Tom Perez, DNC chair: Programs called socialism by GOP critics ‘make capitalism work’

Democratic National Committee chairman Tom Perez says that what Republicans call “socialism” actually makes “capitalism work for everyone.”

Mr. Perez sat down with Fox News’ Bret Baier Thursday evening in Houston to discuss the future of the Democratic Party.

The two men, having just watched ten presidential hopefuls spar on stage, discussed the divide between democratic socialists like Vermont Sen. Bernard Sanders and the more fiscally moderate former Vice President Joe Biden.

“You know Brett, socialism is the oldest trick in the book,” Mr. Perez said. “You’re a very good student of history. When Social Security was debated, when Medicare was debated, when the minimum wage was debated, Republican opponents of all of those three critical elements of our social compact said this is socialism. What Social Security and Medicare and the minimum wage have done is make capitalism work for everyone. And so, this is the oldest attack line in the book. Voters are smart. When you have coverage for people with a preexisting condition, I’d hardly call that socialism. I’d call that sound health policy and sound economic policy.”

Mr. Baier then asked if Democrats would substantively address how they proposed to pay for their initiatives while also controlling deficits and debt.

“The big difference between Republicans and Democrats on the economy is that Democrats believe that the economy should work for everyone — not just a few at the top. Republicans don’t,” Mr. Perez replied. “Democrats have passed, in the House, an increase in the minimum wage. Donald Trump said seven and a quarter [dollars] is enough to feed your family. … If you want fiscal responsibility in this country — go back 20, 30 years — elect Democrats. [The] stock market does better. The deficit goes down. George Herbert Walker Bush handed Bill Clinton, you know, a deficit as long as the eye can see. Bill Clinton handed George W. Bush surpluses.”