jim messina raised money for priorities usa. so has axelrod, raised money for priorities usa and they both work on campaign 2008 and 2012. david plouffe who works in the white house, senior white house advisor raised money for priorities usa. bill burton runs priorities usa. he worked on the obama campaign. he worked in the obama white house. a deputy press character of the white house he may have been the press secretary of the campaign in 2008 as well. i don't know how the obama camp can there is no coordination. there is money coordination between the two. now you heard audiotape of mr. soptic who worked for the campaign in may of this year and also with priorities usa many this last ad. now time to man up, president obama and time to demons the priorities usa ad and make the american people have confidence in you and prove there is no coordination between your group, priorities usa. >> dana: great explanation. greg, when you first saw the audio, the conference call. you said this is a big deal. what struck you? >> greg: this

jim messina raised money for priorities usa. so has axelrod, raised money for priorities usa and they both work on obama campaign 2008 and 2012. david plouffe who works in the white house, senior white house advisor raised money for priorities usa. bill burton runs priorities usa. he worked on the obama campaign. he worked in the obama white house. a deputy press character of the white house he may have been the press secretary of the campaign in 2008 as well. i don't know how the obama camp can there is no coordination. there is money coordination between the two. now you heard audiotape of mr. soptic who worked for the campaign in may of this year and also with priorities usa many this last ad. now time to man up, president obama and time to demons the priorities usa ad and make the american people have confidence in you and prove there is no coordination between your group, priorities usa. >> dana: great explanation. greg, when you first saw the audio, the conference call. you said this is a big deal. what struck you? >> greg

he runs priorities usa. they're not supposed to, not supposed to but not allowed to coordinate with the obama administration. the same guy in the ad was the guy that obama administration put up in may. same guy. that sounds like coordination. >> bob: same guy that worked for romney and the last time around and worked for "road to d crossroads. >> dana: they're not g.o.p.ing, not the white house. >> andrea: they could get ideas from the '94 senate campaign. does this ad look somewhat similar? >> they cut the wages, no longer had insurance. >> we had no rights anymore. >> taking away the dignity. >> like to show me where the $10,000 jobs created are. >> andrea: it was cut by the kennedy campaign and it worke worked. do the ads work? >> greg: do you notice a trend? obama is out of the closet. he used to be hiding, he's officially gay for class warfare and channeling all the experiences he has gotten from bill ayers and reverend wright. now it is all coming back, bob. we're seeing president obama. he is fighting

priorities usa on the left, obama for america. he's even wearing the same shirt there. what do you think should happen? should there be an investigation? >> what i think should happen is, some of these reporters who know the truth about this situation because they were in the room, in the press conference or teleconference room listening to this back in -- i think he said it was back in may. now they are watching this ad out from the super pac. they know what happened. i don't know hew they -- how they can sleep at night. they are prostituting themselves for a job, for interviews, for access to the obama administration and the campaign. and they're letting this go on, though it is illegal. it violates the pac laws. what i would like to see happen is for just one reporter in the mainstream media who knows the truth about this to stand up and -- give it a worthy and ethical thing and let americans know that there was collaboration and also that this is a far-fetched, despicable ad that misrepresents governor romney's position. >> sean: that would be a violation of law, go

and we may have just been suckered by priorities usa, i checked, priorities usa has bought television in five states, colorado, florida, ohio, pennsylvania and ohio, at $1.9 billion, and this is a minute ad, so i have not seen a 30-second version so it could be soon by only a few people, shown a few times, and, more attention will be given to it on the national media by programs such as yours covering it than by ordinary people. >>stuart: you are right, maybe i should not have done this --. >>guest: i am glad you did it draws attention to the fact they are over-the-top and desperate. >>stuart: you have run a super pac, you will make decisions to run this kind of ad or not. will you say categorically you do not run this kind of personal characterization ad? >>guest: look, no, you don't. this ad will hurt obama more than it will help him. they may think they are smart running this ad and patting themself on the back but this blows up in the face of the candidate would they are trying to help. in this instance it is so over-the-top and so mean and so off target, that it will hurt obama a

david ploufe or not bill burton runs priorities usa. there is no question about the connection between that super pac and the white house. having said that, though, it seems to me the american people are not going to be casting a vote based on these kinds of ugly ads. i think it hurts the president's credibility not to disavow the ad but at the end of the day people want to know what is mitt romney going to do about jobs and the economy. what is barack obama going to do. they see what he has done the last three years and it hasn't worked. i think the voters would like to see us get off of the debates about the ads and they do a disservice to people. >> you said that winning ugly isn't a win. if barack obama wins a second term if these ads out there is that an ugly win? >> with ads like this it would be. my own view is that if we going to retain our credibility as democrats to condemn the other side when they go too far which they have with regard to the president from time to time we need to disavow ads like this and this ad should not

