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Wednesday, August 19, 1992 [2]
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Wednesday, August 19, 1992 [2]
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2009-0166-S
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George H.W. Bush Presidential Records
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Office of the President
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Daily Files
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90708
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90708-007
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Wednesday, August 19, 1992 [2]
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35
2
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THE WHITE HOUSE
office of the Press Secretary
(Houston, Texas)
For Immediate Release
August 19, 1992
REMARKS BY THE PRESIDENT
AT RNC GALA LUNCHEON
George R. Brown Convention Center
Houston, Texas
2:00 P.M. CDT
THE PRESIDENT: Lod Cook, thank you, sir. Thank you
all for that warm welcome. Thank you so very much. (Applause.)
Thank you, Lod. Please be seated. And let me just single out at
the beginning of these remarks Lod Cook, who does so much, not
just for the party and for candidates, but who's certainly done
so much for Barbara and for me. Everything he touches works out.
and I couldn't be more pleased to be at his side through this
luncheon. And this gives me an opportunity to thank him and all
of you who made this luncheon quite clearly a tremendous success.
I think this bodes well for what lies ahead. And I
want to single out a couple of people. I thought that Boy Scout
Color Guard was great. (Applause.) And so was the Boys Choir
and the Houston Chorus; take great pride in them. And Reverend
Claude Payne is, as Lod said, Barbara and my home parish minister
at St. Martin's Church here, and we're just delighted to be with
him.
And I want to single out, of course, a man that did
a great job firing up the troops last night, getting our message
of hope and opportunity across the country -- our distinguished
keynoter, Phil Gramm. And he did a superb job last night.
(Applause.)
And also -- we've got a lot, but let me just also
add Rich Bond, who came in in this National Committee, grabbed a
hold of it, taking our message out there. He is a feisty devil,
and he's doing a first-class job, too. And so, really, this
then, with this dramatic entrance, is the first of our whistle-
stop tour. And I think the train sure beats the hell out of the
bus, frankly. (Applause.)
I want to just salute the Vice President and
Marilyn. Dan Quayle has served with great distinction. He's
taken on a lot of substantive tasks and done them well. And he's
done his 10b with dignity and honor. And he's taken the best
shots the other side can fire. And if you ask me, he's given
better than he's got. His head 1s up, he's ready to charge, and
I am proud and henored to have him at my side in the convention
and the days that lie ahead. (Applause.)
Now, I know the excitement's building. Each hour we
yet closer to the moment everyone's waiting for, packed house at
the Astrodome, nationwide TV audience. And I'd be less than
honest if I didn't tell you I've got a few butterflies. But I'll
tell you, you're going to love Barbara's speech. (Laughter and
applause.) But after she's through, then I get my turn tomorrow.
And I want to spell out where I'm going to take this country with
your help over the next four years. But, first, just a little
bit about why we're here in Houston.
Some of you may have read an interview by my
opponent, the one he gave to the USA Today last week. It was
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- 2 -
absolutely incredible, and he talked about how he's already
planning the transition, figuring out who should be deputy
assistant under secretary in every Washington agency. Even where
he will go to get away from the White House. Heck, I've expected
to come forward Friday morning and find somebody measuring the
drapes in the Oval Office. (Applause.)
This guy got a problem up here? Are they with the
press corps?
I can't hear you. Please speak up. (Applause.)
This is a crazy year, when they have credentials for the --
AUDIENCE: What about AIDS? What about AIDS?
AUDIENCE: Four more years! Four more years! Four
more years!
THE PRESIDENT: As I was saying -- that guy -- hey,
listen, for those of you who haven't been around my line of work
lately, this is normal. Don't get worried. (Laughter and
applause.) Don't get worried.
But let me just say this: I saw a demonstration out
there on the television the other day, and let me be clear where
I stand: Everybody has a right to protest, but I have a right to
stand with our law enforcement people who have to put these
protests in the proper perspective. Thank you, to those from the
sheriff's office. (Applause.)
AUDIENCE: What about AIDS? What about AIDS?
THE PRESIDENT: May I address myself to the
gentleman's question? Our administration last year spent $4.3
billion on AIDS. That is ten times as much for a person sick
with AIDS as we spend on cancer. And this year, we've asked for
$4.9 billion the highest research and prevention program in
the world. (Applause.) We have the best scientists working on
the problem, and my heart is full of compassion, and we are doing
what we can to get to the bottom of that. (Applause.)
Now, does anybody else have something they would
like to say while we're all standing?
AUDIENCE: What about AIDS? What about AIDS?
AUDIENCE: Four more years! Four more years!
THE PRESIDENT: Thank you very much.
Anybody else like to be heard up here? Because I
have one or two things only that I want to say. I was telling
you how my opponent gave an interview to the USA Today, and he
talked about planning his transition and picking out who's going
to be the deputy assistant under secretary in each Washington
agency, where he'll go to get away from the White House. I
expected to go to the Oval Office on Thursday to find him there
in the Oval Office measuring the drapes.
But I have a message: Put the drapes on hold. For,
pretty soon, for you it is going to be curtains. We are going to
take this to the American people. (Applause.)
And this week, right here in Houston, we've began
this conversation with the American people, talking about the
issues that shape the world, about the values that are close to
home. And I'm talking about jobs and family and faith and about
neighborhoods free from crime, and about a world free from fear.
And if you listen to the other side tell it, you're for them if
you're for change.
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But this election is not just about change, because
change has a flip side -- and that is called trust. And when you
get right down to it, the election is going to be like every
other: When you pull that curtain closed and cast your vote on
November 3rd, trust matters. And the American people are going
to say, I trust President George Bush, because he's made the
tough decisions and he's conducted himself with honor and decency
in that office. (Applause.)
You know, I used this example the other day -- that
when a phone rings in the middle of the night at the White House,
when a crisis comes half a world away, the American people do
want to know that their leader has the experience, the background
and the guts to do the right thing. And I am proud of the
changes that we've made together. I am proud of our total
victory in the Cold War, proud that in the past four years more
people have taken the first breath of freedom than at any time in
human history. That is major change. That is significant in
terms of world peace. (Applause.)
But the job is not finished. There are plenty of
wolves. The Soviet bear may be extinct, but there are plenty of
wolves out there. And as long as I am President, no madman will
get his finger on the nuclear trigger. And as long as I am
Commander-In-Chief, America will remain safe and strong. I owe
that to the American people. (Applause.)
Electing our leader who will protect our nation
means trust in the traditional sense. But that's just part of
the picture. Each election is a referendum on the future and
what we want it to look like. And I stake my claim on a very
simple philosophy: To lead a great nation, you must first trust
the people that you lead.
And think about this fact: Nearly one out of every
two delegates in Manhattan at that convention was on a government
payroll. That's just not true in Houston. We are the party of
real people. The preacher, the payroll meeter, the wage earner,
the entrepreneur, the veteran; and yes, the volunteer -- God
bless them. And look at every big issue we face. You'll see a
choice a choice between we who put our faith in everyday
Americans, and they who put their faith in a big, unresponsive
government. (Applause.)
And if you haven't heard by now what that government
first crowd has planned, let me just give you a couple of
examples. First, they're calling for over $200 billion in new
spending, and another $150 billion in new taxes. And now they're
going to come back at me and say, wait a minute, we're the new
breed. We're no Walter Mondale or we're no Michael Dukakis. And
they may be right. I don't want to be unfair to Mr. Mondale or
Dukakis (laughter) $150 billion in new taxes is more than
the two of them ever dreamed of offering the United States of
America. (Applause.)
But I think we'd all agree that we trust the people,
not the government, to create the jobs and to get this economy
moving. You heard Phil Gramm talk about it. You saw that film
showing what we've tried to do, blocked blocked by that
Congress.
Let me just say another thing: We trust the
parents, not the government, to make the decisions that matter in
life. And we trust parents, not the government, to choose their
children's schools public, private, or parochial. (Applause.)
And we fought for and we got a child care bill,
where the parents choose the children's child care. And when the
other side says government knows best, I say parents know better;
parents know better than some bureaucrat in Washington, D.C., or
some subcommittee chairman out there that's been there for 38
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years and is mandating everybody in this country how to behave.
(Applause.)
And we trust the people, not a new government
bureaucracy, to fix our health care system. And we've got a good
proposal that provides health insurance to the poorest of the
poor and still provides the quality of medical care that would be
decimated if we turn to the government to do it all. (Applause.)
Well, you know that we've tried to get things
through Congress. And now I'm going to take this fight to every
corner of the nation, and make the case not just to reelect me,
not just to reelect the Bush-Quayle ticket, but to give Congress
back to the people. You heard it here today: The House has .
remained under the same control since Khrushchev ruled the
Kremlin and since Castro's coup in Cuba. And today, the status
quo is under siege.
The only way to break the deadlock in Washington is
to clear out the dead wood on Capitol Hill. And I'm going to do
what Harry Truman did -- take that case to the American people
for a November decision. (Applause.)
Now, let me close with just a few words to my
friends here in Houston and others from across this country.
We've been talking about it; and for Barbara and me, this week is
bound to have a very special meaning. This is our last big
convention, last time, you might say, around the track. It is
great to come back home to Texas, come home to where it really
began for us in a political sense.
I remember back in 1948 traveling out there when Bar
and I were living in Odessa and then in Midland, traveling out
across the plains to towns like Wink and Notrees and Andrews and
Kermit and Crane; towns where parents worried and watched when
the kid crossed the street. Towns that sent their kids halfway
around the world to fight for freedom to the DMZ or to Da Nang,
or, yes, to Desert Storm. And I remember the rhythms of that
part of our country, the rhythms of West Texas: Friday night
football, Saturday night picnics, the Sunday sermon.
And Barbara and I raised a family, built a business
and we made friends. And we shared the small triumphs and the
sorrows, and as my good friend Dan Jenkins -- you remember Dan
the Hornfrog Man, the TCU writer -- he put it this way, "We lived
life its own self." And I remember when the work was done how we
sat around the table late at night and we talked report cards,
schoolyard fights, small things, big dreams. And I was not born
in Texas, but in Texas 48 years ago, whatever it was -- 44 years
ago, I came of age. And the lesson I learned here are the
lessons and the lessons that Barbara and I learned here are
the lessons that we have tried to live by.
The friends that we made here and throughout our
lives are the friends who are in this room, some from Texas, some
elsewhere, every one of whom we owe a vote of gratitude to. The
friends who have stood by us when times are great and when times
are tough. And now we are about to embark on the fight of our
life and the fight to keep the American dream alive, but keeping
faith in people. And I look forward to this fight. I can feel
it. I can feel it building in my blood. And one thing that is
the most comfort is that, through good times and bad, I have had
you at my side. And we want to thank you for this fantastic show
of support.
May God bless this great nation of ours. Thank you
for our many blessings and may God bless the United States of
America. Thank you very, very much. Thank you all. Thank you
so very much. (Applause.)
END
2:20 P.M. CDT
SENT BY:Xerox Telecopier 7020 ; 8-19-92 ; 11:41 ;
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
(Houston, Texas)
For Immediate Release
August 19, 1992
The President has selected Senator Jake Garn (R-UT), to be his
personal representative at the Farnborough International Air Show
in Farnborough, England on September 4-9, 1992.
###
THE WHITE HOUSE
OFFICE OF THE PRESS SECRETARY
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 19, 1992
The President today declared a major disaster exists in the State
of Nebraska and ordered Federal aid to supplement state and local
recovery efforts in the area struck by severe storms and flooding
on July 11-29, 1992.
The President's action makes Federal funding available to affected
local governments in an eight county area. The counties include
Jefferson, Johnson, Nemaha, Nuckolls, Otoe, Pawnee, Richardson, and
Thayer.
Federal funding is available to eligible local governments on a
cost-sharing basis for the repair or replacement of public
facilities damaged by the storms.
Wallace E. Stickney, director of the Federal Emergency Management
Agency (FEMA), named Warren M. Pugh of FEMA's regional office in
Kansas, City, Missouri, to coordinate Federal recovery operations in
the affected area.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: FEMA (202) 646-4600.
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
(Houston, Texas)
For Immediate Release
August 19, 1992
The President today recognized Carol and Hurt Porter and the
volunteers of We Care About Kids, Kid Care, Inc., of Houston,
Texas, as the 866th Daily Point of Light for the Nation. Mr. and
Mrs. Porter and the Kid Care volunteers offer a sense of well-
being to children and families while providing nutritious meals
and educational opportunities.
Kid Care, founded by the Porters in 1986, operates a food pantry
for low-income families in Houston's public housing projects.
The pantry, located in the Porters' home and supported by
donations of food from businesses and community members, serves
hot meals daily in the summer as well as during the school year.
In addition to serving 9,000 meals each month, some 20 volunteers
from area companies and colleges teach communication skills and
nutritional information to the children and their families.
Mrs. Porter and two volunteer instructors from the Texas A & M
Agricultural Extension Service conduct nutrition classes for 12
adults. Participants are taught inexpensive ways to prepare
healthful meals. A bilingual volunteer instructor from the Fort
Bend Independent School District teaches English as a Second
Language classes for 15 adults each week. Students learn to read
and speak properly by using practical tools, such as job
applications and newspaper articles. During the summer months,
the Porters chaperon 50 children on weekly field trips. Local
businesses sponsor many of the activities, including a recent
trip to the circus for 120 youths and a summer camp for 45 kids.
The Porters devote seven days a week to Kid Care and have
developed lasting relationships with many of the families they
have served. They are a constant source of support and guidance,
and have even found full-time jobs for three mothers.
The President salutes Carol and Hurt Porter and the volunteers of
We Care About Kids, Kid Care, Inc., for exemplifying his belief
that, "From now on in America, any definition of a successful
life must include serving others.' "
###
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Miah Homstad (202) 456-6266
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
(Houston, Texas)
NOTICE TO THE PRESS
August 19, 11992
On Monday, August 24, President Bush will travel to Union, New
Jersey and Ansonia, Connecticut. During his visit to Union, the
President will address the students and faculty of Lincoln
Technical Institute at approximately 10:00 am. The President
will also attend a Victory '92 Fundraiser. President Bush will
then travel by helicopter to Ansonia, where he will attend an
Ansonia Community Luncheon at approximately 1:00 pm, and a
Victory '92 Fundraiser as well. The President is expected to
return to the White House at approximately 3:45 pm.
President Bush will travel to Chicago, Illinois and Detroit,
Michigan on Tuesday, August 25. The President will depart for
Chicago in the morning, and address the American Legion's 74th
Annual National Convention at approximately 10:00 am. The
President will then travel to Detroit to attend a Bush/Quayle
Rally at approximately 2:20 pm. President Bush will arrive at
the White House at approximately 5:15 pm.
# # #
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
For Immediate Release
August 19, 1992
STATEMENT BY THE PRESS SECRETARY
President Bush yesterday commented in a PBS interview that there
would undoubtedly be changes in the Cabinet in the second term.
He said this would be a normal situation historically, and he did
not refer to any specific individual. The President believes his
Cabinet is doing an excellent job.
The President called Jack Kemp, Secretary of Housing and Urban
Development, this morning to congratulate him on his speech to
the convention, and to express his concern about Jack being
singled out by the Houston Post this morning as departing from
the Cabinet. The President assured Jack that he was referring
only to the routine departure of Cabinet members that
historically occurs in a second term.
###
SENT BY:Xerox Telecopier 7020 ; 8-19-92 ; 14:08 ;
;# 1
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
(Houston, Texas)
For Immediate Release
August 19, 1992
The President today announced his intention to nominate James
Michael Reum, of Illinois, to be a Member of the Securities and
Exchange Commission for the term expiring June 5, 1997. He would
succeed Edward H. Fleishchman.
Since 1979, Mr. Reum has served as a Partner in the law firm of
Hopkins & Sutter in Chicago, Illinois. He has also served as
Associate Republican Counsel for the Committee on the Judiciary
in the United States House of Representatives, 1974. From
1973-1974, and 1974-1978, he served as a corporate lawyer with
the firm of Davis Polk & Wardwell.
Mr. Reum was graduated from Harvard College (B.A., 1968) and
Harvard Law School (J.D., 1972). He also served in the United
States Army Reserves/National Guard, 1969-1975. He was born
November 1, 1946 in Oak Park, Illinois. Mr. Reum currently
resides in Chicago, Illinois.
# # #
POOL REPORT # 6
August 19, 1992
From Brown Convention Center
Fitzwater briefed the pool on the speech, developments in Iraq,
and the departure of Carr.
Fitzwater said there would be "some new ideas about economic
recovery" in a "generally thematic" address that will "certainly
give the American people a very strong idea of how he intends to
proceed in the second Administration with regard to the economy
and on other domestic issues.'
"I think people will find it to be a very reasoned, thoughtful
speech by a Statesman - Leader who fought long and hard about
these subjects and can defend them and draw a very strong
contrast between how he wants to keep the economy going and the
opposition efforts to raise taxes," Fitzwater said.
Fitzwater said there would be no apology for the 1990 tax
increase in the budget deficit agreement with Congress.
On Iraq: Fitzwater said the Administration has been talking with
the British and French about when to implement the no-fly zone
across Southern Iraq. "We do have some details yet to be worked
out though. But there is a general agreement that we are very
concerned about the repression of the Shia in the South."
Fitzwater said "there are still some details to be resolved in
terms of how we would proceed and what the role of each of the
countries would be and the exact timetable (of the
implementation)
Fitzwater said "it is hard to say" when the ultimatum will be
relayed to Iraqi authorities. Fitzwater said consultations with
the two other nations often take a day or two on specific issues
before decisions can be reached.
"Obviously we are in the final stages."
Firing of Carr: Fitzwater said Carr was fired by the Campaign
yesterday but declined to go into detail. "This is a young man
who has a long career ahead of himself. I'm not going to be in a
position of hurting this fellow in any way. It happened. You
know the basic facts of the incident. I'm just not going to go
into the incident anymore He was a young man who made a
mistake and it's a tragedy and I just feel badly about it."
Kemp: Fitzwater said the President called Kemp to "assure Jack
and all the other members of the Cabinet that they're doing an
excellent job, they're doing a great service for us on the
Campaign and here at the Convention and we're looking forward to
working with all of them. Fitzwater said Bush called Kemp
because the local newspaper "singled out Jack and we wanted to
make sure he understood that was not the case."
Fitzwater appeared to back away from wholesale changes in the
second Administration's Cabinet, saying the President had been
"just pointing out that historical pattern, that there are always
turnovers in the second term." Fitzwater said he was sure there
would be some changes, "but real change is based upon the
President changing the policies and changing the programs and
recognizing what is wrong with America that needs to be
corrected."
Stewart Powell - Hearst
(Filling in for McClatchy)
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
(Houston, Texas)
Internal Transcript
August 19, 1992
INTERVIEW OF THE PRESIDENT
BY PETER JENNINGS OF ABC NEWS
The Houstonian
Houston, Texas
3:10 P.M. CDT
Q
Can't talk politics without talking the polls.
The running poll that we're taking shows that you're not getting
a big bounce out of this convention. It's halfway through now.
Are you at all surprised?
THE PRESIDENT: Well, I haven't seen any results on
it, but, no. I've got a lot of work cut out for me and I still
remain very confident. I don't know anything about these polls.
Q
The running poll we're doing Friday through
Tuesday shows you're actually losing a bit.
THE PRESIDENT: Well, I find that quite surprising.
But, Peter, if I lived and died by the polls I would get
dispirited. And I'm not, I'm quite confident.
Q
Do you think that if there is not a bounce
there yet -- and I grant you it's only halfway through the
convention -- it might have anything to do with the convention
and what some people think is a fairly negative tone out of here
so far?
THE PRESIDENT: No, I don't. In the first place, I
just find this difficult to believe and I'm not going to get into
the polling. But I think we've got a very positive convention.
I think the spirit here is strong. I think people are glad to
see us fighting back. It's been a one-way street out there, and
for nine months, why, it's been -- I as President have been
hammered because I've been trying to get things done in
Washington and have not engaged the opponents. So I think it's
been a very upbeat, positive convention.
Q
Sometimes people are a little surprised to hear
you say that it's been'a one-way street. No one in the country
has a more powerful pulpit than the President. No one has better
access to the media in general. What's this about a one-way
street?
THE PRESIDENT: Well, I'll tell you, you cite polls,
I'll cite a statistic done by a Mr. Lichter, who said that 80-
some percent of the coverage of the President has been negative.
So I've learned not to complain about that, but I'm just citing
that as an objective statistic.
And I've got to take my case directly to the
American people. And that's the good, exciting thing about a
convention. I think that's what has been happening here, and
certainly it's going to continue.
Q
The convention, as everybody knows, is designed
to present your image to the American people -- people speak in
your name. I'd like to know what you think of some of the things
that have been said so far. The Party Chairman on Monday night
said the Democrats are not America. Pat Buchanan said --
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- 2 -
THE PRESIDENT: What?
&
The Democrats are not America.
THE PRESIDENT: America?
Q Pat Buchanan said "there's a religious war for
the soul of America and Clinton is on the wrong side." Do you
buy that stuff?
THE PRESIDENT: I would leave each of these people
to describe for them what they want, just as I would ask those
who have heard me being bashed at the Democratic Convention over
and over and over again to interpret whether they believe that
stuff. I think what I want people to do is believe what I say.
Q
We would ask Governor Clinton, I think, the
same question, sir. These people speak in your name and it is
your image they're trying to advance. My question is, do you
think they speak fairly about the Democrats?
THE PRESIDENT: Did you ask him that question at the
Democratic Convention when I was assailed?
Q
Yes.
THE PRESIDENT: You did?
Q I think you know we did, sir.
THE PRESIDENT: Well, I'll go look at the tape and
see what the answer was then, and be glad to respond then, when I
see that this is a two-way street.
Peter, I can't speak for everybody that's out there
supporting me. I can't agree with all the rhetoric. But I can
certainly say I am very glad they're out there supporting me,
because it's been a little lonely. And it's wonderful to feel
that Rich Bond and Pat Buchanan and others out are saying what
they think - -- this is a free speech country -- and putting it in
their words. And I'll put my message in mine.
Q And yet, sir, you're the person who speaks
about a kinder and gentler America.
THE PRESIDENT: Yes.
Q Do you think Pat Buchanan gave a kinder and
gentler speech in your name?
THE PRESIDENT: I think the speeches at the
Democratic Convention were anything but kind and gentle. That's
what I think.
Q
Well, the difference is, sir, that the
Democrats are your opponents here, and Mr. Buchanan is at least
your nominal ally.
THE PRESIDENT: Well, but he was focusing in on the
opponents; and the Democrats who spoke at the Democratic
Convention were focusing in on their opponents. And they did it
in a rather forceful and flamboyant way in which I did not agree.
I don't cry about it. I don't try to seek redress. I would just
go out and get my message out.
Q
Do you want to put any distance between
yourself and some of Mr. Buchanan's gay-bashing at this
convention?
THE PRESIDENT: I want to just stand with what I've
told you, Peter.
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Q
So what the country hears from you and what it
hears from your surrogates are two entirely different things?
THE PRESIDENT: Well, I think it's true. I think
when the Democratic National Committee goes with $30,000 to dig
up sleaze on the Bush kids, I don't think Bill Clinton really
wants that.
Q
I'm sorry, could you expand a bit on that? He
doesn't want what?
THE PRESIDENT: For them to do that. And yet,
they're doing it. Proudly stated, they're doing it. So you see,
I think you've got to look at the individuals in this race, and
that's what I want people to do about me.
Q
You, in fact, on the subject of sleaze, told
Time Magazine you'd fire people who engaged in that sort of
thing. You have your Treasurer calling Clinton a skirt-chaser
and then retracting it; you have one of the chiefs of your
campaign, Mr. Mosbacher, saying the fidelity question in marriage
is a legitimate issue. It does sound, sir, to some people that
you want it both ways -- that you can put it out and apologize
for it, but you get it out anyway.
THE PRESIDENT: Peter, I've had a happy marriage for
47 years. And suddenly, a week before the convention, outrageous
lies are spread. And I don't understand that. I don't know why
it is. I've said I want to stay out of the sleaze business. And
I've told our people to stay out of it. But when somebody
answers a question, then thinks that maybe that he or she have
gone over the line and says they're sorry, I accept that.
Q
I want to come back to this thing that you told
Time Magazine. You said to Time that you would fire people who
engaged in this. Do you think you have to fire someone to make
your feelings felt if they're as strong as you say they are?
THE PRESIDENT: If I think the campaign is putting
out something like that, I would. But I don't think that's what
was happening here.
Q
Governor Clinton said today that criticism of
Hillary Clinton is an example of your party trying to turn it
into a Willie Horton-like issue. What do you think of that?
THE PRESIDENT: I don't know what he means by that.
Q
You don't know what he means when he refers to
Willie Horton?
THE PRESIDENT: No, he said trying to turn it to --
I don't see the connection, frankly.
Q
I don't, either. I'm just asking whether --
THE PRESIDENT: Well, then, how the heck can I
explain it if you can't? You asked the question.
Q All right. Let me come at the Hillary Clinton
issue again. Do you think she's a legitimate target?
THE PRESIDENT: I don't -- no, I don't like going
after the wife. I think if a wife is in the arena and if they're
saying you get two for one, and here's my views as a defender of
children or running of a foundation, I think that's slightly
different than if the person was not injecting one's self into
the issue business. I think if you're in the issue business, or
in the philosophical definition business, you are -- I'll be
honest with you -- I've seen a couple of ugly articles about
Barbara that I haven't liked -- at all.
MORE
- 4 -
Q
I was going to make the point that you are
really the first of the barricades if anybody criticized Mrs.
Bush.
THE PRESIDENT: You're darn right.
Q So I wonder if you sympathize with those who
say Mrs. Clinton should not be an issue, she's not running for
public office.
THE PRESIDENT: No, I can sympathize with that. I
also think if you're out there on issues, taking your case to the
people on issues, and you have an activist past and you're a very
aggressive lawyer, sitting at the ABA Association presenting
views, that is a little different than if you're not taking
positions. I think most people would agree with that.
Q
So your position would be really going back to
that one remark that Governor Clinton said, that you get one, you
get both, right?
THE PRESIDENT: Well, not necessarily. Look at the
whole record. I mean, I don't know exactly what was said at the
American Bar Association the other day at a meeting, but that's a
public presentation of issues. And I think it's fair if that's
going to be presented as a benefit to the candidate to be
scrutinized. I think that's fair. What I don't think is that
just going after somebody's wife is fair.
Q
Just because she happens to be the candidate's
wife?
THE PRESIDENT: That's right.
Q
In his acceptance speech at the Democratic
Convention, Al Gore said you're a good man. You're not a good
President, he said, but he said you're a good man.
THE PRESIDENT: I hope they say that when this is
over because I respect -- I like that.
2
Now, a lot of people here have been suggesting
that Bill Clinton is not a very good man. Do you think Clinton
and Gore are good men?
THE PRESIDENT: Sure. But I think they're wrong. I
think they're wrong on the issues, I think they're wrong. I
think I'd be a much better President. But, of course, I'm not
going to challenge whether they're a good person or not. I've
known Bill Clinton for some time -- and Senator Gore, and it's
always been quite pleasant. Maybe that's what he meant.
Q
So there's no question of you arguing with
their character whatsoever; it's the issues as far as you're
concerned?
THE PRESIDENT: Well, as far as I'm concerned, yes.
I think character is going to be a question. I think people who
see foibles in my character, if they think I can't make decisions
or if they think I don't tell the truth or something, why, I
think that will be an issue.
Q
What do you think it does say, sir, for your
political dilemma that after four years as President, 12 years in
the White House, you're expected this week to make the political
speech of your life? I've heard it said many times from
Republicans. It isn't supposed to be that hard for a sitting
President, is it?
THE PRESIDENT: No. It sounds like deja vu, though.
As Yogi Berra said, deja vu all over again.
MORE
- 5 -
Q
What do you mean?
THE PRESIDENT: Well, because I was here four years
ago, not as President but with eight years in office, undergoing
the same kind of appraisal. And it all worked out. So you just
don't get discouraged. You take it on the chin over and over
again. And then you come out fighting and take your case to the
American people.
Q
Is it nonetheless discouraging to you?
THE PRESIDENT: No, I don't get discouraged. I
couldn't. If you're in this business, Peter, you've got to learn
to take criticism. That what you think is fair, that what you
think is unfair. You keep your head up and you do your best. In
the final analysis you believe that the American people will say,
hey, I may disagree with this guy on issue A, B, or C, but I
trust him. He's experienced. He's knowledgeable. He knows
where he wants to take this country, and I trust him. And that's
how I think this is going to work out.
Q But nonetheless, sir, here you find yourself at
your own convention with members of your own party eagerly hoping
that you will in your acceptance speech this week redefine
yourself after all this time. I don't get it.
THE PRESIDENT: Get what?
Q
I don't get why, after all this time on the
job, in the public arena, so well-known to the American people,
your own party is asking you to redefine yourself.
THE PRESIDENT: Well, I think that there's a
misperception. I've read in some of the media that I have no
domestic agenda, I don't care about domestic issues. That is 100
percent nuts. It's wrong. It's crazy. And I have spent an
awful lot of time, and I will explain to the American people why
we have not been able to pass the best crime legislation that
would help clean up these streets; the best health care reform
bill; the best record in -- on the economy, to stimulate the
economy. And I think there's a misperception. I think people
don't know this.
You could ask better than I why they don't know it.
Eighty - 92 percent of the news, according to a Mr. Lichter who
analyzes, has been negative on the economy. We've had anemic
growth, but we've grown for four months. And yet when I see
these polls you keep talking about, people think we're in
recession. I should turn the question to you and say, why is
that? Why is it that people make that conclusion from listening
to the television news every night? I can't answer it, because
there are some good things happening -- and there's a lot of bad
things out there but it's not 92 percent negative.
Q
Do you believe as your wife suggested a couple
of times yesterday that the media is against you?
THE PRESIDENT: I wouldn't say against me, but I
think it's presented a one-sided picture; yes, I strongly believe
that. And the irony is I think the American people know this. I
really believe that.
Q
You're contradicting yourself to some extent
because you say 92 percent of the people get the impression from
the news --
THE PRESIDENT: Yes, they do. But I don't think
they necessarily think that impression is fair. It's a different
question. I don't think I've contradicted myself.
MORE
- 6 -
Q
The other noticeable feature of this convention
is all of the bashing of the Congress.
THE PRESIDENT: It's going to be a lot more because
there's where the problem lies.
Q
And, yet, in many respects, you've had your way
with Congress.
THE PRESIDENT: Not many.
Q
More than some other Presidents. And some of
your most senior Republican colleagues say every time you've gone
up there and really worked for something on the Hill you get what
you want.
THE PRESIDENT: Not true. I wish it were. I wish
it were. It's not true. And I think most members of Congress
know it's not true. If that were the case, this economy would be
doing much, much better. Because on January 20th, I made a
proposal for six incentives to stimulate the economy and none had
been passed -- none. And so I don't believe that's true. I wish
it were.
2
You clearly mean to blame the Democrats.
THE PRESIDENT: Absolutely. The Democrat-controlled
Congress. Look, the Congress has got bigger problems than I've
got in terms of confidence. And the Congress has been under the
control of the liberal Democrats for 38 straight years. Result?
A post office that doesn't work and a bank that is an abject
failure. And that's just a symptom of the problem. So, of
course, I'm going to do that. I'm going to do what Truman did in
1948.
Q
And yet, when I look up the figures this
morning, I find out that in your 1992 budget proposal, 74 percent
of your own party in Congress voted against your proposals.
THE PRESIDENT: But then, that would make your first
question wrong, that so many -- if I just worked harder, we could
have gotten it through -- I mean, if that's the case. I don't
believe -- on most issues we have tremendous support from members
of our Congress. I don't know what the what's the figure,
please define it in detail.
Q
According to Congressional Quarterly, in March
of 1992, 74 percent of your own party voted against your budget
proposals for this year.
THE PRESIDENT: Well, but 74 percent did not vote
against the incentives to stimulate the economy. I don't know -
- Congressional Quarterly was that the question they were
addressing?
Q
No, that was the figure they cited, sir.
THE PRESIDENT: But not on these points. Absolutely
not.
Q
No, this is on the budget proposal.
THE PRESIDENT: The party is unified on it, and we
just can't bring the Democrats how about the did it mention
the balanced budget agreement in there, where we almost got two-
thirds, and at the last minute the Democrat leadership twisted
the arms of 12 of the sponsors and made them vote the other way?
Is that one in there?
Q
I guess the point I'm trying to make, sir, is
when you attack Congress, are you not, in many cases, also
attacking your own party?
MORE
- 7 -
THE PRESIDENT: I don't think so. I think it's
mainly the Democrats. Because our party is quite united on most
issues.
Q
Last question because I can feel your staff
hovering the tone we've seen at the convention this far,
however it's interpreted by people, is that the tone of the fall
campaign?
THE PRESIDENT: Well, I don't -- I think the tone is
going to be positive. I'm going to take this case to the
American people. I'm going to set the tone of my campaign
against the Governor tomorrow, tomorrow night. And it's going to
be a hard-hitting campaign.
2
What do you mean by "hard-hitting"?
THE PRESIDENT: Take it, go -- work the extra mile,
go the extra mile, work the extra hour, spell it out as clearly
as you can. Let me now start to define his record. He has been
ill-defining mine, with a lot of help, for the last nine months.
Q
A lot of help from --
THE PRESIDENT: And now I'm going to take it right
to the American people. And it's -- a lot of help from
surrogates, a lot of help from a Democratic Convention
misrepresenting the record -- and take it on out there. And it's
going to be fun, and it's going to be hard work, and I'm going to
outhustle him.
Q
Be bloody?
THE PRESIDENT: Well, I don't think SO.
Q Anything it takes?
THE PRESIDENT: Yes. Extra hard work. It's going
to go all out. And that statement -- I don't know what do you
mean by "anything it takes"?
Q
My question is, would you do anything it takes
to be reelected?
THE PRESIDENT: Well, what does anything mean?
Break the law?
Q
You're the one who has to define it, sir.
THE PRESIDENT: Well, I don't think I have to define
it at all.
Q Well, you're the one who can much better define
it than I can, is my point.
THE PRESIDENT: Well, but, I mean, if you could
define what you mean by "anything," but I'm going to go the extra
mile, work extra hard, and win the election. And that's the way
it's going to be.
2
Thank you.
THE PRESIDENT: That's what I mean by "anything."
Q Thanks.
THE PRESIDENT: Thank you.
END
3:25 P.M. CDT
SENT Xerox Telecopier 7020 ; 8-19-92 ; 7:23PM ;
713 688 0173:# 2
JENNINGS INTERVIEW
Jennings discusses the campaign with President Bush:
Jennings: We began by asking him how he felt about what was being
said by others speaking here on his behalf. What did he think of
his campaign chairman saying Democrats are not American, Pat
Buchanan saying the Democrats are on the wrong side in a religious
war for the country's soul.
