MSNBC "The Ed Show" - Transcript
Interview
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REP. KEITH ELLISON (D), MINNESOTA: Well, yes. I think it's clear. And I think President Obama has been clear all along. I've been proud to support this policy since the beginning.
I think President Obama's next move is to try to indicate to the Libyan people that America has 200-year plus democracy, is at the ready to try to assist in any way. There are going to be refugees. People are
going to need food, water, clothing --
SCHULTZ: All right. What's the cost? I mean, it sounds like we're nation-building.
ELLISON: Well, look, I think that it makes sense to do it through the international community. But the United States has to play a role.
We have a responsibility as the most powerful military nation and the biggest economy in the world. We can't just band on this thing.
And the fact is, is that, you know, look, President Obama, from the very beginning, when he gave that speech in Cairo, talking about how in Arab world, in the Muslim world, we need to be talking about allowing
people to be free, to have a choice in their own government.
You know, since that great speech, a lot of things have changed in the Middle East. I'm not saying it was because of it, but certainly he set a tone and I think at this time, you know, when this part of the world is
moving forward, we got to be there to embrace that change and support those Democratic impulses.
SCHULTZ: Back in March, Michelle Bachmann said the rebels could be al Qaeda. Here it is.
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REP. MICHELE BACHMANN (R), MINNESOTA: I have been very reluctant to see the United States go into Libya. For one think, we haven't identified yet who the opposition even is to Gadhafi. We don't know if this is led by Hamas, Hezbollah or possibly al Qaeda of North Africa. Are we really better off? Are United States better interest -- are our interests better off if, let's say, al Qaeda of North Africa now runs Libya?
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SCHULTZ: And we should point out that Congresswoman Michele Bachmann is on the intelligence committee. Does she have any idea what the hell she is talking about, Congressman?
ELLISON: No, she has no idea what she's talking about. She's just one of those people who reflexively attacks Obama under any circumstances, never has anything good to say about him. And we should not hold our breath for that to happen.
But the real issue is, look, you know, the transitional government in Libya has been recognized by not only the United States but Egypt and a whole multitude of countries aren't world. These people are responsible.
But they cannot do it alone.
So, international community needs to get aren't Transitional National Council and help them push Libya into a strong state and to help get their economy going again. I think this is the right thing to do.
SCHULTZ: All right.
ELLISON: So I think Libya will be a solid member of the international community and its people will for the first time in 42 years be able to make some decisions for themselves.
SCHULTZ: I mean, it was Ronald Reagan who ordered the bombing to go after Gadhafi. In fact, at the time, the French would not allow American jets to fly through their airspace.
ELLISON: Yes, true.
SCHULTZ: And how the tables have turned now. McCain was around back then. But now, of course, now that we've got Gadhafi and a new government is on its way in, the conservatives are quiet. I mean, it just speaks volumes. The divide in this country goes way beyond our borders.
Congressman Keith Ellison of Minnesota --
ELLISON: I just wish they could put America first. America did a good thing. They helped the Libyan people.
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