen so many women swoon over pictures of the president on the beach, the first lady is not just beautiful, she is hot. hot and beautiful is not always the same thing. and i'm sorry, mary but michelle obama pulls off hot and beautiful effortly with every public appearance however if you want something less misogynist i recommend watching morning joe. shut up micah is what the show should be called.

shut up micah and cook me a steak. shut up micah and let your dad come on and talk. that's what that show should be called. we're take your calls at 866-55-press. my name is john fugelsang. i'll be doing a very special live preelection show with mr. hal sparks at the barrymore theater in madison, wisconsin on the 6th of october. hal sparks is a brilliant comedian and i have enjoyed touring with him in many many different ways. the folks at madison took a pretty big hit when governor wanker kept his job. let's go to the phones. roberto is calling us from dallas, texas. >> caller: good morning, thanks

for take my call. you guys need to come down to dallas -- >> john: that's what they told jfk. >> caller: yeah. one thing most people haven't pointed out with the whole women's issue, once you restrict their right to birth control, you are restricting their job opportunities, and even successful republican women don't want someone to tell them when they can have a baby and further their career and we need to make that link. thanks a lot. >> john: sure, thank you for the call. i appreciate it. wendy is on the phone now. >> caller: i'm the one that tweets you two or three times away. >> john: hi, wendy, nice to meet you. i have a facebook -- the john

fugelsang page on facebook, and yes, wendy you posted poetry. >> caller: yes, and i sent you i hope a funny tweet last night, that although akin is severely mistaken but at least he is honest. >> caller: i got to say you are one on the hottest emcee's on the mic. >> caller: well you can put me on your payroll. >> john: yeah. >> caller: i would like to be the elderly liberal call-in guest call-in guest occasionally. >> john: you are not the only one. >> caller: i am one of these people who does believe that life begins at conception.

however, i'm also strictly opposed to the death penalty. so given the choice i have had to become pro choice because -- number 1 the hypocrisy, number 2 i don't want people to go back to using coat hangers and things like that. secondly, the best way to single issue voters is to do two things. one i have tweeted you already about is to promote contraception, because other than abstinence or other methods we won't describe on the air, that's the best way to avoid the need for abortion and please promote adoption. >> john: yeah. >> i was a counselor and had two clients, i couldn't influence them either way in my role but

one chose to do one thing the other chose the other thing. i had a friend years ago who was on her way to england to get an abortion, and we actually talked her out of it, and said we would adopt the baby. >> john: you are quite a friend. >> caller: any way she kept the child and later married happily and had three more. so personally i do believe life begins then, but i would rather -- i don't want them to do away with roe v. wade, and they don't want to take care of the mothers of the children when they are here. >> john: thank you for the call. we talked about this yesterday on this show the gallup poll a few months ago that showed that

only 41% of americans describe themselves as pro choice and the "washington post" ran all of these op-eds saying pro choice is turning. but when you look at the poll more closely. 20% of americans favored abortions being legal in all cases, 25 also for, but 52% were for it in some cases, which means 77% of americans support abortion rights in all of some cases, but only 41% of us describe ourselves as pro life. i'm a fan of bill clinton thinking it should be safe legal and rare. taking your calls when we come back on the "bill press show." >> announcer: this is the "bill press show." ♪

(vo) every news network will cover the convention. but only current coverage will put you at the collision of tv and social media. we'll provide unsurpassed insight into the most buzz worthy tweets, posts and pontifications, from the entire social stratosphere including you. join in, tweet us, and you could be a part of our on-air and online coverage. >>now that is politically direct.

♪ >> announcer: this is the "bill press show." >> john: this is the "bill press show," i'm john fugelsang filling in for bill here in the waning minutes of the show. we have about a half hour left. i have had a real pleasure filling in. as a real fan of bill it is a real thrill to be here and suck up to his excellent staff. kate of "politico" is with us. are you there? >> i'm right here. how are you? >> john: not too shabby how are you? >> i'm good.

