Anchor notes: John King on Joe Miller
Washington (CNN) - Joe Miller calls President Obama "bad for America" and suggests he is leading the nation on a path to socialism. But the newly minted GOP Senate nominee from Alaska also has a message for the Republican Leadership. Not to mention unapologetic views on cutting federal spending and even possibly phasing out Social Security.
A few highlights from an interview taped Wednesday, the day after tea party favorite Miller clinched the GOP nomination. (Defeating incumbent GOP Sen. Lisa Murkowski.)
"There is an opportunity to lead this country out of the crisis its in and I believe the Republican Party is well suited to take up that mantle," Miller said in an interview for Wednesday's "John King, USA." which will air at 7pm. "The question is whether or not there's the courage and leadership in that party to seize the moment and to recognize that the only way out of this is to get out of the age of the entitlement state to return power back to the states and recognize that central government is broken and see what we can do about fixing things and getting the government focused on those areas the enumerated powers that it should be doing. And the Republican Party can do it but it does require courage."
So is Sen. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky the right GOP Senate leader or should the party choose a new one?
"Anybody that embraces this message can move it forward so that's going to be up to the Republican party. It's going to be up to the people of this great nation," Miller said. "I believe that the party should embrace that message. I think it is the future of this nation. I think it will lead us out of this mess. But let's just wait and see what happens."
Democrats have labeled Miller an extremist who would abolish Social Security. He is quick to make some important distinctions about those currently receiving benefits, but is forceful in making the case be believes major changes are needed down the road. Consider this exchange:
Miller: "Longer term there has got to be a move outside of that system. Ultimately we want to transfer the power back to the states so that states can take up the mantle of those programs if they so desire. In, you know, the shorter term, I think there have been many plans proposed that can move the shift or shift this away from government control and into a sector where we can actually protect those funds
"I mean if its a privatized system, for example, I can ensure that I put my money into an account that the government is not going to steal from. ... I think most Americans recognize that that system is broken and they understand that there has got to be a change longer term to bring back some fiscal sanity and to ensure that you can actually have something when you do retire rather than depend on these IOUs that when we go insolvent aren't going to be worth much."
KING: "It is an issue that you well know can be easily demagogued, so I want to deliver a statement. You tell me if it's fair or not: That anybody in the system or close to the system is fine. We won't do anything significant to change your benefits. But how about an American born tomorrow or born the day after Joe Miller was sworn in in Washington? Would that person perhaps grow up in an America where there is not a federal Social Security program if you got your way?
MILLER: "Absolutely.
KING: "That's a fair statement?"
MILLER: "No demagoguery there at all."
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Aspiring Senator Miller should find some time to research the dollar value each of us lower 48 contribute to the total subsidy received by every "go it alone- pioneer" Alaskan before shooting his mouth off.
Maybe Bobo's mother – Ms. Grizzly should as well.
Looks like Mr Miller is what is wrong with America. Typical, isn't smart enough to have answers on his own so he screams that Obama is a Socialist even though I bet Mr Miller (like most Tea Baggers) couldn't give you a definition of that term if you asked them.
This guy is either insane or so greedy it makes me sad. He thinks people's social security should have been privatized? Can you imagine if that had been the case during the last few years of market turmoil? This is the best the Tea Partty have to offer, right wing extremists who simply spew hate, call the sitting president a socialist, make up lies like death panels and regurgitate fox news talking points without thinking about the vast middle class in this country. We cannot all be in the top 5% like his backers and I for one am tired of waiting for the wealth to "trickle down". These guys are all in bed with big busines and nearly ruined this country during 8 years of control. Now they have the nerve to blame Democrats who are trying to fix the damage with zero help from the right.
Who does this Tea Party clown think he is? Sarah Palin endorsed him, now he is an authority on everything, just like the half-governor thinks she is.
Any politician that can lead us out of the entitlement society and reinstate the American work ethic would certainly get my vote. The American tax payer simply cannot sustain the current levels or the expanded spending programs. The solution has always been one sided, raise taxes, but any sensible person knows you have to address a problem the size of our debt from both sides, no longer should the tax payer be the ONLY solution.
This man would rather have us go back to the 1930's ... soup kitchens, massive panhandling, "Hoovervilles".
