David Koch says he's a 'social liberal,' not responsible for social conservatives he bankrolls

David Koch says he&#039;s a &#039;social liberal,&#039; not responsible for social conservatives he bankrolls

(Image credit: ABC News)

last updated 8 January 2015

"You are not very well liked, primarily for your very conservative political views," Barbara Walters tells billionaire David Koch in an ABC News interview aired Sunday night. When asked about those views, Koch says he's "basically a libertarian, and I'm a conservative on economic matters, and I'm a social liberal."

Koch, one of Walters' "10 Most Fascinating People of 2014," supports abortion rights and gay rights, Walters points out, and a good number of the candidates he and brother Charles Koch support don't. "Well, that's their problem — I do have those views," Koch replies. "What I want these candidates to do is to support a balanced budget." Watch highlights of the interview, and the ABC News roundtable discussion of it, below. --Peter Weber

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Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.