President Bush: I would leave each of these people to describe for
them what they want, just as 1 would ask those who heard me being
bashed at the Democratic convention over and over and over again,
to interpret whether they believe that stuff. I think what I want
people to do is believe what I say. I can't speak for everybody
that's out there supporting me. I can't agree with all the
rhetoric, but I can certainly say I am very glad they're out there
supporting me.
Jennings: Let me come with the Hillary Clinton issue again. Do
you think she is a legitimate target?
President Bush: No. I don't like going after the wife. I think
that if the wife is in the arena and if they're saying you get two
for one and here's my view as a defender of children or running of
the foundation, I think that's slightly different than if the
person was not injecting one's self into the issue business. If
you're out there on issues, taking your case to the people on
issues and you have an activist past and you're a very aggressive
lawyer sitting at the ABA association presenting views, that is a
little different than if you're not taking positions. I think most
people would agree with that.
Jennings: What do you think it does say for your political dilemma
that after four years as President, 12 years in the White House,
you are expected this week to make the political speech of your
life? It isn't supposed to be that hard for a sitting president,
is it?
President Bush: No. It sounds like deja vu, though. Yogi Berra
said "deja vu all over again.
Because
I
was
here
four
years
ago, not as president, but with eight years in office, undergoing
the same kind of appraisal and it all worked out. So you just
don't get discouraged. You take it on the chin, over and over
again. And then you come out fighting, take your case to the
American people.
Jennings: Is it nonetheless discouraging?
President Bush: No, I don't get discouraged. If you're in this
business, you've got to learn to take criticism. That what you
think is fair, that what you think is unfair. You keep your head
up and you do your best. In the final analysis, you believe that
the American people are saying, "Hey, I may disagree with this guy
on issue A, B or c, but I trust him. He's experienced, he's
knowledgeable, he knows where he wants to take his country and I
trust him." And that's how think this is going to work out.
Jennings: But nonetheless, you find yourself at your own
convention with members of your own party eagerly hoping that you
will in your acceptance speech this week redefine yourself after
all this time. I don't get it.
President Bush: I think that there's a misperception. I've read
in some of the media that I'd have no domestic agenda, I don't care
about domestic issues. That is 100 percent nuts. It's wrong.
It's crazy. And I've spent an awful lot of time and I will explain
to the American people why we have not been able to pass the best
crime legislation that would help clean up these streets, the best
health care reform bill, the best record in the economy -- to
stimulate the economy. And I think there's a misperception.
SENT BY:Xerox Telecopier 7020 : 8-19-92 ; 7:23PM ;
713 688 0173;# 3
Jennings: Do you believe, as your wife suggested a couple of times
yesterday, that the media is against you?
President Bush: I wouldn't say against me, but I think it's
presented a one-sided picture. Yes, I strongly believe that. The
irony is that I think the American people know this.
(ABC-2)
SENT 57 Xerox Telecopier 7020 ; 8-19-92 ; 7:23PM ;
713 688 0173:# 2
JENNINGS INTERVIEW
Jennings discusses the campaign with President Bush:
Jennings: We began by asking him how he felt about what was being
said by others speaking here on his behalf. What did he think of
his campaign chairman saying Democrats are not American, Pat
Buchanan saying the Democrats are on the wrong side in a religious
war for the country's soul.
President Bush: I would leave each of these people to describe for
them what they want, just as I would ask those who heard me being
bashed at the Democratic convention over and over and over again,
to interpret whether they believe that stuff. I think what I want
people to do is believe what I say. I can't speak for everybody
that's out there supporting me. I can't agree with all the
rhetoric, but I can certainly say I am very glad they're out there
supporting me.
Jennings: Let me come with the Hillary Clinton issue again. Do
you think she is a legitimate target?
President Bush: No. I don't like going after the wife. I think
that if the wife is in the arena and if they're saying you get two
for one and here's my view as a defender of children or running of
the foundation, I think that's slightly different than if the
person was not injecting one's self into the issue business. If
you're out there on issues, taking your case to the people on
issues and you have an activist past and you're a very aggressive
lawyer sitting at the ABA association presenting views, that is a
little different than if you're not taking positions. I think most
people would agree with that.
Jennings: What do you think it does say for your political dilemma
that after four years as President, 12 years in the White House,
you are expected this week to make the political speech of your
life? It isn't supposed to be that hard for a sitting president,
is it?
President Bush: No. It sounds like deja vu, though. Yogi Berra
said "deja vu all over again.
Because
I
was
here
four
years
ago, not as president, but with eight years in office, undergoing
the same kind of appraisal and it all worked out. So you just
don't get discouraged. You take it on the chin, over and over
again. And then you come out fighting, take your case to the
American people.
Jennings: Is it nonetheless discouraging?
President Bush: No, I don't get discouraged. If you're in this
business, you've got to learn to take criticism. That what you
think is fair, that what you think is unfair. You keep your head
up and you do your best. In the final analysis, you believe that
the American people are saying, "Hey, I may disagree with this guy
on issue A, B or c, but I trust him. He's experienced, he's
knowledgeable, he knows where he wants to take his country and I
trust him." And that's how think this is going to work out.
Jennings: But nonetheless, you find yourself at your own
convention with members of your own party eagerly hoping that you
will in your acceptance speech this week redefine yourself after
all this time. I don't get it.
President Bush: I think that there's a misperception. I've read
in some of the media that I'd have no domestic agenda, I don't care
about domestic issues. That is 100 percent nuts. It's wrong.
It's crazy. And I've spent an awful lot of time and I will explain
to the American people why we have not been able to pass the best
crime legislation that would help clean up these streets, the best
health care reform bill, the best record in the economy -- to
stimulate the economy. And I think there's a misperception.
SENT BY:Xerox Telecopier 7020 ; 8-19-92 ; 7:23PM ;
713 688 0173:# 3
yesterday, that the media is against you?
Jennings: Do you believe, as your wife suggested a couple of times
President Bush: I wouldn't say against me, but I think it's
presented a one-sided picture. Yes, I strongly believe that. The
irony is that I think the American people know this.
(ABC-2)
1992
REPUBLICAN
19,
News of the Day
The Daily Line for Republican Newsmakers
HOUSTON
TEXAS
George and Barbara Bush - Protecting America's Values
Today: Republicans will show that George and
welfare reforms give families the incentives to stay
Barbara Bush share with the American people the
together.
The
values and beliefs that make our country great -
belief in God, commitment to family, hard work
George Bush believes God never should have been
Convention
and responsibility.
thrown out of the classroom. That's why he supports
Today
a constitutional amendment to allow voluntary prayer
A parent's right to send their children to the school
in our schools.
of their choice - public, private, or religious - a
Tonight when
President Bush
welfare system that encourages families to stay
George Bush believes the best decisions for living
and Vice President
together, and a child's right to pray in the classroom
are made at kitchen tables, not committee hearing
Quayle are
- these are the values George Bush believes in.
rooms. George Bush says ask mom and dad.
renominated,
Bill Clinton says ask Big Brother. Or as Barbara Bush
differences will be
The policies of President Bush and the Republican
puts it, what goes on in your house is more important
drawn between the
Party promote personal responsibility, family
than what goes on in the White House.
two parties and the
stability and economic strength. America's most
two candidates on
effective domestic program starts with parents who
George Bush believes success in life is powered by
the basic Issue
teach their children the difference between right and
people, not government. He believes government
of values.
wrong.
should do for people only what they cannot do for
themselves. Bill Clinton believes there is a govern-
George and
George Bush believes parents, not bureaucrats, know
ment solution to every social problem.
Barbara Bush
embody the
what is best for their children. That's why his educa-
tional reform initiatives give parents the ability to send
President Bush embodies the traditional American
traditional values
of America.
their children to the school of their choice - public,
values that made America great: service to country;
private or religious.
volunteerism; entrepreneurship; family man; man of
faith, integrity and trust; and a person whose life
George Bush believes that welfare was never meant to
always has been-and always will be-devoted to leaving
be a lifestyle. Current welfare. policies too often
his country a better place.
encourage the breakdown of families. George Bush's
SENT BY:R N.C. MR. FULLER
; 8-19-32 : 13:1: : R.N.C. MR. FULLER-
713 688 01731# 2
August 19, 1992
MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT-
X:
CRAIG L. FULLER
ORDECE: Recommended Phone Call
302 MICHEL nes 00 serving admirably as the Purmanent
Chairman of the Convention. I recommend you give him E. call to
thenk ' im for all his efforts on your behalf.
Bush Library Photocopy Preservation
Talking Points:
Crais Fuller and Red Caveney have told me how helpful
you've hoon chroughout the week.
0 You've kept an exciting program moving along. Keep up the to
good work.
Congressman Michel can be reached at the following number:
(713) 654-1234 (hotel)
717-1950 ( (trailer)
SENT BY:R. N.C. MR. FULLER
;
8-19-92 : 13:14 ; R.N.C. MR. FULLER+
713 688 0173:#
BUSH-QUAYLE '92
CONVENTION CHAIRMAN'S OFFICE
Phone #: 713-646-9090
FAX #: 713-846-9093
TO: Rose Zamaria
688- 0173
to
FROM:
2215 F. 1/30
PAGES i INCLUDING COVER SHEET) :
/
NC
Bush Library Photocopy Preservation
gust ish
SJECT:
COMMENTS:
ANY QUESTIONS CALL: 713-646-9090
daily 8/19
HEMINWAY
THE HEMINWAY & BARTLETT MFG. CO.
BARTLETT
MANUFACTURERS OF SYNTHETIC SEWING THREADS
ESTABLISHED 1888
ONE EAST PUTNAM AVENUE - GREENWICH, CONNECTICUT 06830
TEL: (203) 661-3210
N.Y. (212) 564-0880
FAX (203) 661-3524
THE PRESIDENT HAS SEEN 8/19
G
August 13, 1992
President George H. W. Bush
The White House
Washington, D.C. 20500
Dear Mr. President:
My enthusiasm and intensity runneth over! Never in my life-
time have I been SO excited and hyped! I am now a full
fledged Olympic junkie!
To express my appreciation to you is beyond any words in the
dictionary. You gave me an experience I shall never never
forget, but my own regret was that you weren't there to ex-
perience the same fervor that I experienced. Right before
our very eyes we saw three world records shattered, and many
more unbelievable feats. Now that I think about it, I think
I will postpone my quest for the world's javelin record - We
saw that broken by 29'!!!
Also, many thanks for the dinner on Tuesday night - I had no
idea that Bruce Willis was married to Demi Moore and I think
I can be safe in saying that you didn't either!
Go Houston! - Knock'em Dead!
All the best,
Soiha S. Heminway
WSH/eag Smy above The typemite, 705 it under
take you for long to real my Terrible barkety- -
HEMINWAY
BARTLETT
THE HEMINWAY & BARTLETT MFG. CO.
MANUFACTURERS OF SYNTHETIC SEWING THREADS
ESTABLISHED 1880
ONE EAST PUTNAM AVENUE . GREENWICH, CONNECTICUT 06830
TEL: (203) 661-3210 N.Y. (212) 564-0880 FAX (203) 661-3524
August 12, 1992
The Honorable John G. Weinmann
Chief of Protocol
Department of State
Room 1238
Washington, D.C. 20520
Dear Jack,
I can't tell you how much I enjoyed our excursion. Most
of all, I appreciate the work that you and your associates
did in making our stay so enjoyable. I know it wasn't all
fun and games for you and you had to make sure everything went
like clockwork, and it did!
Again, Jack, please accept my sincerest congratulations for
a job so well done and I am especially happy for you that
your accounting all came out even.
All the very best,
W Apila S Heminway
WSH/eag
CC: President George H. W. Bush
daily 8/19
ONATHAN BUSH
641 LEXINGTON AVENUE
any 16,1992
NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10022
Dear uh President THE PRESIDENT HAS SEEN 8/19
a thought:
S
CLINTONI is calling his program
"INVESTMENT in AMERICA.
Do NOT BE MISLEAD
IT is NOT iNVesTmeNT
IT is GOVERN MENT SPENDING,
PURE AND SIMPLE
agreat cretons is is inthimaling Foudly In
Presidential Phone Calls
DATE: 8-19-
TIME: 800
incoming/outgoing
WITH:
Kemp.
SUBJECT:
Har.Post story
"Keup Out
1. Congrat on speeh
2. Do not how what going
to do in '96 - Have story vicus
but want be him as taplist
rane many -
BUSH LIBRARY PHOTOCOPY - GEORGE BUSH HANDWRITING
FOLLOW UP:
Hurs what bsthud in
Sam sand Marly put ,t
ozot'-
/
but by coung
8/19/92
5
Mr. President:
Patty thinks you should call Mary Fisher before
she speaks tonight. She is scheduled around
8:15.
Per Patty she did a remarkable job on the
LARRY KING show.
Aleo, the major networks are asking for the
Mary Fisher video because of the incident this
afternoon.
BUSH LIBRARY PHOTOCOPY - GEORGE BUSH HANDWRITING
RZ
White House News Summary
Bamulia 266
Wednesday, August 19, 1992
11:00 A.M. CDT/12:00 P.M. EDT NEWS UPDATE
PBS INTERVIEW (Houston/Helen Thomas, UPI) -- President Bush said
that he was not referring to any specific individual when he
disclosed during a television interview that there would be "plenty
of new faces" in his Administration if he is re-elected. Bush,
asked about the future domestic policies during an interview with
Jim Lehrer on PBS, said: "I think you'll see a lot of changes.
You'll see plenty of new faces.' The President explained that
"four years is heavy duty in a bureaucracy and it's good
to
get
revitalized." Bush gave no indication who would be in and who
would be out if he is re-elected. "What I want to do is get re-
elected, Bush said, and again stressed that "I'm going to do what
Harry Truman did in 1948."
BRADY (Reuter) -- Secretary Brady said that he has not talked to
President Bush about resigning, but talk of his departure was
expected. "This is no news to me, Brady said on CBS Morning News
and on Fox broadcasting when asked about reports he would be among
those Bush dropped if he wins a second four-year term. "Even when
he was vice president, George Bush talked about a sense of renewal.
He talked about a four-year cycle as being a cornerstone of that
sense of renewal," said Brady.
ECONOMY (Houston/Reuter) -- President Bush has promised an economic
boom if he wins re-election in November, but most economists doubt
he'll be able to deliver. They said that America still has some
way to go before ridding itself of its big government budget
deficit and other long-standing problems that have held back the
economy. Bush admitted that growth has been anemic recently, but
said the economy was ready to take off. "I think you are going to
see a rather blooming economy," he told the MacNeil/Lehrer
television news program. "We are poised for very strong economic
growth. The consensus of more than 50 economists surveyed by the
Arizona-based Eggert's group shows growth picking up to 2.9 percent
next year. While that would be an improvement from this year's
meager 1.9 percent rate, it would still be far short of the 6
percent growth that often characterizes a recovery.
'NO FLY' ZONE/ARABS (Kuwait/Reuter) -- Conservative Arab states on
the Persian Gulf will back Western plans to protect Shiite Moslems
in southern Iraq from air attack, officials and diplomats in the
region said. But they said the Gulf states hoped the step would
not lead to renewed fighting or the formal division of Iraq into
three separate entities -- a destabilizing scenario they have long
feared and wished to avoid. "In ideal circumstances we would
prefer peace at any cost; the last thing we want to see is Iraq
divided," a Gulf official said.
PEACE TALKS/PERES (Jerusalem/Reuter) -- Foreign Minister Peres said
that Israel wanted to slice through procedural wrangling to jump-
next start week. Middle East peace talks scheduled to resume in Washington
"We mean business
We are ready to start a
meaningful dialogue,' he told foreign reporters. Peres said his
Labor government wanted to speed up the talks and give limited
self-rule within a year to Palestinians living under Israeli
military occupation.
###
White House News Summary
FAMAKIA 266
Wednesday, August 19, 1992
INDEX TO NEW YORK TIMES AND WASHINGTON TIMES CLIPS
NEW YORK TIMES
1. Front page, top half
2. Front page, bottom half
3. Republicans Assail Clinton As Radical And Big Spender
And Assert Bush Strengths, A1
4. (continued)
5. Bush Is Said To Be Weighing Vow
To Have Baker Oversee Economy, A1
6. 3 Wishes: Ways For Mr. Bush To Prime Economy, D1
7. A Dearth Of Blacks In GOP's 'Big Tent', A13
8. NEWS ANALYSIS -- GOP Is Flirting With The Dangers Of
Negativism, by R.W. Apple, A13
9. Networks Focus On Convention's Move To The Right, A14
10. Reagan's 'Lincoln' Quotation Disputed, A13
11. The Republicans Play A Dissonant Tune, C14
12. Barbara Bush, The Un-Secret Weapon, A15
13. Scrambling For Time On The Air, A17
14. British, French And U.S. Agree
To Attack Iraqi Planes In South, A1
15. U.S. Says A Cambodian Ring Created Fake POW Photos, A10
Fearing Attack By All Sides, U.N. Halts Sarajevo Airlift, A12
16. EDITORIALS --- Don't Shoot The Iraqi Helicopters, A20
The Politics Of Exclusion, A20
WASHINGTON TIMES
17. Front page, top half
18. Front page, bottom half
19. Fight Training For Bush, A7
20. GOP Points Finger At Congress, A1
21. Big Tent Fills Up On Right, A1
###
"All the News
The New York Times
New York loday. parily sunny, scal.
rered late Unindershowers. High 83
That's Fit to Print"
Tonight showers. then clearing. Low
65 Tomorrow. surery High 77. Yester.
day. high 81, New 66 Details, page Ct
19, 1992 2
VOLCXLI
No. 49,063
1992 The - Yes Times
NEW YORK, WEDNESDAY. AUGUST 10. 1992
50 CENTS
British, French and U.S. Agree
NEW YORK AGENCY
REPUBLICANS ASSAIL CLINTON
To Attack Iraqi Planes in South
CUTS APARTMENTS
A 'No Fly' Zone Is Planned Below 32d Paraliel
AS RADICAL AND BIG SPENDER
FOR THE HOMELESS
by MICHAEL R. GORDON
AND ASSERT BUSH STRENGTHS
Ihr
THE
-
WASHINGTON AUF 18 The Hush
suggestion that a firm stand toward
THREAT TO PROJECTS CITED
Administration, stepping up RS COD.
Baghdae was being shopted for politi-
frontation with Saddam Hussein, won
cal reasons The British and the
British and French agreement today
French Governments are known 10 De
Public Housing Head Accuses
for a plan to shoot down Iraqi military
sensitive to being seen as Dowing 10
THEMES FOR FALL
planes If they venture min 0 wide zone
President Bush at a time when he is
City Officials of Reneging
throughout the southern part of the
lighting hard for re-election
country occupied by dissident Shilite
The United States, Britain and
on Social Service Help
Muslims.
France have been discussing the poes
On Convention's 2d Day,
The plan for the "no n. zone. below
of setting up a secure zone for several
the 32d parallel. aimed at detending the
By JANE FRITSCH
weeks. after reports that Iraq was wag.
Shirte Muslims in Southern Iraq
Speakers Try to Show
ing a brutal offensive against the Shi-
Biaming an array of new problems
against air attack by the Iract military
hes. Last week. representatives of the
in New York City housing projects on
and at sharply curbing the authority of
three nations issued pointed warnings
a program to set aside thousands of
Diversity in Party
President Hussem, was described by =
m the United Nations Security Council.
apartments for homeless families
sensor British official as ready to be
telling Bagndad that they were consid-
Housing Authority officials any they
suptemented in the next several days.
ering action to stop the Irage military
plan 10 sharply reduce the number of
By ANDREW ROSENTHAL
Fellowing a long Cabiner meeting in
from sttacking the Shiltes
apartments Riven to the homeless in
2 1 ! 1 ) 1
Landon inday. Prime Minister John
the future.
American officials say that they do
HOUSTON, Aug. 38 The Republi-
Major of Brittin said the allies would
The shill in policy has created
a
cans pressed their incereting attack on
establish control of B5 much as . third
division between the Housing Authority
the Democratic ticket at their National
of the country "They will be attacked
Continued on Page A6, Column
and other officials of the Dinkins Ad-
Convention today. as speaker alter
If they fly in the area that is pro
ministration who are scrambling to
speaker portrayed Gev. BIL) Clinton as
scribed." Mr. Major BBIC.
find nomes for thousands of families
& radical liberal who would coddle
Allies Express Concern
each year and say they are counting on
crimmals and break the economy with
The French also announced their
the Authority 10 provide apartments
higher taxes and more Government
support of the plan.
BLAC
AI stake, any Housing Authority offt-
spending
Claim " the future of the ctry's 324
the Baghand regime has not been
At the lime. the Republicans
housing projects. home to more than
any more tender with the Shilte popula.
600 000 people. Adding more homeless
tried LU paint themselves as the party
from than with the Kurdish population,"
of diversity, bringing a parade of
families. the effictate say. could upset
said Foreign Minister kerand Dumas
the careful balance of kw. and middle-
speakers representing minorities, the
of France. "Thus the Internations'
disabled and even abortion rights advo
income tenants that has produced
community. and the alhes in particu-
cates to the stage to prace President
some of the over. successful public
Lar. are concerned about this situa.
Bush and hammer away at the Repub-
tion."
REDIPARATED
housing in the country.
lican themes for the fall campaign:
Bears
The head of the Housing Authority,
No formal announcement has come
Mr. Bush won the cold war, he repre-
Sally Hernandex-Panero, said she had
from the Rush Administration on
KUWAIT
sents "lamily values,' be is . skilled
wid the Mayor's staff that the home-
diplomat and ne w(m the war against
American participation to the plan. 10
less families. many of them m-
Iraq.
day senior officials said that was be
equipped to live on their own had-
cause the Pentagon was still working
The her
York
-
brought ineft. drug abuse and other
After an opening night devoted to
out the details
The U.S. wants to create a "no-
crimes to once-stable projects
reassuring the party's conservative
hut the White House may also have
fiy zone that covers all of Iraq
Premised Services Lacking
President Bush attending R karate exhibition yesterday at & middle
WINE today's events were an exercise
Not the alsows take me lead to avoid any
south of the 32d paralle!.
school in Houston with the acto: Chuck Norris, lett
tn reaching A broader audience: from
"We told them that public housing is
Barbara Bush's appearance at & more-
short-term solution and they will pay
mg meeting entitled "Black America
a very big price m the kng term." Ms
Japan Announces Series of Steps
Setures the First Family," to the key.
Mernandez Pinero said in an interview
Bush Is Said to Be Weighing ow
note address tonight by Sensior Phil
yesterday. "They'D destroy the Nves of
Gramm of Texas. a proponent of Fed-
To Try to Halt Stock Market Slide
600,000 other people."
Over the last four years. more than
To Have Baker Oversee Economy
eral budget cutting. and # speech by
Housing Secretary Jack F. Kemp, the
8,000 homeless families have moved
sposite of tax cuts and populist conser.
into CIIV housing projects
valism
My JAMES STERNGOLD
-
-
M: Hernandez-Panero, a longtime
Bs DAVID: NBAUM
'Don't Be Judgmental
ally of the Mayor, was appointed by
TOKYO. Aug 18 - With another
was :001 it showed that 10p Govern
him 10 nead the authority five months
Mrs Bush, the party's symbol of
steep drop In share prices deepening
ment officials have finally awakened 10
HOUSTON AUK 1:
ago The authority as . servi-sulnno
respectability. prenched a message of
the severity of the trouble: afficiing
build his credititity
the
the nense of crisis in Japan financial
How
filer
serve
mous agency Imanced by the Federal
income and warmin on national tele-
system, the Finance Minister 40
Japan's rieck market and banking eve
ters,
President
Sum
REM
his
speach
serve
"
come
124
with a three-membe PHY
VIRIOR "Linn't be judgmental of oth'
writing
IRVP
-
empointed
-
Mrs Bush said m an interview on
CNN
veryhody's
different
Every.
-
system, the Finance Minister an-
Japan's
SHOWN
market
and
in
"
.27%
n'
WHO
In:--
resure
DITY
wrang team have discussed . pro-
bold step or convincing provided
-
....
nounced a series of measures today
term.
and
in
13th
impact
on
commy
emoin, and in appointment :- .r. May
postal to have the President promise
tion that the President can make with.
CNN. "Everybody's different Every.
atoned at haking the 1wo-and-a-half
Most bate they teared IN- amount
i
Thursday night to keep James A. Bak.
out reminding a national television au
body has their own problems
year stock market slide.
ment count narm the market sustner
the
1.
=: 10 a: the While House after the
dience that he Is the man who nroke the
But behind the scenes. Republican
The action was taken alter the cluse
by bidestepping the Deepet DECORDING of the the :v nas for
*****
IN " manage economic policy.
keystone piedge of his 1988 acceptance
strategime - driven by the conviction
by watched Nikke average of 225 the marke and the economy The many o which = strup Administration officials said here to
speech: "Read my lips. No new Lanes."
that religion and cultural divides are
stocks plunged 620.14 points today. or
measures simply add to in- conger giving - th problems - promory Day
The speech wrners' deliberations
still powerful tools - unapologetically
4.2 percent, to 14,309.41. MS lowest level
lysts said. that the Imancia system is
abuse to long term increase ymen
M- Baker. whose resignation as Sec.
also underscore the importance the
proclaimed their intention 10 follow
19, 1992 2
in more than BIX years. The Nikkel has
careering from crisis to EFTS with the
will services 11 nao promised More
relary of State and appointment as Mr.
President and his advisers place on
Patrick J Buchanan's declaration of a
dropped 125 percent in the last month
Government unable to Drink r under
then K. Devent to not have lurni
Hunn chief of stall and campaign
finding some means of invigorating the
religious and cultural was with the
alone, and the market's decline since
control
tur M. hermandez PRICE bale
********* becomes effective Sunday.
re-election campaign and breaking
Democrats
the end of 1989 has wiped out about $3.1
The severity of the decline JAPAN
clearly
grownd
prof.
said to be resisting the idea as giro
through his encrusted image as the
After calling Mr Cinton a threat to
trillson, or 63 percent. of the value of
nucks and 100 confining
passive guardian of the educame sta
the nation's security on Monday night,
the shares traded on the Tokyo Stock
Continued - Page D:
1'0.
Fax: discussion of the proposal this
IUS quo
the line of today's attach was on eco-
Exchange.
Bad Economic News
nomic and social issues. coordinated by
Deeper Problems Sees
convention managers who were provid-
the need for an economic plan was
A Bosnian City Is Rubble. and Riven by Hate
Ing themes to speakers and reviewing
In his package announced today. the
giveneven greater urgency today after
their speeches in advance.
Finance Minister Tsutorou Hata,
the Government announced that the
pace 21 which builders broke ground
Contenders for 'M speak
sought to put pressure on beg anvestors
not to sell shares and said Imancial
for new homes slumped 2.8 percent in
"At the New York convention, Clin.
institutions would be permitted to with
By STEPHEN KINZER
July Combined with downward revi-
ton was flae a used car salesman ped-
Security The New York 1
hold negative financial date from the
sions for May and June, the skid meant
dung his vehicle for change." said Mr.
public in the hope of easing worries
MOSTAR. Bosnie and Herzegovina
that the housing sector no: only was no
Gramm, who along with Mr Kemp is a
about the system's fundamental
Pronably no large town in Hosnia
kenger pacms the lackluster receivery
leading contender for the Republican
health He also said steps would be
:
and Herzegovina has suffered US much
but was becoming a drag IPage DI.1
Presidential nomination 10 1996. "The
taken to encourage Japanese banks 10
physical damage as Mostal
Mr. Bush and his advisers view the
wax job was shiny, the hubcaps spar-
make more loans
Serbian forces have blown up SIX
speech Thursday night in which he will
kied. the upholstery was spotless. the
major bridges, burned hundreds of
Financial experts generally said the
accept his party's nomination for a
paint was new. But when you look
homes and businesses and wrecked
measures did not go far enough The
second term as . crucial opportunity to
under the hood, you discover he IS
born of the principal religious centers.
best that could be said of the package,
modern Catholic cathedral and a
market experts and economists said,
onlined on Page A/S Common 5
Continued on Page A16 clumn 5
sintely 15th-century mosque
rom nearby hills, Serbian gummers
INSIDE
are still shelling Moster. but there IS
ERRATUM
note left to destroy. Streets once lined
with tour buses are now littered with
Sabotage Feared In Boanis'
the debris of war. and a community
The Sarajevo airlity was suspended
that was once thought 10 symbolize
after Mustims and Croats. rather
friendship among Serbs, Croats and
than Serbs, were suspected of sabo-
Mustims IS now gone. 8 VICIIM of the
Laging relief efforts Page A12
biller haireds that are fueling this war.
Mone. Perhaps, Than Serateve
Bankruptcy for Wang Labs
in the rubble be the ruins of the
Wang Laboratories, which dominated
diesm of E peaceful future for Balkan
the office works with word processors
renublics in other parts of what was
uniti computers two ever, fired for
sugustants. only Vunoval is
bankruptcy protection Page DI.
portnern Crowise has been so thorough-
destroyed
First U.S. Somatia Aid Lands
was shocked to get here. because
" my mind 1 had only pictures of
The American military's biggest -
Serateve said Rupert Neudeck,
The President nn the left did not say what the President
Def effort in Africa began when a
charmanof the German medical rehef
on the 121.1 said he dad. Page A13
Lood-Laden plane bound for Somalia
prganization Cap Anamur **I was not
landed in Kenya Page A3
sware of the fact that the destruction in
the town may be even greater than
MORE ON THE CONVENTION
Larry Bird Calts It Quits
Samjeye
The Booton Cellic STAT who helped
For centuries. the three major ethnic
The Two Faces
Between Two Worlds
groups that populate this corner of
relavigorate pro basketball in a leg.
Europe lived together in Moster
Of One Outlook
The trequency with which politicians
endary 13-year career retired be.
Crosts were concentrated an modern
cause of 4 back problem Page B9.
The Republicans may IN fushing
and journalists now has back and
neighborhoods on the easiern side of
"cultural war" against the Demo
forth between 1 wo freids nas reised
the Nereiva River. while Serbs and
crais. but there is also rultural war
questions on ethics Page Ale
News Summary
AZ
Musims lived amid historic monu-
being waged within the Republican
Obituaries
D21
ments on the western. Connecting them
ranks " pus conservatism when a
Growing Asset for the G.O.P.
were seven crossings that give Moster
Weather
C+
snart against conservatism will.
a
The political sophistication of Barbs.
115 name. which means Bridge Town
smile. News analysis, page A13
ra Bush. who is often described as the
Arts
C14-20 Media
DIS
oursts who converged here by the
Republicans' "secrel wespon." 13
Bricae
C14 Op Ed
A21
thousands each summer came mainly
Caronick
B$ Possies
A13-17
THE NEW TORK
now a secret poorly kept Page A15
Crossword
DI?
to view the Muslim quarter and the
TIMES payment
C14 Meal Later
- -
decrease
A70 Soorts
B6-11
imposing mosque that slood at its ren-
The Market Speaks
Education
B? TV PRIMES
CI6
Stepment
Kear
the
Times
DELIVERY -
your
10" Names cobblestone streets wound
- US
A political "stock market at the
Health
C12 was and Image
CH
The shelling o: Mosta: BORNIR and Herzegovina. by Serman forces
Passes - -
- - RUS
University of towa has the Bush-Clin.
Electrond
- -
DIE
continues, DUT there 15 hr... (*) in to- :... " testroy
observed .11) Page All tiumn 4
and -
-
Ion race neck-and neck Puge A17
White House News Summary Wednesday, August 19, 1992 page 3 of
21
REPUBLICANS ASSAIL CLINTON
AS RADICAL AND BIG SPENDER
AND ASSERT BUSH STRENGTHS
Contenders for '98 Speak
THEMES FOR FALL
"At the New York convention, Clin-
ton WAS like a used car salesman ped-
dling his vehicle for change," said Mr.
Gramm, who along with Mr. Kemp is a
leading contender for the Republican
On Convention's 2d Day,
Presidential nomination In 1996., The
wax job was shiny, the hubcaps spar-
kled, the upholstery was spotless, the
Speakers Try to Show
paint was new. But when you look
under the hood. you discover he is
Diversity in Party
Continued on Page A16, Column 5
By ANDREW ROSENTHAL
Continued From Page Al
Special to The New York Times
HOUSTON, Aug. 18 - The Republi-
hawking a model from the 70's, a Car-
cans pressed their lacerating attack on
ter mobile with the axle broken and the
the Democratic ticket at their National
frame bent to the left." [Excerpts,
Convention today, as speaker after
page A10.)
speaker portrayed Gov. Bill Clinton as
Comparing the Democrats to the
a radical liberal who would coddle
Communists in North Korea and Cuba,
criminals and break the economy with
Mr. Gramm said Mr. Clinton would
higher taxes and more Government
"disarm America" and put millions of
spending.
people out of work In the military in-
At the same time, the Republicans
dustry by cutting the Pentagon budget.
tried to paint themselves as the party
Mr. Kemp proclaimed, "The Demo-
of diversity, bringing a parade of
crats' New Covenant is not new," in a
speakers representing minorities. the
speech notable for the absence of his
disabled and even abortion rights advo-
frequent calls for Mr. Bush to an-
cates to the stage to praise President
nounce a major tax cut in his accept-
Bush and hammer away at the Repub-
ance speech on Thursday night. "It's
lican themes for the fall campaign:
not change. It doesn't put people first;
Mr. Bush won the cold war, he repre-
it puts government first. It doesn't em-
sents "family values," he is a skilled
power people; It empowers bureaucra-
diplomat Iraq. and he won the war against
cy. It doesn't encourage Investment
spends." and growth; it spends, and spends and
After an opening night devoted to
After a brief appearance this morn-
reassuring the party's conservative
ing at an anti-drug rally, President
wing, today's events were an exercise
Bush conferred In his suite in the Hous-
In reaching a broader audience: from
tonian Hotel with a small group of
Barbara Bush's appearance at a morn-
advisers. They were trying to develop a
ing meeting entitied "Black America
speech for. Thursday night that would
Salutes the First Family," to the key-
start the process of regaining voters'
confidence in him as an economic man-
note address tonight by Senator Phil
Gramm of Texas, a proponent of Fed-
ager and of re-establishing the credibil-
ity of his promises.
eral budget cutting, and a speech by
Taking a step toward that goal, Mr.
Housing Secretary Jack F. Kemp. the
Bush signated today that he would re-
vatism. apostle of tax cuts and populist conser-
vamp his Cabinet If he were re-elected.
"You'll see plenty of new faces, plenty
'Don't Be Judgmental'
of changes in this Administration,' he
said in an Interview on the "MacNell-
Mrs. Bush, the party's symbol of
Lehrer News Hour."
respectability, preached a message of
Mr. Bush also promised "a rather
tolerance and warmth on national tele-
booming economy" in a second term
vision. "Don't be judgmental of oth-
and an even more aggressive stance
ers," Mrs. Bush said in an interview on
with with Congress. going on the offen-
CNN. "Everybody's different. Every-
sive against Individual lawmakers to
body has their own problems."
sell his programs to the public..