This guy's viewpoint smacks of neanderthal thinking and a stone age morality. Every man for himself. How pathetic.
The Republican Party will lead us right back to where we were. Usless wars. Arms dealers and manufactors; Oil companys running the government. Tax breaks for the rich. Screw the environment. Every citizen pack'n heat. Religion "Gone Wild".
Can't wait.
Well, I'll tell ya, from where I stand (and I can see the Capitol dome from my backyard) I see Obama still mopping up the MESS that the previous administration put us in! Who is this newly no-known to state his opinion when it does not even reflect what is going on. Maybe he wants the stupid people to jump ship and follow him??? You gotta know where the helm is before you try to steer the ship dumba$$. Beau Colby.
After doing a short mini-study on David & Charles Koch, John King's interview with Joe Miller sounds just like the interview would sound with the Koch Brothers. The problem with the Koch Brothers is that only those who currently have wealth will continue to be wealthy. The rest of us with opposing points of view will just have to live without. Once again, there is nothing said of producing a thriving economy where all (95%) are employed with very few under-employed. Its all about making it easier for the wealthy. By the way, the Koch Brothers were instrumental through their lobbying efforts bringing about NAFTA. With NAFTA, jobs went over seas and the wealthy big business corporate execs prospered through the increased margins as a result of foreign cheap labor. Regarding China, the US exports to China, well, are made in China.
Miller sounds like a real winner. Cant believe how crazy the GOP has become. Anyone who subscribes to this ranting can follow Miller and his ilk to the looney bin where they belong.
This guy is nuts. End entitlements like Social Security? Ok...doesn't impact him now does it.
the division in this country keeps getting deeper and deeper. Morons like this Miller just keep howling away, CNN/Fox New keeps them in the spotlight and the division grow deeper. What is Fox News/CNN seeking, civil war?
Cant the GOP come up with something interesting, intelligent, truthful and less old and boring? Why would Alaskan elect these haters, bigots? i think not having enough sunlight months affects people's judgements. Obama is not socialist, he is your president, elected by majority and ruling as he ran. Where were you? Oh, i forgot, he is shh. black!
Marita
And one more thing. Social Security is not broken..it actually has a surplus.
Try this one on for size and we'll see who has really done their studying:
CAPITALISM is the path to socialism.
Read a book.
Well, that's just a great idea. Let's start with the "age of entitlements"
paid to Congress. Let Congress pay for their health insurance, their
business travel, their food and lodging while travelling all over the
world, their own postage stamps, gasoline, and any and all expenses out
of their salaries. The Federal Government would save a fortune. Then,
let's be sure their retirement money, put in from their salaries, are
in the stock market only. In other words, if Congress gives up all of
their "entitlements" aka "perks", pay their own way, our debt would drop considerably.
Big talk from such small minded people, and by the way Republicans
in Congress have not earned a damn dime the last two years. It is
very easy to scream NO, go to lunch, take a nap, then go home and
gloat.
The GOP is" bad for America"!!!!!
Abolish Social Security and let the Madoffs of Wall Street invest for your retirement future? You gotta be a nutcase to fall for this line.
This guy is nuts! I'm sure he's a racist and an elitist. If he has his way no one will ever help someone who isn't economically exactly like them. If he is the future of our country I fear most people will be paupers and the rich will live only for themselves!
The Obama administration is definately one of the BEST things that has happen to this country in a long time. We have a president who is intelligent, caring and will continue to move our country forward. God bless our president and god bless America!!!!
Thank you,
A proud American citizen.
These nose-pickin, knuckle-draggin tea partiers don't even know what socialism is!!!!!!!!!!!!
The man is most likely psychotic.
Miller has his and if you think for one minute he cares about you then you're dumber than I thought. You lead by example like the Gates family who have put their money into action. What has Miller done other than get rich then go into politics.
Miller, Angle, Bachmann, Paul, Rubio, Palin, wack jobs all!
Isn't it funny how Palin and Miller complain about federal spending and the high cost of taxes when their state is in the top 5 for receiving more federal dollars than they contribute ($1.82 back for every dollar they pay in)? If they weren't happily gravy-training off state oil revenues and federal taxes paid by the rest of the country, Alaskans would be flat broke. So much for that independent pioneer spirit.