>> john: i can only imagine how excited you are for the mitt-mittdon tomorrow. >> i am flying out tonight so avoid bad weather. >> john: i hope that things will go off smoothly for the republicans for all of the local businesses. and because i enjoy watching these things. >> i just don't like turbulence. >> john: well turbulence is what we're going to talk about. i think now that mitt romney has made the decision to not let reporters ask him about all of the issues i think this is really bad advice. >> well, yesterday there was the

statement that there isn't how we operate. this isn't normal. and then other campaign advisors have asked reporters not to do this. they have made their statement on it, and want to move on. this is not what he wants to talk about. this is all anyone is talking about, anyone is writing about right now, and, you know, he might have to answer a few more questions on it. >> to me kate it seems like a real misstep on the governor's part. he can try to parse his views on abortion by coming out and being strongly anti-rape and talking up the role of women in the gop. wouldn't this be an opportunity to try to shore up his vote with

some women voters? >> i really think there is no real good way to go about this. he does -- he might need to answer more questions. he has put ryan out there to talk more about this. ryan sponsored legislation with akin, so maybe they feel like ryan would be the better surrogate to explain governor romney's position on it. >> john: but who is closer to akin to go out there to refute akin rather than the governor? >> perhaps. >> john: i want to hear his support for abortion rights. he and his wife's financial support for planned parenthood and romney care covers abortion care services for patients and i think they are much more relevant topics for the american

voter than todd akin's views of shutting down rape babies. >> i feel like so much has been written about mitt romney's past history on abortion, his change of heart has said he has had on it. he said it has been an evolution to move from pro choice to pro life, and it's a good point that reports might want to start asking him more questions about that. >> john: do you think that there's any way the governor could turn the akin controversy into a plus for him? >> i think he can certainly try to separate himself from the house gop, which is going to be a difficult task. he picked paul ryan as his running mate but i think the point that they may try to make is this is congressman, a guy in

the senate race not us. right after akin said his remarks, you know, romney campaign came out with a statement, and they said the romney/ryan administration will not oppose abortion in the case of rape. >> john: yep, that's their position, and that's the ball they are going to run with. >> that's what they have said so far. >> john: and i think that's a loser for them by the way even among many conservative voters who aren't crazy about abortion but also aren't crazy about locking women and doctors up for it. >> uh-huh. >> john: do you think akins refusal to drop out of the race makes romney look weak? >> i don't think there is an elected republican in the

country that has not called for akin to step down -- >> well, kirk cameron hasn't been elected yet. >> yeah, this is less about the republican party and says a lot more about akin and where he stands on the issue. he is a guy who really believes that he made a small error. it's been overblown. the republican party has never really wanted him to run in this seat in the first place. >> john: yeah, he was claire mccaskill's pick. >> exactly. so i think they saw it as an opportunity to get a stronger candidate in there. but akin is a -- is a religious guy. he listens to his wife and conservatives, and if they tell him to stay in he is going to

stay in. so i think it doesn't say anything about the republican party as much as it does about -- you know, mr. akin's mindset. >> stephanie: another devout republican who advocates war and punishing sinners because jesus was really for those things. it seems like now the issue of rape and abortion are now really in the forefront, and i -- i don't know. i'm just a viewer, kate but it seems like this issue is not going to go away and even if todd akin were to drop out tomorrow, this controversy won't stop haunting governor romney, would you agree? >> i would agree, because the moment he picks paul ryan who has a very conservative record on abortion and planned parenthood, he democrats

immediately went after him on those issues because he was an easier target than -- than romney on that stuff, so i don't -- and i think akin just -- you know amplified it times 10,000. you see the national democratic party is calling it the romney/ryan/akin plan. >> john: they are. and adding tons and tons of women to their speaking rolls at the convention. >> that's right, yeah. >> john: it would be deeply unprofessional of me to speculate where this is going to lead to. but i'm going to anyway. how do you see this playing out kate? will it fizzle out, or will this draw the issue of not allowing women's reproductive freedoms closer into focus?

>> i think we're going to talk about at it lot more. a lot of states that have abortion exemptions don't have restrictions for rape victims, so on that level people may be talk about it a lot more. i think that the voters who are anti-aportion were not going to vote for barack obama anyway. >> john: uh-huh. >> and voters who are -- you know pro choice, probably aren't going to -- i don't think it will sway it at the top of the ticket. >> john: true, i was pointing out in the recent gallup poll 77% of all americans support some or all abortion rights. and this has to include some coifs, wouldn't you agree? >> i would agree with that. i -- i think people do feel like in instances where the life of the mother is in danger when

incest has occurred when rape has occurred like you said looking at that poll the majority of americans, and those who are anti-abortion, and people who support abortion in those instances -- not that they support abores but make the exception. >> john: only in america can you be pro war, pro bomb and still call yourself pro life. thank you for calling in. >> thank you. >> john: this is the "bill press show." i'm john fugelsang. we'll see you after the break. >> announcer: this is the "bill press show." live on your radio and current tv. ♪

>>only on current tv.