As Mr. Bush tolled, the political cli-
But behind the scenes, Republican
mate heated up with an unusual con-
strategists - driven by the conviction
vention-week exchange between the
that religion and cultural divides are
two campaign organizations. In new
still powerful tools - unapologetically
television advertisements, the Demo-
proclaimed their intention to follow
crats zeroed in on the very weakness
Patrick J. Buchanan's declaration of a
that occupied the White House speech
team: Mr. Bush's "no new taxes"
Democrats. religious and cultural war with the
pledge of the 1988 campaign.
The commercial, which Democratic
After calling Mr. Clinton a threat to
strategists said was intended more for
the nation's security on Monday night,
tonight's news broadcasts than for ac-
the line of today's attack was on eco-
tual paid broadcast, said, "On Nov. 5,
nomic and social Issues, coordinated by
1990, George Bush signed Into law the
convention managers who were provid-
ing themes to speakers and reviewing
their speeches in advance.
White House News Summary Wednesday, August 19, 1992 page 4 of 2
second-biggest tax increase in Ameri-
can history."
+ Don East, a delegate from Pilot
The Republicans quickly called a
Mountain, N.C., listened with distaste.
news conference to accuse Mr. Clinton
"I don't believe in turning convicted
of negative campaigning. But they
murderers loose, but Willie Horton Is
were hard-pressed to explain the tax
not the only case where that has hap-
increase, which has done more to un-
pened," he said. "I was a little sur-
dermine Mr. Bush's standing within his
prised It was mentioned here. and It
own party than any other single deci-
should not be part of the convention."
sion. Senator Pete V. Domenici of Art-
I Republican managers defended Mr.
zona asserted that the Democrats had
Buchanan's reference in his speech on
forced Mr. Bush to agree to the tax
Monday night to the campaign as a
increase.
"religious war." Torle Clarke, the
Vice President Dan Quayle, profess-
campaign press secretary, said that
Ing to be delighted that Mr. Clinton had
"polling shows there is definitely a big
brought up the subject. said: "Bill Clin-
upside" to Mr. Buchanan's kind of ora-
ton has promised to raise taxes on
tory, which James Lake, a senior carn-
every single working American. That's
paign adviser, said would be especially
one promise he'll keep."
helpful In solidifying the conservative
base in states like California where Mr.
Democrats Spy Discord
Bush is fighting for his life.
In the cavernous Astrodome, the
Totally Un-American'
lineup of speakers on the second day of
the Republican convention seemed to
But members of the liberal wing of
Imitate the Democrats' presentation in
the Republican Party quickly con-
New York last month of minorities,
demned Mr. Buchanan. "It seems to
women and the disabled. Of the 2,210
me totally un-American," said Repre-
sentative Bill Green of Manhattan.
delegates, the National Black Republi-
"It's highly contrary to the wisdom of
can Council says 103 are black, while
the Founding Fathers, who left us the
The Associated Press said 73 are His-
Constitution to make sure we can't
panic, 24 Asian and three American
Indian.
have religious wars in this country.".
After months of criticism that Its
But the convention produced a far
more mixed set of signals than the
message was not getting through to
Democrats created. Some of Mr. Clin-
voters, the Bush campaign moved 10
reinforce its advertising and communi-
ton's advisers watched with barely
concealed pleasure as they saw a Re-
cations staffs today, bringing In a veh.
publican Party that seemed more di-
eran political strategist, Mitch Daniels.
vided than in past elections, a problem
It also expanded the role of two advis-
that has been generally Democratic
ers, Jim Lake and Roger Alles.
and not Republican.
Mr. Daniels, an Indianapolis busi-
While the Democrats tried to shove
nessman who was White House politi.
their most liberal groups into manage-
cal director In Ronald Reagan's first
able boxes at their convention in New
term and supervised Dan Quayle's 1988
York last month, Mr. Bush arrived
vice presidential bld, will be charged
here with his base still in dire shape
with insuring that the Bush campaign's
and so had to embrace the right. Un-
advertising strategy reflects the cash-
certain of their ability to run on the
paign's overall strategy and White
House policy, officials said.
economy, the Republicans were firing
a scattershot of campaign themes,
Mr. Lake, a Washington lobbyist, has
some borrowed from the last Presiden-
worked part-time as a communications
tial contest.
strategist during most of the cani-
Speakers tried to tar Mr. Clinton
paign. He will assume a virtually full-
with the American Civil Liberties
time job coordinating much of the can-
Union, homosexual advocates, radical
paign's communications effort, from
feminists and even the pollution in Bos-
press relations to the "talking points"
ton harbor - a favorite subject for Mr.
sent regularly to top Administration
Bush during his 1988 race against MI-
officials so that a unified front is pte-
sented on sensitive political issues.
Mr. Alles, the caustic and aggressive
architect of Mr. Bush's 1988 advertis-
Behind the
ing campaign, has no formal role In the
re-election effort and has consistently
scenes, G.O.P.
denied that he wants one. But cam-
paign officials said today that he would
increase his current role as an Infer-
strategists follow
mal adviser on political strategy.
Buchanan's lead.
One of the Republicans' main per-
poses for the day clearly lay in trying
to undermine Mr. Clinton's efforts 10
rally support of female and minorary
chael S. Dukakis. Attorney General
voters by presenting Its own multifac-
Dan Lungren of California stunned the
eted, multicolored face to the nation.
morning session into silence by resur-
With Asian-American speakers at the
recting the Willie Horton case of 1988
stage, the television cameras con-
and hurling it at Governor Clinton as
trolled by convention managers zeroed
crime. evidence that Democrats are soft on
in on Asian faces in the audience.
The Rev. E. V. HIII of the Mount Zon
"Wille Horton, convicted murderer
Baptist Church in South-Central Los
of a teen-age boy, was sentenced to life
Angeles, who Is black, said: "We have
without parole and later given a week.
not reached our goals. There are still
end pass from prison from which he
the poor, the homeless, those who sbf-
didn't return," Mr. Lungren said. "In
fer from racism. We are not what we
another state, he brutally beat a man
ought to be, but we are not what we
and left him bound and gagged to listen
used to be, and with the firm hand of
as he repeatedly assaulted the victim's
President Bush, we will achieve our
fiancé."
goals in the next four years."
Mr. Lungren added: "So you see, the
Democratic leaders just don't get it.
They were surprised that when they
gave a weekend pass to someone who
was sentenced to life without parole, he
didn't come back voluntarily! How stu-
pid!"
White House News Summary wednesday, August 19, 1992 page 5 of 2
Bush Is Said to Be Weighing Vow
To Have Baker Oversee Economy
By DAVID E. ROSENBAUM
Special to The New York Times
HOUSTON, Aug. 18 - To try to re-
build his credibility on economic mat-
Continued From Page Al
ters, President Bush and his speech-
writing team have discussed a pro-
convince voters that he Intends to deal
posal to have the President promise
decisively with the country's economic
Thursday night to keep James A. Bak-
problems. But so far they have dis-
er 3d at the White House after the
missed all suggestions for drastic new
election to manage economic policy,
remedies for the weak economy.
Administration officials said here to-
As the speech has-gone through one,
draft after another, the President, offi-
Cable News Network, he said:
day.
cials sald, has more or less decided
"A good deal of what the President
Mr. Baker, whose resignation as Sec-
against proposing the kind of specific
has to say will involve the old plan
relary of State and appointment as Mr.
Bush's chief of staff and campaign
new tax cuts that have been recom-
because an awful lot of it makes schse
and has not been enacted. But there
coordinator becomes effective Sunday,
mended by Jack F. Kemp, the Secre-
will be some new things. But I wouldn't
is said to be resisting the idea as gim-
tary of Housing and Urban Develop-
want to mislead you or your viewers. 1
micky and too confining.
ment, and others on the Republican
think that the speech is likely to be
But discussion of the proposal illus
Party's conservative flank.
more thematic."
trates a fundamental tactical puzzle
Some of the President's advisers say
Mr. Zoellick was still writing at a
that the White House must solve by
that having broken the promise he
computer In the conference room of the
made on taxes at the last Republican
Houstonian Hotel, where the President
Thursday. It needs to come up with a
convention, Mr. Bush could open him-
is staying, at midnight Monday.
-
bold step or convincing promise of ac-
self to ridicule with a comparably firm
Mr. Baker is at his ranch in Wyo.
tion that the President can make with
policy statement this year.
ming and will not arrive here until
out reminding a national television au-
"It would be a home run or a tremen-
Wednesday, but he has kept in constant
dience that he Is the man who broke the
dous disaster," one adviser said. "It's
touch with the speech-drafting through
keystone piedge of his 1988 acceptance
just too risky."
Mr. Zoellick, aides said. The final draft
speech: "Read my lips. No new taxes."
Instead, officials said that unless
of the speech is not expected to the
someone has a brainstorm, Mr. Bush
completed and the decision made on
The speech writers' deliberations
intends to take a broad thematic ap-
what the President will say about Mr
also underscore the importance the
proach to the economy that will place
Baker until sometime Thursday.
President and his advisers place on
himself and the party on the side of
The principal speech writer is Rav.
finding some means of Invigorating the
reducing taxes and controlling spend-
mond K. Price, who was Richard M
re-election campaign and breaking
ing without saying precisely which tax-
Nixon's chief speechwriter and has
through his encrusted image as the
es and spending programs would be
sporadically worked for other Republi-
passive guardian of the economic sta.
involved, other than measures be has
can Presidents since then. Robert M
already offered that have been blocked
tus quo.
Teeter, the campaign chairman, has
in Congress.
been instrumental in drafting the parts
Bad Economic News
'Making People Trust Him'
of the speech not involving the eco'.
The need for an economic plan was
"The President needs to use the
omy.
given even greater urgency today after
speech to begin the process of making
Drawing the Distinctions
the Government announced that the
people trust him again when he talks
Officials who have followed the
pace at which builders broke ground
about the economy," one official said.
drafting process said the speech would
for new homes slumped 2.8 percent in
"That's not something you can do in
deal in some detail with Mr. Bush's
July. Combined with downward revi-
one night, which is one reason that the
foreign policy successes and would try
sions for May and June, the skid meant
'big Idea' approach has not gotten any-
to draw distinctions between himself
that the housing sector not only was no
where."
and Republicans on the one hand and
longer pacing the lackluster recovery
Mr. Bush's past speeches dealing
Gov. Bill Clinton and Democrats on the
but was becoming a drag. [Page DI.)
with the economy have been seen as
other. The President will try 10 drive
duds. In his State of the Union Message
home his criticism of the Democratic
Mr. Bush and his advisers view the
in January, for example, he offered a
Congress and will stress, officials sand.
speech Thursday night in which he will
laundry list of disparate proposals that
his experience and personal values.
accept his party's nomination for a
seemed to many analysts to have no
But the economic theme is by far the
second term as a crucial opportunity to
enthusiasm or connecting theme.
most important one, the officials said.
"I mean to speak of big things," he
since the President and his advisers
said at the time. But then he urged
Continued on Page A15. Column 5
believe that Is the ground on which the
Congress to "modify the passive loss
election will be decided.
rule" and to "fund our H.O.P.E. hous-
Since early in his Presidency, Mr
ing proposal" - words unlikely to in-
Bush has received conflicting advice
still confidence that better times were
about the economy from within his
ahead.
party.
The economy section of Thursday
One wing, represented by Mr. Kemp
night's speech is being drafted primar-
and others instrumental in the supply.
ily by Richard G. Darman, the budget
side revolution of the Reagan years.
director, and Robert B. Zoellick, the
holds that tax cuts are the key 10
Under Secretary of State for Economic
economic growth. They have pressed
Affairs, who Is one of Mr. Baker's
the President repeatedly to propose
closest associates and who will move
lower taxes and to fight with Congr ess
with his boss to the White House next
to win their enactment.
week.
Another group that includes Mr. Dar.
Mr. Baker dealt with economic is.
man, Treasury Secretary Nicholas F.
sues under President Ronald Reagan.
Brady and Michael J. Boskin, chair-
He was White House chief of staff in
man of the Council f.Economic Advis-
Mr. Reagan's first term and Treasury
ers, maintains that the budget deficit
Secretary in the second. Mr. Darman
must be brought under control before
was his deputy throughout.
tax cuts can be entertained.
Mr. Darman was with the President
at Camp David, Md., last weekend and
flew here Monday with him on Air
Force One. Interviewed today on the
White House News Summary Wednesday, August 19, 1992 page L of 21
Economic Watch
3 Wishes: Ways for Bush to Prime Economy
But the Perot plan relled on tax
By PETER PASSELL
Continued From First Business Page
increases and cuts In social entitle.
ment spending. Thus in wooing votes
with unemployment seemingly
to put it in place, and there is little
from the radicalized middle, Mr;
stuck near 8 percent and consumers
reason to believe that Congress would
Bush might further alienate those
guarding their paychecks as If each
entertain radical economic reforms
stung by his 1990 betrayal of the read-
would be the last, Is George Bush
of any sort before the election.
iny-lips pledge. And It would certainly
fated to play out the election cam-
Indeed, much of what Mr. Kemp
anger affluent retirees who would
paign as Herbert Hoover to Bill Clin-
proposes has already been rejected
take home less from Social Security,
ton's rendition of F.D.R.?
by the legislators. Yet another brush-
and pay more for health care. The
The White House has taken pains to
off could backfire, leaving the Im-
Perot initiative "appeals to budget
scotch rumors that he would an-
pression that Mr. Bush is an ineffec-
nerds like me," Mr. Penner said. But
nounce some dramatic Initiative for
tual leader. Or worse, a dissembling
any plan that "asks for short-term
jump-starting the economy. And
one. the President's advisers, who
suffering in the name of long-term
some economists hope they mean
think the supply-siders are Intellectu-
gains is politically risky." he conclud-
what they say, arguing that the
al lightweights, would only advance
ed.
present course is the best course for a
supply-side initiatives that were sure
There is also the worry that it
stable, noninflationary economy.
to dle. "Four years ago George
would lengthen the recession. In the
But many of Mr. Bush's supporters
Bush's word was his bond," said Jude
long run, a smaller deficit would free
think otherwise. While there are Inti-
Wanniski, president of Polyconomics.
resources for private investment.
nite variations on what the President
a consulting firm in Morristown, N.J.
lowering interest rates and presum-'
might do to try to win public confi-
"Now the voters demand collateral."
ably Increasing growth. But it is hard-
dence in his economic prowess, three
Mr. anniski, who spearheaded
ly the medicine of choice for smooth-
alternatives stand out:
the supply-siders' 1980 assault on
ing the business cycle. "I would be
Washington, has the collateral in
happy to wake up in five years with a'
1981 All Over Again Within months
mind. He believes the President could
50-cent gas tax," said Robert Solow of
of entering the White House Ronald
index capital gains to prices by exec-
M.I.T. But the immediate effect of
Reagan persuaded Congress to slash
utive order, cutting the effective tax
Federal tax increases, he noted,
taxes, setting the stage for seven
rate with the stroke of a pen.
would be fewer jobs and less income.
years of economic growth. Only in the
The effect would certainly be strik-
Born Again Keyneslanism "We are
late 1980's, when old-fashioned Re-
ing. A share of stock purchased for
all Keynesians now," Richard Nixon
publicans ganged up with liberal
$100 in 1979, for example, would be
concluded in 1971. Fiscal fine-turning
Democrats to resume the tax-and-
taxed only on the gain above $200,
is again out of fashion. at least in
spend policies of the past, did the
since the price level has since dou-
Republican circles. But by advocat-
economy run out of gas:
bled. Milton Friedman, who teaches
ing tax cuts or spending increases,
That, at any rate, Is how Jack
at Stanford's Hoover Institution, ar-
President Bush might connect with
Kemp, the Secretary of Housing and
gued that "the Bush Administration
the people who count most - voters
Urban Development, and other sup-
has been stupid as hell" in pursuing
who fear for their jobs. And by dress-
lower taxes on capital gains when
ply-siders see it. Mr. Kemp, along
ing it up in supply-side rhetoric he
"indexing the base makes more
with six New Right members of Con-
might make it palatable to the right.
sense economically and politically."
gress, are publicly pressing the Pres-
"Distinguishing between Keynesian
The obstacle, apart from Mr.
Ident to embrace the supply-side rev-
and supply-side stimulus is a matter
Bush's Innate caution, is a legal one.
olution as his own. This would Include
of spin and timing rather than sub-
C. Boyden Gray, the White House
an across-the-board tax cut, a freeze
stance," said Benjamin Friedman of
counsel, has ruled that the President
In discretionary Government spend-
Harvard.
does not have the authority to index
ing, radical welfare reform and a
The President would not have to
capital gains. But Lawrence Zelenak,
zero-inflation target for the Federal
look far, were he were so inclined. Ani
a professor of law at the University of
Reserve Board.
appeal signed by 100 economists this]
North Carolina, thinks a determined
But the President's invitation to a
spring called for a swift disbursal of
President could succeed in stretching
supply-side party does not guarantee
cash to state and local governments
his powers. "Despite the invalidity of
that anyone would attend, says Ru-
to prevent cutbacks in construction,
regulatory indexing." he wrote in the
dolph Penner, an economist at KPMG
projects. Mr. Bush might add some,
May 11, 1992, Issue of Tax Notes
Peat Marwick. Most of the supply-
job-stimulating tax breaks and call it;
"indexing would probably be immune
side agenda would require legislation
the fiscal policy for all seasons.
from judicial challenge" because no
The one big drawback: no direct
one could make the case they had
impact before the election. "The ac-
been injured by the Initiative.
Continued on Page DII
tion might not be visible for six'
Embracing the Radical Middle If
months," Mr. Solow conceded.
George Bush loses the election, goes
Is the White House likely to go for
the now-familiar refrain, it is because
broke anytime soon? "They're In the
he could not coax back the suburban.
grip of timidity and paralysis," Mr.
ites and blue-collar elite, sometime-
Wanniski said, and they hope to in-
Republicans who defected to Ross.
crease the President's clout with the
Perot. One way to win them over
electorate by tried and true means.
would be to adopt Mr. Perot's take-
"They'll hand off through the right
no-prisoners program for eliminating
tackle, " he concluded, "when they
the budget deficit in five years.
should be throwing bombs."
White House News Summary Wednesday, August 19, 1992 page 7 of 21
A Dearth of Blacks
violet, pink, blue and teal, a bevy of
self-described Southern belles visited
In G.O.P's 'Big Tent'
the Republican convention at mid-
day, to dispense Texas hospitality
and condoms.
Sashaying rather self-consciously
into the Astrodome complex, the
Straining to Make a Show of Diversity
Southern Belles for Safer Sex were
met with a surprisingly warm recep-
by Reaching Back to Some Former Aides
tion as they handed out the green and
baskets. red prophylactics from dainty wicker
Special to The New York Times
"HI there, honey, would you like a
-HOUSTON, Aug. 18 - This was di-
THE HOUSTON THING
condom?" said Tina Hester, chief
versity night at the Republican Na-
belle, to the police officer at the front
tional Convention, with a eclectic pa-
Maur den Dowd
gate.
rade that included a rabbi. B governor
and Frank Rich
"Why, thank you ma'am," he said,
who advocates abortion rights, the
taking two.
former pro quarterback Roger Stau-
"Nobody is rude to A belle,' Ms.
bach and the only black In the Bush
Hester said, with satisfaction.
cabinet, the Secretary of Health, Edu-
Woody Allen
The belles are members of such
cation and Welfare, Louis W. Sullivan.
And Family Values
groups as the National Organization
Despite efforts to broaden the "big
tent," It has not stretched over many
shillhe New York tabloid headlines
for Women and Planned Parenthood
about Woody Allen began to provoke
staging a light protest against the Re-
blacks. Convention planners had to
reach back to two long-gone Bush Ad-
the family-values police among the
publican platform's position on abor-
tion.
ministration officials to balance the
Republican delegates today. The re-
convention show.
Wews have been somewhat less kind
Political conventioneers are so fre-
than those that greeted Mr. Allen's
quently accosted by pamphleteers
Fred McClure, the most prominent
less-than-rapturously received last
that they tend to take what is handed
black official in the White House until
lie left to become a Dallas banker,
film, "Shadows and Fog."
to them without breaking stride.
sang the national anthem at the open-
That's wacko Hollywood. I'm a
That. at least, was Michael K. Dea-
ver's excuse.
Ing convention session. It was his
big fan. Woody, why did you do this to
most visible moment with the Presi-
us?" said Robert K. Dornan, a Call-
The former Reagan White House
dent since he sang "The Battle Hymn
Iornia Congressman Interviewed by
chief of staff, who took two condoms
of the Republic" a cappella at a fund-
CNN on the convention floor.
from a belle in blue, said, when asked
if he was pleased at the little bonus
raiser for Senator Phil Gramm in the
Astrodome In 1990. Condoleezza Rice,
The Recession
the day had brought, "What? What? I
thought they were handing out cook-
a National Security staff member
Hits Home
ies or mints." But, as he walked on, he
who left two years ago, came from
Stanford University to praise Mr.
A large sign above the Houston
kept the gift.
Shoe Hospital, at a shopping center
"My daughter will love this," he
Bush's foreign policy.
Meanwhile, black delegates are in
:not far from the wealthy River Oaks
said, laughing.
such short supply that two of the tele-
neighborhood, reveals the politics of
vision networks had to use the same
pain, Republican style:
Rocking
faces when searching for black audi-
"Topsiders Resoled Here."
the Astrodome
ence reactions to the references to
the Los Angeles riots in Ronald Rea-
The Politics
At a convention whose show busi-
ness contingent is top-heavy with
gan's speech Monday night.
Of Shopping
country music singers and faded Hol-
In the Department of Symbolism,
Overheard:
lywood Icons like Pat Boone and
delegates have been fending off que-
ries all week about a shindig on the fi-
One young Republican teen-age
Charlton Heston, rock-and-roll, If not
nal night at the River Oaks Country
girl to another as they sampled the
necessarily.youth, still must be
served.
Club, one of the three clubs that the
acres of Republican kitsch on display
at'the American Spirit Pavilion ad-
Three Dog Night, a rock group best
1088 Democratic Vice-Presidential
joining the Astrodome:
known for its 1970 hit "Mama Told
candidate, Senator Lloyd Bentsen,
This is almost as good as a Trek-
Me Not to Come," gave a concert to a
fleetingly resigned four years ago be-
kie convention."
small but vocal crowd in the Ameri-
cause of its all-white membership.
can Spirit Pavilion.
Southern Belies
"They're making a comeback,"
No Comment Yet
For Safer Sex
said Torie Clarke, the Bush campaign
On Strategy for '94
spokeswoman. "It's retro-chic."
Lovely to look at, somewhat surre-
One rock critic has described
But will It be a good year for pota-
(toes?
al to behold, In hoop-skirted gowns of
"Mama Told Me" as a paean to "get-
ting drunk at a party" and a "cele-
Asked by Bernard Shaw, the CNN
anchor, If a Bush-Quayle victory in
bration abuse." of hedonism and substance
1992 would make him the heir appar-
In "Wouldn't It Be Nice," his 1991
ent in 1996, Vice President Dan
autobiography, the Beach Boys' Bri-
Quayle answered:
an Wilson described the "ample sup-
Let us get through this week. Let
ply of stimulants" he surveyed at the
Us get through the debate or debates.
Hollywood Hills home of Danny Hut-
Let us see George Bush re-elected
this November. And then we'll talk
ton, then and now a Three Dog Night
about 1994."
lead singer, In the early 1970's.
Perhaps Jack F. Kemp, James F.
Presumably the group now abides
Baker 3d, William J. Bennett and Pat.
by the Republican Party Platform,
rick J. Buchanan won't be running
which declares that "Dope is no long-
er trendy."
that year.
The Calendar
Is Ticking
The Liberal/Media Lynch Mob De-
partment:
"I don't mind the four more
years," Murray Kempton of News-
day said today. "It's the three more
days that is more than I can stand."
White House News Summary Wednesday, August 19, 1992 page 8 of 21
G.O.P. Is Flirting With the
Dangers of Negativism
Mr. Lugar said he hoped the Presi-
NEWS ANALYSIS
dent and most Republican candidates
By R. W. APPLE Jr.
would "try to make the Republican
Special to The New York Times
heaping scorn on the Democrats who
message more inclusive." Nothing
have dominated Capitol Hill for 60
HOUSTON, Aug. 18 - Richard N.
would really matter, he said, unless the
Bond, the flercely combative Republi-
years - "the gavel-wielding chairmen,
President offered the convention "a set
the bloated staffs, the taxers and tak-
can chairman, says his party is fight-
of ideas that adds up to some potential
ers and Congressional rule makers."
ing a "cultural war" with the Demo-
for real economic change for average
crats. But there is also a cultural war
He took a few gentle swipes at the mum
people, and not just broad principles
taking place within the Republican
he ousted from the Presidency 12 years
and more attacks on Congress."
ranks here, a war that pits conserva-
ago, Jimmy Carter.
tism with a snarl against conservatism
But the Republicans, even the con-
with a smile.
servatives, are deeply split between
Including the Outsiders
Both are on display In the Astrodome
two approaches, each favored by one of
this week, and both will probably be on
the contenders for the party's Presi-
But his emphasis was on his own
display throughout the campaign. The
dential nomination in 1996. They both
accomplishments and George Bush's
question is, which will President Bush
spoke tonight. Housing Secretary Jack
abilities, not on any personal fallibil-
emphasize in his acceptance speech on
Kemp favors tax cuts to stimulate the
Itles of Mr. and Mrs. Clinton.
Thursday night? Which will he empha-
economy, an Idea that Senator Phil
size in his campaign oratory and in his
Gramm of Texas, who wants to bal-
The former President chose the rhet.
television commercials? And which, If
ance the budget before anything else,
oric of inclusion, reminding the delc-
either, will work?
calls "free-lunch politics."
gates, "we are all equal In the eyes of
It is hard to say. Mr. Bush is a
In his speech tonight, Mr. Kemp did
God - whether we come from poverty
political version of the 19th-century
no lobbying for reduced taxes, but hr
or wealth, whether we are Afro-Ameri-
Yankee merchant, always genteel and
eagerly identified himself with the
can or Irish-American, Christian or
mannerly in private but sometimes
Reagan approach. He said his party's
Jewish, from big cities or small
cunning and ruthless In business. He
purpose was "not to denounce the past,
towns," and said, "we must all be equal
has said he would do whatever he need-
but to Inspire our nation to a better
In the eyes of one another."
ed to win reelection, and he commented
future." Mr. Gramm did the same,
when he arrived here, "I have always
bashing the Democrats' policies but
Mitchell E. Daniels Jr., who ser
done better when 1 fight back."
avoiding divisive language, and pledg.
as political director in the Reagan
Ing that "America's third century will
White House, liked what his old boss
Strategy of Divisiveness
be our greatest century."
had to say. Mr. Reagan, he said, "nas
He has also employed, this year as
Apparently in an effort to display
saved conservatives from the perils of
four years ago, accomplished political
diversity and mollify those rattled by
negativisim before, and maybe he ch
rabbit punchers who think divistveness
the hard-liners, the Republicans sent to
get us on the right course again with
often wins elections.
the platform this morning and tonight
the positive lone of his speech."
Patrick J. Buchanan, Mr. Bush's
a diverse series of speakers, Including
erstwhile primary opponent, epito-
Later in the day it was announced
about a dozen women, both advocates
mized the scowling face of conserva-
that Mr. Daniels would be joining the
and opponents of abortion rights; three
tism on the convention's first day. We
Bush campaign team.
blacks; three Hispanics and three
are America, he said In effect, and the
Asian-Americans.
rest of you are not. But former Presi-
Conservatives alone cannot elect a
dent Ronald Reagan, eloquent still at 81
years of age, urged his fellow Republi-
President. In recent New York Times/
cans to keep their eyes fixed on his
CBS News Polls, only 45 percent of
metaphorical "shining city on the hill."
Republicans and only 29 per cent of all
Today Mr. Bond conceded that
voters described themselves as conser-
"George Bush and Pat Buchanan have
vatives. But 63 percent of the delegates
some differences of opinion on a lot of
here did so.
subjects," but he also said, "Pat Bu-
chanan's speech was brilliant, and I
Frustrated and Bitter
think that he is now on Bill Clinton's
Mr. Buchanan described for the dele-
tall." James Lake, another top Repub-
gates and the country the demons that
lican manager, argued that Mr. Bu-
lurked in the political landscape If the
chanan's denunciations of gays, lesbi-
Republicans lost the White House:
ans, feminists and liberals in general
"abortion on demand, a litmus test for
would give needed help to the ticket in
the Supreme Court, homosexual rights,
Orange County, Callf. a Republican
bastion that in years past would have
discrimination against religious
schools, women in combat units."
long since been locked up by the party.
'Not Comfortable With That'
The former White House speechw-
riter slashed away at Governor Clin-
But many in the party, equally con-
ton, picturing him as a "draft-dodger"
servative, made no secret of their dis-
who lacked "the moral authority to call
pleasure at the tenor of Mr. Buchan-
on Americans to put their lives at
an's speech and others like it, including
risk." He described Hillary Clinton as
one by Attorney General Dan Lungren
the standard-bearer of "radical femi-
of California this morning In which he
nism" and arch-enemy of the family.
revived the Willie Horton theme that
the Republicans used against Michael
This is a frustrated convention, un-
S. Dukakis in 1988.
able quite to comprehend what has
Asked how Mr. Buchanan's pitch
gone wrong after 12 years of soar-away
would play in Wisconsin this fall, the
electoral success, unsure exactly what
state's governor, Tommy G. Thomp-
to do about it. Frustration breeds blt-
son, replied, "I don't think it will,"
terness, and much of that has spilled
grimaced and walked away.
out in attacks on reporters, commenta-
Senator Richard G. Lugar of Indiana,
tors and political analysts.
the most Influential Republican
Mr. Reagan was never one for bitter-
spokesman on foreign policy on Capitol
ness or meanness of spirit, even in the
Hill, was more explicit.
heat of combat, and his sunny opti-
"Pat's message Is not a very appeal-
mism shone through his speech. He
log one for most Americans, and It's
was partisan enough, questioning Mr.
not a winning message," he said at a
Clinton's foreign-policy credentials and
breakfast meeting with reporters.
"You don't build majorities by exclud-
ing whole groups of people, and you
don't have to be nasty to be conserva-
tive. I wish they'd cut It out, especially
the attacks on Hillary. I'm not comfort-
able with that at all."
2
Networks Focus on Convention's Move to the Right
By ELIZABETH KOLBERT
right wingers took over for the first
time and drove through a breathtak-
During Patrick J. Buchanan's
ingly conservative platform."
speech Monday night, CBS twice cut
'Those folks were not so much
Convention Tops 'Murphy Brown'
away to a big man on the convention
interested in winning that election as
floor who was wearing a sequined red
Vice, President Dan Quayle
tion on CNN.
in humiliating Neison Rockefeller
cowboy hat. The man was sweating
would probably be happy to hear
and the other moderates of their par-
"Murphy Brown," which aired
and yelling "Pat, Pat, Pat!" He cer-
that 11 million more Americans
ty," Mr. Kuralt continued. "And they
just before CBS began its conven-
tainly seemed to be
watched the Republican National
didn't win. They lost in a landslide.'
tion coverage, had an audience of
enjoying the speech.
Convention Monday night than
CAMPAIGN
The Bush campaign- took great
16.4 million, Nielsen reported yes-
in fact, he seemed to
tuned in to watch Monday night's
pains to present a unified front to the
terday. The episode, which fea-
WATCH
be enjoying it a little
episode of "Murphy Brown."
tured a highly pregnant lead char-
too much.
television audience on Monday, sup-
About 26.5 million Americans
acter, was a re-run.
Ideally at a politi-
pressing a floor fight over their abor-
watched the convention on the
tion plank and inviting the Presi-
The ratings for the first night of
cal convention, the response of the
three broadcast networks, ABC,
the Republican National Conven-
Summary August 19, 1992
dent's opponent In the primaries, Mr.
delegates is supposed to cue the tele-
NBC and CBS, and on PBS, ac-
tion were about the same as the
Buchanan, to give the convention's
vision audience. Their enthusiasm is
cording to Nielsen Media Re-
first night of the Democratic Na-
first prime-time address. But as seen
supposed to be inspiring, and their
search. An additional 1.2 million
tional Convention in New York
on television at least, this show of
excitement infectious.
households tuned in to the conven-
City last month.
unity had a distinctly conservative
On Monday night, though, it was
cast.
hard for those in the television audi-
ence to feel that sympathetic bond.
Playing Up a Drift
This was because every few minutes,
Television coverage of the Repub-
Bill Clinton and said relatively little
commentators broke in to point out
In an interview with the President,
lican National Convention shows
about Mr. Bush. ABC's David Brink-
just how far to the right the Republi-
NBC's Tom Brokaw pointed out that
more dissonance than harmony.
ley prefaced the former President's
can convention was aimed. Viewers
the Republican platform advocating
Word and Image, page C14.
speech by noting that Mr. Reagan did
were constantly reminded that this
a total ban on abortion was so far to
not much care for Mr. Bush.
year the convention was being staged
the right that 11 contradicted even the
In the few opportunities they got to
more for the benefit of those in the
President's stand, which favors ex-
parties like 10 call "mainstream
comment on the proceedings, Demo-
hall than for the average American
ceptions for rape and Incest. Mr.
America" was reinforced not just by
crats tried to make the most of the
watching at home.
Bush tried to brush aside this prob-
the comments that viewers heard
Republicans' apparent drift to the
lem, saying of his position, "If it's not
from the television reporters, but also
right.
The Price of Unity?
compatible with the platform, never
by the images they saw on their
"If you read this platform, no one
mind.' But many television reporters
screens. During Mr. Buchanan's
in the world would vote for this par-
"This platform the Republicans
predicted that the price of unity at the
speech, for example, CBS cut away to
ty," 'Robert Squier, a. Democratic
adopted today reminds me of another
show the Rev. Jerry Falwell, Phyllis
consultant, said Tuesday morning on
Republican platform and another
convention this summer would be
convention - the one of '64," CBS's
problems for Mr. Bush in the fall.
Schtafly and other prominent conser-
the NBC News program "Today."
vatives looking on approvingly. The
Charles Kuralt said shortly before
The President's successful effort to
network also showed groups of young
Appearing alongside Mr. Squier,
Mr. Buchanan's speech began. "That
suppress a floor fight on abortion,
Roger Alles, President Bush's former
men pumping their fists into the air in
was the year the party's furthest
said CBS's Connie Chung, "could
a militaristic show of approval.
media adviser. Invoked higher au-
haunt him later on, particularly with
thorities to defend the Republican
one group he's had problems with
In this context, the address by for-
plan.
before, and that's women."
mer President Ronald Reagan
"God managed to get into our plat-
Said ABC's Jim Wooten. "He's tip-
seemed oddly centrist for the man
form," Mr. Alles said. "He can't get
toeing through some very dangerous
who gave contemporary conserva-
into the Democratic platform. of
territory."
lives their first taste of real power.
course, the Democrats think that's a
The impression that the convention
Mr. Reagan waxed nostalgic about
splinter party. but I think God has a
was not being aimed at what both
his own years in office, poked fun at
different idea."
