MSNBC "The Ed Show" -Transcript

Interview

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REP. DENNIS KUCINICH (D), OHIO: Well, the one thing that he did was to personalize the presidency in a way of reaching out to people in an extraordinary way. I mean, in Cleveland, Ohio, where I"m from, he made so many trips to Cleveland that he was on a first-name basis with just about every level of leadership in the community. And it"s that personal touch that really characterized him and added to the charisma which Bill Clinton already has.

And it should be said, Ed, that all of us are wishing a speedy recovery to President Clinton and to Chelsea and to Hillary Clinton. We send a lot of love at this trying time.

But he"s someone who the nation still has great love and affection for. He appeared before a Democratic caucus a couple of weeks ago and he received loud and long cheers because people really connect with him in such a deep personal way. They really love him.

SCHULTZ: Congressman Van Hollen, what does Bill Clinton mean to candidates out on the trail? How much of an impact has he had since leaving the White House?

REP. CHRIS VAN HOLLEN (D), MARYLAND: Well, he"s had an enormous impact. He is criss-crossing the country in every election, supporting Democrats in the last election, the 2008 election, obviously, after the primary, went on to support now President Obama. But he was also all over the country in our congressional races both in 2008 and 2006.

And he has not lost one bit of that pizzazz for life. And as Dennis said, he appeared before a Democratic caucus just about three weeks ago and brought down the house, talking about all the issues that continue to face the American people from the economy, health care. And as you know, he has an encyclopedic knowledge.

SCHULTZ: You know, that"s what I wanted to bring up with you, Chris. I mean, the guy is just--he"s a walking encyclopedia. He"s one of the most worldly figures when it comes to knowing an awful lot about a lot of things.

VAN HOLLEN: Well, that"s right, whether it was foreign policy or domestic policy, he could both, you know, talk about the sort of grand strategy, but he could also tell you every detailed fact. When he came before the House caucus just a little while ago, he talked about what he was doing in Haiti. But before he did that, he essentially recited the entire history of Haiti and put that--what"s happening there in a larger context. And I"ve got to say, people were always impressed with Bill Clinton, but he hasn"t lost it one bit.

SCHULTZ: And quickly, from what you know, Congressman Kucinich, this won"t slow down Bill Clinton a bit, will it?

KUCINICH: Well, he"s known all over the world. He"s someone who has tremendous charismatic powers. When you can go into a Democratic caucus, as he did, with some of the most hardened politicians in the country, people who have seen just about everything, and you bring people to their feet because of his quality of heart--you know, that"s something to think about. You know, here he"s getting his heart repaired, but it"s his heart that causes people to love him so much because he connects with people heart to heart.

SCHULTZ: Congressman Kucinich, Congressman Van Hollen, thanks for your time tonight. Appreciate it so much.

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