I have always wanted to interview Alan Greenspan. Today I did.
We met at Radio City Music Hall in New York City. He came to the historic concert hall to participate in a panel sponsored by the World Business Forum. Afterwards he joined me in the “Roxy Suite,” a plush Art Deco design lounge decorated with photos of Judy Garland, Katherine Hepburn, John Wayne, Shirley Temple, and Frank Sinatra. Against this glamorous backdrop, we talked for 45 minutes about housing, inflation, recession, oil prices etc. He refused to answer any of my questions about the stock market, even though the first thing he did before he sat down for the interview was to check his Blackberry to see how the Dow and the Nasdaq were doing. (He was surprised to see the Dow down and the Nasdaq up.)
Most of what we talked about appears in my edited segment broadcast tonight on Nightly Business Report. Two topics didn’t make it in: China & Greenspan’s Future. Here’s some of what he had to say on those topics:
China
In view of China’s growth as an economic power, many people are concerned that the U.S. is losing its competitive edge. So, I asked Greenspan if he thinks we’re losing it and, if so, what do we do to restore it?
Greenspan said that the United States has always been at the cutting edge of technology and innovation and added that “we’re still there.” But he concedes that China will grow faster than the U.S. for the next 25 years. However, he adds, that’s not a bad reflection on us. Here’s his quote: “We have a highly flexible economy. We have a highly innovative economy. When we ask the question, it shouldn’t be relative to others. It should be, ‘How are we doing?’ Because, we can never grow as fast as China. Does that mean we’re losing competitiveness? Not in any useful meaning of the term.”
Greenspan’s future
So what does Greenspan do now that he’s written his book, been treated like a rock star, and appeared on every television show, including David Letterman and Jon Stewart?
“I’m going to do what I’ve always done,” Greenspan told me. “I seek to learn things. That’s what keeps me going… makes me interested… makes me happy.” As for taking another job in government, Greenspan shook his head. “I doubt that. I’ve had an extraordinary career in government. It’s hard to improve upon. I like the private sector. That’s where my roots are. I enjoy being here.”
Comments
Susie, I got the impression that you will soon be interviewing Warren Buffett. Since he is really the foremost insuranceman in the country, I would love to know what his views are on health insurance. Would he advocate a single payer national system? What would he do to fix medicare and what would he do to extend health insurance to all Americans?
Why does Ms Gharib use a different tone of voice when interviewing guests? I don't find it very becoming.
spelling of katharine not katherine(sic) hepburn.
everything else susy does is perfect!
Rosalie - I'll make sure Susie reviews you comment, but I wanted to go ahead and let you know more about our "How Wall Street Works" special. There's an entire section of our website dedicated to this special about the basics of investing. Simply click this link to go there: "How Wall Street Works"
In addition, if you'd like to order a copy of the program, check out this section of our site: Video Offer - "How Wall Street Works"
I hope this helps.
Prosperous New Year Susie,
I was watching Nightly Business report in the middle of December 2007 on WHYY channle 12 one evening and Paul Kangas and yourself shared information on how to invest for beginners. I caught the middle of that broadcast how can I obatain that information? Please help.
Thank you Rosalie
dear susie
hallo,I havenot answer from you yet.please answer to me in nbr blog comments.thanks hap ynew year
You go Suzie. Great direct questions, always a pleasure to watch this segment. oh, and hope you get enough ice skating in.
I watch The Nightly Business Report at the gym every evening after watching the BBC and I have to say Ms. Gharib conveys the news with a sense of urgency and professionalism unmatched by anyone in the television business or new media! Ms. Gharib delivers the business news with a sense of class not trash like other business networks.
Mike C.
GREENSPAN: "I`d say that they`re obviously they`re higher than a third. I`m reasonably sure they`re less than 50-50 which means that odds are better than 50-50 that we`ll skirt a recession in this particular period."
It's already mathematically impossible to have a recession before the end of 2008, and the downswing in our economy ends 10/23.
I'm glad Greenspan still has some curiosity, because he still has alot to learn.
Brad Hall
Nick - I saw your question before Susie did. Here's the link to the transcript of this interview: One on One with Former Fed. Chair Alan Greenspan. Also, for future reference, you can easily access the transcripts from the five most recent programs by putting your mouse on the ON AIR button in the NBR menu bar. A list will drop down. Click "Transcript Archive" on this list.
Susie,
I would like to read the transcript of the full interview. i missed the first part.
Can you help?
Nick kaars
JE - KERA had a problem with its satellite reciever last night. The station first experienced the problem during the NBR broadcast and had to quickly switch to an older, back-up copy of the program we provide in case of emergency.
If you are still interested in watching Susie's interview with Alan Greenspan, go to this page on our website: One-on-One: Alan Greenspan.
Susie: 10/10/07
I was hoping to read more of the interview with Greenspan.
I injoyed what I heard, and wanted more.
What happpened to NBR on KERA in Dallas tonight ??? They televised the introduction including the One-on-One with Greenspan then in the middle Gersh's report on Chrysler's strike resolution, the program switched to some old stuff on demographics. NO ANNOUNCEMENTS followed but it was obvious we were being fed old stock footage when the part about the retiring air controller concluded. I would like to see the interview with Greenspan.