United Liberty

Michelle Fields was born in Los Angeles and received her degree in Political Science from Pepperdine University in 2011. She contributed video work for Reason TV and joined the Daily Caller in mid 2011. The Daily Caller, a 24-hour conservative news and commentary website funded by Foster Friess, was founded by Tucker Carlson and Neil Patel.

In between breaking stories at the Daily Caller and kicking liberal butt on Fox News, she tweets @MichelleFields.

Matt Naugle: How did you become a libertarian?

Michelle Fields: My older brother, Michael, is a libertarian and introduced me to Ayn Rand and Robert Nozick’s “Anarchy, State & Utopia.”

MN: You became a viral internet celebrity clashing with Matt Damon over tenured teachers. Did his harsh reaction surprise you?

MF: It did surprise me. I thought that I had asked a fair question. I understand where he was coming from, there are a lot of teachers out there who joined the profession out of a love for teaching. However, I don’t think that all teachers are impervious to economic incentives

MN: You have also recorded educational videos for the Center for Freedom and Prosperity. In your experience, do most people have a firm grasp of economics?

MF: Unfortunately, I think there is a lot of economic illiteracy especially among young Americans. Thankfully, there are a ton of great groups out there right now like the Charles G. Koch Foundation, Institute for Humane Studies, Center for Freedom and Prosperity, etc. who are working hard to rectify this.

MN: At the Daily Caller office, just how awesome is Jim Treacher?

MF: Treacher is great! He has shown me the power of a blogger. Earlier this year, Treacher dug up an excerpt from Obama’s book that the established media didn’t cover. He wrote a humorous post about it and basically killed one of the left’s silly talking points. He’s doing great work and is asking the questions that many in the media don’t want to ask. He’s someone I admire and he serves as a reminder to me, and others, that a political blogger has the power to make a huge impact on the election and in politics in general.

MN: Who is your favorite Fox News personality to talk to in the green room?

MF: I really love talking to Sean Hannity. He is such an honest, real person. It’s rare to meet someone as successful as him, who is humble and eager to help those around him. I admire that.

MN: You have been harassed repeatedly at Occupy rallies. What is the Occupy movement all about and why are they so angry?

MF: The Occupy movement was fighting against the preferential treatment that Wall Street has been given by the government, which I can sympathize with. But they should have been mad at government for giving big business preferential treatment, rather than being angry at wall street for being on the receiving end. I understood their frustrations, but felt that it was misplaced. They should have been protesting crony capitalism, not the free market.

MN: What advice do you have for aspiring young libertarian journalists?

MF: I would say seize every opportunity that comes your way and try your best to make your own opportunities. We’re living in an age where anyone can be a journalist now. The internet has given aspiring journalists the opportunity to capture a live event and distribute it globally. Young journalists should take advantage of this and try to make a name for themselves by covering events in their area and putting it on their blog or youtube channel.

MN: Besides Michelle Fields, who should be President in 2016?

MF: Haha. I would like to see Rand Paul run.

MN: Wrestling match- Who would win: You or Rachel Maddow?

MF: I feel like I’m capable of beating her in the arena of ideas, so it would never get to that point. Plus, I’m a lady! I don’t wrestle.

MN: What is your favorite joke?

MF: I don’t really have a favorite joke. My late father was a comedy writer in Hollywood. Most fathers would read their kids to sleep, but my dad would tell my brother and I jokes every night before bed. I would say that all of his jokes are my favorite.

MN: Your favorite bar in D.C.?

MF: I love going to Mr. Smiths in Georgetown with my colleagues. It’s a fun piano bar, very laid back and has a cute outdoor area.

MN: Final words of wisdom from Michelle Fields?

MF: My mom always tells me to smile at the world and it’ll smile back at you. Her advice has worked well so far, so I’d tell others to try to do the same!