MSNBC "The Ed Show" - Transcript

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REP. DENNIS KUCINICH (D), OHIO: Thanks, Ed.

SCHULTZ: It seems to be a running narrative by a lot of conservatives in this country that they"re painting this to be some sort of an opportunity for Israel to widen this complication in the Middle East by doing something militarily. And that fearmongering that"s being thrown out by Senator McCain--what"s your response to that?

KUCINICH: I think that across the political spectrum, people are aware that this is a momentous occasion. It certainly does have an impact on Israel, but we have to remember that Egypt wasn"t a really strong partner for Israel under Mubarak, because Egypt looked the other way while the occupation is going on and the settlement building was taking place. It"s a new--it"s a whole new terrain that"s going to be formed here diplomatically.

And I think that we need to--the United States" role should be to reach out to the Arab and the Muslim world to look to establish relationships that can protect our friends in Israel, at the same time, address some of the pressing issues that are of concern to the people, not only in Egypt, but throughout the Middle East with respect to repressive regimes.

SCHULTZ: Are those kind of comments fanning the flames in your opinion? To say that Israel is now in its most dangerous position in recent time?

KUCINICH: Well, John McCain is a very strong supporter of Israel and he has every right to make the characterization. But I think that as you point out, we have to be very cautious right now about causing the events to cycle in a certain direction or to be seen only through the prism of one country. For example, the United States--we can"t look at this only through our eyes and not allow that there"s many different interests at stake here.

We have to be very careful that we do not put ourselves in a position of trying to direct events in Egypt--because in some ways, as Professor Levy (ph) has recently written, in some ways, it"s none of our business.

SCHULTZ: Well, what about that, Congressman? Should the United States be negotiating the departure of Hosni Mubarak?

KUCINICH: We should be encouraging it. We cannot directly push him out. I think that it"s important for the United States to use the connections it has with the Egyptian military to make sure that the military plays a role in a peaceful transition.

This has to be about a peaceful transition. It must be to protect those millions of Egyptians who are peacefully crying out for a new government, which is not repressive, which will address their economic needs.

So, you know, again, Senator McCain someone I have a great deal of
respect for, but we have to be very careful that we don"t use this moment -
which is inherently dangerous--to create more danger. We have to see it in a way that gives us a chance to have new openings towards peace with other nations.

SCHULTZ: Congressman Dennis Kucinich, I appreciate your time tonight.

Thanks for joining us.

KUCINICH: Thank you.

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