Transcript: Stephen Harper on 'FNS' (Fox News interview)

Fox News ^ | 2009-03-29 | (Chris Wallace, interviewer)

[Clive]

The following is a rush transcript of the March 29, 2009, edition of "FOX News Sunday With Chris Wallace." This copy may not be in its final form and may be updated.

CHRIS WALLACE, HOST: This week, world leaders gather in London for the G20 summit, discussing how best to fight the global financial crisis.

Joining us now is one of those leaders, the prime minister of Canada, Stephen Harper. And, Prime Minister, welcome to "FOX News Sunday

...

[Clive]

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[Don W]

I hate it when PM Harper starts cheerleading FOR regulation!

That’s not how I perceive less government interference.

[Clive]

Don W wrote:
"I hate it when PM Harper starts cheerleading FOR regulation!"

Otto von Bismark said:
"Politics is the art of the possible"

Here is what was said in the interview:

WALLACE: Now, you're a conservative. A lot of conservatives in this country say if you get the government too involved, you squeeze out all the innovation, all of the risk-taking, that is so important to a free market system.

HARPER: Well, and that — that's a risk. And you know, I think we have got a pretty decent balance in Canada where we have good macro prudential regulation but we don't try and micro manage financial systems.

But I — I would say this as a conservative, if I — if I can be frank. It's great to say, "Let's have less regulation in principle and less intervention in the marketplace," but where has that led us, Chris, in many countries?

It's led us to a situation where the government is, in fact, intervening massively as a consequence of under regulation, and where we now have, effectively, in many countries, nationalization of the financial system.

I know in Canada there have been some criticisms in the past that we were perhaps too activist, intervening too much, but we're emerging from this with probably the only truly free market financial system in the world.

So I think, you know, a happy medium of regulation is the way to go.

(emphasis mine)

[Don W]

I have read the entire article. Twice. There was no need to highlight his qualifying lies lines like I'm a 14 year old C- student.

He still comes across as a cheerleader for regulation. Sorry. I'm one to talk: I have Keith Martin for an MP!

[fanfan]

[april15Bendovr]

One of the largest problems the world faces taking on international terrorism is that America has elected enabling liberals that think they win the hearts of terrorists.

[Clive]

With respect, I was not treating you as a student, "C" or otherwise. I was quoting and emphasizing the passage for purposes of discourse.

We have different perspectives on the article and I was highlighting to emphasize mine, not just as a reply to you but also to advance a point of view to anyone else who might wish to join the discussion.

You and I probably agree with the adage that "he governs best who governs least" but nothing is absolute. It is possible to err by attempting to project a line to infinity, including that adage.

Note my reference to von Bismarck's observation on the art of politics.

[talltory]

Keith Martin is my MP as well. I do like him because of his position on free speach