MSNBC "Hardball with Chris Matthews" - Transcript
Interview
REP. DENNIS KUCINICH (D), OHIO: Oh, I think we do. I think that we saw that at the Democratic National Committee a few months ago. And I also think that the vote on the amendment the other day that you spoke of earlier in the show is a good sign that the Democrats are closing ranks, recognizing that we just can"t afford these wars and that we have to start paying attention to our domestic agenda.
MATTHEWS: This guy Karzai, what do you make of him? I mean, he is the guy that--who is heading the government over there. He is really all we got as a president over there. He was saying the other day, because some civilians were killed in collateral damage, that he"s saying that basically we are occupiers now. He is comparing us to the Soviets, like in "Charlie Wilson"s War."
Is he an ally?
KUCINICH: Well, the civilian casualties ought to be everyone"s concern.
But, as far as Karzai, the biggest problem with Karzai is that he can"t be trusted. His family is making money off of the U.S. presence. Drug trafficking has gone up in his country and from Afghanistan during the time of the United States" occupation, and I think that, you know, Karzai is making a lot of money and as long as he can try to call the shots for the United States, well, he is making a lot of money. That"s what he will do.
MATTHEWS: What do you make of the fact that some conservatives--I"m not sure in Congress, but some conservatives are joining your cause?
KUCINICH: Well, I think that there is an awareness, both left and right, that the--that America"s reached its limits of our resources, not only in Afghanistan, but Iraq, and we may see the same thing in a vote that we are going to have tomorrow on Libya.
There"s a concern that with all of these problems here at home, debate over the debt limit, the idea of breaking the budget, the fact that the Pentagon spends 50 percent--consumes 50 percent of all discretionary spending, here, you said it on your show. The Republicans are saying, we don"t even have money to take care of tornado victims in Joplin, Missouri.
MATTHEWS: I know.
KUCINICH: Well, if you see a situation like that, the--something has got to give somewhere. And I think it"s going to go where the huge amounts of money are being spent. And that is on the wars, $10 billion a month in Afghanistan, $1 million per soldier per year.
We telescope that out another 10 years, it"s--we have broken the bank already. It will just be more reductions in domestic spending.
MATTHEWS: Are we going to hear your voice in Congress after this Congress? Are you going to be able to get a seat out in Seattle, where you can--like in the British system, find--I"m with you. I"m a Churchill nut. He moved five different times, I think, different seats when he got beaten in different places.
(LAUGHTER)
MATTHEWS: I"m all for trying the voters.
You seem to represent philosophically people in Seattle I have gotten to know. Remember Congressman Lowry over the years out there and McDermott. You seem to be a good fit out there. Can you make that move and still be a congressman in Ohio? Or will you be treated like LeBron James?
(LAUGHTER)
KUCINICH: If I could only play basketball like him.
MATTHEWS: Well, they are mad at him for leaving, even if he wins the championship. So, what do--where are you on this?
KUCINICH: Well, no, I could just tell that I have not made any decisions about where to move. My district is bound to be affected in the redistricting. I don"t know exactly where I will end up at this point. I would like to stay in Congress. But I"m not the only one who will have a say on that, obviously.
MATTHEWS: The filing dead--rather, the primary is August 21, 2012, in Washington State. When would you have to move out there to run?
KUCINICH: Well, anyone who wants to run for Congress anywhere has to be mindful of what filing--when filing deadlines are. And you have to qualify first as a registered voter wherever you are going to run. And that"s usually before the filing deadline.
In any event, Chris, I haven"t made--
MATTHEWS: Can you be a congressman from Ohio and a registered voter in Washington State?
KUCINICH: No, I haven"t made a decision yet about a candidacy.
MATTHEWS: But can you be?
KUCINICH: But the answer to your question is no. No, that"s--that"s not possible.
MATTHEWS: OK.
KUCINICH: You have to live in the area that--where you are running. And if you are running in an area, you have to be a registered voter. So, I haven"t crossed that bridge yet.
MATTHEWS: Well, let me make a promise to you. Let me make a promise to you. Should you make this incredible decision, we will be covering your campaign within enthusiasm. And that"s a fact.
KUCINICH: Thank you so much.
MATTHEWS: That"s a fact. I have some influence around here. I would find it a dandy proposition that somebody from the Democratic left could find another constituency which was just as hospitable to him, even if he would be screwed by the legislature of his home state.
Anyway, thank you, Congressman Dennis Kucinich, sir. Thank you.
(CROSSTALK)
KUCINICH: Thank you very much. Thank you.
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