a job that he left to start priorities usa. bill burton knows the president's ethics very well and it is fair to hold him up to this standard. any ad bill burton runs, he knows the president would personally support. the president cannot hyde behind a super pac on an ad as ugly as this one. when that super pac is run by a long-time friend and deputy. let me start with this. the law prohibits technically the coordinating between super pac and the campaigns. one of the operatives who said we have nothing to do with priorities usa, brianna keilar, our cnn colleague, reports that the man you see in the ad there, everyone, told his personal story on an obama campaign call in may, a campaign call that the deputy campaign manager stephanie cutter was on. the campaign has asked him to appear at rallies in battleground states. so how did bill burton hear about this gentleman? >> this shows how fundamentally screwed up the super pac laws are. anything that's technically public information can be used. and the campaigns and super pacs bot

a job that he left to start priorities usa. bill burton knows the president's ethics very well and it is fair to hold him up to this standard. a any ad bill burton runs, he knows the president would personally support. the president cannot hyde behind a super pac on an ad as ugly as this one. let me start with this. the law prohibits technically the coordinating between super pac and the campaigns. one of the operatives who said we have nothing to do with priorities usa, brianna keilar, our cnn colleague, reports that the man you see in the ad there, everyone, told his personal story on an obama campaign call in may, a campaign call that the deputy campaign manager stephanie cutter was organization the campaign has asked him to appear at rallies in battleground states. so how did bill burton hear about this gentleman? >> this shows how fundamentally screwed up the super pac laws are. anything that's technically public information can be used. and the campaigns and super pacs both take a wing and a nod look at this on both sides

it's the pro obama super pac priorities usa. it's not just the romney campaign outraising the obama campaign. the super pac on the right is swamping the amount of super pac money on the left. when we looked at it on the show a month ago, republican versus democratic super pac money looked sort of like this. that was the ratio in terms of the money on both sides. my hunch is that it's gotten worse since we looked at it last month. but priorities usa, the pro obama super pac are a big fish in the big money pond, but this week, they were nevertheless the small fish that ate everything else in the pond. their ad showing a laid off steel worker from a plant shut down by bain capital not only dominated the political discussion, but it earned a right-wing freak-out reaction. the romney campaign's seething political press with multiple stories about how upset they were about the ad and how horrible it was. the spokesperson outdoing his own typical hyperbole telling reporters specifically about the ad, i don't think a world champion limb

bill burton of "priorities usa" weighs in talk to about the big commercial this week. >>> coming up, the commercial that's been in the news cycle all week long. the romney campaign is finally responding to the joe sopic ad. they're still missing the point. bill burton of "priorities usa" on the right-wing response coming up next. >>> more and more republicans are hoping paul ryan will be on the romney ticket this fall. not all conservatives are on board. i'll ask richard vickery who he would choose and what's wrong with paul ryan. >>> and more amazing shots coming in from mars "curiosity" rover. derek pitts of the franklin institute on how the project is -- do you know how it's doing? it is really reigniting the country's speciinterest in the program. >>> share your thoughts on facebook and on twitter using the hash tag edshow. >>> welcome back. good to have you with us tonight. mitt romney is fighting back against a pro-obama super pac ad featuring steelworker joe sopic. today his campaign is hitting back at the president with an ad of its own. >> what does it say about a president'

. >> first of all that is not a democratic adit is a priorities usa. >> you deny they are democrats. >> i have no idea the political affiliation of them. >> bill burton who worked in the white house and worked with the president obama. >> it is a super pac ad. >> what i think. adthat there is no question that the adraces facts such as that mitt romney when he was ceo of bain capital bank ruptted companis and laidd off workers and cut their benefits. there are consequences to making decisions like that. >> this idea of the time line being such that the inferance, and it does not appear to be the case. it was six years laterr. >> it is interesting that there is no indignation example and where is it on the other side. super pacings in support of the rom romm's campaign. >> they never inferred someone died. >> they inferred that bark obama is american or birth certificate legitimate. there are so many questions that question his patriotism. where is the same indignation. is fox condemning the super pac ads in support of the mitt romney in the way of this ad. bottom line mitt romney prof

last night the co-founder of priorities usa, we've been talking about them, bill burton, know him well, said he absolutely stood by the ad and its timeline. >> the point of this ad is that, you know, it's to tell the story of one guy, joe soptic and the impact on his life that happened for years and to this day as a result of decisions that mitt romney made. what we're saying is that joe soptic was fired from his job and as a result of that, he wasn't able to get -- he wasn't about to hold on to health care benefits promised to him and as a result when his wife got sick he didn't have health care. >> his wife was diagnosed six years after mitt romney effectively left bain capital, effectively left '99. >> the ceo until 2002. >> in '99 went to run the olympic games -- >> most people think when yer au the ceo you're responsible for the decisions of that organization. >> he was the ceo, the sole shareholder he's responsible for the decisions that were made. >> you know, mika, nobody's buying what bill burton is saying for good reason. it's indefensible the facts don't line up. mark halper

