From Staff Reports

Fox News contributor Michael Barone fielded six questions centering on the upcoming American presidential election following his speech last Thursday at the Haywood Park Hotel in downtown Asheville.
Master of ceremonies Chad Adams began by asking about the impact of the economy and entitlements in the presidential elections.

ìThe economic issue is not income, but wealth,î Barone replied. ìThe question is: Are you well enough along on your lifelong quest for accumulating wealth?î

As for entitlements, Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton has promised she ìwonít do anything about Social Security benefits, but hasnít ruled out raising taxes,î Barone asserted.

ìThe fact is, weíve got some very serious problems,î he told the generally conservative audience, and ìthe Democrats are likely to increase their margin in the Senate. Itís possible in the House, too, but I donít see it.î

Responding to a question about global warming, Barone said, ìFor some on the left, I think global warming is a quasi-religious faith for a hugely secular people. Of course, you need a private jet to get around to talk about it because you donít want to wait in those airport lines.î

In citing another case of environmental extremism, Barone pointed out that Rep. John Dingell of Michigan ìhas a carbon tax ó heís still looking for a co-sponsor ... This stuff makes good campaign rhetoric,î but is impractical in the real world.

Asked about the timing of House Speaker Nancy Pelosiís decision to raise the issue of the genocide of Armenians by Turkey in the early 20th century, Barone said,

ìIt raises real problems with the Turks. The United States doesnít need a war with the Turks, which, by the way, has one of the largest standing armies ó with 500,000 members.î

Noting that Pelosi has withdrawn the measure, he said that if one were to take a vote to condemn genocide, ìyouíd better not lose.î

A questioner noted that Barone had referenced ìOld Europeî during his speech, in contradiction with the positions of the new leaders of Great Britain, Germany and France, ìwho are not anti-U.S.î

Barone replied that ìthe biggest problem with Europe is that they have relatively weak military forces ... Europe is worse than the United States on being overly lawyered.î

To that end, he said, ìWe have 10,000 lawyers at the Pentagon,î resulting in an ìoverly lawyered war. Weíre fighting, literally, with our hands tied behind our backs.î

Which groups will be critical to the election?† a man asked.

It is too early to say which trends will emerge as most influential, Barone replied. ìWe donít know who the Republican and Democratic candidates will be. What Iím suggesting is that many things are possible ... The ideas behind the election are up for grabs.î