In an interview set to air tonight at 7 p.m., CNBC anchor Larry Kudlow presses Newt Gingrich hard on his criticisms of Mitt Romney’s enormous wealth. Kudlow challenges Gingrich over his comments that Romney hasn’t worked for his recent wealth.
Here’s an excerpt from the transcript:
KUDLOW: Yeah, but Mr. Speaker, just to challenge it, you–this is such a tough statement. Swiss bank accounts, Cayman Island bank accounts, an automatic $20 million income from no work–you know Romney worked his whole life, you know he succeeded, and you also know, at least free market people believe that investors should take advantage of whatever market opportunities are out there.
Rep. GINGRICH: Sure.
KUDLOW: I mean, this sounds like you’re going to back to the attacks on free market capitalism…
Rep. GINGRICH: Larry…
KUDLOW: …from the whole Bain Capital experience.
Rep. GINGRICH: Larry, there’s a big difference between what investors ought to do in life and whether or not a person running for president can meet certain standards. Now, for example, I have no idea why he had a Swiss bank account or why he had Cayman Island accounts, but I think if you’re running for president, you had better be prepared to explain it. The presidency is a very unique job of enormous power. And the American people deserve to know in advance, and particularly before they nominate somebody who has the job of beating Barack Obama, what are you doing and why are you doing it and how are you doing it?