well, they do have a lot to do with priorities usa. they came up with this opposition research, they fed this to the press, they flaked it, and all priorities usa did was take the opposition research and put it on the air. so this goes directly back to the obama campaign. shannon: all right. we've got to leave it there. kirsten and marc, thank you both very much, and we continue to reach out to the white house and the campaign for any further comments they'd like to make on the ad. thank you, both. >>> new calls for an investigation after union workers got a gold-plaited benefits package and nonunion workers, well, they lost their pensions. now what we've learned about a top white house adviser's role in the whole thing. >>> and new fallout over the chick-fil-a ceo voicing his support for traditional marriage. what one city board is trying to do, and they admit it is for political reasons. >>> and troubling new details about the night randy travis was found drunk, naked and threatening to hurt people. >> and i just found a -- [inaudibl

we air the priorities usa ad. should the democrats accuse a candidate. >> that is not a democratic it is a priorits usa super pac. >> john: it is democrats. >> i have no idea the politicalal? >> john: they used to work in the white house and obama campaign. they are. >> that is not a super pack. what i think . ad, there is no question that the adraises facts such as that mitt romney when he was ceo of bain capital bankrupted companies and laid off workers and cut their benefits and made millions in profits. that adpoints out that there are consequences to making decisions like that that impacted people's live in a significant way. >> john: but this idea that the time line of the adis such that the different inference he lost his health insurance his wife lost her life to cancer . it was six yearrs later. >> guest: it is no indication of the where is it on the other side that super pac affiliated with mitt romney's campaign. >> john: i don't think they have ever referred to someone has died. >> guest: they have que

. >> first, that is priorities usa, not a democratic ad. >> i'm understand that. >> it's a priorities usa super-pac ad. >> you deny they're democrats? >> i have no idea the political affiliation of folks who are associated with that super-pac. >> you used to work for the white house, worked the obama campaign in 2008. >> that is a super-pac ad. not affiliated with the campaign or the party. >> kimberly: hello. earth to planet clueless. she was forced to take back the comments today. but the damage had already been done. >> eric: here is why. if you listen to sound bite, john roberts asked her do you have any doubt that priorities usa is democrat and she looked at him and said i have no doubt, i have no idea whether they're democrats or not. everyone said are you kidding me? she is clearly lying. clearly lying. when she is called out on tv -- >> kimberly: eric, eric. loose relationship with the truth. >> eric: bill burton worked in white house. raised money -- >> dana: she actually never heard of him. then you have other problems. >> kimberly: that is like bob with the spice girls. >>

and furthermore, i do not think mitt romney is concerned. >> priorities usa action is responsible for the content of this advertising. >> if the man in that ad looks familiar it's because he also starred in a separate obama campaign ad in maine that focused on bain capital's closure of steel plants in kansas city. >>> cia director david petraeus is shutting down rumors he might be romney's running mate. the spokesperson for petraeus says he feels privileged to serve the country in his current position and will not seek elected office. >>> republicans in missouri have selected their candidate to face off against senator clair mccaskill come november. todd akin edged out businessman john brunner and sarah steelman, who was backed by sarah palin. akin highlighted his conservative credentials, a distinction senator mccaskill hopes to use to her advantage.n million on ads portraying akin far to the right. hoping it would alienate moderates in the general election. the missouri race is one of several key battles that will help determine control of isn't that senate. >>> in syria secretary o

here's what stephanie cutter said this morning. >> we don't have anything to do with priorities usa. by law, we're not allowed to coordinate with them. by law, we don't have anything to do with their ads. i don't know the facts of when his wife got sick or die the. but as i said before, i do know the facts of what mitt romney did with g.s. steel and i do know that he lost his job and the health care and the company went bankrupt? >> the facts. sorry, but we have uncovered audio that punches a few holes in your story. you hosted a conference call during which joe explained the details about his wife's death. listen to this. >> a little while later, she was diagnosed with lung cancer. i had to put her in a county hospital because she didn't have health care. when the cancer took her away, all i got was an enormous bill. when you look at what mitt romney did in places like the company, he is worried about one group of people, that's the people like him, people at the top. you can't expect much more from someone who says he likes to fire people with no concern about what their family rea

it's the pro-obama super pac priorities usa. it is not just the romney campaign outraising the obama campaign, which they are doing month after month now, the super pac on the right is swamping the amount of super pac money on the left. when we looked at it on this show a month ago, republican versus democratic super pac money looked sort of like this. that was the ratio in terms of money on both sides. my hunch is that it has gotten worse since we looked at it last month, but priorities the usa, the proobama super pac, they are a very small fish in the big money pot. and this week they are nevertheless able to be the small fish that ate everything else in the pond. they won the week. because their ad showing a laid off steel worker from a plant shut down by mitt romney's bain capital not only dominated the political discussion but it earned a furious right wing freakout reaction. if romney campaign is seeding the press with multiple stories about how upset the ad is and how horrible the ad is. the romney spokesman is doing his