White House News Summary Wednesday, August 19, 1992 page 2
Reagan's 'Lincoln' Quotation Disputed
By HERBERT MITGANG
Asked about the Lincoln quota-
FOR THE RECORD
In his speech to the Republican
tions yesterday, Catherine Gold-
National Convention on Monday
berg, the former President's
spokeswoman, said, "I'm not
any reference to Mr. Boetcker,
night, former President Ronald
aware that they are untrue."
leaving the impression that the
Reagan said the Democrats don't
understand the principles "so elo-
She added, "I do know that he
maxims were uttered by Lincoln.
Two of the 10 maxims that Mr.
quently stated by Abraham Lin-
got the quotations out of The
Toastmaster's Treasure Chest,' a
Boetcker included In his homily
coin."
book by Herbert V. Prochnow."
were omitted by Mr. Reagan, pos-
Correction.
Ms. Goldberg maintained that
sibly because they referred to debt
One reason the Democrats - or
anybody else, including Lincoln
Mr. Reagan did his own research
- a sensitive subject to the Rea-
scholars - don't understand these
and writing for the speech. "Presi-
gan and Bush Admininstrations.
dent Reagan is the author of the
The maxims say: "You cannot
principles is that the 16th Presi-
dent never said what the 40th Pres.
speech," she said.
keep out of trouble by spending
ident claimed he said.
more than your Income," and,
For a number of years, Lincoln
"You cannot establish sound secu-
In Mr. Reagan's speech, he
scholars have been aware that the
rity on borrowed money."
quotes Lincoln as saying: "You
actual author of the maxims used
Housing Secretary Jack F.
cannot strengthen the weak by
Kemp, 100, quoted from Lincoln in
weakening the strong. You cannot
his speech. But he selected lines
help the wage earner by pulling
down the wage payer. You cannot
Scholars say the
from a talk delivered by Lincoln on
Sept. 17, 1859, before he was nomi-
help the poor by destroying the
words have long
nated for President.
rich. You cannot help men perma-
nently by doing for them what they
could and should do for them-
selves."
been exposed as
Buchanan Account Disputed
But Thomas F. Schwartz, cura-
tor of the Henry Horner Lincoln
untrue.
HOUSTON, Aug. 18 (AP) -- In a
climactic moment In his conven-
Collection at the Illlnois State His-
torical Library in Springfield,
tion speech on Monday, Patrick J.
Buchanan gave an account of a
said: "These fake Lincoln quota-
by Mr. Reagan is the Rev. William
tions have been known for more
retirement home that was protect-
John Henry Boetcker, a minister
than three-quarters of a century.
from Erie, Pa., and a lecturer and
ed by Army troops during the Los
They've been exposed as untrue
pamphleteer who was born in 1873
Angeles riots last spring. But the
many times, but the words keep
and ordained in Brooklyn.
manager of the home said today
that during the worst of the riots it
coming up, usually in a political or
Mr. Boetcker first printed his 10
business context."
maxims In 1916 in a leaflet entitled
was actually shielded by elderly
residents.
Words Cited In Derision
"Lincoln on Private Property."
Originally. one side of the leaflet
By the time the 18th Cavalry
The words have not been cited
by any Lincoln scholar, except in
contained some words by Lincoln:
troops arrived early on May 1 at
derision.
the other side had maxims by Mr.
the Vermont Knoll Retirement
Boetcker. It was republished in
Center, it was quiet, said the man-
"These Lincoln quotations have
been rattling around in Republican
1917, 1938 and 1945 by the Inside
ager, Jewell Anderson. The
Publishing Company, which Mr.
Army's presence served as a de-
literature for some 50 years, even
though they've been brought to the
Boetcker apparently controlled.
terrent to rioters who remained in
An organization called Commit-
the neighborhood, she added.
attention of party officials as pho-
tee for Constitutional Government
ny," said Eric Foner, DeWitt Clin-
distributed the leaflet, printing the
Terry Jeffrey, director of policy
ton Professor of American History
maxims under Lincoln's byline,
for the Buchanan campaign, said
at Columbia University. "Mr. Rea-
gan is a master of invoking real,
with the notation, "Inspiration of
Mr. Buchanan got the information
Wm. J. H. Boetcker." This refer-
about the event from two soldiers
and sometimes unreal, figures and
ence to Mr. Boetcker was later
he met at an Army compound in
quotations on his side. He did
dropped. The leaflet was used by
South Los Angeles. "I think he took
something similar with Tom
the Republican National Commit-
the troopers at their word," the
Paine."
tee Research Division, but without
director said. "They were eyewit-
nesses to It."
White House News Summary Wednesday, August 19, 1992 page 11 of 21
The Republicans Play
A Dissonant Tune
By WALTER GOODMAN
Reporters on the floor, like Connie
appeal to racism. But they agreed -
Chung of CBS and Lisa Meyers of
and so did reveryone else - that Mr..
Watching the Republican National
NBC, bustled to find abortion-Mghts
Reagan liad come through In his old
Convention is a split-screen experi-
delegates who would express their
style and had left the crowd happy.
ence. It is like a concert for two
discontent. Both found Rep. Olympia
The Republican hit squad can be
orchestras whose conductors are not
J. Snowe of Maine. Lynn Sherr of ABC
counted on to blame those elitists up
on speaking terms. From the official
tracked down a California delegate
in their sky boxes for the downbeat
side come easy-listening tunes scored
who said she was a third-generation
treatment of their big show, so unlike
for strings and trumpets. From the
Republican who might not vote for
the coverage of the Democratic meet-
network side comes a dissonant
Mr. Bush and "I don't really feel
ing.
threnody.
welcome here tonight." Dissent being
The organizers would have pre-
Whichever channel viewers turned
news whatever the source, Ms. Sherr
ferred that more attention be paid,
to on opening night, except perhaps C.
went on to produce a Buchanan dele-
for example, to the women who ad-
Span, which sticks more to the podi-
gate from Tennessee who said that at
dressed the convention, even though
um proceedings, they learned of dis-
this point he was not supporting Mr.
they found themselves in the compa-
sension and dismay in Republican
Bush.
ny of Alan K. Simpson, the Wyoming
ranks. Not until Ronald Reagan's
In a striking moment of the joint
senator led his party's assault on
speech, at the end of the evening, was
coverage by PBS and NBC, Maria
Anita F: HILL On the other hand, cam-
there harmony. Anchors, reporters
Shriver, working the podium, elicited
era operators seemed to be making
and observers agreed that the former
from Richard N. Bond, the Republi-
special efforts to pick out black faces
President had struck an upbeat note.
can national chairman, this line:
in a colorful hall that had strikingly
But until then the show was a defi-
"These other people are not Amer-
fewer minority delegates than the
nite downer, relieved only by the oc-
ica." He was talking about Demo-
Democratic convention. And mo-
casional admiring word for Barbara
crats. Jim Lehrer could not provoke
ments of enthusiasm came through.
Bush or, more startilingly, for Vice
the indignant response he evidently
Whether they were spontaneous or
President Dan Quayle's steadfast-
wanted from his Republican guests,
programmed, as Tom Brokaw sug-
ness under pressure. (The C-Span au-
Mr. Bennett, Representative Susan
gested pointedly on NBC, who is to
dience could hear a delegate call Dan
Molinari of Staten Island, and How-
say?
Quayle "a brilliant man.") No anchor
ard Baker, the former Senate Major-
Well, bad news has always been
neglected to mention the polls that
Ity Leader, who got themselves a
good news for journalists, and the
showed Mr. Bush far behind, the con-
little tangled up explaining what Mr.
tinuing national distress over the
Republican predicament is surely
Bond had meant to say although he
what this convention is all about. Still,
economy, the party's disarray. Not to
may have chosen his language infelic-
draw attention to these realities
although the attacks on television are
itously. Finally Mr. Shields, the pro-
would have been negligent, yet the
the first refuge of politicians with
gram's resident Democrat, came
heavy drumbeat of disaster gave the
problems, and although speeches like
through, saying the comment had the
Mr. Buchanan's and comments like
coverage the aspect of an organized
"rancid stench of McCarthylsm." Da-
Mr. Bond's demand some reaction,
attack.
vid Gergen, his Republican counter-
much of the convention reporting did
part, conceded that it was garbage.
have an edge that hinted at partisan
Dan Rather opened the CBS cover-
A resounding theme of the eve-
pleasure in the Republicans' troubles.
age with the announcement that "Re-
ning's reporting was the ascendancy
No one wants to deprive the reporters
publicans want to paper over differ-
of the far-right wing of the Republi-:
of their fun, but possibly a little less
ences." Mark Shields, the PBS com-
can Party. Ms. Roberts called the
animus with a little more analysis
mentator, said, "This is a pessimistic
Houston meeting "a convention of
might enhance the credibility of net-
crowd." On CNN, William Schnelder
true believers." Charles Kuralt told
delivered an essay on "a Republican
work news as the political season
CBS viewers, "Only the religious
heats up.
coalition that is about to collapse,"
right is happy," and both he and Jeff
and on ABC David Brinkley noted
Greenfield on ABC likened the pro-
casually that even Mr. Reagan does
ceedings to the 1968 convention that
not much like Mr. Bush.
nominated Barry Goldwater and con-
A tone of skepticism prevailed.
tributed to the Democrats' landslide
John Chancellor of NBC, noting Mr.
victory.
Bush's repeated declarations that he
Mr. Greenfield also classified the
was taking off the gloves to do battle,
Buchanan speech as "dark conserva-
said he must have more gloves than
tism," and Mr. Kuralt sald it con-
Brooks Brothers. Mr. Rather, going
tained "ugly elements," including an
over the official lineup of speakers,
added, "This is what they hope you'll
be reading about tomorrow." In prep-
aration for Patrick J. Buchanan's en-
dorsement of Mr. Bush - which Mr.
Rather described in advance with a
menu of metaphors as "raw meat."
"sushi rhetoric" and "speech tartar"
- ABC ran Bush-bashing clips from
the Buchanan primary race.
All channels homed in on the fero-
cious anti-abortion plank in what Co-
kie Roberts of ABC called "a plat-
form written by and for conserva-
tives," and the failure of delegates
favoring abortion rights to achieve a
floor fight. William J. Bennett, the
former Secretary of Education and
an avowed conservative, who spent
most of the evening serving as a let's-
all-come-together presence on PBS,
made the point that the Democrats
had quashed dissent about abortion at
their convention, but no one seemed
particularly Interested.
White House News Summary Wednesday, August 19, 1992 page 120121
Barbara Bush, the Un-Secret Weapon
By ALESSANDRA STANLEY
Special to The New York Times
BARBARA BUSH
on the road when Mrs. Bush took him
HOUSTON, Aug. 18 -- The White
aside to compliment him on some work
House's keenest public relations expert
She gave a rare hint of her inner
he had done. He said he tried for a
was giving a lesson in the fine art of
steel last week. After deploring person-
modest response, replying meekly that
lowering expectations.
al attacks delivered by one of her hus-
"everyone worked very hard." Mrs.
"I mean, It's nothing, and now I am
band's advisers, Mrs. Bush fired a dart
Bush, he said, "looked me in the eye
getting really nervous," Barbara Bush
of her own at Bill Clinton. "He never
and said, 'That's the most Pollyannish
said last week when asked about her
denied he had a fling. did he?" she said
thing I've ever heard,' and walked
speech on family values to the Republi-
in an interview.
away."
can National Convention on Wednes-
day night. She added requishly, "If I
Neither Mr. Bush nor his wife forget
'A Long Memory'
could Invent some new family value I
slights, but Mrs. Bush masks her anger
may come up with one."
Later, one of her friends called the
with far more grace than does her
Self-deprecation - in her case, a
remark a retaliatory strike at Hillary
husband.
well-honed oh-pooh-l'm-nobody routine
Clinton, who repeated rumors about
- is one skill. Humorous barbs about
President Bush in an interview during
"She is a pretty strong lady," said
her daughter. Dorothy Koch. "She
the political condition is another. The
the primaries. "She has a long memo-
ry,' the friend said. "She has not for-
toughens up when things get a little
First Lady, so often described as the
rough. I can't say she likes the cam-
Republican's "secret weapon." is be.
gotten the fact that Hillary raised the
issue."
paign mode. but she gets stronger at a
coming the worst-kept secret of the
time when other people, like myself.
1992 campaign.
In public she has become a living
get weaker."
'Clobber His Wife'
symbol of her husband's kinder,
Though she still insists on describing
gentler half. Her warm, grandmotherly
Transcends Politics'
herself in terms that suggest a cross
image is SO firmly affixed in the pub-
between Mamie Elsenhower and Ethel
lic's mind that Mr. Bush routinely in-
Her political mettle. backed by ta-
vokes his wife as evidence that his
verable ratings in public opinion polls
Administration cares about the unfor-
that are nearly three times higher than
tunate.
her husband's, scares Democrats.
Mrs. Bush, who expresses sympathy
"She is popular because she tran-
Mrs. Bush's
for AIDS patients and unwed teen-age
scends politics," said Carter Eskew, a
I mothers, last week sounded a note de-
warm image
signed to appeal to moderate Republi-
cans. She said abortion was a "person-
masks her
al" issue that had no place In the
The keeper
Republican platform. Afterward, she
strength.
retreated from the fuss she created,
of the Bush
insisting that she had no place in poli-
cy-making. "I'm through with abor-
tion," she said. "I'm not running for
family's grudge
President. George Bush is."
Mertz, shè is not fooling anybody about
Tuesday morning, Mrs. Bush made
file.
her political sophistication or her role
her way to the American Spirit exhibl-
as the keeper of the family grudge file.
tion hall, a shopping mall of Republican
And as her visibility and strategic
souvenirs adjacent to the Astrodome,
importance to the Bush campaign in-
to sign copies of "Millie's Book," her
media consultant who is advising the
creases, reporters and even a few
best-selling book about the family
Clinton campaign. As if tipping his toe
Democrats are beginning to poke into
spaniel. She was mobbed by several
gingerly in very dark waters, Mr. Es-
the veils of charm that Mrs. Bush has
hundred frenzied Republicans who
kew added. "But if they dump her in
raised as a screen around her. The
chanted, "We Love Millie!" as she
the middle of a nasty political cam-
scrutiny, an inevitable passage for all
passed. After one brief look at the
paign it could be risky.' Then he added,
First Ladies, has been disconcerting
snow-topped dot shaking hands in the
'Nah, she's such a tremendous asset,
for a woman accustomed to keeping a
distance, Lillian Clinkenbeard of Free-
It's unlikely she could ever be hurt."
firm grip on her own Image. She dis.
landville, Ind., announced, "She is S0
likes It and attributes it to partisan
calm, SO down-to-earth."
Mrs. Bush would like her coattails to
extend to her sons. She issued a stern
politics. "How do you get to George
Boss at Home
Bush?" she said of a rash of recent
maternal warning to the media today.
At home. the good-cop, bad-cop roles
"My boys - my men - are the most
penetrating profiles. "Clobber his
wife."
are reversed. Friends say it Is Mrs.
honest young men, the most decent and
Bush, the matriarch of the family, who
wisest,' she told a CNN Interviewer. "I
Edith Mayo, a curator of the First
Ladles exhibits at the Smithsonian In-
runs the home and provides discipline
don't like whiners, but I must say that
stitution, likened Mrs. Bush 10, of all
- to their five children when the were
you, not you, but one has done a real job
people, Jacqueline Kennedy for her
growing up and now to the grandchil-
on one of our boys."
skill at molding her public persona and
dren. And though she can talk like any
suburban mom who "dumps into any
She was referring to Neil Bush, a
for her upper-class savoir-faire. In
old house," all of her homes since 1981
director of the bankrupt Silverado
Houston, Republicans are SD eager for
Mrs. Bush's popularity to shore up her
have been redone by the high-society
Banking, Savings and Loan Associa-
husband's and pulverize his enemies
decorator Mark Hampton.
tion, which was sued by Federal regu-
that they view her in slightly less glam-
Her wit can be withering. One for.
lators. Mr. Bush and other directors
mer aide, who spoke only on the condi-
settled the case and Mr. Bush paid a
orous terms: as the Terminator.
tion of anonymity, recalled an episode
$50,000 fine. Mrs. Bush added, "I wish
you'd leave him alone."
White House News Summary Wednesday, August 19, 1992 page 130±21 of
Scrambling
For Time
On the Air
REPORTER'S NOTEBOOK
By GWEN IFILL
I
Special to The New York Times
:
LITTLE ROCK, Ark., Aug. 18 -
Watching a Presidential campaign
rage for a morning run 20 minutes
born in Arkansas and Tennessee, but
scramble for television air time is not
earlier than scheduled.
we're just a bunch of crazy wild-eyed
a pretty picture. Gov. Bill Clinton's
And today in Little Rock, he com-
liberals," Mr. Clinton predicted last
organization has resorted to all man-
pletely fooled the waiting camera
week at a meeting of Southern state
'ner of genteel desperation to balance
crew, which was positioned for the
legislators.
all the pretty red-white-and-blue pic-
daily jogging picture at the front gate
By "we" he meant the Democratic
tures emanating from Houston.
of the Governor's Mansion.
licket. But for his audience, which
= Today's theme was discovery.
For several moments frustrated
chuckled appreciatively. the pronoun
Mr. Clinton, arriving at the State-
network producers thought Mr. Clin.
crossed party lines, making all South-
house to work at being a Governor for
ton had been smuggled out of the
erners victim of the Republican slurs
-a few hours, complained that the Re-
mansion in the back seat of a sedan
he described.
''publicans seemed too preoccupied
that had driven out virtually unno-
"They're going to say they took us
with the past instead of the future.
ticed. But It turned out that he had
to New York City in a safe and no one
"You talk about slick," he said.
devised a more ingenious solution. He
saw us In an incubator there for 20
'These guys have talked about how
simply ran out the back way.
years," Mr. Clinton said with folksy
prudent they were, and they have
disdain. "And we've got crazy Ideas
presided over the 10 biggest deficits
The Accent Thickens
and came home and hid them for 20
in American history, Reagan and
"Bush."
When Mr. Clinton travels South, it
years, waiting for the opportunity to
, "They've brought us to the position
is not unusual for him to abandon his
spring them on the rest of the coun-
try.
I,we're in, and now they're asking for a
urbane ways long enough to become
fourth term," Mr. Clinton said, lump-
plain old Neighbor Bill, the Governor
"They're going to say every speech
of Arkansas. His accent thickens, he
1 gave on the Fourth of July In north-
ing Mr. Reagan's eight-year tenure
uses the word "we" a lot and he
east Arkansas was a deliberate at.
with Mr. Bush's four-year one.
"That's really the message of that
speaks in an almost confidential tone
tempt to conceal my radical im-
speech last night. We want four
about the problems the South has
pulses. And that we just can't walt to
terms. Three's not enough. And now
overcome. Race. Jobs. Politics.
gel into power in Washington so we
"The other side is going to go down
can take your guns away and trample
we will discover America in our
fourth term; sort of a Columbus the-
there to Houston, and they're going to
family values and raise taxes on ev-
say that Al Gore and I may have been
ery poor working person in Amer-
ory of politics."
ica."
George Stephanopoulos, the cam-
paign's communications director,
who has dispensed daily dellops of
campaign spin, declared: "The econ-
omy is dead In the water, and all they
can do is attack Bill Clinton and at.
tack his wife and kowtow to the far
right.
"I mean, Pat Buchanan is 'Cape
Fear' and Ronald Reagan is 'The
Way We Were.'
It's only a movie.
Hide-and-Seek Candidate
For a man who wants to,be Presi-
dent, Bill Clinton has developed a
genuine distaste for some of the uni-
versally public aspects of the job.
Last week, he dodged reporters at
his hotel In Santa Monica, Calif., by
taking out his Secret Service entou-
White House News Summary Wednesday, August 19, 1992 page 14 of 21
British, French and U.S. Agree
are authorized by already existing
United Nations resblutions.
To carry out the plan, the United
To Attack Iraqi Planes in South
States would likely station two or three
Awacs radar reconnaissance planes
along the Saudi-Iraq border. The
Awacs would be protected by fighter
A 'No Fly' Zone Is Planned Below 32d Parallel
escorts.
To respond quickly to any Iraql in-
cursion into the forbidden zone, three
By MICHAEL R. GORDON
or four patrols might be kept in the air
24 hours a day over northern Saudi
Special to the New York Times
Arabia or southern Iraq. The American
WASHINGTON, Aug. 18 --- The Bush
Mr. Major said he was reacting to
Air Force patrols would include F-15C
Administration, stepping up its con-
what he called the "atrocities" Iraq
fighters, while the Navy would operate
frontation with Saddam Hussein, won
has committed against the Shiltes. He
patrols, using F-14 or FA-18 planes.
British and French agreement today
insisted that he had not been influenced
Any Iraqi planes or helicopters that
for a plan to shoot down Iraqi military
by election considerations in the United
ventured into the prohibited area
planes If they venture Into a wide zone
States.
would be quickly Identified by the
throughout the southern part of the
"It is that issue, not an electoral
Awacs planes which would pass the
country occupied by dissident Shiite
issue." Mr. Major told a television in-
targeting information to the patrols SO
Muslims.
terviewer. "I am not just going into an
that they could shoot down the Iraqi
election, and President Mitterrand Is
Intruders.
The plan for the "no-fly" zone, below
not going into an election and we both
the 32d parallel. aimed at defending the
Reconnaissance Flights
feel very strongly about this particular
Shilte Muslims in Southern Iraq
In addition, the establishment of a
issue," Mr. Major added, referring to
against air attack by the Iraql military
"no-fly" area would enable the allies to
the French leader.
and at sharply curbing the authority of
The decision to protect the Shite
conduct reconnaissance flights over
President Husseln, was described by a
Muslims in southern Iraq significantly
southern Iraq to keep an eye on Iraqi
senior British official as ready to be
diminishes Saddam Hussein's author-
military movements there and keep an
eye on the Shiltes.
implemented in the next several days.
ity.
Following a long Cabinet meeting in
With the allied forces already pro-
To carry out its part of the plan,
London is planning to send six Tornado
London today, Prime Minister John
tecting a Kurdish enclave in the north,
the decision to have British, French
fighters and two tankers to the gulf
Major of Britain said the allies would
and American planes prevent the
region, according to British military
establish control of as much as a third
flights of Iraqi planes and helicopters
officials. The Tornado planes would
of the country. "They will be attacked
probably be based In Saudi Arabia and
in the south, only central Iraq, less than
If they fly in the area that is pro-
half the country, would be fully within
used principally for reconnaissance,
the officials said.
scribed," Mr. Major said.
Saddam Hussein's control.
The allies' announcement comes as
To explain the reason for the zone,
Allles Express Concern
intelligence reports show that Iraqi
the Pentagon today provided details on
The French also announced their
forces have been preparing to renew
flights by Iraqi aircraft and helicopters
support of the plan.
in southern Iraq, much of which had
their attacks against the Shiites.
previously been classified.
"The Baghdad regime has not been
They have been subjected to Iraqi
air strikes, mostly from helicopter gun-
Pete Williams, the Pentagon spokes-
any more tender with the Shilte popula-
ships, since the end of the Persian Gulf
man, told reporters today that the Iraqi
tion than with the Kurdish population,"
war. There have been no attacks in-
military conducted about 30 flights of
said Foreign Minister Roland Dumas
volving fixed-wing planes since last
helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft per
of France. "Thus the international
month. when Iraq used combat planes
day its the southern part of its territory:
community, and the allies in particu-
against the Shiites for the first time
This includes flights of "Frogfoot" at-
tack planes, which is similar to the
lar. are concerned about this situa-
since the gulf war.
tion."
Still, today's announcement leaves
American A-10. The Iraqi military has
several key questions unanswered. For
also flown PC-7 planes, a Swiss-made
No formal announcement has come
example, it is unclear what, If anything,
plane. Iraq has used both the Frogfoot
from the Bush Administration on
the allies would do If Iraqi ground
and the PC-7 in attacks against the
American participation in the plan. To-
forces attack the Shiltes in the south. In
Shiltes.
day senior officials said that was be.
past months, Shiite villages have been
Major Change of Policy
cause the Pentagon was still working
pounded by artillery and then razed.
Iraqi helicopters in Southern Iraq
out the details.
Several Technical Issues
include the MI-8 HIP. the SA-343 Ga.
But the White House may also have
While American British and French
zelle, and a few MI-25 Hines. In all of
let the allies take the lead to avoid any
officials are agreed in principal on the
Iraq, there are about 150 flights of Iraqi
suggestion that a firm stand toward
zone, Western officials said that they
fixed-wing and helicopters a day.
Baghdad was being adopted for politi-
were still discussing several technical
The creation of a no-flight zone is a
cal reasons. The British and the
issues.
major chance of policy for the Bush
French Governments are known to be
They are agreed that the zone will
Administration, which decided not to
sensitive to being seen as bowing to
cover an area below the 32d parallel.
intervene In the fighting In Iraq imme-
But the allies have been discussing
diately after the gulf war, when the
President Bush at a time when he is
fighting hard for re-election.
over how far west the zone should go.
Shiltes were appealing for American
The Americans believe that the zone
help. While the American military
should include all of the territory south
stood on the sidelines, the Shitte rebel-
The United States, Britain and
of the 32d parallel, but some allied
lion was brutally supressed by Iraqi
France have been discussing the idea
helicopters and ground forces.
of setting up a secure zone for several
officials have reportedly expressed
But in an effort to diminish Mr. Hus-
weeks, after reports that Iraq was wag-
reservations about protecting such a
sein's authority over his own country
ing a brutal offensive against the Shi-
large "area." If the zone encompassed
and to respond to recent reports of
ites. Last week, representatives of the
all of Iraq south of 32d parallel it would
stepped up attacks on the Shites, the
three nations issued pointed warnings
include approximately 54,000 square
allies "stand-off" policy has changed.
miles, an area about the size of lowa.
in the United Nations Security Council,
"Are we to stand by and see in
Administration officials said Wash-
telling Baghdad that they were consid-
southern Iraq the systematic murder
ington-was still seeking formal Saudi
of a whole people? I don't believe that
ering action to stop the Iraqi military
Arabian permission to bring in the
is acceptable," Mr. Major said today.
from attacking the Shiltes.
additional aircraft to police the zone.
"I don't believe that is what people
American officials say that they do
But one official said "things were going
would wish to see us do, when we have
in the right direction."
it in our power to stop it. We have it in
An American official said Washing-
our power to take action, and that is
Continued on Page A6, Column I
ton expected to have the arrangements
what we are seeking to do."
in place to establish the zone within
about a week.
Continued From Page Al
Additional Fighters Needed
To monitor the zone on a continuous
not need a new Security Council resolu-
basis, the United States would probably
tion authorizing the establishment of a
have to bring in additional fighter
"no fly" zone. They say that Security
planes. Neither Britain nor France has
Council Resolution 688, which prohibits
aircraft In Saudi Arabia or the gulf
the Saddam Hussein Governmente
states. They would have to be flown to
from repressing its people, provides
the area as well.
the necessary authority. That resolu-
The allies are agreed that the United
tion demands that Iraq "immediately
Nations need not be involved In the
end this repression" and calls on Bagh-
plan, since they believe their actions
dad to "ensure that the human and
political rights of all Traqi citizens are
respected."
White House News Summary Wednesday, August 19, 1992 page 150f
U.S. Says a Cambodian Ring
Created Fake P.O.W. Photos
Outside U.S. Jurisdiction
By BARBARA CROSSETTE
In five of the six cases, the officials
said, the Cambodians attached what
Special 10 The New York Times
seemed to be concocted American-
WASHINGTON, Aug. 18 - Senior
Site 2. on the Thai-Cambodian border.
sounding names to the faces in the
Defense Department officials say that
One of the pictures, showing three men
photographs. But the officials said that
they have exposed a ring of Cambodi-
purported to be Americans, was widely
the sixth photo gave them particular
ans who created and circulated at least
reproduced in the American press.
trouble because the Cambodian forg-
six fraudulent photographs intended to
Defense Department agents traced
ery ring seems to have obtained,
represent American prisoners of war
the pictures back to Phnom Penh, offi-
through fliers circulated in Southeast
still alive in Southeast Asia.
clais say, where they "closed the loop"
Asia. the pictures and names of three
"We have identified the people in-
with the help of Soviet diplomats and
Americans actually listed as missing:
volved and talked to them," said an
Cambodian researchers.
Col. John L. Robertson and Maj. Albro
official who insisted on not being identi-
The officials say that the group of
L. Lundy Jr. of the Air Force and Lieut.
fied. "We know how they extracted the
Cambodians, several of whom held
Larry James Stevens of the Navy. The
pictures and processed them and sent
Government jobs but apparently were
forgers then tried to doctor a picture of
them to a refugee camp in Thailand."
not acting in any official capacity, had
three Soviet farmers to resemble those
It has not been uncommon for Cam-
routinely scoured Soviet publications
men. the officials say.
bodian refugees In Thailand to offer
for faces that could pass as Western,
The Cambodians who are accused of
such pictures to the authorities, appar-
and then doctored those photographs.
having created Traudulent photographs
ently in an effort to improve their
Officials say that all six pictures
cannot be charged by the United States
chances of being approved for resettle-
appear to have been photographed
with criminal offenses because they
ment in the United States.
from Soviet magazines and retouched
are outside American jurisdiction. De-
Six pictures the Defense Department
in a Phnom Penh photo studio.
lense Department officials say.
says were fraudulent surfaced last
year, some in multiple copies, at a
Cambodian refugee camp known as
Fearing Attack by All Sides,
U.N. Halts Sarajevo Airlift
By STEPHEN ENGELBERG
Special to The New York Times
ZAGREB, Croatia, Aug. 18 - The
ating In Bosnia; their command and
Truck convoys have also begun to
United Nations suspended Its airlift to
control is informal at best. Even if it
negotiate passage to other besieged
the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina
were proven that one or another local
towns. Bihac, a city in western Bosnia
today, and officials voiced suspicions
commander had ordered an attack, it
with as many as 350,000 refugees, and
that the outgunned Muslim and Cro-
would not necessarily follow that the
Gorazde, a city in the east with an
atlan forces in the area might be en-
orders had come from the political
estimated 70,000 refugees, have both
gaging in attacks in an effort to pro-
leadership of the Muslims, Serbs or
benefited from truck deliveries.
voke Western military intervention.
Croats.
United Nations convoys to Gorazde,
Five days after the United Nations
Last week, the United Nations ap-
which had received no food since April,
authorized the use of force to guaran-
proved a resolution authorizing force
raised what United Nations officials
tee deliveries of food and medicine to
to assure delivery of food and medicine
say are some of the most troubling
civilians in Bosnia and Herzegovina,
to hundreds of thousands of belea-
questions about the intentions of the
airborne and overland aid efforts have
guered Bosnians in the war zone.
Bosnian Government.
been challenged by forces In a conflict
Most of the civilians under siege are
with a multitude of militias.
Muslims, and would benefit most from
Two Convoys to Gorazde
Today's Incident Involved the airlift
relief operations. At the same time,
An earlier attempt to reach Gorazde
to Sarajevo, the Bosnian capital.
however Muslim and Croatian forces
had failed when a convoy, led by a
Shortly after takeoff this morning, a
are hard-pressed by the better-
Serbian armored personnel carrier,
British C-130 transport plane reported
equipped Serbs and would benefit from
ran into a mine field and came under
what appeared to be hostile fire from
just about any Western military activi-
small-arms fire.
an antiaircraft battery.
ty, particularly If protection of relief
When the United Nations made a
-The circumstances are under Inves-
efforts drew the West into the fighting.
second effort on Saturday, United Na-
tigation. But a United Nations official
A spokesman in Zagreb for the Brit-
tions soldiers spotted what they be-
said the aiming of antiaircraft radar at
ish forces participating In the airlift
lieved to be people In Bosnian uniforms
the plane, and the planting of mines
said today that the radar detectors on a
planting a mine on the side of the road.
over the weekend along the route of a
British C-130 transport plane lit up
On the return trip, the entire road had
United Nations convoy, did not appear
shortly after takeoff from Sarajevo at
been covered with mines.
to be the work of Serbian forces.
8:57 A.M. Radar detectors show when
# According to the United Nations offi-
another radar, like that on an antiair-
cial, the British plane was 31 miles due
craft battery, has "locked on" to the
west of Sarajevo, over an area exclu-
plane.
sively controlled by Croatian forces,
Frightening Puffs of Smoke
and the mining took place in an area
According to the United Nations offi-
that is in the hands of Muslims.
cial, the pilot saw puffs of smoke from
'There is virtually no doubt that the
the ground. Fearing a missile attack,
mining was done by presidential
the pilot set off flares and released
Agrces," the official said, referring to
chaff to fool the radar, an American
the Muslim-dominated Government of
official said. The plane was not hit, and
the Bosnian President, Allja Izetbego-
officials could not confirm that the
NIC. "Today's alleged shooting. If it took
plane had been attacked.
place. came from Croatian territory."
The incidents threaten a United Na-
The United Nations official said the
tions effort to feed hundreds of thou-
conclusions about the two incidents
sands of people In Bosnia under siege
were preliminary, and he noted the
by Serbian forces. Sarajevo has re-
difficulties in assessing blame.
ceived more than 700 flights carrying
The Pentagon estimates that as
about 250,000 tons of relief supplies.
many as 19 separate militias are oper-
White House News Summary Wednesday, August 19, 1992 page 16 of 21
Don't Shoot the Iraqi Helicopters
In the latest emerging showdown with Saddam
The repression has had the tacit support of
Hussein, Washington and its allies are rashly plan-
others in the region. Turkey, which has many more
ning to shoot down any Iraqi aircraft that try to
Kurds than Iraq does, fears that their rebellion
repress rebellious Shiites in southern Iraq. Such a
would spread and has stepped up its own repression,
policy would be legally untenable and politically
even conducting air strikes against Kurdish en-
unwise.
campments in northern Iraq. Most states in the
Some forceful action by the U.S. and its allies is
Middle East, concerned that the main beneficiary of
clearly warranted if Mr. Hussein continues to flout
Iraq's breakup would be Iran, have not protested
the Persian Gulf cease-fire accord by interfering
repression of the Shiltes.
with United Nations operations. But the accord
permits Iraq to fly aircraft and sets no restrictions
"on their use. Shooting them down would put the U.S.
