Fox News Channel Interview - Transcript

Interview

Fox News Channel Interview - Transcript

FOX NEWS CHANNEL INTERVIEW WITH SENATOR CHUCK SCHUMER (D-NY)

SUBJECT: GOVERNOR JINDAL AND THE STIMULUS FUNDS

INTERVIEWER: SHEPARD SMITH

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MR. SMITH: Meantime, remember that money from President Obama's stimulus package that Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal says he does not want? Word from New York's Democratic senator, Chuck Schumer, and, for that matter, from Kirsten Gillibrand, is that they will take the money. As representatives of the financial capital of the world, they are more than well aware of the seriousness of the current financial crisis.

Joining me now from the Russell Rotunda, across the way on Capitol Hill, is the New York senator, Chuck Schumer.

Senator, this is just a bunch of politicking, isn't it? The Republican folks from down there are saying, "Look, we don't like your plan; we don't want your money; we'll have to raise business taxes." And then, you know, you from the Northeast, where the MTA is about to need $2 billion, are saying "Give me the money."

SEN. SCHUMER: Well, you know, I think that while some Republican governors have been really straightforward -- Governor Crist, Governor Schwarzenegger -- and a few have said they don't want the money, Governor Jindal is sort of playing a game. He's saying the stimulus is very bad, but I will take 99 percent f the money. The only money he won't take is money for the unemployed.

It reminds me of the old Sid Caesar routine. Sid Caesar was a comedian. When he was getting a lot of applause, he said to the audience, "Please, no more applause." Well, governor Jindal is saying, "Please, don't send me the money." If he were honorable about it, he would say, "I'm not taking the money," or he would say, "The stimulus is a good enough package that I will take the money." But you can't have it both ways. You can't say on the one hand it's a horrible package and lead the charge against it, and then at the same time try to put a little fig leaf in there, a head fake, and say, "Well, I won't take the unemployment money, which is 1 percent, but I'll take the other 99 percent."

MR. SMITH: Senator Schumer, more with you in just a moment.

We'll be right back.

END.

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