You're watching...
Former U.S. Comptroller General David Walker on efforts to reduce government spending.
Also in this playlist...
Auto-advance: ON
Auto-advance
This transcript is automatically generated
From entitlement reform to taxes national debt to overspending our country's fiscal challenges are surely the central issue of this election Dave walker is the former US.
-- CEO of the comeback America initiative.
Thanks for being with us Dave.
-- annuity Melissa see you're big proponent of fiscal responsibility taught me about Paul Ryan he has built his political career.
Around tackling top economic issues.
You would make -- the perfect guy for our times but the truth is it can be very dangerous when your running for office right.
Well some of his proposals are controversial but you know it's time that we get the facts the truth that we confront the tough choices.
I and we recognize that we're on an improved and unsustainable path we're gonna have to reform social insurance programs -- -- our tax system.
Reduce defense and other spending and do a number of other things the math dictates it.
No absolutely and anyone who can do -- knows that that's true but that's not always how people vote they definitely get nervous he's trying to verbalize.
The message this is what he said to Brit Hume.
In an interview bits going to air on Fox News Channel just a little bit let me play -- Korea.
We're the ones -- -- not rating Medicare to pay for Obama -- we're the ones who repealing president Obama's.
Fifteen person bureaucratic board that will put price controls -- Medicare that will lead to -- care for current seniors.
Were -- winds continue to guarantee of Medicare for people in or near retirement and you have three format for the younger generation.
In order to make the commitment stick for the current generation.
Davis the best way to deliver that message -- -- it seems like you can make it even simpler it's gonna evaporate if we don't fix it no one's gonna happen.
What do you -- Well the federal government has way over promise for health care including Medicare Medicare based on reasonable assumptions is 37 trillion dollars.
Underfunded.
And it grows hundreds of billions every year by doing nothing.
I think you have to be careful as to how you articulate the message.
Either recognize it any major changes to social insurance programs with a B Medicare or Social Security.
Are gonna be phased in over time.
And I think we have an opportunity to actually exceed the expectation of -- generation of Americans especially with regard to Social Security.
If you communicate the message effectively.
Yeah and and he's the -- do that especially because one of the problems with Mitt -- so far has been his communications scale.
Is that a reason why Paul Ryan is a good choice at this point.
Well I think the reason the Paul Ryan was chosen was because clearly the biggest issues that we face right now or the economy.
Jobs and fiscal responsibility.
Mitt Romney has got a great record on the economy and jobs he's got a lot of private sector experience.
That's relevant.
In the case of Paul Ryan you've got somebody who cares very deeply about fiscal responsibility has a lot of Washington experience.
It's the combination that's important but frankly I think that President Obama knows that we're gonna have to do something about those three things to do you think I'm sure that's true.
Well they know what they're very different visions as to what needs to be done and I think it's important for the American people understand those two different visions.
So they can cast an informed vote and we can start making some tough choices rather than just talking about it is that one of the reasons your -- -- -- -- right.
Yes I'm going to swing states.
Starting on September 7 through October ninth.
Starting in New Hampshire going as far west as Nevada as far south as Florida and the ending in Washington.
At a tough time gold partner critically important time on a critically important issue where it matters truth tough choices and here's the -- We're going to be engaging Americans with sensible solutions and ought to be able to get bipartisan support.
I've been to 49 states no American is talk to more people -- I have about this.
We're gonna try to help make sure that we're in a position to do a grand bargain -- 2013 but calls the clock is ticking and time is not working in our favor.
Well that's jerk figure on the ground with the message what resonates that what it what do you feel people responding -- -- mean when you say that you have to shrink the size of government in order to grow the economy do they understand that.
When you tell -- -- and facts like the US government was 2% of the economy in 1912.
Now it's 24% of the economy when you show -- the we controlled 97%.
Of the budget 1912.
Now we control 33% and declining when you show them that our total government debt to GDP.
Is worse than many countries in Europe.
The only one this worse is Greece and we don't want to follow grace.
When you help them understand that our future position in the world our future standalone me at home our future domestic tranquility and national security are at stake.
They care about their country and their families and therefore.
They will be part of the solution if they hear truth.
Get leadership.
And we get on whether it.
You know it it's like you're running for something in in fact the rumor is that you could be your future Treasury Secretary.
If Mitt Romney wins what do you say -- as rumors.
Look I've had three presidential appointments in the past.
I I value public service on -- to consider public service again for any president.
Who was serious about putting our finances and order and transforming government to make it more future focused and results oriented but I and the political independent.
I'm here to be able to play a constructive role in an issue bases.
And I'm not gonna be advocating for one candidate or the other all right you're making waves David -- we're gonna check in with you in the future thank you.
-- -- -- -- -- -- --