Now Saudi Arabia seem to have changed Its
in the position of breaking an accord it is pledged to
mind and wants to support the rebels. So do Britain
uphold.
and France. President Bush, casting for a way to
Even worse, such precipitous action could sub-
whack Iraq and boost his own political fortunes, is
vert America's prime aims in Iraq, which are to
pressing that effort on reluctant allies.
keep that country disarmed and undermine its
He wants to impose a "no fly" zone in southern
desperate dictator. The U.S. and its allies had those
Iraq. That would stretch the cease-fire accord be-
aims clearly in sight when they insisted on the U.N.
yond the breaking point. And it won't be enough to
inspectors' right to search for weapons of mass
stay the Iraqis' hand. Even if the allies barred
destruction, and threatened military action if in-
flights, Iraqi troops and tanks would remain the
spections were thwarted.
main engines of repression.
But using force to back the Shilte rebellion
Mr. Bush seeks action under U.N. Resolution
would only weaken Arab support for keeping U.N.
688, a dubious justification. The resolution con-
Inspectors and relief workers in Iraq. And the
demned Iraqi repression as a threat to international
threat to break up Iraq will only shore up Mr.
peace, demanded a cessation and called for humani-
Hussein by rallying the army to his side.
tarian aid. But it did not authorize force to stop the
There is scant enthusiasm for intervening in
Iraqis.
support of the Kurdish and Shiite rebellions. Since
President Bush would be wiser to support U.N.
the cease-fire the Iraqi Army, instead of turning on
enforcement of the cease-fire agreement without
Mr. Hussein, has backed his efforts to repress the
pushing beyond that agreement into new and dan-
rebellion and hold the country together.
gerous territory.
The Politics of Exclusion
The Republican Party platform is warmly ti-
race-baiting by those like the former Presidential
tled "The Vision Shared: Uniting Our Family, Our
candidate Patrick Buchanan and Dan Lungren, the
Country, Our World." The booklet bears a nostalgic
Attorney General of California. Mr. Buchanan, in a
photograph from the Ellis Island era: a family of
portion of his speech dealing with the Los Angeles
three looks across New York Harbor at the Statue of
riots, seemed to portray the city's blacks and His-
Liberty, with the camera at their backs.
panics as an alien force that the rest of the populace
The Republican Party on display in Houston is
would have to subdue.
far more exclusionist than these Ellis Island scenes
Mr. Lungren went further: He said that Repub-
would suggest. It's clear from the number of women
licans should stop apologizing for the Willie Horton
and blacks present that the party has made strides.
ad of 1988, rightly acknowledged as one of the worst
But on issue after issue - abortion, gay rights and
examples of race-baiting in recent politics.
race - the Republicans still have a long way to go
Rhetoric like Mr. Buchanan's and Mr. Lun-
before actions match their rhetoric.
gren's makes black Republicans feel unwelcome.
Abortion is an obvious example. While very few
Alan Keyes, former Deputy representative to the
Americans oppose abortion, the Republican plat-
U.N. and a candidate for the Senate from Maryland,
form takes the extreme position of guaranteeing
is one black who feels unwelcome. He tried for
that the rights of the fetus supersede those of the
weeks to get time at the microphone at this Conven-
woman in all circumstances.
tion-but was ignored until a news story appeared
The platform goes out of its way to bash gay
carrying his grievances.
people. It statement on this subject could be read to
it's the residue of racism," Mr. Keyes told
say that gay Americans don't deserve the guaran-
Michael Kelly of The New York Times. "It's people
tees that apply to other citizens. It opposes laws that
who when they speak of a color-blind society mean
would protect gays from discrimination. It also
that when a colored person comes into the room
opposes laws that would allow same-sex partners to
they go blind."
become parents or give foster care.
The party of Lincoln would do well to take Mr.
This convention is less lily-white than earlier
Keyes's sentiments to heart - and open its eyes to
ones. Four years ago, 90 percent of the delegates
all the citizens that make up the American family.
were white. That has dropped to 86 percent this
That might bring the party closer to the vision of
year, with 5 percent of the delegates black, 4
those moderate Republicans like former Gov.
percent Hispanic and 2 percent Asian.
Thomas Kean of New Jersey who have long called
Yet these gains have been more than offset by
for the politics of inclusion.
CLOUDY
The Washington Times
HIGH
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 19, 1992
WASHINGTON. D.C.
SUBSCRIBER SERVICE (202) 636-3333 25 cents
PHONE (202) 636 3000
CONVENTION
White House News Summary Wednesday, August 19, 1992 page 170 21
UPDATE
GOP points finger at Congress
National Convention and indine of relevision
By Mapr Gamer
" They alone with their 101-
viewers
**** - -
Mr. Gramm. h former er professor
HOUSTON Republicans warned vesier
member majority are responsible for
at Texas A&M University will *acly lead the
Republican charge against MI linion's eco
dav that Congress will team up with Democrat
nomic proposals Republican N.IV those plans
Bill Clinton tn block President Bush: economic
the unholy mess Congress is in -
will result in the largest tax in rease in Amer
President Bush lunched at a
agends and impose new taxes. TIME TER
ICAN history and cust almost : estimate jobs:
barbecue restaurant. dropped in on
ulations. and a costiv and compulsory health
& karate exhibition at a school anti
care system
and they ought to be held ac-
The Clinion campaign count... that 115 curn
bination of tax increases for wealthy, tax
drug program and worked on his
The resulting "change." they said, would be
a deeper recession than the nation has endured
countable for it. "
breaks for the middle class .... unspecified
speech. "I want " 10 be good." the
government spending cuts world create jobs
said
in Mr. Bush's first term They said only is Re.
- House Minority Leader Robert Michel
and bring down the deficit
- Derbare Bush made the con
publican Congress could repair the damage
The two Republicans' effort. VISI night were
vention rounds and visited the
wrought by decades of Democratic ob
part of a united GOP theme 11. exindle voter
American Spirit Pavilion 10 check
struction on Capitol Hill.
Delivering his party's keynore address.
America would be a safer. more prosperous
antagonism against Congres possibly the
out Republican souvents booths
under the hnod. VOU discover he is hawking a
only public institution held 11 knower esteem
Asked about her text for her speech
Texas Sen Phil Gramm likened Mr Clinine to
model from the 705 R arter mobile with the
and less troubled nation if ongress would stop
sonight. she said. "It" terrible."
blocking Mr. Bush's programs
these days than the Bush administration.
"a used CBT salesman pedding his venicle for
axie broken and the Traine bent 10 the left. "
change
:
" IS a tamiliar argument. but those two ke
"What nerve they have. the Democrats
Vice President Dan Quayle
was a lemon for the nation in the 70s and
"The wax job was shiny. the hubcaps spar
IS still temon today
publicans. positioning themselves for a run at
Mr. Kemp said AS the unemi invent lines
said in CNN interview: "I had #
bad compaign in 1986 personally
kled. the uphoistery WAS spotless. the paint was
Mr Gramm and Jack Kemp. secretary of
the White House m 1990 tried to g it a new
and am not sming to repeat the
new," Mr Gramm said "But when VDD look
housing and urban development. argued that
look before delegates at the 35th Republican
see GOP. page A10
same mistakes You are going to
see new Dan Quavie"
TODAY
Barbers Bush
Lynn Martin. secretary of la.
her
William Bennett, former edu-
cation secretary
Complete schedule of Page AS
Relevision coverage
PEB: 8-11 p.m.
C-SPAN: 11 a.m 11 p.m
CES: 10 11 pm
NBC: 10.11 m
ABC: 10 pm
CMN: 11 am R 11 p.n.
NOTABLE
Roger Allos. the attack ad
guru. said he will be giving the
Bush campaign advice informally.
Big tent
Former White House side Mitch
Dantain will hold a formal role ad-
vising campaign advertisers
lock Kemp. secretary of the
fills up
Department of Clousing and Urhan
Development Ind an Associated
Press SHIPPY got detegates m their
for
on right
Conservatives
television are in Heaster and Wush.
mature that DATE .... wx 1114 reases
returning to fold
and phlessness Juring the hush
stewardship
Ev JOVCE Price
QUOTABLE
- WISHINGTON -
Two days into the Republican No
"At the New York convention.
(inal Convention. many conserva
Chaston was LIKE . used car sales-
lives who previously were lukeworm
man pedding his vehicle for
or even hostile to President Bush's
1992 re election compaign were re
change But when vou **** un
der the hond, you discover he 15
turrung to the Bush-Quaryle fold
hawking a model from the 70s a
Buoyed by endorsements from
Carter-mobile with the axic broken
former GOP challenger Patrick Bu
and the frame bent 10 the left
chanan and other conservative lead
- Texas Sen Phil Gramm
ers. the Bush campaign headed 10 a
certain nomination tonight in Hous
White House News Summary Wednesday, August 19, 1992 page 2
"We don believe in all Amer
ton with a renewed passel of sup
ICE that pursues equality by make
porters.
ing rich people poor. but by allow-
"This campaign is about philos
me pnor people
for become rich."
ophy and it IS about character, and
Jack Kemp secretary
George Bush wins un both counts-
of housing and urhan development
going away." Mr Buchanan said "It
"Las we turn nur lives over to a
15 time all of us came name and stownd
smooth-talkin shoklooker dandy
beside him"
with no experience (or do we put
The Manchesier Union Leader in
our trust 1" President Bust
Barbara Franklin
secretary of commerce
President Bush and markel-arts actor Chuck Nome watch a karate exhibition during an ants-orug program at a Houston school yesterday
see RIGHT. page A 10
get . kick
THE OTHER GUYS
Medicaid funds shortfall may embarrass Clinton
- Curton In Atlanta for
anappearance today with normer
President Jummy Curter
without reserving to at election-year tax in
ture meets in January to consider A new bud
throughout the state of Arkansas
Bv Michael Hedges
get
But the day of reckoning cannot be for off,
Sen AI Gore - Also in Atlanta
crease
1Hd - TMES
Rich Howell. deputy director of the Arkan
officials said. By the end of this week, Mr Clin.
for
Habita' for Humanity event
Also vesterday: U.S District Judge Susan
sas Department of Human Services. said Mr
ton IS expected to announce deep cuts 5 state
Bill Clinion is headed for a potentially em
Webner Wright temporarily stopped the state
Clinion and 1.1 Gov Jim Guy lucker met yes.
Medicaid services.
barrassing shownken with Arkansas medical
from imposing Medicaid CUIS after the Arkan-
terday will other state efficials to discuss the
Even those cuts will only be a temporary 11x,
INSIDE
professionals and the states lack of
sas Medical Society sued, claiming the pro
budget crisis.
experts and By early next year. Arkansas will
funding for Medicaid programs and proposed
posed changes would lead to " massive 1098 11.
"We discussed uphons on how cuts in ser
be facing a major tax inclease according to
cuts 111 services
services for the state Twent
VIC Cs should be made: he and "There was THE
both Democrats and Republicans
The Arkansas governor and Democratic
Arkensas officials are projecting a $22 mil-
discussion of a tax increase
"They will have to raise La 111 clean that
Party presidential nominee unterrupted his
Asked which options were considered. Mr
mess." said state GOP Chairman Sheffield Nel
campaign this week to huddle with state of
lion shortfall in funds allocated for Medicaid
ficials in Little Rock who ore trying ID manage
payments in the state The officials are looking
Howell said he was "not ready 10 release op
sec CLINTON page A10
ballooning deficit in state medical finding
for ways to close the MMP until the state legisla
DOUS ver because "That would cause panic
Fairfax schools to use
Ailing back sounds
Vice President Dan Quarie
leaps a: second chance Page A4
. Barbara Bush presents the
nonteachers as subs
final buzzer for legend
kinder. geniler image Page 152
one outworked him Opponents
Siories Pages A4. Ao M. 111 2
maken and were going to do our
Bv Inm Knott
might have been able 10 out-pump
by Matta Koktanan
not - insued
next
or outrun or out-muscle him. But
- IMMES
INDEX
The School Board on May 2M voted
LATTY Bird amounted his re.
no one could a him. And no
Hundreds of Foirts County
53, with two members out of the
tirement from basketball yester.
one could out-hustle him. He could
school employees with no teaching
room and one absent, 10 save
day in the no-frills. no-ponsense
rebound, pass and score. and for
Wedne August
experience will be substitute teach
$200,000 in the substitute teacher
manner be favored as a player
years he played the nastical one-
volume 11 Horrises 23.
ers this rail as a result 01 a School
budget by sending all qualified ad.
At & poon DEWS conference to
man zone defense in the NBA
5 Sections Pace's
Board vote three months ago. as
ministrators to the classroom for 10
Boston. where be played for the
Hampered by an alling back. for
Amer Sce A3
Medical
01
12
cording to school officials
days That includes Mr Spillane and
Cellics for the past 13 years, be
which he underwent surgery after
Classified 07.10
Movier B4
"Wr TC going to have carpenters
more than 300 employees who were
said his career as a player in the
the 1991 season, Bird could not
Comes CID
name A39
and plumbers who will be subsis.
DUE teachers.
NBA was over
undo all theyears of damage mus.
Commentary 1-4
Obtaine
B8
tuics." said Superintendent Robert
But about 200 administ rature who
He was . blue-collar superstar
tained from diving after loose
Edword F,
Sine
01-6
R Spillane
haven teaching experience are also
who embodied the essence of bas
Food E1-4
34 AJ
included because anyme with two
see BIRD, page A10
"There are people 10' MIS man
ketball.
-
H6
agenement information systems that
year of college 15 qualified to serve
He was the first to show up at
Local Patr
11"
No
B3
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45 at substrtute under county school
Larry Bird
practice and the last to leave No
Related stories on 111. D3.
Longues PB
twol hur substituteunder normal
Media B' 6
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White House News Summary Wednesday, August 19, 1992 page 190121
Fight
training
for Bush
Boasts of tactic
to curb Congress
By Frank J. Murray
THE WASHINGTON TIMES
HOUSTON - George Bush
played Karate Kid yesterday - hon-
Even in low-profile mode, the
orary black belt. no less - as he
president kept busy:
Giving interviews to six televi-
spent the day confidently honing
sion stations from around the coun-
weapons for the coming battle with
Bill Clinton.
try as well as the MacNeil-Lehrer
show.
A particularly vicious flying side-
kick wielded by a yellow-belt stu-
Reworking yet again tomorrow's
dent intrigued the president. He
acceptance speech. on which one of-
playfully flashed an "A-OK" sign
ficial said six persons are laboring
with thumb and forefinger when
full-time under the guidance of chief
asked if he will use it on Mr. Clinton.
speechwriter Steve Provost, who is
But there was no joking as he
credited with Monday's stemwinder.
talked with awe about the "great
Keeping tabs on the crisis build-
start" he got from Monday's smash-
ing in Iraq.
ing grand entrance to the conven-
Mr. Bush learned there is such a
tion.
thing as a free lunch at his beloved
"You get here and you feel some-
Otto's Barbecue, $6.82 worth of bris-
thing happening, you feel something
ket, sausage, slaw and iced tea. Cash-
positive." Mr. Bush told children in
ier Lydia Moreno said "No, no,
an anti-drug martial arts program
NOPE" as she wrestled to tuck his
run by former karate world champ
$50 bill back into his shirt pocket.
Chuck Norris.
Last night he and Barbara Bush
He even felt brave enough to
went to the 1900-vintage Fine Arts
threaten a new tactic to keep Con-
Museum for a closed-door, private,
gress in line and to promise "a lot of
absolutely no coverage party with
changes in people" in a second term.
300 of their closest Houston friends
including much of his Cabinet.
- a real break with real friends who
"I wouldn't say every single per-
had invites to die for in a town where
son," Mr. Bush said in an interview
$1,000 got you cold dinner in the
with Jim Lehrer of PBS' "MacNeil-
back row.
Lehrer NewsHour."
He said he would adopt Congress-
taming tactics of Democratic prede-
cessors Franklin Roosevelt and
Lyndon Johnson and "expose indi-
vidual members" who say one thing
at home and vote differently.
"You know, it is a different ap-
proach, but I've got to try something
different because I want to move this
country forward. And we've done it
in world affairs," he said.
Asked if the public would see a
fundamentally different second-
term administration, the president
replied: "I hope they're going to see
a major commitment to making
things better at home
I know I've
tried very hard, but I've got to get
that more clarified and part of that
is getting getting control of
the
Congress."
Mr. Bush looked confident yester-
day: He popped his double thumbs-
up sign at anybody who smiled and
couldn't resist getting out of his ho-
tel to create two colossal traffic
jams.
White House News Summary Wednesday, August 19, 1992 page 2001
GOP points finger
at Congress
By Major Garrett
lengthen to 11 million. they
James Watkins and Mr. Kemp.
THE WASHINGTON TIMES
stonewall our pleas for action and
The president promised "a lot of
then blame our president and our
HOUSTON Republicans warned yester-
changes in people" in an interview
party for the economic decline."
day that Congress will team up with Democrat
on PBS' "McNeil-Lehrer News-
Mr. Gramm also sought to remind
Bill Clinton to block President Bush's economic
Hour," In one. of seven television in-
voters of the secondary role con-
agenda and impose new taxes, more reg-
terviews the president granted.
gressional leaders played at the
ulations, and a costly and compulsory health
Asked If he would sweep out all
Democratic convention in New York.
care system.
Cabinet members, Mr. Bush said: "I
The resulting "change," they said, would be
"[House] Speaker Tom Foley and
wouldn't say every single person."
a deeper recession than the nation has endured
[Senate] Majority Leader George
Mr. Watkins and Dr. Louis Sulli-
Mitchell were so lar back in the
in Mr. Bush's first term. They said only a Re-
van, health and human services
publican Congress could repair the damage
crowd you had to press you nose
secretary, heartily endorsed the
wrought by decades of Democratic ob-
right up to the TV screen and use a
president in convention speeches
struction on Capitol Hill.
magnifying glass to spot them." Mr.
yesterday evening. The fate of Dr.
Gramm said.
Delivering his party's keynote address.
Sullivan and Labor Secretary Lynn
"It is clear Governor Clinton
Texas Sen. Phil Gramm likened Mr. Clinton to
Martin, who will place the presi-
wants people to forget that Demo-
"a used-car salesman peddling his vehicle for
dent's name In nomination tonight.
crats run Congress so he can blame
change."
was unknown.
every problem on George Bush."
"The wax job was shiny, the hubcaps spar-
Meanwhile, both presidential
kled, the upholstery was spotless. the paint was
Voter hostility toward Congress
campaigns announced new televi-
has ebbed in recent months, and the
new," Mr. Gramm said. "But when you look
sion ads.
momentum for change has been fo-
The Democrats released a mea-
under the hood. you discover he is hawking a
cused largely on the White House. 1b
ger $50,000 media buy in Houston
inodel from the '70s: a Carter-mobile with the
change that, Republicans appeared
and Washington featuring a 15-
axle broken and the frame bent to the left. It
willing on the second night of their
second spot challenging GOP
was a lemon for the nation in the '70s
and
it
convention to sacrifice their own in-
charges that Mr. Clinton repeatedly
is still a lemon today."
cumbents to save the president.
has raised taxes as governor of Ar-
Mr. Gramm and Jack Kemp, secretary of
"Given a chance to present a vi-
kansas.
housing and urban development, argued that
sion for the future, Gramm trans-
Republicans countered with three
America would be a safer, more prosperous
formed the Houston Astrodome into
spots depicting Democrats in Con-
and less troubled nation if Congress would stop
the Republican Hall of Blame." said
gress variously as pigs gorging at
blocking Mr. Bush's programs.
a statement issued by Clinton com-
the public trough and obstruction-
It is a familiar argument, but those two Re-
munications director George Steph-
ists bent on grounding the U.S. econ-
publicans, positioning themselves for a run at
anopoulos. "He offered a colossal
omy. The GOP said it might spend as
the White House in 1996, tried to give it a new
alibi: 'Don't blame us. We were only
much as $4 million if it used the spot
look before delegates at the 35th Republican
in charge.'
in a national campaign.
National Convention and millions of television
While the president's surrogates
The Republican finger pointing
viewers.
were pointing to changes this No.
on the economy contrasted sharply
Mr. Gramm, a former economics professor
vember, reports surfaced that Mr.
with its exclusive claim to winning
at Texas A&M University, will likely lead the
Bush was considering a massive
the Cold War. While Democrats who
Republican charge against Mr. Clinton's eco-
staff shake-up should he win re-
would not yield to Mr. Bush's eco-
election.
nomic proposals. Republicans say those plans
nomic proposals were responsible
will result in the largest tax increase in Amer-
Although nothing was announced,
for the recession, the argument
rumors underscored the idea that a
ican history and cost almost 2 million jobs.
went. Democratic votes for the de-
second Bush term would bring a new
The Clinton campaign counters that its com-
lense buildup in the 1980s was un-
brand of domestic policy.
bination of tax increases for the wealthy, tax
worthy of recognition.
CNN reported that the president
breaks for the middle class and unspecified
"America stands today in triumph
would dismiss Treasury Secretary
government spending cuts would create jobs
with economic and military power
Nicholas Brady, Budget Director
and bring down the deficit.
unrivaled in the history of the
Richard Darman, Interior Secretary
The two Republicans' efforts last night were
world." Mr. Gramm said. "None of
Manuel Lujan, Energy Secretary
part of a unified GOP theme to rekindle voter
these changes happened by acci-
antagonism against Congress, possibly the
dent. Two men more than any other
only public institution held in lower esteem
people on the planet have been the
these days than the Bush administration.
catalyst for these changes. and their
"What nerve they have, these Democrats,"
names are Ronald Reagan and
George Bush."
Mr. Kemp said. "As the unemployment lines
see GOP, page A10
White House News Summary Wednesday, August 19, 1992 page 21 of 21
Big tent
either conservative or libertarian
will support Bush when it comes
down to it but without the kind of
enthusiasm they demonstrated for
New Hampshire. a conservative
Ronald Reagan."
fills up
daily newspaper that previously
William Bennett. Mr. Bush's for-
urged Mr. Bush to step aside so Re-
mer drug policy czar who turned
publicans could nominate a more
down an offer to be co-chairman of
winnable ticket. urges its readers to
the president's re-election cam-
on right
support the president in an editorial
paign, will nominate Mr. Quayle for
in today's editions.
vice president, said Peter Wehner, a
"It is time for conservatives to
research fellow and aide to Mr. Ben-
play the hand they've been dealt
nett at the conservative Hudson In-
Conservatives
stitute.
to unite and rally behind the pres-
ident for the common good," the
Mr. Wehner described Mr. Ben-
returning to fold
newspaper said.
nett as A "loving critic" of the presi-
The National Center for Public
dent who has concerns that Mr. Bush
Policy Research. a conservative ac-
has not "laid out clearly what he
tion group whose chairman, Burton
wants to do in his second term." Nev-
By Joyce Price
Yale Pines, recommended alterna-
ertheless, he said, Mr. Bennett con-
THE WASHINGTON TIMES
tives to the Bush-Quayle ticket, now
siders Mr. Bush "eminently prefer-
is in the Bush camp.
able" to Mr. Clinton.
Two days into the Republican Na-
"From a conservative standpoint.
Another Bush critic, L. Brent
tional Convention. many conserva-
tives who previously were lukewarm
IMr. Bush) is still not perfect." said
Bozell, executive director of the
the group's president. Amy Moritz.
Conservative Victory Committee,
or even hostile to President Bush's
1992 re-election campaign were re-
"But we realize it's either Bill Clin-
said yesterday that he, too, he would
ton or George Bush. and in such a
endorse the president's re-election
turning to the Bush-Quayle fold.
bid.
Buoyed by endorsements from
contest there's no question" Mr.
former GOP challenger Patrick Bu-
Bush should be the choice.
"Last night, the [convention] rhet-
chanan and other conservative lead-
Ms. Moritz said her group made
oric was excellent." Mr. Bozell said
its decision to back Mr. Bush in the
in a telephone interview from Hous-
ers, the Bush campaign headed 10 a
past few days. "The concern we had
ton. "It emphasized why conserva-
certain nomination tonight in Hous-
was that he did not seem to be taking
tives should bite the bullet and vote
ton with a renewed passel of sup-
porters.
the challenge of his re-election seri-
for George Bush."
"This campaign is about philos-
ously. but he now seems to be infused
But he said he doesn't know
ophy and it is about character. and
with a new spirit that we hope" re-
whether the rhetoric is "enough to
George Bush wins on both counts
mains in effect "not only throughout
sway a population of disheartened
going away." Mr. Buchanan said. "It
the campaign, but the next four
Middle Americans" to vote for Mr.
Bush in November.
is time all of us came home and stood
years." she said.
In his convention speech Monday
Paul Weyrich, chairman of the
beside him."
conservative Coalitions for Amer-
The Manchester Union Leader in
night. Mr. Buchanan. the columnist
and commentator who ran an unsuc-
ica. said yesterday he's "not against"
cessful primary challenge against
the president but "won't be doing
see RIGHT. page A10
Mr. Bush. urged other disenchanted
any work" for his re-election.
conservatives to join him in support-
"The [anti-Bush] feeling (among
ing the president.
conservatives] is SQ strong, there's
"I do believe. deep in my heart.
little 1 can do to help," he said. "They
that the right place for us to be now
feel the White House hasn't led dur-
in this presidential campaign is
ing a period of difficulty in this coun-
try."
right beside George Bush," he said.
"This party is our home. this party
He said that is why "they were
is where we belong. And don't let
willing to jump to Ross Perot." even
anyone tell you any different."
though they disagreed with Mr.
Edwin J. Feulner Jr., president of
Perot's positions on some key issues.
the Heritage Foundation. a conser-
"I certainly don't want Bill Clinton
vative think tank. said Mr. Bush's en-
to win." Mr. Weyrich said. But he pre-
dorsement Monday night by former
dicted Mr. Clinton will "have to self-
President Reagan "whom most of
destruct" for Mr. Bush to be victori-
ous.
us view as an idol and a hero"
made it possible for "conservatives
Richard Viguerie, a conservative
to swallow some of their disappoint-
who heads United Seniors Associ-
ment" and see that "there really is a
ation, a senior citizens group, said:
difference and a choice."
"I'd love to be very supportive of this
The American Conservative
president. 1 understand the danger
Union. a 100,000-member organi-
of a first Clinton term. I'd love to do
zation whose board endorsed Mr.
what Pat (Buchanan) and President
Buchanan for president by a vote of
Reagan did" when they endorsed Mr.
Bush.
16 2 in February, now expects to en-
dorse Mr. Bush.
But Mr. Viguerie, who earlier this
"We endorsed Pat Buchanan, and
year called for Mr. Bush to abandon
now that Pat Buchanan has endorsed
his re-election bid, said he's not
George Bush, I don't see why we
ready to do that and won't be until
shouldn't close ranks and support
the president "tells [the American
Bush and Quayle." said Bob Billings,
public what he's going to do differ-
executive director of the organi-
ently in his second term."
zation, the nation's oldest conserva-
Others not ready to climb into the
tive lobbying group.
Bush camp include the Orange
Nobel Prize-winning economist
County Register in Santa Ana. Calif.,
Milton Friedman. who described the
and Howard Phillips, chairman of
Bush presidency as being "very
the Conservative Caucus Founda-
close to a disaster" in a recent article
tion, who is on the ballot in 25 states
in Forbes magazine, nevertheless
as a presidential candidate for the
views the president as the lesser of
U.S. Taxpayers Party.
two evils.
Mr. Phillips said he wasn't moved
"The policies the past four years
have been bad," Mr. Friedman said in
by Mr. Buchanan's plea Monday
night. "I liked what Pat Buchanan
a telephone interview yesterday
"But Clinton frightens me even more
said about Bill Clinton last night and
than Bush. And. on the whole, I ex-
what he said about George Bush in
February," Mr. Phillips said yester-
pect the great bulk of people who are
day.
WEDNESDAY. AUGUST 19. 1992
Дов Angeles Times
REPUBLICAN CONVENTION
The Issues, A to Z
George Bush
Where He Stands
A commitment to traditional values
and a limited role for government
At the core of his plan
ECÓNOMIC POLICY
Bush says the key to economic prosperity is limiting the size and scope of
government, although federal spending, government regulation and the deficit
have all increased during his Administration. America is the most prosperous
¡ELES TIMES/WASHINGTON EDITION
nation in history because it is also the freest," he says. "And that same commit-
ment to limited government
must shape the reforms that we urgently need
to undertake.
SOCIAL POLICY
Bush has built his social policies around two pillars: supporting traditional
"family values" and reforming government programs to increase choice for
families in such areas as health, education and child care. "I trust parents, not
the government, to make the decisions that matter in life," he says.
FOREIGN POLICY
Bush argues that with the end of the Cold War, the greatest threat to world
peace is regional instability that the United States must seek to minimize in
what he has termed "the new world order.' He says: "The Cold War's end didn't
deliver us into an era of perpetual peace.
The quest for the new world order
is, in part, a challenge to keep the dangers of disorder at bay.
WEDNESDAY. AUGUST 19. 1992
Los Augeles Times
ABORTION
Supports a constitutional amendment to ban abor-
tion except in cases of rape. incest or where the life
of the mother is threatened:
Seeks to overturn Roe VS. Wade. the Supreme
Court decision guaranteeing the right to abortion;
Opposes public funding of abortion except in cases
where the life of the mother is endangered;
middle-income parents who want to send their
Says he has not imposed an anti-abortion litmus
children to private schools:
test on Supreme Court appointees; in a recent rul-
Has promoted the establishment of a private non-
ing. one of his two appointees. Clarence Thomas.
profit corporation to encourage the development
voted to overturn Roe VS. Wade. the other. David
of innovative "model" schools in each congres-
H. Souter. voted to uphold it;
sional distric: around the nation. and has urged
Issued rules that severely limit the ability of medi-
Congress to provide $535 million over three years
cal personnel in federally funded family planning
to help communities develop such schools;
clinics to discuss abortion with patients;
Proposed allowing students to borrow up to
Supports a ban on medical research using tissue
$25,000 for their college education and then repay
from aborted fetuses and has used his veto to
the debt as a share of their income over time;
block legislation overturning the ban;
Would allow families to deduct the interest they
Supports state laws requiring minors to receive
pay on student loans;
consent from their parents before receiving an
Proposed national standards for educational per-
abortion.
formance and a voluntary nationwide examination
system to test student competence in seven sub-
AIDS
jects;
Substantially increased funding for Head Start
Increased federal funding on AIDS-related activi-
program. although Democrats complain funding
ties to $2.5 billion from about $1.1 billion;
remains insufficient to allow all eligible under-
Has been criticized by members of the National
privileged children to participate.
Commission on AIDS for not moving more aggres-
sively to implement wide-ranging recommenda-
ENVIRONMENT
tions it issued last September, such as launching a
comprehensive AIDS prevention program.
Signed extension of Clean Air Act. which Reagan
had blocked. but critics say that under pressure
CHILD CARE
from business interests, he has weakened or
delayed regulations implementing the law;
Signed legislation providing $18 billion in tax
Offered national energy strategy in 1991 that
credits to help lower- and middle-income families
stressed efforts to increase domestic production,
pay for child care.
including opening the Arctic National Wildlife
CIVIL RIGHTS
Refuge to oil drilling, streamlining licensing to
increase construction of nuclear power plants and
After vetoing earlier version of the legislation,
relaxing regulations on electric utilities;
signed civil rights bill in 1991 that partially over-
Barred drilling for oil off the coast of New
turned several Supreme Court decisions restrict-
England, southern Florida and most of California
ing affirmative action:
for 10 years;
Backed aggressive enforcement of Voting Rights
Opposes legislation to require domestic auto man-
Act by Justice Department. which has led to a vir-
ufacturers to increase their average fuel efficiency
tual doubling of the number of congressional dis-
from current 27.5 miles per gallon to 40 miles per
tricts in which blacks and Latinos are favored for
gallon by 2001:
election:
Ordered an accelerated phaseout of U.S. produc-
Supported and signed landmark law prohibiting
tion of the chemicals linked to the depletion of the
discrimination against Americans with physical or
Earth's ozone layer:
mental disabilities.
Opposed proposals at recent Earth Summit in
Brazil to require industrialized nations to set bind-
CRIME
ing targets for reductions in emission of carbon
dioxide. the gas suspected of causing global warm-
Repeatedly-and without success-proposed leg-
ing: also refused to sign treaty aimed at protecting
islation applying the death penalty to additional
wildlife habitats, saying certain provisions threat-
federal crimes, limiting appeals by prisoners on
ened patents of U.S. biotechnology companies;
Death Row and easing restrictions on the intro-
Has permitted logging in some old-growth Oregon
duction of evidence gathered by law enforcement
forests considered vital habitat for the endangered
officials:
northern spotted owl and proposed rules to make
Opposes Brady bill to require a waiting period for
it more difficult for environmentalists to challenge
the purchase of handguns. but would increase
timber sales, mining and oil exploration on public
penalties for crimes committed with a firearm;
lands.
Banned imports of certain semiautomatic assault
weapons in 1989. but opposes ban on producing
FOREIGN POLICY
such weapons domestically or on sales of such
guns:
Led worldwide coalition of nations that through
Substantially increased funding for federal agen-
military means ended the Iraqi occupation of
cies involved in combatting crime, such as the FBI
Kuwait;
and the Drug Enforcement Administration;
Has been criticized for U.S. policies that aided
Expanded use of military in efforts to interdict
Iraqi ruler Saddam Hussein in the years leading up
drugs. and has nearly doubled spending on federal
to the invasion and for ending the war before
anti-drug efforts, such as treatment and educa-
Hussein was deposed;
tion.
Negotiated agreement with Russia to cut both
nations' nuclear arsenals by two-thirds over the
DEFICIT
next 11 years and eliminate all land-based missiles
with multiple warheads; earlier signed agreement
Has never submitted a balanced budget to
binding all members of NATO and the former
Congress; has increased federal domestic spending
Warsaw Pact to limit conventional forces and
by 7.3% annually. compared with 1% annually
arms in Europe:
under President Ronald Reagan;
Convened unprecedented Middle East peace talks
In latest budget, proposes to reduce deficit from an
between Israel and Arab neighbors; recently
estimated $330 billion in 1992 to $182 billion by
agreement to pre de U.S. loan guaran-
1997 through freezes on domestic discretionary
tees to Israel for resettling Russian emigres after
spending and domestic federal employment. elimi-
new Israeli government agreed to curtail settle-
nation of 246 assorted federal programs. a spend-
ments in occupied territories:
ing cap on all federal entitlements (except Social
Security) and limiting their annual growth by a
formula that takes into account inflation and the
increase in eligible participants, reducing some
federal subsidies to upper-income Americans,
such as affluent farmers. Also calls for additional
defense cuts of $50 billion over next five years.
which would include cancellation of B-2 bomber
after production of 20 planes and a 21% reduction
in active military personnel. Critics say the
defense cuts are too small, given the end of the
Cold War, and that the overall cap on entitlement
spending leaves open the question of how to actu-
ally constrain such rapidly growing programs as
Medicare and Medicaid.
