How do today’s budget debates compare to those when you were House Majority Leader?
It’s worse [now]. Sure, we had some colorful times with Pres. Clinton, but we worked it out. Now, you’ve got a president who decides to go across the country and give blaming speeches, but who never wants to sit down and do the hard work.
How have the Tea Party-elected House members done their first year in office?
They are who they said they would be when they got to Washington. If there’s any disciplining influence that wants to keep things professional in Congress, it’s these new, conservative members.
What economic legislation is critical in 2012?
Smart tax policy, specifically a flat tax, is the only stimulus option that’s workable. You cannot stimulate the economy today with increased government spending. Even Keynes’s framework confirms that.
How optimistic are you that we’ll see smart tax policy next year?
Not very. We need a smart president with a clear understanding of what to do, an awareness of what will work, and a Congress that gets behind his leadership, gets over their danged partisan squabbling, and gets their eye on the ball.
Can Pres. Obama rise to that challenge?
I don’t think so. I don’t think the man is able to comprehend the job he has. Pres. Obama is real smart about class warfare, but he’s pretty much ignorant of economics, finance, and smart public policy. He’s certainly no Bill Clinton.