Carly Fiorina: Hillary would fuel crony capitalism
The policies pushed by Democrat Hillary Clinton make crony capitalism worse, former Hewlett-Packard (HPQ) CEO Carly Fiorina said Wednesday, two days after entering the crowded race for the Republican presidential nomination.
There's a "huge gulf" between what the American people want for the country and what the government and the status quo is delivering, Fiorina told CNBC's " Squawk Box " in an interview. "People truly fear that we are losing the sense of limitless possibility that has always defined this nation."
Fiorina has never held public office before, but she had tried-losing in the 2010 U.S. Senate race in California to incumbent Democrat Barbara Boxer.
She said she agrees with Democrats who say crony capitalism is alive and well, but she added that the policies of Hillary Clinton and Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts-who's been urged by the left to challenge Clinton-make "crony capitalism worse; make income inequality worse."
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For example, Fiorina said liberal California-the "model of regulation" of the administration of President Barack Obama-has 111 billionaires and the "highest poverty rate in the nation."
"Industry after industry after industry has been driven out of the state of California; the middle class has exited, young families have exited," she said. "This is the consequence of big, powerful ... government, which of course the Democrats want more of."
Earlier on "Squawk Box," Clinton campaign manager Robby Mook said the key to her campaign is galvanizing the young Americans who were instrumental in electing President Barack Obama.
"That coalition of voters that was so strong for Obama, including young people, we're seeing in the polling and as Hillary is out campaigning, they're on board," he said.
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So far, Sen. Bernie Sanders, independent from Vermont, is the only other official Democratic candidate for president.
Former Rhode Island Gov. Lincoln Chafee told CNBC last week that he's also considering a bid.
Among other Democrats thinking about a run are former Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley and former Sen. Jim Webb of Virginia.
Six Republicans are officially in the 2016 race.
Fiorina and ex-neurosurgeon Ben Carson announced their GOP candidacies earlier this week, while former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee formally launched another Republican presidential bid Tuesday.
In March, Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas became the first Republican to jump into the race, followed by Sens. Rand Paul of Kentucky and Marco Rubio of Florida last month.
Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush and current Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker are among the other likely GOP candidates who have yet to announce bids.
"There are things I disagree fundamentally with Jeb Bush about," said Fiorina. "I don't support his notions around comprehensive immigration reform."
The common core education model is a "really bad idea," she continued. "Giving more money to the Department of Education doesn't improve learning in the classroom."
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