(vo) this is joy. >>who the heck does mitt romney think he is? (vo) this is joy on current tv. >>if mitt romney treats his magic underwear the same way as his tax returns, then he's been going commando for the past 10 years. >>since when do you get to say stuff like that on tv? >> listen, if you'd read your email once in a while, you'd know i have a new show. (vo) always outspoken. >> you think because this is an election year you can just say anything? >> hello! say anything, that's the name of the show. ♪

>> announcer: heard around the country, and seen on current tv this is the "bill press show." >> john: good morning, everyone i'm john fugelsang filling in for bill here on your radio, computer, and current tv. it has been a real pleasure to fill in for bill for the last few days. i want to point out something very important that we mentioned earlier on the show. fall is coming and you always know when it's about to be autumn because john lennon's killer once again goes up for parole. john would have been 72 this october 8th. so the fact that he is up for parole means you will be hearing

the media talking a lot about him and i would like a plea to please stop saying this guy's name. because he killed john because he wanted fame. he wanted to see his name next to lennon's in the history books. means every time people in the media start repeating his name they are giving him what he wants. they are proving he was right. he is now 57 years old and this man deserves to be forgotten. you can still talk about him, just stop saying his name. paul mccartney calls him the jerk of all jerks. but we know people will do anything for money, including suck up to donald jump or having a sex cape with ray-jay.

but we're saying you can be famous forever if you kill the right person. so call him that douche bag, or as that douche bag who almost ruined catcher in the rye is really a jerk. you can say i'm a dreamer for not wanting you to say his name but i'm not the only one. good morning, jean you are on the "bill press show." >> caller: good morning, big fan of yours. >> john: thank you very much. >> caller: i have been feeling all along of romney's efforts to be charming i always have felt that he hasn't been applying to be president of the united states, especially here lately that he is not taking questions anymore. he wants to be ceo of the

united states, and imagine the profit there. i can't imagine how anyone would want a president who's entire life has been spent making the most profit at the least effort all his life. that's what his entire life has been, and now he is applying to be president or ceo of the united states and we're all supposed to fall down and -- he wants to be king. >> john: you are exactly right. the romney supporters have been saying he is a better candidate than barack obama because barack obama has no business experience. then why did they choose paul ryan. murdoch was appalled how romney shows up with charts and figures to talk about people. america is not a business and running a business doesn't

exactly qualify him to initiate foreign policy and bain capital was not about creating jobs. it was always incidental. they weren't about giving jobs to americans they were about giving profits to investors. that's what he knows. governor romney is a guy who was born a millionaire and has been a millionaire his entire life, and he is asking hard-working middle class, social conservatives to vote for him so his tax don't get raised to more than 3%. you don't ever get to complain about deficits for the rest of your life if you vote for him. and if you voted for bush or the iraq war you don't get to complain about deficits either. good morning joan you are on the "bill press show."

>> joan is watching us in the background -- >> john: oh, joan. dorothy is calling us from farmington hills. >> caller: hi, john. i wanted to say you are hot and sexy too. everybody time you take somebody's place, i watch you. >> john: i think that's deeply sexist, but thank you. >> caller: and i look forward to your knew show >> john: well thank you. >> caller: and i appreciated the fact that you said michelle obama is hot and sexy, as a black woman. >> john: well, thank you. i was just saying that michele bachmann -- and this is the testosterone, but i was saying

she is the first hot first lady. >> caller: i had to walk away from cenk's show, i was so mad yesterday, that all of the other countries around here -- because mitt romney had a meeting with big oil people and i -- allow them to have 12.5% where other countries request 80% if they are digging for oil. i don't understand that? >> john: you mean taxing the oil companies? >> caller: right. they have to give 80% royalty -- i know he mentioned arabia and another country, but us we only get 12.5%. >> john: yep and everyone you know last we're paid more than exxon mobil. we'll be back right after this.

>> announcer: this is the "bill press show." ♪ >>only on current tv.

♪ >> announcer: this is the "bill press show." >> john: i'm john fugelsang filling in for bill press. i'm going to appearing on the sexy liberal. hal sparks and i will do a special election eve show in madison, wisconsin october 6th. also i have to make a very very important correction. i have been saying michelle obama is hot. in the last segment i actually

said michele bachmann was hot. if michele bachmann wants people to stop watching porn, she should appear in it. michele bachmann is attractive she is not hot. there is no subject in the body and no message in the header. got it? good. i apologize very much. the last thing i want is marcus coming after to me in a jealous fit of fiercely heterosexual rage. and lastly i want to thank all of you for tuning in. peter you have been a prince to me. >> any time -- you are welcome back any time. >> dan not to much but it has been nice -- i'm kidding. we'll work on your musical taste. my name is john fugelsang. i wish all of you a great weekend. we'll see you next week for coverage on the convenings.

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