Fox News Channel "Your World" Transcript

Interview

FOX NEWS CHANNEL "YOUR WORLD" INTERVIEW WITH REP. ADAM SMITH (D-WA) INTERVIEWER: NEIL CAVUTO

MR. CAVUTO: So if governments all over the world can do it, why not ours? Again, this time, another $150 billion stimulus package aimed at boosting consumer spending. Right now, Democratic Congressman Adam Smith is all for it.

Congressman, where is this money coming from?

REP. SMITH: Well, first of all, Steve (sic), I am not necessarily all for it. I'm not necessarily the best representative for the Democratic Party on this issue. I voted against the last stimulus package that we voted last time. And basically, I think our underlying economy, the problem we have is we've been trying to spend our way out of our problems, both in terms of the government and individually. I mean, we've been living on, I mean, pick your term -- credit, leverage, borrowing -- you know, whether it's individual business or whatever.

MR. CAVUTO: All right. I got the record wrong. I apologize.

REP. SMITH: I have concerns about trying to spend our way out of the problem.

MR. CAVUTO: So you're open to the 150 billion (dollars) this time for this, right? And what would it cover?

REP. SMITH: Well, I'm still waiting to see what the specifics are. And I am one Democrat who will be very concerned if it is simply a matter of passing out money. The one area that I am interested in is the idea of investing in infrastructure, something that actually builds for the long term instead of just spreading money out for the short term. I mean, as I said, we've done enough of that in 1,000 different areas. We need a more stable, long-term economy, not one that is dependent upon simply pumping money in from wherever we can find it.

MR. CAVUTO: Well, that's a very valid point. Could I ask you this, Congressman? And this, by the way, because I criticize Republicans on this, Democrats on this. We just keep throwing a lot of money at it, I guess, with the hope being that something sticks. And I just wonder, in the end, how we're all going to pay for it. I know a lot of it is based on the idea you spur economic activity or in the case of taking stakes in banks that maybe we make money back. But it is a crap shoot, is it not?

REP. SMITH: Well, I mean, this was George W. Bush's economic policies, to a certain extent. He said, I'm betting on --

MR. CAVUTO: No, no, no, no. See, you're doing the one thing --

REP. SMITH: Let me finish. Let me finish. Let me finish.

MR. CAVUTO: There's enough blame to go around! Go ahead.

REP. SMITH: He said he's going to bet on growth. That's exactly what you just said. You know, he's not too worried about whether or not the books balance because he's going to do the --

MR. CAVUTO: Well, your speaker just said she's going to bet on growth.

REP. SMITH: Understood. But as you said, it is a bipartisan issue. And I think we need to bet on more and more substantial fundamentals.

MR. CAVUTO: So if it's a bipartisan issue, why did you do the "Bush is evil" thing again?

REP. SMITH: Oh, I didn't say Bush was evil.

MR. CAVUTO: It's his fault. You said it's his fault.

REP. SMITH: Don't be so sensitive, Neil. I was just saying that this was something that he said.

MR. CAVUTO: Tell me one thing that you like about the president.

REP. SMITH: I'm sorry. I didn't say that Bush was evil.

MR. CAVUTO: Tell me one thing you like about the president.

REP. SMITH: I'll tell you several things I like about the president.

MR. CAVUTO: All right.

REP. SMITH: I'm on the Foreign Affairs Committee. I'm involved in global poverty. I like the Millennium Challenge Corporation which the president put in place. I like PEPFAR.

MR. CAVUTO: Is he a good dad? Is he a good dad?

REP. SMITH: Pardon?

MR. CAVUTO: Is he a good dad?

REP. SMITH: I haven't any idea!

MR. CAVUTO: All right. Well, there you go.

REP. SMITH: What are we talking about here? I'm trying to focus on policy.

MR. CAVUTO: That's my point, though. And by the way, both parties do this.

REP. SMITH: You're confusing me with other people, Neil.

MR. CAVUTO: No, no, no. I'm confusing you with the political system that makes kind of enemies of the other side.

REP. SMITH: Oh, and I'm with you. That's ridiculous. I don't do that.

MR. CAVUTO: You just did!

REP. SMITH: I was simply referencing a policy point. I can't do that?

MR. CAVUTO: All right. All right. Can anyone in your policy make bad policy points?

REP. SMITH: That George Bush was wrong to simply say he's betting on growth and not have a more fiscally responsible approach?

MR. CAVUTO: Did anyone in your party botch anything?

REP. SMITH: Oh, absolutely! Please! You think there aren't Democrats?

MR. CAVUTO: Okay.

REP. SMITH: Look, Neil, this would be a much better conversation if you didn't confuse me with other guests. I support Barack Obama and I support his policies, but I'm not --

MR. CAVUTO: There you go. Then it's time for a political group hug. All right, that I understand. Congressman, I want to have you back. You've said more than your colleagues have.

REP. SMITH: Okay. And if we can talk about an issue or two, I think that would be fascinating.

MR. CAVUTO: Well, if we could get off the political stump speeches, you can count on it. Congressman, thank you very, very much.

REP. SMITH: Okay. (Laughs.)

END.

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