EDUCATION
Supports both public-school choice and federal
(through vouchers) for lower- and
Dub Angeles Times
Increased federal spending in some areas of civil-
Has supported substantial aid to the independent
ian research and development, including such
countries that emerged following the breakup of
large-scale projects as the proposed space station.
the Soviet Union;
Has rejected calls for broad U.S. military interven-
INFRASTRUCTURE
tion in the war between Serbia and its neighbors
in the former boundaries of Yugoslavia. but has
Signed measure in 1991 to spend $151 billion over
supported American participation in U.N. efforts
next six years on highway and mass transit pro-
to deliver food and medical supplies by force if
grams, after offering initial proposal to spend less
and focus the dollars more heavily on highways
necessary:
Has supported keeping most-favored-nation trade
than public transportation.
status for China and vetoed legislation to require
JOB TRAINING
China to undertake reforms in the wake of the
Tian An Men Square massacre.
Proposed ending program that provides job train-
ing to workers displaced by foreign trade;
GAY RIGHTS
Proposed centralizing job training programs to
Supports current ban on homosexuals serving in
create "one-stop shopping" skill centers;
military;
Proposed legislation to encourage development of
Signed legislation ordering a federal study of hate
apprenticeship programs for non-college-bound
crimes including attacks on homosexuals-the
youths.
first time a federal law extended civil rights
LABOR POLICY
specifically on the basis of "sexual orientation."
Opposes legislation to prohibit companies from
GOVERNMENT REFORM
hiring permanent replacement workers during
Proposed campaign finance reform legislation to
strikes;
ban political action committees. restrict congres-
Signed an increase in the minimum wage from
sional free-mailing privileges, bar members of
$3.35 to $4.25 in 1989 after vetoing proposed
Congress from rolling over money from one elec-
increase to $4.55;
tion to the next and require greater disclosure of
Vetoed legislation requiring many businesses to
unregulated "soft money" receipts collected by
grant unpaid leaves to workers for the birth of a
the national parties, but vetoed broader legislation
child or a family illness, saying such issues should
establishing spending limits for congressional
be resolved by labor-management bargaining.
elections;
Vetoed "motor voter" legislation to allow citizens
SOCIAL SECURITY, MEDICARE
to register to vote when obtaining driver's licenses
Has exempted Social Security from his proposed
or at social service agencies;
cap on entitlement spending: proposes increasing
Supports the presidential line-item veto and a bal-
fees for Medicare recipients earning more than
anced budget amendment;
$100,000 annually.
Supports 12-year term limits for members of
Congress:
TAX POLICY
Signed ethics legislation that imposes new restric-
tions on lobbying by former government and con-
Signed a five-year $146.3-billion tax increase as
gressional officials and limits honorariums for
part of 1990 budget deal, abandoning his "read my
members of Congress;
lips, no new taxes" pledge of the 1988 campaign:
Has proposed far-reaching reforms in legal sys-
Supports broad-based cut in capital gains taxes,
tem. arguing that excessive litigation has dimin-
with reduction from current 28% to 15.4% for
ished U.S. competitiveness; reforms include cap-
assets held for three years or more;
ping punitive damages imposed in lawsuits, shift-
Would establish temporary credit for first-time
ing authority for setting such awards from juries
home buyers, equal to 10% of purchase price or
$5,000, whichever is less;
olution. to judges and encouraging alternative dispute res-
Would restore partial tax-exempt status to indi-
vidual retirement accounts and would allow with-
HEALTH CARE
drawals from those funds without penalty for
first-time home buyers as well as for medical and
Seeks market-driven reforms in health system
educational expenses;
rather than greater government intervention.
Supports $500 increase in current $2,300 personal
Along those lines, has proposed new tax benefits
exemption for children under 19;
to help uninsured Americans buy health insur-
Would make permanent the research and devel-
ance, but has not yet produced legislation to
opment tax credit and restore certain tax breaks
implement the plan. Has proposed legislation to.
for real estate developers eliminated in 1986 tax
allow self-employed individuals to deduct all of
reform act:
their health care costs, to encourage states to limit
Vetoed tax bill this spring containing many of
damages patients could receive in malpractice
these provisions, as well as a $42.4-billion middle-
suits and to reform the insurance market (such as
class tax cut, because it increased taxes on upper-
preventing insurance companies from denying
income families by $64 billion.
coverage based on pre-existing conditions). Has
staunchly opposed congressional calls for national
TRADE
health insurance plan run by the government and
the Democratic presidential ticket's proposal to
Has negotiated an agreement to link the United
require all employers to either provide insurance
States, Canada and Mexico in a North American
or buy into a new federal insurance program, say-
free trade zone, which would create the world's
ing his alternative would offer greater choice and
largest common market;
less bureaucracy.
Has discussed follow-up efforts to create a free
trade zone extending through all of South
INDUSTRIAL POLICY
America:
Has opposed congressional efforts to impose quo-
Generally opposes Democratic calls for govern-
tas on Japanese automobile imports, but has con-
ment to increase partnerships with industry as
ducted broad negotiations on opening Japanese
misguided efforts to pick "winners and losers" in
market to merican products. such 00 paper, glass
the private sector;
and computers, and reached trade agreements
that require Japan to buy slightly more U.S. auto-
mobiles and auto parts.
URBAN DEVELOPMENT
Would attract investment to inner cities by creat-
ing urban enterprise zones;
Would attempt to increase home ownership
through $1 billion in grants to help public housing
tenants purchase their units and by allowing low-
income families to use federal housing vouchers
for mortgage payments as well as rent.
WELFARE REFORM
Has encouraged states to experiment with reforms
that attempt to change the behavior of welfare
recipients, such as cutting off benefits for recipi-
ents whose children do not attend school regularly
or denying additional benefits to women who have
children while on relief;
Has
urged
Congrass
WEDNESDAY. AUGUST 19. 1992
Dos Angeles Times
Bush's Agenda
Continued from A1
Daniel J. Mitchell. an economic
commitment to limited govern-
analysis by the libertarian Cato
analyst at the conservative Heri-
ment must shape the reforms
Institute.
for Change Hit
tage Foundation. "There's abso-
that we must urgently need to
Moreover, says Stephen Moore,
lutely no evidence he wants to be
undertake.'
the institute's director of fiscal
President for any other reason
In social policy. Bush constructs
policy studies, Bush has never
than that."
his agenda around two pillars:
veloed a bill on the grounds that it
by Left, Right
Mitchell is harsher than most of
promoting family values and in-
spent too much money. "In almost
the President's critics-but only by
creasing "choice" and "empower-
every domestic area, he has either
degree. Even some senior Bush
ment."
allowed or insisted upon an explo-
Administration officials acknowl-
Family values is a new label for
sion in domestic spending." Moore
By RONALD BROWNSTEIN
edge that his first term has been
the traditional agenda of the social
charges.
TIMES POLITICAL WRITER
marked by puzzling periods of
conservatives and religious funda-
Likewise, while praising his ne-
inaction and a series of shifting
mentalists who have become an
gotiation of a free trade zone
HOUSTON-Anyone who tries
signals on central questions.
increasingly important faction in
linking the United States with
to keep up with George Bush
Bush promised not to raise taxes.
the GOP: banning abortion. restor-
Mexico and Canada, conservatives
then did. He broke a decade-long
stalemate and signed a historic
ing school prayer and resisting any
say Bush has devalued his pro-de-
during a round of golf is confronted
extension of the Clean Air Act.
expansion of gay rights.
mocracy rhetoric by pursuing close
with a man constantly in motion.
then allowed aides to delay and
The focus on choice and empow-
relations with China despite the
Anyone tracking the twists and
water down regulations imple-
erment reflects the priorities of a
Tian An Men Square massacre, and
turns of his political agenda is
younger generation of conserva-
hesitating too long before embrac-
confronted with much the same
menting the law. He embraced a
balanced-budget amendment, but
tives. who want to confront social
ing Boris N. Yeltsin and other
reformers in the Soviet Union.
phenomenon.
never submitted a balanced budget
problems without directly increas-
On the left, two indictments are
Bush first sought a Senate seat in
to Congress. He acrimoniously ve-
ing government's reach.
lodged against Bush's proposals.
1964 as a backer of the godfather of
toed a civil rights bill. then signed
Rather than creating a new fed-
Critics see some of his ideas-par-
modern conservativism, Barry
virtually identical legislation a
year later.
eral program to increase the avail-
ticularly his support for private
Goldwater. rose in his party as a
ability of child care, for example.
school vouchers-as an attempt to
undermine public institutions. Oth-
moderate. tacked back toward the
Bush pushed for and signed legis-
N
ow. after three years of gov-
ers say his ideas represent timid
right as Ronald Reagan's vice
erning in the gray zones. Bush
lation that gave lower- and mid-
"tinkering." Experts maintain his
president and once again sought
is aggressively trying to define the
dle-income families tax credits to
health care tax credits, for exam-
presidential race in stark black-
buy such services directly. He's
ple. would allow only about half of
NEWS ANALYSIS
and-white terms. He tells audienc-
approached health care the same
the uninsured to purchase cover-
es that a "grand canyon" of philo-
way-urging Congress to help the
age, and would do little to con-
the center in his 1988 race for the
sophical differences separates him
uninsured buy insurance through
strain the growth in costs.
White House. Since assuming the
from his challenger. Arkansas Gov.
tax breaks, rather than creating a
presidency. he has governed in a
Bill Clinton.
new government system of univer-
W
here critics on the left and
way that has left voters and ana-
He presents himself as an impa-
sal coverage.
right converge is in their
lysts across the ideological spec-
tient reformer-an agent of change
Most importantly. Bush has pro-
doubt about the depth of Bush's
trum uncertain how to answer the
who would revive the reconomy
posed giving parents greater
personal commitment to any of
and attack the nation's entrenched
"choice" in their children's educa-
these domestic reforms. It took the
most basic question: What does he
social problems through a far-
tion by providing them with
Administration more than two
really believe?
reaching program of tax cuts, gov-
vouchers that would defray part of
years to issue its education propos-
"The central philosophical prin-
ernment restructuring and in-
the cost of sending them to private
al, and three years to produce a
ciple is that George Bush wants to
creased trade brought about by a
school if they wished. If more
health plan (key portions of which
U.S.-Canada-Mexico free trade
parents could afford to send their
still have not been introduced as
be President because he grew up
wanting to be President," says
pact.
children to private institutions,
legislation). And there is virtually
And over the last two years.
Please see AGENDA, A4
public schools would be forced to
universal agreement in Washing-
ambitious policy proposals have
reform or face an exodus of stu-
ton that Bush has shown only
tumbled out of the White House--
dents, Bush argues.
desultory interest in steering any
on education, health care, stream-
of these ideas through a Democra:-
lining the legal system, welfare.
"Competition," he says. "can be
ic Congress skeptical of them.
banking reform. trade and reviving
the greatest force for change in our
"The problem is Bush so infre-
the economy through tax cuts for
schools in an entire century."
quently has pushed these programs
individuals and business. Many of
In foreign policy. Bush has de-
that you don't know how much of it
these initiatives represent state-
scribed his priorities as construct-
reflects his own views," says Terry
of-the-art conservative thinking-
ing a "new world order" built on
Eastland, a former senior Reagan
an attempt to update traditional
the principles of expanding democ-
Administration official and the au-
Republican suspicion of centralized
racy and opening markets to free
thor of a new book, "Energy in the
government with "new paradigm"
trade through such initiatives as
Executive: The Case for the Strong
insights aimed at reforming public
the recently completed North
Presidency."
programs by applying market forc-
American Free Trade Agreement.
That skepticism frames the chal-
es. such as increasing consumer
For different reasons, much of
lenge facing Bush: convincing vot-
choice.
ers that a man who has often
this agenda comes under fire from
Several basic ideas link this
seemed most passionately attached
the left and the right.
agenda.
to the status quo has not only the
In economic policy, Bush be-
On the right. the primary com-
vision but the will to bring change
plaint is that Bush's record contra-
lieves that some government in-
dicts his rhetoric. On the stump, he
to a nation profoundly uneasy
about its future.
rails against bloated government-
vestments-in basic research on
but during Bush's first three years
new technologies. for example, or
as President domestic spending
on preschool programs for disad-
increased an average of 8.7% an-
vantaged youths-can help boost
nually. That's the most rapid in-
long-term productivity and pros-
crease under any President since
perity. But-unlike Clinton, who
would dramatically expand such
John F. Kennedy, according to an
investments-Bush insists the
most important thing government
can do for the economy is get out of
the way by limiting regulation,
cutting taxes and spending, and
avoiding expansion of its authority
into new areas, such as guarantee-
ing coverage for those without
health insurance.
"Our economic success wasn't
hatched in some committee room
on Capitol Hill or around a confer-
ence table in the White House,"
Bush declared in a speech last
spring. "America is the most pros-
perous nation in history because it
also is the freest. And that same
GOP Leaders See
Times
Revived Economy,
Hammer Congress
Convention: Massachusetts Gov. Weld criticizes the
party platform's opposition to abortion. Keynote
speaker Gramm credits Bush with ending the Cold War.
By JACK NELSON, TIMES WASHINGTON BUREAU CHIEF
HOUSTON-Four GOP leaders who may seek the White House
themselves in 1996 delivered stinging attacks on this year's Democratic
ticket Tuesday and offered visions of a resurgent economy under
President Bush, as Republicans at their party's national convention sought
to fan sparks of hope into fires of victory.
But one of Tuesday's speakers,
continued from A1
vulnerable to GOP attack on the
Massachusetts Gov. William F.
spises the values of the American
issue of family values because the
Weld. struck the first conspicuous-
people and denies the basic good-
Arkansas governor, at a fund-rais-
ly discordant note of the conven-
ness of the American people."
er sponsored by leaders of the Los
tion by breaking with Bush's posi-
In a new indication that the Bush
Angeles gay community in May.
tion and the party's platform of
campaign is pursuing a have-its-
delivered an emotional speech in
uncompromising opposition to
cake-and-eat-it-too strategy of
which he vowed to lift the federal
abortion. "I happen to think that
decrying personal attacks on Dem-
ban on homosexuals in the military
individual freedom should extend
ocratic nominee Bill Clinton and
and launch a massive federal pro-
to a woman's right to choose. I
his wife, Hillary. while continuing
gram to combat AIDS.
want the government out of your
to make them. placards appeared
Black, at a breakfast meeting
pocketbook and your bedroom." he
on the convention floor saying "If
with reporters, contrasted what he
declared.
Hillary Can't Trust Him-How Can
called "President Bush's commit-
His remarks were met with a
We?"
ment on family values, which
mixed chorus of cheers and boos.
Since Bush's convention manag-
doesn't believe you should have
Keynote speaker Sen. Phil
ers have made a point of the fact
government preferences for homo-
Gramm of Texas sounded what are
that GOP rules give them control
sexual lifestyles
versus Gov.
emerging as central themes of the
over all signs on the convention
Clinton. who went to California and
GOP campaign. He credited Bush
floor-they prevented abortion
spoke to the largest gay group
with ending the Cold War and
rights advocates from bringing any
there and tearfully embraced their
opening the way for increased
such signs into the hall Monday
agenda.
emphasis on domestic problems,
when the platform was being
"When it comes to discussing the
and he charged that congressional
adopted-the presence of the Hil-
social agenda and family values,
Democrats "have used their major-
lary signs presumably had official
that's a legitimate issue," he said.
ity to throttle the President's pro-
approval.
While the fundamental business
gram and strangle the nation's
Here are the day's other key
of the convention is energizing this
economy in a partisan gridlock the
developments:
year's Bush-Quayle ticket, many
likes of which we have not seen in
Vice President Dan Quayle,
delegates are also casting their
this century."
with an eye on 1996, said voters
eyes to 1996.
Housing and Urban Develop-
will "see a new Dan Quayle" this
An Associated Press survey of
ment Secretary Jack Kemp. who
fall and vowed not to "repeat the
more than half of the 2,210 dele-
has frequently pressed for more
same mistakes that I made in
gates showed that Kemp is the
TAMMY LECHNER / Los Angeles Times
aggressive action on the economy.
1988." In a CNN interview. Quayle
clear choice to be the party's 1996
Jim Conran is all ears-and
gave Bush unqualified support in
said: "I'm going to rely on my own
presidential nominee. He was sup-
trunk-as he listens to speech.
his speech. saying. "Our party
political instincts. They got me
ported by 34% of the delegates
offers a more powerful vision-an
where I am."
polled, with Quayle a distant sec-
against Iraq and criticized the
America committed to prosperity,
The troubled Bush campaign
ond with 9.8%. Baker polled 6.6%
Democratic leadership in Congress
opportunity and jobs for our peo-
organization sought to sharpen its
and Gramm 4.9%. Several others
for opposing the use of U.S. mili-
ple."
message by turning to two high-
drew scattered support, and 25.7%
tary force to drive Saddam Hus-
House Minority Whip Newt Gin-
powered political veterans, includ-
of the delegates said they were
sein's forces out of occupied Ku-
grich of Georgia also joined in the
ing controversial media specialist
undecided.
wait.
chorus of attacks on the Democrat-
Roger Ailes, to help oversee an
Some Democrats ultimately vot-
ic Party, saying it "rejects the
often-aimless advertising team.
Sen. Phil Gramm
ed in support of force after a
lessons of American history. de-
The moves signal efforts by incom-
spirited debate praised by many
Please see GOP, A7
ing Chief of Staff James A. Baker
As part of the Bush campaign's
Republicans, but Gramm charac-
III to impose new discipline over a
orchestrated effort to credit the
terized the episode this way: "Ulti-
Bush team that can little afford to
President with the collapse of com-
mately, we shamed enough Demo-
make more mistakes.
munism, Gramm cited the tearing
crats in Congress into supporting
In an interview broadcast
down of the Berlin Wall, the liber-
the President."
Tuesday night, President Bush
ation of East Germany and the
promised that voters would see "a
breakup of the Soviet Union as
Jack Kemp
lot of changes" in his Cabinet if he
results of "strong Republican lead-
is reelected and held out the pros-
ership."
Stressing family values and the
pect that he might restructure "the
"Two men more than any other
GOP's anti-abortion stand, Kemp
executive branch itself." Some
people on the planet have been the
said Republicans "don't believe
aides said Bush is weighing a plan
catalysts for these changes," he
children are just mouths to feed
to announce that Baker would
said, "and their names are Ronald
they are hearts, minds and
remain in the White House after
Reagar and George Buch.
souls for our future. And they
the election to manage the econo-
"Ronald Reagan sighted the
deserve our protection not only
my.
Kremlin in the cross hairs, but it
after their birth, but before they
Top Bush advisers said their
was George Bush who pulled the
are born."
hopes had been lifted by the chorus
trigger." Gramm said.
Republicans, he said, do not
of attacks on Clinton by former
Accusing the Democrats of
measure compassion "by the size of
GOP candidate Patrick J. Buchan-
wanting to "disarm" America, he
the safety net, but by the number
an and others Monday night. Citing
declared that the last Democratic
of rungs on the ladder of opportu-
weekend polls that showed Bush
President, Jimmy Carter, had
nity. This is what distinguishes our
beginning to narrow Clinton's lead,
"decimated defense."
party from the Democrats."
they expressed confidence that ef-
In fact, the cuts in the nation's
The Democratic "New Cove-
forts to portray the Arkansas gov-
defense spending began under a
nant" that Clinton espoused at the
ernor as a traditional tax-and-
Republican President-Richard M.
Democratic convention in New
spend liberal were at last striking
Nixon-and continued under an-
York, he said, "is not new
it's
their mark. "This shows the essen-
other-Gerald R. Ford-until
not a change. It doesn't put people
tial mistrust that people in this
Carter began rebuilding Pentagon
first, it puts government first; it
country have for the Democratic
budgets in the last part of his term.
doesn't empower people, it em-
Party," campaign counselor James
Reagan dramatically accelerated
powers bureaucracy. It doesn't en-
Pinkerton said.
the buildup.
courage investment and growth. it
Senior Bush campaign adviser
Gramm praised Bush for putting
spends
and spends
and
Charles Black said Clinton will be
together the international coalition
spends."
WEDNESDAY. AUGUST 19. 1992
Lus Augules Tures
Kemp said New York Gov. Mario
team's communications and adver-
likely to be changes." But the
M. Cuomo "gave away the Demo-
tising efforts have been no more
official insisted that no firm deci-
crats' game" at their convention
than mediocre. Officials said that
sions had been made about any
when he said Clinton, as President,
Mitchell Daniels, a former top offi-
second-term shake-up.
would have the "courage" to raise
cial in the Reagan White House,
Indeed, those circulating rumors
taxes.
had been hired to impose political
about the reshuffling seemed most
"The Democrats call that cour-
control over a Madison Avenue
motivated by a zeal to show that
age-I call that crazy." he de-
advertising team than until now
Bush was so committed to change
clared. "In this economy, can you
has been given little guidance.
that he was willing to sweep his
imagine anything more depressing
At the same time, Ailes, who was
Administration clean even of long-
and destructive than raising in-
credited with suggesting the use of
time associates.
come tax rates and imposing a
the Willie Horton case in the 1988
Such an announcement, they
surtax? The Democrats' plan won't
campaign, was said to have agreed
suggested, would serve as a pow-
soak the rich, it'll soak the poor.
to step up his role as an outside
erful signal of Bush's commitment
soak the middle class and drown
adviser to Bush and his campaign,
to a second-term domestic agenda.
our economy."
although he made clear that he
At the same time, it could elevate
would not take a formal position in
Baker to virtual deputy-president
the operation.
status that would help voters to
Dan Quayle
A TV ad-made by a team not
regard him, rather than Quayle, as
under Ailes' direct control-spot-
Bush's effective running mate.
Quayle, whose favorable ratings
lighted Horton, a black prison in-
have dropped below 30% in some
mate who committed a violent
Other Speakers
polls, is using the convention as a
crime after he had escaped from a
forum to try to redefine himself for
Massachusetts furlough program.
Many of the other speakers who
a public that, surveys show, be-
The ad was used with devastating
addressed the convention Tuesday
lieves he is unqualified to be a
effect against the 1988 Democratic
sounded themes that Bush has
heartbeat away from the presiden-
nominee, Massachusetts Gov. Mi-
signaled he will use in the fall
cy.
chael S. Dukakis.
campaign against Clinton.
He has been granting interviews
Ailes and Daniels have worked
Jeanie Austin, co-chairman of
and making speeches in Houston,
closely under Baker in the past,
the GOP, said Clinton's complaint
but his big chance will come
and their new roles extend a
that Republicans, sound like a bro-
Thursday night when he accepts
shake-up in which the incoming
ken record when they accuse him
renomination as the party's vice
White House chief of staff has
of "tax and spend, tax and spend."
presidential candidate in a nation-
replaced key Bush advisers with
"Well, yes, we do say their song
ally televised speech in prime time
his own trusted associates.
is still 'tax and spend,' she declared,
at the Astrodome.
In New York, Ailes issued a
"because their record is still stuck
"I hope by the end of the week
statement denying wire service
on tax and spend, tax and spend."
that I will be able to once again
reports that he had been enlisted in
Mayor Nao Nakasugi of Oxnard,
communicate-and this time com-
the 1992 campaign. But Bush aides
Calif., sounding the family values
municate directly with the Ameri-
said his role as a behind-the-
theme, said that like his "mom and
can people," said Quayle, who ac-
scenes adviser would grow in-
dad, more than half the families of
cuses the press of slanting stories
creasingly important as the elec-
Oxnard are Americans by choice,
against him. He told a CNN inter-
tion neared.
not by birth" and that for them
viewer that he will talk about
Daniels served as political direc-
"America is the promised land of
growing up in a small Indiana town
tor in the Reagan White House
opportunity where those who work
and will emphasize the importance
while Baker was its chief of staff.
hard get ahead; where achieve-
of hard work.
He was tapped by Baker four years
ment is admired and rewarded;
"I had a bad campaign in 1988
ago to manage Quayle's vice presi-
where family is honored, and
personally, and I am not going to
dential campaign.
where the education of children
repeat the same mistakes that I
Senior Bush advisers have com-
comes first."
made in 1988, and 1992 is going to
plained bitterly about the quality of
Atty. Gen. Dan Lungren of Cali-
be an entirely different campaign,"
the television advertisements pro-
fornia accused Democrats of being
he said. "You are going to see a
duced for Bush by a Madison
soft on crime and of "trying to
new Dan Quayle."
Avenue team led by New Yorker
convince the pundits that whenev-
In 1988. Quayle's campaigning
Martin Puris. But they have ac-
er we Republicans raise legitimate
was rigidly controlled by handlers
knowledged that the consultants,
concerns about wrong-haded
imposed by Baker, who ran the
few of whom have campaign expe-
Democrat crime policies, we should
Bush campaign then as he will this
rience, have received almost no
be shamed into silence. Well, we
time. Bush had not consulted Baker
guidance from campaign chairman
won't!"
on the selection of the young
Robert M. Teeter and other senior
Lungren, referring to the Demo-
Indiana senator, which Baker con-
officials.
crats' attack on a 1988 Bush cam-
sidered a political mistake.
paign add featuring a black con-
Quayle, in the CNN interview,
Cabinet Shuffle
victed murderer who committed a
stressed that he will control his
rape while out on a furlough, said,
own campaigning this time. De-
Bush's statement about changing
"When we begin to talk about
spite reports that relations be-
his team in a second term touched
crime, they trot out their liberal
tween the two have remained cool,
off a frenzy of speculation. Some
icon and invite the press to worship
Quayle insisted that "there is no
Republican sources, who insisted
at the altar of righteous indigna-
animosity whatsoever between Jim
Baker and myself. We have been
on anonymity, named Kemp, Trea-
tion. The icon is Willie
sury Secretary Nicholas Brady.
Horton. When they utter those two
good friends since 1980."
Energy Secretary James Watkins
words, we Republicans are to bow
and Interior Secretary Manuel Lu-
down in a frenzy of mea culpas.
Campaign Team
jan as among those most likely to
Well, this is one Republican-and
be excluded from a second-term
law enforcement official-who
The decision by the Bush cam-
Cabinet.
won't be cowed."
paign to turn beyond its ranks for
A well-placed Administration
Times staff writers William 1. Eaton,
help reflects what sources de-
official noted pointedly that "with
Douglas Jehi and Paul Richter contrib-
scribed as Baker's concern that the
any new Administration there are
uted to this story.
WEDNESDAY AUGUST 19. 1992
Lus Angeles Times
Clinton Works
on Arkansas'
Budget Deficit
Democrats: The state is
facing a $20-million shortfall. A
similar problem haunted
Dukakis in his losing 1988
campaign. But campaign aides
say they'r not worried.
By DAVID LAUTER
TIMES STAFF WRITER
L
ITTLE ROCK, Ark.-While his cam-
paign aides sought to give as good as
they got from the Republicans so far this
week. Democratic presidential nominee Bill
Clinton spent much of the last two days
trying to solve a $20-million shortfall in the
Arkansas state budget that likely will
require painful cuts in Medicaid payments.
The 1988 Democratic nominee, then-
Massachusetts Gov. Michael S. Dukakis,
faced a similar problem. having to cut
millions of dollars from his state budget on
the eve of his convention. The issue
ultimately haunted him in his presidential
campaign, helping the Republican ticket
headed by George Bush raise doubts about
Dukakis' competence.
But Clinton and his aides insist that the
budget problems he faces as governor of
Arkansas will have far less political impact.
Clinton contends that at a time when
states from California to Maine are having
well-publicized budget difficulties, the
problems in Arkansas do not stand out as
much as Dukakis' fiscal troubles did.
"These problems are rampant through-
out the country," Clinton said earlier this
week. He noted that most of the Arkansas
problems involve Medicaid bills, which
have soared nationwide due to the rapidly
rising cost of medical care and the overall
effects of the recession.
"We've got a nationwide explosion of
health care costs," Clinton said. "This
doesn't have anything to do with partisan
politics, except that we don't have a
national government that will provide
health care for people."
I
n addition, in sharp contrast to Dukakis,
Clinton has not claimed any "miracle"
status in his governance of his state, which
likely would make him far less vulnerable
to downturns in state government.
Still, the cuts needed to keep the state
budget in balance could create problems.
Because Medicaid serves the poor and
elderly, any program reductions almost
automatically will hurt members of key
Democratic constituencies, who might be
able to boister the GOP charge that Clinton
is the "failed governor of a small state."
Clinton's critics charge that he could
have headed off the current budget prob-
lems had he not been distracted by his
presidential campaign.
He denies that charge, arguing that his
Administration did as much as possible but
has been a victim of the same problems
plaguing other states.
Meanwhile, Clinton aides are trumpeting
some good news about the state: the federal
Bureau of Labor Statistics released figures
Tuesday showing that Arkansas had the
highest percentage growth rate in the
country in private-sector. non-farm em-
ployment. Arkansas' 3% growth rate
marked the second year in a row that the
state topped the list in private-sector
employment growth.
Nus Angelen Times
Will the Real Bill Clinton Please Stand Up
Gramm said in his keynote address Tuesday night. "But
five-year, $145-billion increase that Bush signed as part
Image: The conventions are a study in
when you look under the hood, you discover he is hawking
the 1990 budget deal.
contrasts. Democrats see a moderate voice
a model from the '70s-a Carter-mobile with the axle
Republicans counter that Clinton's tally doesn't includ
broken and the frame bent to the left."
potential new levies on business to fund Clinton's healt
for change. The GOP paints him as a 'slick,'
As presented during the convention's first two days. the
care and job training initiatives.
GOP case against Clinton sprawls across many issues-
Republicans have tried to fill in their portrayal of Clinto
big-spending liberal.
from taxes to the environment to crime-and touches on
as a closet leftist by labeling him an environment:
questions about his character, his qualifications to conduct
extremist who would unleash waves of new regulation an
By RONALD BROWNSTEIN
foreign policy and the legal writings of his wife. Hillary
wipe out jobs. And they are challenging his claim that t.
TIMES POLITICAL WRITER
Clinton. Even some insiders complain that the campaign
represents mainstream social values-the cornerstone (
hasn't yet distilled its Clinton critique into a concise
his defense against the Republican ideological attacks.
H
OUSTON-The Bill Clinton that voters met at the
indictment.
Beyond the ideological assault, Republicans are rappin
Democratic Convention in New York was the hard-
the Democrat's record at home-another tactic that prove
working son of a single mother. who learned more from his
small-town grandfather than from any textbook, who has
mid this sometimes confusing barrage of accusations,
successful four years ago. Clinton tried to minimize h
worked to lift up his impoverished state and who is moving
A
though, some clear priorities for the Republicans are
vulnerability to such assaults in his acceptance speech t
declaring there was no "Arkansas miracle' mode
the Democratic Party away from the liberal orthodoxies of
emerging. At the top of the list is challenging Clinton's attempt to
progress on difficult problems.
its past.
The Bill Clinton on display at the Republican Convention
claim the political center by linking him to liberal
Few here would grant him even that. In his speec
here is quite a different fellow: He is the "failed governor of
Democratic approaches that voters have rejected in the
Gramm declared that Clinton's "failed leadership" has le
past. That's a familiar tactic for the Bush forces: Four years
Arkansas in last place on an array of concerns fro
a small state," says Republican National Committee
Chairman Richard N. Bond; He is a "slick" liberal who "sat
ago, Bush regained control of the presidential race by a
average family income to environmental policy.
up in a dormitory in Oxford, England, and figured out how
painting Democratic nominee Michael S. Dukakis as
to dodge the draft," says Patrick J. Buchanan: He is a big
cultural elitist contemptuous of middle-American values.
This time. some senior Bush officials acknowledge. it
I n other addresses Tuesday, California Atty. Gen. Da
Lungren accused Clinton of failing to adequately fur
spender who has proposed "the largest tax increase in the
nation's history." one that will cost "millions of Americans
won't be as easy to polarize the race ideologically because
law enforcement; Health and Human Services Secreta
death-penalty supporter and advocate of wel-
Louis W. Sullivan accused him of mismanaging his state
their jobs." says Texas Sen. Phil Gramm.
If the top priority at the Republican Convention is
fare reform-does not present as tempting a cultural target
health care system.
as Dukakis. But, GOP strategists say, crucial to their hope
Both of these charges-that Clinton is a liberal
improving voters' attitudes about President Bush, close
behind is the need to take Democrats' portrayal of Bill
of staging a comeback is increasing the percentage of
moderate garb, that his record at home does not match I
Americans who say that Clinton is too liberal-now only
rhetoric-address the same deeper objective, many an
Clinton-and turn it on its head.
At their convention last month, the Democrats framed
about one in five, according to the latest Times Poll.
lysts say. In both cases. the Republicans-hoping to revi
"If we don't do anything else out of the convention. if we
earlier doubts about Clinton's integrity-are arguing the
the race as a choice between change and the status quo: a
ticket of young. vigorous moderates with a plan for
don't do anything else in the general election. we have to
voters cannot trust an opponent whom many regula:
reviving the economy battling a tired incumbent who lacks
show the difference between Republican and Democratic
label "slick."
principles-because it's become blurred." said Mary Matal-
Reinforcing that effort to raise doubts about Clinton }
vision. an agenda and the will to act.
The Republicans are working hard this week to reverse
in, the Bush campaign's political director.
been a regular series of references to the person
those contrasts. Where Democrats portrayed Clinton and
To push Clinton to the left, Republicans are pinning their
controversies that nearly engulfed Clinton's campai
running mate Al Gore as fresh and new, Republicans are
hopes primarily on accusations that the Arkansas governor
earlier this year. They range from Ronald Reaga
offers a return to traditional Democratic policies of "tax
trying to redefine them as inexperienced.
allusion to Clinton's assertion that he "didn't inhale" wr
What Democrats sold as moderation. Republicans are
and spend." Exhibit A is the charge that the $150 billion in
revenue-raising proposals in Clinton's economic plan
sampling marijuana as a college student to comments
recasting as stealth liberalism. Above all. what Democrats
two GOP aides about the allegations of marital infidel
pictured as change. Republicans are seeking to portray as
would represent the largest tax increase in history.
risk-a future that looks suspiciously like the days of
In response, Clinton aides maintain that when the plan's
lodged against the Democratic nominee.
But Democrats insist that after the reversal of his
roughly $100 billion in offsetting tax cuts for middle-class
malaise and Jimmy Carter.
"At the New York convention, Clinton was like a
families and business are figured in. Clinton's net tax
new taxes" pledge two years ago, Bush cannot win
--d-car salesman peddling his vehicle for change."
increase is smaller than many others-including the
election fought on the terrain of trust.
WEDNESDAY.
Nus Augules Times
Hillary-Bashing Becoming
Key Part of GOP Campaign
Strategy: She's accused of urging 'radical feminism,'
trying to destroy the family. But attacks may be risky.
