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Tim Pawlenty, president and CEO of Financial Services Roundtable, gives his take on President Obama’s nomination of Chuck Hagel for defense secretar...
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Impact -- spending battle ahead is presidency of the financial services roundtable swells former Minnesota governor Tim Pawlenty governor we're thrilled to have -- join us this afternoon thank you.
Good to be with you thanks for having me what are your thoughts on the criticism surrounding -- nomination for Defense Secretary do you think it's warned it.
Well that's it -- -- on the positive side from president Obama's perspective you have a decorated war veteran you have a successful business person somebody -- demonstrated a clear impassioned advocacy.
For the troops and their families.
But on the concerns side you have somebody who.
Has called for perhaps review -- reductions in military spending at a level that makes many military advocates and analysts don't worry your concerns he could see.
These two positives and negatives coming into conflict during the confirmation process.
-- it could go ahead.
Now -- gasoline I was just gonna follow up governor and point out that the sequestration defense cuts were meant to be sure -- if they were meant to be.
Put out as an example to -- again to be punitive and so they can you understand that concern so if -- does.
Assume this position in the -- -- Defense Secretary what's the likelihood that those that sequestration cuts actually.
Come to fruition.
Well I think both sides have acknowledged that the sequence stationed -- cuts as applied to the military are so severe so draconian that they must be avoided they should be avoided.
Pres Obama has said that all the other policy leaders have said that.
But given how difficult relations are in Washington you could see them accidentally -- really on intensely stumble into a situation.
That would be bad for the military.
Bad for the country and certainly no one hopes that that will happen.
You know got Chuck Hagel it's called the defense budget below -- in the pasta and I think there are many who would agree with him.
Can -- walk that fine line between making those necessary cuts but also -- compromising our military abilities.
Well keep in mind that these sequestration cuts -- just referenced a few seconds ago of approximately 500 billion over the next ten years.
Are on top above and approximately equal amount.
That's already programmed to occur -- that all of them -- to happen would be nearly a trillion dollars of impact over a ten year period.
By any reasonable account that would be untenable.
And impacts on our military now that being said Ken something's be refined and streamlined and Avery achieve economies of scale and prioritize and refocus eliminate duplication and have some -- efficiency impacts on the military of course.
But we don't want to go so far to impair the national security capabilities -- the military represented.
It's all of this of course governor begs the question whether or not -- boat for -- Well I think -- for me and for many others we should allow the confirmation process to occur.
You want to make sure that she he has a fair hearing and a fair chance to explain himself and his views on these and other matters and so what I'm -- I'm anxious to see you out -- I would I don't know have a view on it just yet but I think that the hear more about what he has to say about these issues.
Does this appointment as some claim governor proved that the president is not a friend of Israel.
Well I think the concerns that they have been expressed based on some prior comments by senator hagel he's going to have to put those in context and explain.
But look the United States under this president other presidents in my view should always.
And recognize the very special relationship and our best friend in that region will which is Israel.
There's been some comments like I said that have caused some concern I think senator hagel is gonna have to explain that and express -- re express his commitment to Israel during the confirmation process no doubt about it.
If it's scary.
What's going on in the Middle East right now tensions are about to explode he's had some misstatements on Israel his policy with Iran is.
Diplomacy -- you understand why people are.
You know again just to kind of -- put a little emphasis on the -- with the Middle East a little bit concerned here.
With the president of course taken any DT see him stepping that up -- stepping that up and getting a little more firm.
The administration is a -- Of course I think you -- see senator hagel clarifying and confirming those comments in a way that our.
-- bring them back in line with in a way that addresses the concerns but let's be clear EEE and know anybody who's been in public policy for a long period of time is gonna have said some things are taken some votes are done some done some things that raise some eyebrows.
That doesn't mean you can't.
Ten years subsequent -- twenty years subsequent.
In change your mind to recommit to -- -- to a previous position that may happen here but all of this really signals that.
The president believes that in his nomination.
Chuck Hagel -- Chuck Hagel.
It represents his views are well represent his -- going forward.
On on these important issues and so it'll be I think I think you'll see senator hagel and that president.
Be unified on these issues going forward but some of these past remarks are gonna have to be -- final question.
Got us -- that government we got to get out of here the very quickly -- attempted in 2016 to -- you have in the GOP -- I found no I'm not attempted to do that -- And I shot at -- so that as they say that ship has sailed well a lot of people or poetry humor yes again great body I was.
Because just my immediate family banana -- Don't -- self deprecating governor thank.
That's thanks.
All right coming up it sounds simple raise taxes taken more money -- club.
This is why Uncle Sam may not be getting the dividend tax we're full it is hoping for.
We'll explain.