." ♪ ♪ >> andrea: one of the big money groups backing president obama this year called priorities usa. run by a guy named bill burton who used to work at the white house. it's priority this election season? smearing mitt romney at all costs with a political ad that stoops to a new low. this ad potentially, ugliest out of the election season yet links romney to closure of a steel plant, loss of family health insurance and -- are you ready for this -- the death of a woman. take a look. >> when romney and bain closed the plant i lost the healthcare. my family lost their healthcare. a short time after that my wife became ill. i don't know how long she was sick. maybe she didn't say anything because she knew we couldn't afford the insurance and she passed away in 22 days. i don't think mitt romney realize what is he has done to anyone. furthermore i don't think mitt romney is concerned. >> andrea: we have seen hard-hitting ads this election season but this goes the furthest and way beyond the pale. >> eric: priorities usa, to tie romney to this woman's unfortunate death six years after he

bill burton of priorities usa weighs in to talk about the big commercial this week. okay, here's the plan. you have a plan? first we're gonna check our bags for free, thanks to our explorer card. then, the united club. my mother was so wrong about you. next, we get priority boarding on our flight i booked with miles. all because of the card. and me. okay, what's the plan? plan? mm-hmm. we're on vacation. this is no plan. really? [ male announcer ] the united mileageplus explorer card. the mileage card with special perks on united. get it and you're in. bill burton on the right-wing response. that's coming up next. >>> and more and more republicans are hoping paul ryan will be on the romney ticket this fall, but not all conserve tchbs are onboard. i'll ask richard vigary who he would choose. >>> and more amazing shots coming in from mars curiosity rover. derrick pitts on how the project is -- it's really just reigniting the country's interest in the space program. we'll talk about that later. share your thoughts on facebook and on twitter. we'll be right back. we lost

the ad that was put out by priorities usa is not an ad on behalf of the obama campaign. it wasn't put out by the obama campaign. it was not funded by the obama campaign, so there's a fundamental difference. but, you know, i find it somewhat ironic, to say the least, when you think about the fact that -- you think about the fact that newt gingrich is out there defending governor romney. what level of dante's political hell has newt gingrich and mitt romney entered? >> this is what i find so confusing, why in the world would newt gingrich go out there and talk about welfare when he knows he has to talk about an ad that admittedly isn't true, i mean how stupid is that? why would he do that, what's the up side of doing that? >> you know, this campaign, it is the most puzzling campaign, to me, the romney campaign. there's no message. we're now about what 90 days out, there's still no focus. you could literally walk down the street of any major city or any small town and no one can tell you what governor romney is running for or running about. so what has happened is they have

priorities usa has a an advertisement saying under mitt romney's plan -- paul ryan's plan, mi romney woululd payy 1%. >> a bad choice ther way. we have to make choice to go to commercial break and we are going to resume our discussion with the round table after the break. first, the federal hot minute. >> as elected officials look to reduce federal spendnding executive cocompensation has come under scrutiny. for this year, the ceiling is $763,000. senators have introduced a bill that limits this amount to the president's salary of $400,000. the administstration wan to lower the ceiling evenower. however, capping executive compensation would hurt contractors' ability to attract the best talent to the most challenging government programs. another write the bill could further erode the thin profit margins of contractors. executive compensation might be an easy target but capping them could lead to unintended coequees. you careadhe stotoriest la.c. [ male announcer ] you paid in to medicare for years. every paycheck. w, when you need it obama has cut $716 billion dollars from medicare. w

priorities usa being run by bill burton, the former deputy press secretary. while in response to all of this, the romney campaign issued its own statement, it reads in part: quote, on the same day president obama's own campaign was caught lying about the contents of a discredited super pac attack ad, president obama has the gall to warn voters of super pacs just going crazy. it is the latest hypocrisy from the obama campaign. that from campaign spokesman ryan william. so all of this obviously more fodder for the campaign trail today. we'll be very -- it will be interesting to see what develops as this day progresses. >> ali: thanks so much. >> brian: let's bring mayor rudy guiliani officially in to the fray. this ad, mr. mayor, do you think it's part of president. this is an extraordinary reelection campaign. i've never seen a person run for office and not talk about their record. clinton ran on welfare reform. producing 100,000 cops on the street. reagan ran on morning in america. he's running on gee, i haven't been president for the last four years. and rom