Conservative billionaire Charles Koch said in an interview that aired Sunday that Hillary Clinton could possibly be preferable to a Republican for president.
The influential donor, who, along with his brother David and their larger network, has been consistently criticized by the left for large contributions to conservative political campaigns, was asked on ABC if he thought that Bill Clinton was a better president than George W. Bush. Koch responded that he preferred Bill Clinton in certain respects.
“In some ways,” Koch said. “In other ways, I mean he wasn’t an exemplar. But as far as the growth of government, the increase in spending, it was two and a half times [more] under Bush than it was under Clinton.”
He was then asked if it was possible that another Clinton — Hillary — could be preferable to another Republican, and gave an answer some found surprising.
“It’s possible,” Koch said. “It’s possible.”
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But when asked if he could see himself ultimately supporting Hillary Clinton, Koch maintained that the policies she implemented would need to be different the policies she has articulated.
“We would have to believe her actions would be quite different than her rhetoric. Let me put it that way,” Koch said.
Clinton’s campaign campaigned responded Sunday afternoon with a sharp tweet.
Not interested in endorsements from people who deny climate science and try to make it harder for people to vote. https://t.co/TWN4zYhMBh It is estimated that the Koch network spent about $400 million in the last presidential election. The network has thus far stayed out of presidential primary politics, although it contemplated funding an anti-Trump effort earlier this year. As of now, the Koch network has only gotten involved in certain Senate races to oppose Democratic candidates. Koch said in the ABC interview Sunday that he won’t “put a penny” into trying to stop Trump — but he and his network may take a pass on the 2016 presidential race altogether because of the lack of good “role models.” “These personal attacks and pitting one person against the other — that’s the message you’re sending the country,” Koch said. “You’re role models and you’re terrible role models. So how — I don’t know how we could support ’em.”
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