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Forbes Media Chairman Steve Forbes Chief discusses class warfare and how it’s playing into presidential politics
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Joining me now is chairman and editor in chief of Forbes media Steve Forbes.
And Steve first of all of what we'll get to the billionaires list just a minute I'm curious on who's on top but.
I wanna get personal with you today you and I don't usually get into this conversation about your wallet but.
As a business are -- hour this -- -- this is a tiny bit of a letter at all what what do you make of this because.
Let's start with wealthy people are wealthy people is Mitt Romney you others that have film wealth.
I'm comfortable talking about it you you and I have talked a zillion times -- we have never talked about money.
Well I think guess some are up.
Defensive about it clearly governor Romney has been -- he's getting a little better out of business got a ways to go.
But I think it's summed up up by my father who would did very well on life really expanded the business he have made the observation once he said.
Money may not buy happiness.
But it sure helps it does it does it pays it pays a lot of -- -- -- -- edit it and and I think you view rove approach it frankly realistically.
And non defensively it it doesn't become an issue.
And one of things she probably should have made the point on was that she's the same person she was before they did -- how.
And for the governor he's got to go out there and make the point that he wants this country.
To be a country where people who want to get ahead have a chance to get ahead like he did and remove the barriers that are in the way Mike obamacare on the light.
And it turned pivot on it started being defensive about and punching bag -- go on offer -- But but I've heard it but -- said by many people that I want a president that can relate to my situation.
Well what I'm looking and I'm going may be Ron Paul but he even he's a medical doctors always made a good be -- income there's not one of those guys is the average Joseph.
Well in terms of relating to the needs of other country at a particular time that the fact that John Kennedy had silver spoon in his mouth hurt him.
Fact that rose Franklin Roosevelt that hurt him Teddy Roosevelt that hurt him.
No it's about having a message for the American people convincing people you understand what the possibilities in the -- challenges of the country are at the moment.
And that -- you're capable of leading this country.
And -- the other stuff whether you well bowl well around picture ball while learning that kind of stuff very -- makes for good media fodder.
But at the end of the day people looking for substance can you deliver on what the country needs and if they focus on that and not get caught up -- this peripheral stuff.
The candidates will do much better.
-- -- -- -- I don't know which is -- -- of its worst of if wealthy people have a hard time trying to.
Talk about things that in a way trying to -- almost pretend to like -- the average Joseph you're you're not I mean you.
You have got some stressed -- -- some some some do have a good touch -- Donald Trump certainly.
Has a good relationship with the the public.
Does -- well on the media yeah and death and some don't so what don't try to -- changer personality just if people sense that your comfortable in your skin.
-- -- go along with that and say you're you're not applying to be well -- You know emotional.
Executive and chief.
You're applying to be a leader of this nation at a critical time and do you have the policies principles and the ability to get what needs to be done done.
Which the old thing about the nerd revolution you know the -- win.
Romney's comment -- I'm -- I've met the man a number of times and and it's nice man but he's kind of stiff.
It's not about his -- I think that's just the way he's been from from birth or.
Personality.
How much does that -- as you said something about if if they sent to your comfortably understand it like Q like abilities really -- Steve.
But what -- -- Pete people do want some like ability and they don't wanna guy who snarling and you have to project a sense of optimism.
You don't have to be a bubbly warm guy or woman.
To be able to project that -- -- a real sense that this country can that do great things and one of the things that hurts this incumbent.
Is precisely the fact that he comes across a snarling.
That he's always lecturing to us that a -- may say we have great days ahead but it's kind of doesn't lead lead you to believe that are really does that we have to go through this terrible period.
This new normal which is really abnormal.
And so well Romney's just got a project or whoever gets the nomination that they truly believe in the country they have good for up for -- principles and ideas for the country.
And they have basic faith in the future faith in the future that basic optimism.
And then people buy into that that's what they're looking for.
It is what they're looking for and that is that is a message that you're just you know you're just gonna have to be honest as much as possible not trying to -- I remember when Al Gore was running in 2000 night.
Regardless of the politics it does seem like there were trying to always reinvent him to be.
Somebody cool somebody hit somebody Smart -- and and as -- result it led to a lot of people not knowing who we was I think that hurt him in 2000.
It really did and it hurt John Kerry in that 2004.
-- the feeling that he wasn't what he's projecting himself to be.
And the people's sense that.
So don't try to be a hunter is John Kerry did Karen -- another shooting I don't know what he's pretend -- in 20045.
And death and corporate video pretending he's a hip guy.
You get -- of that stuff and -- -- what message you have if you have a message.
People want to know what is the message and can you deliver on and if that's what -- they feel the country needs.
Alright.