U
nder laws of many countries through-
By DAVID LAUTER
out history-including the United
TIMES STAFF WRITER
States until modern times-married wom-
LITTLE ROCK. Ark.-Barbara
en had few legal rights and were consid-
Bush may not like it but if the
ered legally dependent upon their hus-
Republican Convention is any indi-
bands. In the 19th Century. married women
cation. Hillary-bashing is about to
in some states were forbidden to own
become a fixture of the presidential
property in their own names or to file
lawsuits. And it was not until the early
campaign.
Hillary Clinton, the high-pow-
1970s that the Supreme Court struck down
ered. articulate and liberal wife of
state laws requiring a married woman to
live wherever her husband chose or risk
Democratic nominee Bill Clinton,
being charged with abandonment.
Mrs. Clinton's basic argument in 1973
NEWS ANALYSIS
was that courts should stop assuming that
has rapidly become the woman
all children are legally incompetent until
Republicans love to hate. The sta-
they suddenly become fully competent at
tus has some irony, for it mimics
the age of majority-the traditional legal
the history of Eleanor Roosevelt.
SUSAN FARLEY Newsday
view. Instead, she argued. courts and other
the woman after whom Mrs. Clin-
government bodies should take a more
Plege see HILLARY, A3
Hillary Clinton
And despite the risks, the attacks on Mrs.
case-by-case approach. assuming that
Clinton fit into a basic Republican strate-
children are competent to advance their
HILLARY:
own views unless evidence indicates the
gy-trying to find ways to pierce Bill
Clinton's carefully portrayed moderate
contrary. "There are certain children at
stance and to convince voters that he is
certain ages in certain circumstances who
nothing but a new-style Democratic liberal
can and should exercise responsibilities.
The task is to determine what those
GOP Target
in disguise.
As Clinton pollster Stanley Greenberg
conditions are," she wrote.
noted. the targets of nearly all such GOP
Although anyone would agree that a
strategies have been two groups whose
newborn lacks competency to advance its
Continued from A1
defection to the Democratic ticket-if it
own views, "it is more difficult to prove a
ton has often said she would like to model
herself if her husband makes it to the
holds up-would sink Bush's candidacy
12-year-old child totally incompetent," she
irretrievably: older white Southerners and
wrote. That passage provides the basis for
White House.
Northern, blue-collar ethnic groups. Both
Buchanan's assertion that she would allow
Monday night, Patrick J. Buchanan took
groups are generally conservative on cul-
12-year-olds to sue.
off after Hillary Clinton, repeating charges
tural issues and presumed to be suspicious
Mrs. Clinton's view was on the advance
that GOP Chairman Richard N. Bond had
of well-paid. independent-minded women
edge of theories on children's rights in the
made last week-that she has "likened
lawyers.
early 1970s. Since then. however, laws and
marriage and the family to slavery." Tele-
vision cameras caught Mrs. Bush, who had
For most of the last two decades. Hillary
court decisions have generally headed in
Clinton has worked on issues of child
the direction she suggested.
criticized Bond's statement, looking per-
welfare and education, serving until re-
Courts, for example, increasingly consult
turbed and muttering to a companion
during Buchanan's remarks, but GOP
cently, for example, as chair of the Chil-
children-at least older ones-about their
dren's Defense Fund, which has often
preferences before deciding custody in
strategists predict more such criticism to
lobbied for increased federal spending on
divorces. And the Supreme Court has
come.
children's programs. In Arkansas, she
upheld the right of a teen-age girl to obtain
Hillary Clinton may find herself in the
spotlight again tonight, designed by GOP
chaired a task force that devised new
an abortion without obtaining permission
statewide education standards.
from her parents. And courts have upheld
strategists as "family values night" and
featuring speeches from Mrs. Bush and
She also introduced into the state-and
the right of teen-agers, in some cases, to go
the country-a preschool literacy program
to court to obtain permission for actions
Vice President Dan Quayle's wife, Marilyn.
devised in Israel that won favorable atten-
that their parents would forbid-obtaining
The focus of the attacks has been on
Clinton's legal writings, with Buchanan,
tion in a handbook on literacy published in
needed surgery that a parent might find
Bond and other Republican spokesmen
1989 by the Barbara Bush Foundation for
objectionable on religious grounds, for
example.
accusing her of advocating "radical femi-
Family Literacy.
Conservative legal commentators have
nism" and seeking to undermine the fami-
The attacks, however, have focused not
1
found many of those developments dis-
ly. "What does Hillary believe?" Buchanan
on those activities, but on a series of legal
turbing, arguing that government should
demanded in his speech, going on to say
articles she wrote in the late 1970s and
have no right to interpose itself between
that she believes "12-year-olds should
early 1980s in which she advocated chang-
parent and child.
have the right to sue their parents."
es in the way children are treated in courts
Mrs. Clinton has argued that although
Those attacks constitute a potentially
and other legal forums.
such intervention should be rare, some
high-risk strategy: Attacking a presiden-
It was a subject that Mrs. Clinton knew
circumstances warrant it.
tial candidate's spouse marks a new wrin-
could be controversial. "The very ques-
"Even among persons in the children's
kle in politics that many voters-particu-
tions being asked invite fear and confu-
rights movement, there is concern that
larly younger, more affluent women-may
sion," she wrote in one 1977 article. "They
extending rights to children against their
dislike. Moreover. the attacks, even by the
touch deeply held and often conflicting
parents is too difficult to control. and in all
somewhat loose stendards of presidential
convictions about family autonomy and
but the most extreme cases such questions
campaigns. fairly seriously distort what
childhood needs."
should be resolved by the courts," she
Mrs. Clinton has written.
Indeed they have. In a 1973 article on
wrote in a 1982 essay. Intervention should
"Children Under the Law," for example,
be "limited to decisions that could have
E
ven some Republicans question the
she sought to explain the history behind
long-term and possibly irreparable effects
approach. One GOP strategist noted
the legal principles that limit the rights of
if they were not resolved."
that private research has indicated that
children. Those limits, she noted, are based
In such cases, she wrote, "children
voters impose an "extremely high standard
on the idea of dependency: "that certain
should have a right to be permitted to
of proof" on allegations that a candidate's
individuals are incapable or undeserving of
decide their own future if they are compe-
wife is a legitimate issue.
the right to take care of themselves and
tent."
Democrats have reacted with outrage.
consequently need social institutions spe-
"Since when do you run for President by
cifically designed to safeguard their posi-
attacking a guy's wife?" demanded Clinton
tion."
campaign press secretary Dee Dee Myers.
"Along with the family, past and present
The answer, Republican operatives ar-
examples of such arrangements include
gue, is that Hillary Clinton is one of her
marriage, slavery and the Indian reserva-
husband's closest advisers. Her views may
tion system," she wrote. "The relative
help shape his, they say. Or. they suggest,
powerlessness of children makes them
perhaps her views indicate ideas that her
uniquely vulnerable to this rationale."
husband may really hold but would prefer
That passage is the basis for the GOP
not to talk about.
charge that she compared marriage to
slavery.
Ius Auneles Timen
COLUMN ONE
Continued from A1
been a woman of immense will,
House is "taking advantage of her
First Lady
wicked wit and hidden hurt-but a
popularity to reassure Americans
paid personal travel became a con-
calculated use of the First Lady as
that [Bush] is a nice guy.'
tinuing Washington scandal.
a new weapon in her husband's
Neither Mrs. Bush nor anyone on
depleted political arsenal.
her staff would confirm her role in
Takes the
This is Barbara Bush without the
these or other policy matters. For-
kid gloves, a combative, sharply
W
hen George and Barbara
mer senior White House aide Ed
partisan First Lady, who, like the
Bush moved from the vice
Rogers said her influence on the
Gloves Off
President. will do whatever it
president's mansion to the White
President was the subject of "end-
takes to extend their lease on the
House four years ago, it was widely
less speculation" among the White
White House.
suggested that she would serve as
House staff and the press corps. but
This change in style and tone is a
the President's conscience on is-
few people know the truth. and
Barbara Bush is speaking
measure of her husband's despera-
sues from homelessness and AIDS
those who do don't talk. he said.
out on tough issues and is
tion, and of her own frustration at a
to education and gun control.
In a May interview with the Los
lifetime of self-imposed restraint.
It is she who has shown the
Angeles Times, Mrs. Bush said that
under fire by some in the
No longer will she limit herself to
nation the compassionate side of
she and her husband talk frequent-
the safe subjects of family. literacy
press. The shift from her
the first couple. as he has tried to
ly on matters of policy and person-
and good works. Starting with a
follow in the macho footsteps of his
nel, but that the discussions are
American Queen Mum
series of media interviews last
predecessor, Ronald Reagan. It
and will remain private.
week, Mrs. Bush has begun to
image, and her convention
was she who cuddled the AIDS
"If I thought someone was ill
speak out on abortion (a matter of
babies, read to underprivileged
serving the President, you may be
speech tonight, show she's
"personal choice"), negative cam-
schoolchildren, visited countless
sure I would tell him. I would
paigning (she upbraided GOP
hospitals and homeless shelters,
But I certainly wouldn't tell any-
entered the political fray.
Chairman Richard N. Bond for
while George sent the troops
one else. That's what husbands and
attacking Hillary Clinton). un-
marching off to Panama and Ku-
wives do.
I tell George right in
By JOHN M. BRODER
founded allegations of marital infi-
wait and killed fish and game with
there," she said, pointing toward
TIMES STAFF WRITER
delity ("disgusting") and the press
First Buddy Jim Baker.
their bedroom in the White House
itself (it is biased against her
WASHINGTON-For the first
Beneath this performance, how-
living quarters. "Quietly."
husband because of a "liberal"
time in her long run in the public
tilt).
ever. is a woman of enormous
eye. Barbara Bush is taking a
Mrs. Bush addresses the Repub-
resolve and political savvy who has
beating in the press.
lican National Convention 10-
propped up her wavering husband
Nothing personal. of course. But
night-a first-ever prime-time
at several critical junctures. On
T
he outlines of Barbara Bush's
life are by now familiar. The
George Bush is on the mat and
convention address by a First La-
these occasions, she has been not
third child of an upper-middle-
there's no fun in slapping him
dy. But, like the seasoned political
so much George Bush's conscience,
class family. she was reared in
around anymore. So the nabobs of
professional she is, she tried to play
as his spine.
the cultural elite have turned on
down expectations for the speech.
Two telling anecdotes from
Rye. N.Y., a tony suburb overlook.
Barbara. the nation's revered
"It's not going to be a great
Richard Ben Cramer's exhaustive
ing Long Island Sound. Her father,
Grandmother-in-Chief. heroine of
speech," she said. "It's just sort of a
new book on the 1988 campaign,
to whom she was devoted, was
the white-haired and chubby
little Mighty Mouse. It's nothing."
"What it Takes," are illustrative.
publisher of McCall's magazine: he
masses. the untouchable Bar.
After Bush's embarrassing
delighted his daughter and her
The New Republic. ever ahead
T
he speech is clearly designed to
bring before the public this
third-place finish (to religious
friends by bringing home huge
broadcaster Pat Robertson and
home-sewing catalogues from
of the trend curve. started it off in
comforting figure. this paragon of
which Barbara made hundreds of
late June with a touching little
family values, this warm-hearted
Kansas Sen. Bob Dole) in an Iowa
cut-out dolls. They lived in a
essay about the First Lady titled
matron to assure us that George
straw poll in the fall of 1987, senior
spacious five-bedroom house on a
"Sacred Cow." She is described as
Bush really is a good and decent
campaign staffers Lee Atwater and
man who has been unfairly ma-
Bond were dissecting the loss and
large wooded lot, attended by a
Nancy Reagan with impeccable
WASP manners. a backstage ma-
deciding what to do next. Barbara
pair of live-in servants.
ligned for trying to do the right
The chubby and mischievous
nipulator of a weak husband who
wandered into the staff section of
thing for his country.
Barbara had a difficult relationship
makes Hillary Clinton look like a
But don't be surprised if she
Air Force Two and fixed her gaze
with her mother. Pauline Robinson
novice. and a "shameless" master
on Bond.
drops in a few zingers, as she did
Pierce, who was the daughter of an
politician who gets away with
last week when asked about Dem-
According to Cramer's recon-
Ohio Supreme Court justice. Mrs.
murder by alternately charming
ocratic nominee Bill Clinton's
struction, Barbara said: "'So, Rich,
Bush has described her mother as a
and intimidating the press.
"family values."
when are you going back to Iowa to
cold and humorless spendthrift.
But it fell to Vanity Fair. chroni-
"He never denied he had a fling.
manage the vice president's cam-
more devoted to her garden and
cler of modern American mores
did he?" she asked cattily. She had
paign?"
her antique collection than to her
and purveyor of high-tone celebri-
a back-of-the-hand slap for Hilla-
Cramer continues: "Bond jerked
children.
ty smut. to serve as picador of the
ry. too. "I certainly don't want to
in place. for an instant, like a
Barbara was the acknowledged
President's wife.
be co-President." Mrs. Bush said
specimen pinned to a lab table. Um
ringleader of a group of girls in her
In a long profile in the July issue,
sweetly.
right away. Mrs. Bush!"
prewar suburban paradise. Al-
Vanity Fair informs us that the
There's little doubt that Mrs.
Good!' said Bar. Her mouth
though well-behaved at school.
public Barbara Bush is just a cun-
Bush is one of the struggling
was smiling, but her eyes had
Barbara could be a cruel tormentor
ningly constructed mask conceal-
President's most powerful assets.
Bond's. as her head tilted back an
of her contemporaries, as recount-
ing the real First Shrew. We learn
Her approval ratings have been
inch or two. Because that's
ed in a new book on the First Lady
that her stepmother fears her.
running 40 to 50 percentage points
what George and I want."
by Pamela Killian.
anonymous White House staffers
ahead of her husband's in polls this
Killian quotes childhood friend
describe her as "difficult"
year. And there's no more dramatic
June Biedler as recounting that
"tough as nails"
"demanding"
evidence of her perceived value to
before school Barbara would pre-
"autocratic."
the President than her appearance
ramer's second story relates to
Bush's indecision about
arrange to freeze out one of the
The author's own judgment is
on the convention podium tonight.
After four years of demonstrat-
launching a stinging attack ad
girls on the bus that day.
that she is "a caustic and judgmen-
"She would determine who was
ing to the country that she is not
against Dole, who was leading the
tal woman. who has labored to
vice president in the days before
speaking to whom when we got on
keep her sarcasm in check-with
Nancy Reagan. the President's
incomplete success." There's no
wife tonight is staking out a new
the crucial New Hampshire prima-
the bus together," Killian quotes
identity: Barbara Bush. mother of
ry in early 1988. The spot accused
Biedler. "It would be all planned.
mistaking the Barbara Bush por-
Dole of straddling the fence on tax
nobody's going to talk to June this
trayed here-she is a hard. mean.
five, grandmother of 12, college
increases and other key issues.
morning. You'd sit there on the bus
manipulative woman hiding behind
dropout, uncomplaining spouse of
Bush wasn't sure he wanted to air
with your friends and no one spoke
her fake pearls, her false modesty
47 years, is not Hillary Clinton.
and her upper-class demeanor.
The strategy is not without risk,
the ad; it just wasn't nice. Atwater
to you. Dreadful feeling."
Another childhood friend, Posy
notes Ruth Mandel, director of the
pressed Bush to hit Dole, to hit him
In short. Vanity Fair can't quite
Clarke, said: "She'd call ahead and
Center for the American Woman
hard. Bush wavered.
say it. but it rhymes with rich.
say, 'We're not going to speak to
Why this sudden turn in Barbara
and Politics at Rutgers University.
Barbara, who had seen the ad.
June this morning. Or she'd call
"Barbara Bush has chosen to
and had seen those of Dole and the
Dush's image?
June and say, 'We're not going to
Mrs. Bush. sitting primly in a
play the role [of political spouse) in.
others that painted Bush as a
speak to Posy."
a classically traditional manner.
wimp, a lap dog of Ronald Reagan,
straight-backed chair in the formal
Barbara also aimed her stiletto at
She has played the role to the
had made her decision. "I don't
West Sitting Room of the White
her friends' weaknesses. taunting
pattern. Unlike Hillary. she has
think ours is that bad," she told the
House residential quarters during
one for her stammering and bully-
never presented herself as a wom-
staff. That was all the authority
an interview last week, agreed
ing others who couldn't take the
an with a political profile or public
that-until now-she has been
they needed. They put the ad on
teasing.
image independent of her hus-
the air, helping Bush sweep the
treated very liladly by he press,
"We were all pretty afraid of her
band's," Mandel said.
portrayed for years as a sort of an
state and launching him toward the
because she could be sarcastic and
Accordingly, her convention ap-
White House.
American Queen Mum. Why the
mean." Biedler recalled. "She was
pearance represents "a risky deci-
"Mrs. Bush is a very shrewd
change now. she is asked.
clever, never at a loss for what to
sion," Mandel said. "I think it
"Let's guess." she says with a
political animal," said Lewis L.
say-or what not to say."
weakens the President's image.
tight smile that barely conceals a
Gould, a professor of history at the
After attending public and pri-
hint of menace. "We've got four
Can you imagine if Hillary had
University of Texas-Austin who
vate schools in Rye through 10th
months before the election. How do
been given a prime-time speaking
teaches a course in first ladies.
role at the convention? There'd
grade, her parents sent her to the
you get to George Bush? Clobber
"She is intelligent and can do very
have been an uproar. Mrs. Bush
private Ashley Hall finishing
his wife."
well at that game."
school in Charleston. S.C., where
This is not the docile, restrained
has never projected herself as a
Perhaps the greatest element of
her manners were honed and she
Barbara Bush we have seen until
policy adviser: she has primarily
that skill is that she does it so
concerned herself with home and
was prepared for college and a life
now. This is not so much a new
discreetly. Her kid gloves seldom
of noblesse oblige.
family. Why then is she making a
Barbara Bush-she has always
leave fingerprints.
Please see BARBARA. A9
prime-time speech at a national
She is widely credited with al-
political convention?"
tering the President's view on
The message that the Bush cam-
paign is sending is unmistakable,
banning semiautomatic assault ri-
fles, which her husband, a member
Mandel said: We're safe and they
of the National Rifle Assn.. had felt
aren't. But giving Mrs. Bush a
should remain legal. She is also
high-profile political role muddies
assumed to be the one who gave
the message, she said. Mrs. Bush's
former Chief of Staff John H.
immense appeal derives from the
Sununu the final push out the door
fact that she has never appeared to
last winter. after his government-
lust for power or play the political
game. Now. Mandel said, the White
Пин Augules Timen
She entered a period of near-
clinical depression. which she
Barbara Bush: Notes and Quotes
blamed on the women's movement
Here are some biographical notes on First Lady Barbara Bush, who
that left her with deep feelings of
will speak tonight:
inadequacy. "Suddenly, women's
lib had made me feel that my life
Age: 67.
had been wasted," she said in 1989
Parents: Pauline and Marvin Pierce. He was president of the
interview.
company that published McCall's and Redbook magazines. She was
George urged her to get counsel-
the daughter of an Ohio Supreme Court justice and was a gardener.
ing. but she refused. Brought up to
violin player, antique collector
believe that people solve their own
and a prominent civic booster.
problems. she pulled herself out of
Famous distant relative: President
it with volunteer work and by
Franklin Pierce, who served from
touring the country showing slides
1853 to 1857 and was the only
of her adventure in China. She
incumbent President who was
then threw herself into a crusade
willing to seek reelection but was
for literacy. having chosen that
denied renomination by his party.
endeavor as a safe and politically
Children:Five survive-George.
profitable focus at the time Bush
Jeb. Neil. Marvin and Dorothy.
decided to run for President in
Second-born Robin died at 3 of
1978. He lost the 1980 race, but was
leukemia.
chosen by Reagan to be his run-
As an author: Mrs. Bush has
ning mate.
written two books, under the
byline of her dogs: "C. Fred's
Story: a Dog's Life" and "Millie's
Story." She contributed the
royalties to charities.
T
he eight years of Bush's vice
presidency were, for Barbara, a
Famous confession: "I married the
period of endless entertaining and
first man I ever kissed. When I tell
hundreds of public appearances to
this to my children, they just
promote literacy. She seldom spoke
Barbara Bush signs copies of
about throw up."
out on matters of policy or politics,
"Millie's Story."
Candid quote: "People can be so
except for her celebrated remark in
rude about the fact that George
1984 about Democratic vice presi-
looks so young and I look so old. It's not nice."
dential nominee Geraldine A. Fer-
Her trademark: Three- to five-strand artificial pearls.
raro, to whom Mrs. Bush referred
Favorite cause: Promoting literacy. Once delivering a speech on
as "that $4-million-I can't say it,
the effects of illiteracy she said: "I hope I'm scaring you to death.
but it rhymes with rich."
I'm scared. What do I want you to do about it?
I'm cheering for
She was mortified that she had
teachers. In most cases, they are underpaid and overworked."
let slip the mask that had con-
cealed the mean streak that had
Source: Times wire services
first emerged in childhood. She
immediately apologized to Ferraro
and kept her salty tongue in place
for years afterward.
It was during the Christmas
the fatal illness of their second
But this year, the mask is coming
break of her junior year, at a
child, 3-year-old daughter, Robin.
off, the tongue has been loosed.
country club dance in Greenwich.
Her care and comfort fell to Barba-
This is Barbara Bush's last cam-
Conn., 10 miles from Rye. that she
ra, because George was preoccu-
paign, and, win or lose. she's going
met George Bush. scion of an
pied with a new business venture.
to run it as herself.
aristocratic family of bankers and
Barbara traveled back and forth to
New York with the child for un-
She acknowledged in the inter-
investors. She was swept off her
feet by the tall, handsome senior at
successful treatment for her leuke-
view last week that she had come
mia. She died two months shy of
"close" to deciding that the pain
Phillips Academy. and spent the
rest of her abbreviated school ca-
her 4th birthday. George arrived at
and dissembling of politics were no
the hospital just hours before her
longer worth it to her.
reer thinking of nothing but
George.
death.
"It's not too difficult [to endure],
"I didn't like to study very
The following years brought
but too filthy, and it's just not fun
much." Mrs. Bush recalled in an
three more children and, as Mrs.
to run when lies and things, hurtful
interview years later. "The truth
Bush recalled in a 1985 speech, "a
lies, [are published)." Mrs. Bush
is, 1 just wasn't interested. I was
period for me of long days and
said. the years and years of silent
just interested in George."
short years, of diapers, runny nos-
suffering etched on her face.
She dropped out of Smith Col-
es, earaches, more Little League
"Having said that, I know that
lege at the beginning of her sopho-
games than you could believe pos-
considering the alternate choice,
more year and returned home.
sible, tonsils and those unsched-
that George Bush must be Presi-
Bush by then was a Navy pilot
uled races to the hospital emergen-
dent.
But three more months.
flying combat missions in the Pa-
cy room; Sunday school and
I can do anything for three
cific. After being shot down over
church, of hours of urging home-
months."
Chichi Jima, he was rotated home
work, short chubby arms around
for Christmas leave in 1944. The
your neck and sticky kisses and
couple was married Jan. 6, 1945, at
experiencing bumpy moments-
the First Presbyterian Church in
not many, but a few-of feeling
Rye.
that I'd never, ever be able to have
"I married the first man I ever
fun again, and coping with the
kissed," Mrs. Bush says.
feeling that George Bush, in his
excitement of starting a small com-
A
fter mustering out of the ser-
pany and traveling around the
vice later that year, Bush sped
world, was having a lot of fun."
through Yale in 2½ years, then set
Barbara Bush never lost that
out for a job arranged by a friend of
feeling of being the neglected
his father's in the wilds of West
homebody as her husband rose in
Texas. The Bushes moved into a
business and politics, through two
modest duplex they shared with a
terms in the House of Representa-
mother-daughter prostitute team.
tives, stints as U.N. ambassador
With timely financial help from
and GOP chairman. She success-
the Bush family, George prospered
fully repressed it until 1976, when
in the oil business. In 1949, the
the couple returned from China,
growing family moved to Califor-
where Bush had served as U.S.
nia, where they lived in five cities
envoy. He took up the post of CIA
in a single year-Compton, Hun-
director, a job that required long
tington Park, Bakersfield, Whittier
hours and that shut Barbara almost
and Ventura. Then on to Midland,
completely out of his professional
Tex., and Houston.
life.
In late 1952, tragedy struck with
WEDNESDAY. AUGUST 19. 1992
Дни Augeles Times
Marilyn Quayle
in the Spotlight
Politics: Her speech to the convention speech tonight
will give the vice president's wife a higher profile.
the debate over family values,
By ALAN C. MILLER
analysts say Marilyn Quayle faces
TIMES STAFF WRITER
other political hurdles.
H had been here only a few
OUSTON-Marilyn Quayle
She clearly aspires to assert
herself-but must do so without
hours before she went for the
overshadowing Barbara Bush. She
jugular.
undoubtedly wants to display the
Her audience was several hun-
smarts that have won her respect
dred fellow attorneys of the Na-
in many circles-but without trig-
tional Republican Lawyers Assn.
gering embarrassing comparisons
Her subject was legal reform. Her
with her gaffe-prone husband.
target was the American Bar Assn.
The five-minute speech itself
"You remember the ABA." she
marks a higher profile for a woman
told the lawyers assembled in the
who was stunned by the critical
Wyndham Warwick Hotel ball-
media onslaught that followed Dan
room Monday. "It's that group
Quayle's selection as the vice pres-
whose latest exploits include at-
idential nominee in New Orleans
tacking the Administration be-
four years ago.
cause we are too tough on violent
She let it be known in often
criminals, giving honor to Hillary
harsh terms that she felt he was
Clinton and Anita Hill, working
unfairly treated-not only by the
against reform to maintain the
media and the Democrats but by
status quo and their financial inter-
then-Bush campaign manager
James A. Baker III, a potential
est."
Don't expect Marilyn Quayle to
rival for the 1996 presidential nom-
remain demurely in her husband's
ination who Bush recently named
shadow. Kinder and gentler is just
as his new chief of staff.
not her style.
This evening. which is dedicated
F
riends say that she has hit her
to family values, she plans to tell
stride after initial dismay that
the Republican Convention about
she could not readily resume her
the baby-boomer dilemma-the
law practice because of potential
conflicts of interest.
choice that generation's woman
She moved into a six-office
have faced balancing careers and
suite-twice the size of the com-
raising their children. In Quayle's
case, it was compounded by the
plex that Barbara Bush occupied
before her-in the Old Executive
demands political wives face.
Office Building across the hall from
She is expected to cite her deci-
the vice presidential office. She has
sion to give up her law practice to
worked to increase awareness of
take care of her family when her
the importance of early detection
husband was elected to Congress in
and treatment of breast cancer,
1976. Friends point to the dinners
which proved fatal to her mother
at home each evening at 7. the time
at the age of 56.
she became the gung-ho soccer
She has also traveled around the
coach for her son's team when no
country and worldwide to assist in
one else would, the familial wor-
disaster preparedness and re-
ship at church.
sponse.
Recently. she has stepped up her
B
ut she is hardly the picture of a
political activities as well. She
conventional homemaker.
traveled to 28 states in the last two
Sharply intelligent, notoriously de-
months on behalf of candidates and
manding and fiercely ambitious.
state party organizations, raising
she had the doctor induce labor to
about $1 million.
deliver her first child because her
And. in the last year. she also
due date conflicted with her Indi-
became a novelist. She and her
ana bar exam. Although she has
sister, Nancy Northcott, wrote a
largely subordinated her own ca-
thriller about the overthrow of a
reer to her husband's, she has done
Cuban dictator, "Embrace the Ser-
so as a full and upfront partner.
pent." Despite unflattering re-
"They have a real partnership.
views- magazine complained
and he values her advice." said
about "a clutter of cliches" and
Sheila Tate. who served as press
"arthritic prose"-the sisters are
secretary to Nancy Reagan and is
working on a second book.
Marilyn Quayle's confidante.
She is a woman of unstinting
Some regard Marilyn Quayle as a
high standards-a perfectionist
force behind the vice president's
who has been known to explode
rise-reflected in her roles in his
when her expectations are not met.
campaigns and the effort to engi-
She seemed to voice her personal
neer his selection as George Bush's
style when she discussed her fa-
running mate in 1988. Tate dis-
vorite recreation. horseback riding.
misses such talk as sexist "non-
with the Washington Post last
sense."
year. "I ride hard, I ride fast," she
During the last four years, she
said. "There is no room for error.
has made herself the guardian of
And if there is error, you hurt
her husband's oft-battered public
yourself very bad."
image-once ordering his office
She is fiersely devoted to her
staff to remove a photo of the vice
three children-Tucker. 18. ben-
president playing golf that she
jamin, 15-and intensely protective
thought made him look fat. Ac-
of their privacy. Campaign sources
cording to an interview she gave to
say she would be highly reluctant
the Washington Post, she first
to use them in campaign ads.
scribbled all over the picture, then
Friends describe her as a warm
ripped it to shreds.
and generous woman. who will pull
In the process of highlighting
such pranks as placing a whoopee
her. the Republicans may be seek-
cushion on her husband' chair.
ing to contrast Marilyn Quayle,
But she can also be unyielding on
who is a fundamentalist Christian,
moral issues-typified by her re-
with Hillary Clinton, a Methodist,
sponse to an interviewer's question
whom the GOP has sought to
about whether a child of hers
depict as a feminist extremist.
would have an abortion. In a word:
Marilyn Quayle's chief of staff
No. Asked if the child would make
dismissed such notions. "Just be-
the decision, she said: "We will
cause she's a lawyer. a lot of
make it with her."
similarities are being drawn." said
Referring to the tough media
Marguerite Sullivan. "I've never
attention the Quayles have faced.
heard her discuss Hillary Clinton."
Tate said: "Anyone in those cir-
But as the respective spouses of
cumstances would get a little
the nominees on both major party
guarded with the press. 1 marvel at
tickets become more visible amid
the resilience of both of them.
Nub Augeles Times
Quarter-Million
Bosnians Face
"We're facing a very serious
Terror, Hunger
crisis." said Peter Kessler. U.N.
refugee office spokesman in Za-
greb. "These people have been
By CHARLES T. POWERS
terrorized. They are running out of
food. and winter is eight weeks
TIMES STAFF WRITER
ZAGREB. Croatia-More than a
away. "We are trying to help bring in
quarter-million Bosnian Muslims.
food supplies," Kessler went on,
under threat from the Serbian
"but we have only 66 trucks. and
"ethnic cleansing" program. are
we need 200 at least. It is a horrible
facing a campaign of terror and
situation. and we are in a race
hunger that could reach "tragic
against time."
proportions" in the weeks ahead.
Over the past several days. the
U.N. relief officials said Tuesday.
United Nations has sent "protec-
Spokesmen for the Office of the
tion officers" into cities and towns
U.N. High Commissioner for Refu-
in the region around Banja Luka in
gees said they are increasingly
an effort to discourage terrorizing
concerned over the fate of about
of the area's Muslim residents,
250,000 Muslim Slavs clustered in
most of whom now want to leave
the area around Banja Luka in
their homes because of the Serbian
north-central Bosnia-Herzegovi-
campaign to drive them out.
na. where U.N. refugee investiga-
The refugee agency also discov-
tors have met with steadily grow-
ered, as it probed into the region
ing hostility from Serbian officials
for the first time. that the number
who control the region.
Please see BOSNIA. A2
BOSNIA: 250,000 Muslims Face Terror
The issue of "war crimes," he said, is not
numbers.
Continued from A1
mentioned directly to the officials but
Germany has so far accepted about
of would-be refugees is higher than ex-
remains implicit. "What's going on there is
200,000 refugees from the fighting in the
pected. Although most of the Muslims
similar to the sorts of things that have
former Yugoslav republics. The rest of
remain in their homes, on the whole they
happened in other conflicts where there
Western Europe has been reluctant to
have submitted to the pressure and are
have been war crimes trials," he said.
accept the displaced victims of the conflict.
ready to leave, U.N. personnel said. Most of
the Muslims have been without jobs for
In most towns in the region, mosques
Other Balkan developments, according
more than a year, have run out of money
have been destroyed and hundreds of men
to news agencies:
and are beginning to run out of food.
of fighting age have been removed to
Nearly 1,000 women and children es-
detention camps, according to refugee
caped the Bosnian capital of Sarajevo and
The United Nations is resisting entreat-
ies from the Muslims-and simultaneous
officials and townspeople. The residents of
the terrors of war Tuesday. The 17-bus
Bosanska Kostajnica told reporters over
convoy carrying the refugees from the
pressure from Serbian officials-to organ-
ize a mass evacuation because the agency,
the weekend that Serbian gunmen terror-
fighting left for Belgrade, the Serbian and
as Kessler said. "is not going to become a
ized the Muslim neighborhood at night,
Yugoslav capital. The United Nations pro-
riding through the streets firing guns into
vided two armored cars as escorts.
party to 'ethnic cleansing' program
of moving non-Serbs out of areas claimed
the air. About 800 Muslims are left in the
Radar from unidentified forces locked
town. and their leaders say they want to go
onto a British Hercules C-130 aid plane as it
by Serbs.
as soon as possible.
was leaving the Sarajevo airport Tuesday,
But the protection officers, charged with
In addition to the estimated 250,000
according to the British Defense Ministry
gathering information on possible human
Muslims around Banja Luka, there are
and U.N. officials at the airport. Locking on
rights abuses but armed with nothing more
with radar is a possible first step to firing,
than their clipboards and their white
about 28,000 to 35,000 in an area northeast
vehicles with "U.N." painted on the side,
of Bosanski Novi, a group that the Serbian
but there was no confirmation that the
have met with hostile receptions in most
authorities urged the United Nations to
plane was fired on. The airport was closed
indefinitely to relief airlifts, but not to
places, Kessler said.
flights of peacekeeping troops, U.N.
spokeswoman Nadia Younes said in New
W
e're trying to establish a pres-
'It's like being forced to wear
York.
ence," Kessler said, "and we're
trying to get as many witnesses down there
an armband or a Star of David
A congressional report released in
Washington on Tuesday documents a cam-
as possible. We want to plant the idea that
on your coat, as the Jews were
someone is watching all this and acting as
paign of terror in Bosnia that includes
forced to do by the Nazis.'
random and targeted murders. The docu-
witnesses."
ment, the first official U.S. government
A U.N. protection officer and another
agency staff member who had gone to the
U.N. OFFICIAL
report on the horrors, says that the "ethnic
cleansing" of Muslims in Serb-inhabited
Bosnian community of Sanski Most were
areas has largely been accomplished.
"basically run out of town" over the
weekend, Kessler said.
evacuate last week. U.N. officials refused.
Prime Minister John Major's office
Muslim residents of Sanski Most, he said,
Another 300,000 Muslims are also sealed off
announced Tuesday in London that Britain
have been forced to fly white flags over
in the area known as the Bosanska Krajina,
is offering the United Nations an army
between Bihac and Velika Kladusa in the
battalion to escort aid columns in Bosnia.
their houses. According to the U.N. inves-
northwest corner of Bosnia.
After a 51/2-hour Cabinet meeting. Major
tigators, the white flags, evocative of
surrender, indicate that the Muslims have
The latter group, for the time being, has
said it is urgent to step up aid to the war
victims because they are facing the coming
agreed to sign over their homes and
appeared determined to resist expulsion.
possessions to the city administration, now
Observers note, however, that food sup-
winter unprepared.
run by Serbs.
plies, particularly in Bihac-which has a
A British government source, speaking
"It's frightening." said another U.N.
population of 70,000-are running low.
on condition of anonymity, said Britain is
The Muslims targeted for expulsion say
ready to make available on request up to
official. "It's like being forced to wear an
armband or a Star of David on your coat, as
they are frightened of the winter, when
1,800 ground troops and support staff to
the Jews were forced to do by the Nazis."
garden vegetables will no longer be avail-
escort relief convoys with the "blue hel-
The refugee officials said they were
able and when many of them will be unable
mets" of the United Nations. But the troops
to heat their homes.
would not defend convoys that come under
urging human rights organizations such as
Amnesty International, the International
attack from warring militias as they at-
Rescue Committee and Helsinki Watch to
B
eyond the United Nations' dilemma
tempt to deliver their humanitarian cargo,
send representatives to the area to try to
over whether or not to help evacuate
the source said.
halt the harassment of Muslims.
the Muslims lies the question of where they
Leaders of Bosnia's warring factions
"The message we are trying to get across
might be taken if they are evacuated.
agreed Tuesday to U.N. supervision of all
to the local officials there," Kessler said, "is
Croatia, with a population of 4.3 million,
heavy weapons around Sarajevo. "If this
that they will be held accountable for the
has already accepted 334,000 Bosnian refu-
agreement works, there will be no shelling
safety and welfare of these people when all
gees, and relief officials say the country
in Sarajevo," said Zaim Backovic, a deputy
may be unable to accept additional large
commander of the Bosnian forces.
of this is over."
Дыу Augules Times
U.S. Donations for Somalia Lagging
Charity: Gifts are only 1% of
been suffering from "compassion fatigue"
Somalia. Not only are thugs stealing food,
because of economic and social difficulties
merchants are hoarding it to wait for prices
the total that went to Ethiopia in
at home and problems around the world
to rise, officials said.
that have drawn American attention and
U.S. officials said they want to pour more
1985.
resources. At the United Nations, Secre-
food into Somalia to help drive down prices.
tary General Boutros Boutros-Ghali has
"There is a lot of food that is being hoarded
By DAVID G. SAVAGE
complained that the West has shown far
right now," Natsios said. "It's as good as
TIMES STAFF WRITER
more concern over the fighting in Bosnia-
gold. Since this crisis began, food prices
Herzegovina than for Somalia, even though
have gone up by 500%."
W
ASHINGTON-American private
far more people are dying in East Africa.
donations for food relief in Somalia
Davies and Bush Administration officials
I
f extra food pours in. merchants will
this year amount to less than 1% of what
stressed in a briefing Tuesday that the
have an incentive to sell what they have
relief agencies collected in 1985 at the
problem of famine relief in Somalia goes far
quickly, he said. The U.S. government has
height of the Ethiopian famine, an aid
beyond obtaining food and money. So far,
provided $85 million in aid to Somalia over
official said Tuesday.
relief efforts have been stymied by the
the last year, and last week the Adminis-
"Thousands of children and adults who
violence and anarchy that helped create
tration announced that it will deliver an
need help desperately are dying in silence,"
additional 145,000 tons of food to the
the famine.
in part because Americans and Europeans
"The bane of relief work in Africa is
region, some of it by way of emergency
have failed to respond quickly to the
young teen-age boys with guns," said
airlifts.
tragedy. said Peter J. Davies, president of
Andrew Natsios, the Administration's spe-
Those airlifts may begin as early as
InterAction, a coalition of American relief
cial coordinator for Somali relief. "This is
today, Pentagon officials said. Four C-141
not a civil war with two sides or three sides
cargo planes will ship food from the
agencies.
Those agencies have received well under
or four. It is anarchy. There is no govern-
Kenyan port of Mombasa, where 150 U.S.
$1 million in donations to Somalia this year,
military personnel are stationed. said Rob-
ment."
he said. That compares to $110 million in
ert Wolthuis, a deputy assistant secretary
contributions to Ethiopia between October,
1984, and March, 1985.
R
elief agencies have had to hire scores
for defense.
of armed Somalis to protect food
The Pentagon has also agreed to fly in
stocks, but even that does not assure that
500 Pakistani soldiers to provide extra
A raging civil war, combined with
mothers and their starving children will be
security in the Somali capital under the
drought, has led to widespread starvation
in the East African nation. But until recent
fed.
auspices of the United Nations.
weeks, the famine received little attention
"The relief agencies are passing out food
Davies said that the private relief agen-
in the West and was overshadowed by the
to women, the women take the food, walk
cies not only provide additional food but
violence and death in Bosnia-Herzegovina.
down the street, someone shoots them dead
also pay for most of the personnel who
In Somalia, at least one-fourth of the
on the street, steals the food and we have
actually distribute the food and medical
children under age 5 have already died.
this repeated over and over again," Natsios
help.
"I cannot stress too strongly that these
U.S. officials said, and an estimated 1.5
said.
Trade in relief supplies "is the main
voluntary agencies desperately need-and
million of the nation's 6.5 million people are
commercial enterprise" in Mogadishu, the
I repeat, desperately need-the public's
in danger of starvation.
State Department said in a new report on
financial support," he said.
Relief officials said the United States has
WEDNESDAY.
AUGUST
9,1992
Lus Anueles Times
U.S., Allies to Enforce
'No Fly' Zone in S. Iraq
concerns about the reconstruction of a
military air field bombed during the Per-
sian Gulf War, new roads that provide
Persian Gulf: Action is intended to protect Shiites.
security forces better access to rural Shiite
Britain, France warn that violators will be shot down.
areas and the draining of parts of the
southern marshland-in which the Shiites
tion Provide Comfort.
are hiding-in recent weeks.
By ROBIN WRIGHT
Although Washington did not
All are interpreted by the coalition as
and WILLIAM TUOHY
echo the British and French an-
signals that Iraq plans to escalate its
TIMES STAFF WRITERS
nouncements Tuesday. U.S. offi-
campaign against Shiite insurgents. One
cials have already outlined a plan
well-placed official described the airfield as
LONDON-Britain and France
that would send American aircraft
"a major base capable of handling fixed-
announced Tuesday that the U.S.-
led Gulf War coalition will create a
into southern Iraqi airspace to
wing fighter aircraft" and said it has
"no-fly" zone over southern Iraq
protect the Shiites. And Adminis-
become a major source of concern for U.S.
to protect besieged Shiite Muslims
tration officials said Tuesday that
officials monitoring the Iraqi crackdown.
there. They said they will shoot
most of the equipment and person-
In what may reflect a split between a
down any Iraqi aircraft that violate
nel needed for such an operation is
White House eager to challenge President
either in place or on its way. They
Hussein and the Pentagon's concern about
the zone.
said the zone could be established
a military quagmire, however, others said
The word came as Bush Admin-
istration officials expressed con-
Please see IRAQ, A2
the base is "not all that important" and "did
not really change the balance of power."
cèrn over the significance of a
One official noted that its significance is
newly rebuilt Iraqi air base in the
south and over intensified Iraqi
more symbolic than strategic. "Iraq's been
attacks on U.N. guards and relief
trying to restore its infrastructure, and this
"There is clear evidence now of
IRAQ: U.S.,
is another indication of the incremental
workers in the north.
process," said one official.
the systematic murder. genocide.
Pentagon spokesman Pete Williams said
of the Shiites," said British Prime
Tuesday that Iraq is building more roads
Minister John Major as he an-
Allies to Protect
into Shiite population areas and draining
nounced establishment of the ex-
marshes used as a refuge for more than
clusion zone south of the 32nd
200,000 rebels who fled urban areas after
Parallel.
their uprising against Hussein failed in
"We propose to monitor the
Southern Shiites
March, 1991. The number of flights by Iraqi
whole area from the air. We will
helicopter gunships also has increased.
In contrast to the northern Kurds, the
instruct the Iraqis not to fly in that
area," Major said. If Baghdad defies
Continued from A1
southern Shiites, who constitute at least
the coalition. Iraq "will be attack-
within the next few days.
55% of Iraq's 17.5 million people, have
ed." said the prime minister, who
The Pentagon last week dispatched a
received little attention since the departure
cut short a vacation in Spain to
30-person air warfare command staff as
of American troops after the Gulf War,
return to London for the five-hour
well as Special Forces units in preparation
even though Baghdad's treatment of them
emergency Cabinet meeting that
for creating the air shield over the
has been far harsher.
preceded the announcement.
southern quarter of the country.
In 1980, Hussein ordered the secret
In Paris, French Foreign Minis-
Britain, which already has some war-
execution of Shiite dissident leaders and
ter Roland Dumas also said the
planes based in Iraq's neighbor, Turkey, is
their relatives. And at the beginning of the
Western allies will forbid Iraqi
expected to send six high-performance
war with Iran, the Iraqi dictator expelled
military flights over southern Iraq.
Tornado combat aircraft and two in-flight
almost a quarter-million Shiites, while
He added that the U.N. Security
refueling planes to help police the exclu-
ordering Draconian measures to keep the
Council is discussing the establish-
sion zone, while France is likely to provide
community in line.
ment of a safety zone for the
a similar number of aircraft and the United
One of the prime areas of Hussein's
States substantially more. The allies would
current crackdown is the borderland
Shiites similar to the coalition-pro-
tected Kurdish area in the north
then mount 24-hour air patrols in the zone.
marshes to which the Shiite rebels fled.
established last year during Opera-
"If we find an Iraqi aircraft in the air
Baghdad has not, however, differentiated
over southern Iraq, we will shoot it down,"
between defectors and tribal Shiites who
a British military source said.
have lived in the marshes for centuries.
But a senior U.S. official said the coali-
Meanwhile in the north, Hussein also
tion members have not yet decided wheth-
appears to be escalating the campaign
er their response to the Iraqi crackdown
against U.S. forces and international relief
should be limited to attempts to impose the
workers. A Swedish U.N. guard was shot
zone.
and wounded Monday in a road ambush,
"It's a lot easier to go after the air," the
and three Danish U.N. guards narrowly
official said. But he drew a contrast be-
missed being injured by a hand grenade
tween the number of Iraqi troops in the
thrown at a house where they were
region-believed to be about 60,000-and
staying.
the fact that air strikes against the Shiites
The separate incidents are the latest in
have been relatively limited.
the escalating series of attacks against the
Until now, another official said, Iraqi
lightly armed U.N. forces and unarmed
President Saddam Hussein's forces have
Western relief workers in the Kurdish
launched only two significant aerial cam-
north. Since the end of June, at least 13
paigns against the Shiite insurgents, the
attacks have occurred-blamed by the
first in May and the latest in mid-July.
Kurds on Baghdad and by the Iraqi gov-
Only the second raid involved "full-blown
ernment on Kurdish guerrillas. One U.N.
fighter aircraft," a source said.
guard has been killed.
"The question is, what kind of scope are
Western analysts say they believe that
we really talking about here?" the official
the incidents are part of a deliberate Iraqi
said of a coalition response. "The response
intimidation campaign designed to erode
could be extremely extensive-U.N. troops
the cohesion and commitment of the coali-
on the ground and that sort of thing-or it
tion.
could be fairly limited."
The British and French announcements
Wright reported from Washington and Tuohy
came against the backdrop of U.S. and Arab
from London. Times staff writers Douglas Jehi
and Stanley Meisler In Washington contributed
to this article.
A Swedish U.N. guard was shot
and wounded Monday in a road
ambush in Iraq, and three
Danish U.N. guards narrowly
missed being injured by a hand
grenade thrown at a house
where they were staying.
WEDNESDAY. AUGUST 19. 1992
Los Augeles Times
Every Minute a Child Dies
The United States is scheduled to
Delay could mean death for many of
commence a desperately needed airlift
the 1.5 million Somalis now in imminent
Thursday that is expected to deliver
and mortal danger. Nearly 4.5 million,
145,000 tons of food to Somalia. That
three-quarters of the population, are
food-double the amount already deliv-
malnourished. Hundreds of thousands
ered this year by the United Nations,
(no one can say for sure how many)
the International Red Cross and other
may have died since the infamous
agencies-could mean the difference
Mohammed Siad Barre, the nation's
between life and death in this poor East
former leader, fled in January of 1991,
African nation, ravaged by war,
triggering an escalation of the crisis.
drought and famine.
Every minute in Somalia, according
The U.S. military will not unload or
to relief workers, a child expires. The
distribute the food; the heroic and
children die from starvation, dehydra-
overburdened relief workers who have
tion and diseases that could be cured if
risked their lives for months will do
medicine and food were available.
that. The thugs who hire themselves
Many with gunshot wounds perish
out as security guards ostensibly to help
because of shortages of blood for trans-
these workers instead often divert the
fusions. Some die just blocks away from
food to their families or the warehouses
the Mogadishu port, where huge ship-
of businessmen seeking to make a
ments of food await distribution.
killing on the black market in neighbor-
Western nations and charities are
ing Ethiopia and Kenya.
sending increasingly large shipments of
For this reason the United Nations is
food and medicine. The U.S. airlift could
expected to airlift 500 peacekeepers to
help enormously to stem the starvation
Somalia. Thousands of these guards
in Somalia. The Bush Administration is
may be needed ultimately to protect the
to be commended for moving, however
food.
belatedly.
WEDNESDAY. AUGUST 19. 1992
Пит Annolon Times
Elephant in the Tent:
Who's a Republican?
Reagan's answer made a lot more sense than Buchanan's
an openly gay delegate from Orange
T
wo distinct visions of the ele-
phant's Big Top-and of
County, has been active in his party
America itself-were on dis-
for as long as some of the Young
play at the Republican National Con-
Turks of the religious right have been
vention Monday night in speeches
alive. And entertainer Tanya Tucker,
from erstwhile presidential candidate
a single mother of two who is an
Patrick J. Buchanan and former
uncomfortable fit with the GOP party
President Ronald Reagan. Americans
line on "family values," sang the
were treated to something like a
national anthem. These two Republi-
prime-time version of "Honey, I
cans are like many Americans-and
Shrunk the Tent," followed closely
they are a reminder of the risk to the
by the summer sequel, "Honey, I
party of excluding those who other-
Blew Up the Par-
wise share its
ty."
views.
The contrasting
So this question
appeal of these two
of diversity is very
figures-Buchan-
much at issue
an, winner of zero
down on the con-
primaries, and
vention floor in
Reagan, winner of
Houston this
two landslide
week. The narrow
presidential elec-
extremists are ac-
tions-is evident
tive, visible and
enough in the
Which way the GOP?
audible, but they
electoral record.
do not necessarily
But in a nation celebrated for its
reflect the sentiments of mainstream
diversity, the small-tent concept and
rank-and-file party members. And
the big-tent concept of Republican-
the Republican Party must under-
ism were starkly at odds in opening-
stand that it is competing for the
night speeches designed to warm up
allegiance of a diverse nation in this
the party faithful. There's no question
and future elections.
that the former President's inclusive-
Compare the Reagan performance.
ness stood far above the nastiness
The former President took his own
served up by his former communica-
shots at the Democrats, which was to
tions director.
be expected in the ritual roasting at a
In his unnecessarily divisive attack
party convention. But the former
on homosexuals, Hillary Clinton and
President also said: "Now let's not
abortion rights, Buchanan hurled his
dismiss our current troubles, but
polemicist's spear. But though con-
where they [Democrats] see only
servatives have dominated the agen-
problems, I see possibilities-as vast
da-setting for this gathering, the
and diverse as the American family
party shows signs of internal restive-
itself." This was an unambiguous
ness. And the central Republican
appeal to a nation's sense of purpose,
message and its appeal to Americans
regardless of who we all may be as
are very much in need of definition.
individuals.
Moderates and pragmatists, sensing
But a former President by defini-
that the narrowness of rhetoric like
tion represents his party's past elec-
Buchanan's can drive people out of
toral triumphs, not its future direc-
the tent, understandably were un-
tion. It is up to others now to shape
easy.
the course. With an economy in very
In fact, some who justifiably might
rough shape indeed, and with some
have felt they were targets of Bu-
old Republican themes overtaken by
chanan's lancing have been in the
world events, those who put up the
hall this week on official party busi-
Big Top should start with a diverse
ness. For example, Frank Ricchiazzi,
America as a given.
WEDNESDAY. AUGUST 19. 1992
Dub Angeles Times
Put a Lid on the
Drumbeats for War
Iraq: Arab backing is doubtful
also to represent the Bush Administration's
efforts as a struggle between the West and
and Hussein's nuclear potential
the Arab-Islamic world. For him, the
has been curtailed, so why the
possibility that his provocations could
cause Iraq to be bombed contains a bit of
rush for military action?
Br'er Rabbit and the Briar Patch. A limited
military attack on his country could in-
By ROBERT E. HUNTER
crease his power at home if he can
successfully invoke patriotism and argue
The war clouds are gathering again over
that the United States and its allies are
Iraq. This time, the potential casus belli is
ganging up on non-Western people.
Saddam Hussein's brutal oppression of his
President Bush must also make a broad-
Shiite population. This is in addition to the
er calculation. Before he unleashed Desert
United Nations' effort to cleanse Iraq of all
Storm. he carefully constructed a coalition
weapons of mass destruction and the
of more than 30 countries. One key purpose
means for making them. No doubt, the
was to prevent Saddam Hussein from
Iraqi dictator richly deserves any punish-
getting away with his David-and-Goliath
ment meted out by the world, led by the
reasoning and to prevent a massive out-
United States. But is it wise for the United
pouring of sympathy from the "Arab
States to engage in renewed combat in
street. In the main. the tactic worked.
Iraq? That's far from clear.
But anti-Western hostility did increase
There are two strong foreign-policy
in much of the Arab world, especially
arguments for holding Iraq to a stiff
beyond the Persian Gulf states that had
standard. The United Nations is finally
been placed immediately at risk. The
coming into its own. With the end of the
election victory of the Islamic Salvation
Cold War. the Soviet Union (now Russia)
Front in Algeria-subsequently over-
began letting the world body assume some
turned by force of arms-partly stemmed
of the tasks assigned to it by its charter.
from the Gulf War. Islamic radicalism has
This helps to reduce the prospect of the
clearly increased in the West Bank, Gaza
United States having to act virtually alone
and Jordan. And Turkey and Egypt have
to reinforce principles of international law.
expressed fears about a renewed attack on
The Iraqi dictator regularly flouts the
Iraq; their leaders calculate that the poten-
will of the United Nations by challenging
tial political damage is not worth the
its mandate to eliminate his ability to
benefits of a punitive strike against Iraq.
produce nuclear. chemical and biological
At the very least, the United States must
weapons and the missiles to deliver them.
have the full support of the U.N. Security
If the United Nations prevails, it will get a
Council. But even if it has the votes, it
useful shot in the arm. There is immense.
needs to think about the overall advan-
value in delivering a message that a broad
tages. What is the rush? In late 1990, there
coalition of states is serious in opposing the
was serious debate in the United States
spread of mass-destruction weapons, nu-
about whether economic sanctions would
clear arms in particular. If the point is
be enough to force Iraq to quit Kuwait.
made in Iraq, even with military force,
That debate ended when the war began,
others are likely to think twice before
and the balance of evidence since then
seeking such weapons.
seems to validate that choice.
But if Iraqi compliance can be secured
But after all the destruction to Iraq's
only through the use of military force,
base for building mass-destruction weap-
there are further risks. The current imbro-
ons, it is most doubtful that it could return
glio contains another U.S. objective: the
to its aggressive ways without a major
removal of Saddam Hussein. Indeed, much
influx of war supplies and high-technology
of the U.S. focus on reducing Iraq's mili-
equipment from outside. Certainly, it can-
tary capabilities-and-now, belatedly. on
not get nuclear weapons unless economic
protecting the Shiites-stems from a desire
sanctions are broadly flouted by a variety
to get rid of Iraq's president. Washington
of the world's leading nations.
understands that it is one thing to gain
A year and a half after Desert Storm,
international support in order to keep Iraq
time is clearly on the side of Saddam
from getting nuclear weapons or oppress-
Hussein's opponents, provided they show
ing a minority; it is quite another thing to
resolution as well as patience in continuing
get backing for economic sanctions or
to quarantine his country.
military actions that are designed to drive
a foreign leader from power.
Robert E. Hunter is vice president for
This is part of Saddam Hussein's game.
regional programs and director of European
He wants to shift the world's focus to
studies at the Center for Strategic and
children being starved by sanctions and
International Studies in Washington.
WEDNESDAY. AUGUST 19. 1992
Dus Augeles Times
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 19. 1992
A11
Commentary
PERSPECTIVES ON CAMPAIGN '92
Bush, Part II: Cause for Optimism
Pacific. The Nicaraguan dem-
the world. And. perhaps most auspicious
Inspired presidential
ocratic revolution was be-
of all, we have welcomed and absorbed
leadership has made it
trayed by a loony bunch of
millions of vibrant and hopeful immig-
communist zealots, who pro-
possible now to address
rants to our shores, and they are
ceeded to invite Soviet arms
reinvigorating our cities, our schools
problems left festering
and advisers onto this conti-
and our economy.
during a dismal period.
nent to undermine our Cen-
None of this happened by accident. It
tral and South American
occurred because of inspired and confi-
By WILLIAM K. MUIR JR.
neighbors. In the United Na-
dent presidential leadership over the
tions, the United States was
last 12 years-a leadership that treated
an enfeebled giant, a laugh-
0 you remember the last time
problems as possibilities, that unshack-
D
ingstock. "Kick me" was the motto of
this country was free of so-called
led American entrepreneurial abilities
our foreign policy. Our military was so
political deadlock in Washington.
from oppressive taxes and regulations,
weak, our economy was so in shambles
when there was a Democrat in the
that permitted the American economy
and our confidence in our ideals of
White House and Democratic majorities
to create 20 million new jobs (net) and
personal freedom and democracy so
dominated both the Senate and the
turned the baby-boom generation into a
bereft that our single means to defend
House? In 1979, three years into his
productive and prospering asset, re-
ourselves was to withdraw from the
term, the Democratic President, in ca-
charged our traditions of personal gen-
Olympics.
hoots with his Democratic Congress, had
erosity and volunteerism and rededi-
Today. all that defeatism and torpor is
created double-digit inflation, interest
cated the nation to its unfinished work
gone. America's military might is domi-
rates approaching 20% and unemploy-
of spreading the ideals of personal
nant and it centers a United Nations
ment rates at 7% and rising. That was
freedom and democracy over the world.
coalition of partners from the Americas,
when the Democratic President threw
The presidential leadership of Ronald
Europe, the Middle East and Asia in
up his hands in surrender and said:
Reagan and George Bush has made it
securing international peace collective-
"A majority of our people believe that
possible now to address important prob-
ly. Communist totalitarianism has been
the next five years will be worse than
lems that have had to be left festering
exposed for the evil it was throughout
the past five years. The productivity of
during America's resurgence from its
most of Eastern Europe, Africa and the
dismal period.
American workers is actually dropping.
Americas and thrown on the ash heap of
We remember when the phrase 'sound
Those problems are four: drugs.
history, and in Cuba, China and North
as a dollar' was an expression of absolute
which eat away at the civilized fabric of
Korea it is in its final hour. Nascent
dependability. until inflation began to
our inner cities; violent crime; the
democracies, with free elections and
shrink our dollar and our savings. There
troubling growth of the non-working
free press, are trying to make their way
is growing disrespect for government
poor, and the burdens imposed on our
in the Philippines, Chile, Nicaragua.
and for churches and for schools. [We
health system by AIDS, the plague of
southern Africa and throughout the
have) a system of government that
our times, and longevity, the miracle of
former Soviet Union and its one-time
seems incapable of action. [All we see is]
our times. None of these problems will
satellites.
paralysis and stagnation and drift. It's a
disappear effortlessly: but neither is any
Here at home, interest rates have
crisis of confidence
one of them insuperable. at least if
a growing doubt
been restored to their lowest levels in a
about the meaning of our own lives and
addressed with the Republican ideas and
quarter of a century. Inflation last
in the loss of unity of purpose for our
presidential leadership that returned
month fell to an annual rate of 1.5%.
nation. The symptoms of this crisis are
our country from the Democratic dis-
Unemployment, because of the transi-
all around us.
may and the defeatism of the late 70s
tion to a less military economy. is higher
And things kept getting worse. In
back to our nation's real traditions of
than any time in the last decade (but
1980-the last year of Democratic domi-
hope and personal responsibility.
still two points lower than in 1982), but
nance-interest rates hit 21%. Inflation
all the conditions for an upturn are in
soared over 12%. Meanwhile, the Soviet
William K. Muir Jr. was a speech
place. Productivity is at an all-time
Union invaded Afghanistan and the
writer for then-Vice President Bush. A
high. personal indebtedness is down and
United Nations sat intimidated and si-
former chairman of UC Berkeley's politi-
inventories and interest rates are low.
lent. Iran brazenly seized our embassy
cal science department, he is the author of
Our leadership has succeeded in break-
in Tehran. The Soviet navy was being
"The Bully Pulpit: the Presidential Lead-
ing down barriers to free trade in North
welcomed in friendly ports in the South
ership of Ronald Reagan" (ICS Press,
America and virtually everywhere in
1992).
Angelen Timen
GOP Women Serve Grit, Not Tea
time to time and whispered
her equally combative colleague, press
They're not in the
with Matalin. But basically
secretary Torrie Clark, the Thelma and
spotlight for decoration;
the decisions and the energy
Louise of the GOP.)
came from the women. Dur-
By emphasizing the array of different
they're tough and on the
ing one of the lulls in the
types of women who are important to
attack to reverse the
activity I asked the assembled
the Republican Party, the Bush team
women why the Republican
clearly hopes to indicate that the GOP
macho party's decline.
attack team was all female.
really is a "big tent" into which all are
By ELAINE CIULLA KAMARCK
"Hormones." was the imme-
welcome. Women who are strongly
diate response, and then they
pro-life have nowhere to go but to the
were back to work.
GOP. and women who are strongly
H
OUSTON-Men used to like the
On Monday night, the convention
pro-choice will go to the Democrats;
Republican Party more than
spotlight was on Condolezza Rice, a
thus the fight is, as always, for the great
women did. The macho party
foreign policy expert who served Presi-
big middle.
espoused rugged individualism and was
dents Reagan and Bush on the staff of
But there's another explanation for
always ready for a fight with the bad
the National Security Council. Rice,
the prominence of women at this con-
guys (communists. remember them?).
who is black, is probably best known by
vention. The men of the macho party
Twice the Republicans chose the Marl-
the general public for not being allowed
are exhausted and confused. They have.
boro Man in a suit, Ronald Reagan, to be
into a summit meeting between Bush
starting with the President himself.
President. Mostly the gender gap
and Mikhail Gorbachev by the Secret
managed to get themselves (and the
worked to the detriment of the Demo-
Service, who could not believe that she
country) into big trouble. For much of
crats, who could never get enough
belonged in the room; she did. Tonight,
the summer, the men of the Bush
women to vote for them to overcome the
in an unprecedented move, both of the
campaign seem to have been Dukak-
number of men voting for the Republi-
candidates' wives, Barbara Bush and
isized. fumbling while Clinton & Co.
cans. After the 1984 election, I called a
Marilyn Quayle. will address the con-
landed punch after punch. It was during
Democratic friend in Alabama to com-
vention. Mrs. Bush is more popular and
this time that the women. led by Matalin
miserate. As we pored over polls show-
more likable than her husband; Mrs.
and Clarke and joined later by Mrs. Bush
ing that only one in 10 white males had
Quayle is widely reputed to be smarter
and Mrs. Quayle. began to fight back.
voted for Walter Mondale. my friend
than her husband. On Wednesday night,
Matalin was somewhat too aggressive
drawled. "Why. Elaine. I'm beginning to
another Republican woman, Labor Sec-
and got into trouble over one of her
have to doubt my masculinity.'
retary Lynn Martin, will nominate
hard-hitting attacks. but she seems to
So it was a little bit strange to find
George Bush.
have finally woke up the men.
myself in the middle of the Bush-Quayle
The fact is, you can't turn around at
If they were to make a Western movie
media room the other morning as a bevy
this convention without hearing about
about the GOP circa 1992, it would
of well-dressed ladies in pearls (who
yet another prominent Republican
feature an attack on the homestead that
could just as easily pass for ladies who
woman. Is this all a clever public
left the men wounded and in danger of
lunch) pulled together a counterattack
relations plot to try to deflect attention
dying. It would end with the women
against Bill Clinton's preemptive televi-
from the fact that the Republican plat-
hitching up their skirts, taking the
sion ads on taxes. At the center of this
form has a position on abortion that
men's weapons and saving the day. At
whirlwind were Mary Matalin, Leslie
constitutes cruel and unusual punish-
least that's what the women of the
Goodman, Katherine Murray and Chris
ment to women? Undoubtedly. some of
macho party hope to do.
Seeger. An older man (he's usually seen
the hype is just that-hype. (The Wash-
in a senior advisory role, but he looked
ington Post called the colorful and
Elaine Ciulla Kamarck is a senior
SO ineffective that. out of courtesy. I
combative Matalin, who is deputy man-
fellow at the Progressive Policy Institute
won't name him) meandered in from
ager of the Bush-Quayle-campaign, and
in Washington.
1114 Augelen Clius
Mike Luckovich AILANIA CONSTITUTION092
Mr. President, have you
ever had an affair 2.
Whew! Finally, a question
that isnt about the
economy...
EMIT
The Washington Post
George F. Will
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 19, 1992
Conflicting
Signals,
Worried
Republicans
HOUSTON-Republicans huddled
here-the comfortable in search of
comforting thoughts-cling to cliches
the way survivors of shipwrecks cling
to spars. Many of the cliches are nu-
merical.
Since the world's oldest two-party
competition coalesced in 1856, the par-
ties' presidential candidates have re-
ceived 1,208,665,869 votes. Republi-
cans have won 51.8 percent of the
two-party vote. But since 1952 Repub-
licans have received 53.3 percent:
since 1968, 55.1 percent.
In the 132 years since a Republican
first won the presidency, Democrats
have held that office just 52 years.
For example, many surly conserva-
They would have to win the next seven
tives here are most critical of Bush
elections, through 2016, to catch up
because there was a recession "on his
with Republican years.
watch," and because the recovery
In the 1980s, Reagan and Bush won
(there have been five consecutive quar-
1,439 electoral votes, more than any
ters of growth) is anemic.. But by
party ever won in a decade. In 1988
blaming Bush for this, these conserva-
Bush won by 10 or more percentage
tives are implicitly subscribing to the
points in 28 states with 263 electoral
notion that presidents can, and there-
votes-only seven short of the winning
fore should, control the economy's des-
number. In the last 36 years three
tiny, even to the point of preventing
Republicans seeking reelection (Eisen-
business cycles. There was a time
hower in 1956, Nixon in 1972, Reagan
when conservatives understood that
in 1984) won landslides, averaging
presidents shouldn't even if they could,
58.9 percent of the two-party vote.
and they can't.
But at this point Republicans run out
Furthermore, Chris DeMuth, presi-
of numerical Novocain. Other numbers
dent of the American Enterprise In-
hurt.
stitute, correctly argues that conserva-
One reason Bush could become just
tives who say the economy can be
the second incumbent since Hoover to
discombobulated by this or that action
be defeated is that Clinton, in order to
(or inaction, such as a failure to cut
win, does not have to make an aston-
capital gains taxation) are implicitly
ishing improvement on what Dukakis
subscribing to the heresy that a capital-
did. In contrast, Dukakis, to win in
ist economy is a fragile thing, requiring
1988, would have had to increase by 25
deft and detailed management by gov-
percent Mondale's 1984 total of 41
emment. The spread of that falsehood
percent of the vote. Such leaps are
profits only its natural adherents on
rare. In 1952 Eisenhower, a world hero
the political left.
running in a war-weary country, made
The same is true of the way some
a 22 percent improvement on Dewey's
conservatives talk about "values."
1948 portion of the total vote. In 1976
What kind of conservative feels com-
Carter made a 34 percent improve-
passless unless a politician supplies him
ment on McGovern's 1972 total.
with a "vision"? Some conservatives
Dukakis, in his percentage of the
say America is great but its "values"
total popular vote, ran the Democrats'
will be in mortal danger if Republicans
second strongest race in 24 years-
lose an election. If so, in what sense
stronger than Humphrey in 1968, Mc-
are they really rooted values?
Govern in 1972, Carter in 1980 and
Time was when conservatives were
Mondale in 1984. Bush's victory mar-
like Prime Minister Harold Macmillan.
gin of 7.8 points was well below the
When he was asked if he would give the
Republican average of 13 points in the
British a sense of "purpose," he replied
other six Republican victories since
that people seeking a "purpose" should
1952. To win, Clinton needs a smaller
consult their bishops, not their politicians.
jump from Dukakis's total than Duka-
An English parson once began a ser-
kis made over Mondale's total.
mon, "As God said-and rightly
Bush is the first president since
Some Republicans talk like that. Their
Hoover to become president by elec-
sincerity is as obvious as their ideas are
tion and to succeed a president of his
dubious, which is to say, immensely.
own party. Hoover was not reelected.
And the last time a party won a fourth
consecutive election-1944-the na-
tion was at war.
So, precedents send conflicting sig-
nais to worried Republicans. But then,
Republicans here are also emitting
conflicting messages.
People who attend conventions of
either party are people prone to for-
getting "how small, of all that human
hearts endure, that part which laws or
kings can cause or cure." Political ac-
tivists-it hardly matters what they
are active about-are alike in exagger-
ating the importance of their activity.
This is a human foible: Pickle mak-
ers probably think pickle-making
makes the world go 'round. But this
foible makes a convention of a conser-
vative party somewhat peculiar.
A convention of conservatives is,
supposedly, a gathering of people philo-
sophically committed to believing in
the merely marginal importance of
something--poltics-that obviously is
at the center of their lives. Now, these
convention-going conservatives will, of
course, insist that they are in politics to
put politics in its proper place, which
they say is off in a corner of life. But
they say other things that contradict
their conservatism
The
Wushington
Post
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 19, 1992
Lynn Martin, No Yes Woman
This Republican Begs to Differ but Still Gets Along
steely partisan countenance even
thinks Ferraro had planned to say it
By Charles Trueheart
when Bush attempted some pre-ses-
no matter what.
Washington Post Staff Writer
sion joshing. "I was like ice," she
Lynn Morley Martin, who lost to
P
resumably George Bush wants
says.
Democrat Paul Simon in a 1990 Sen-
Lynn Martin to be herself to-
The two women pols with their jut
ate race, has since become Presi-
night when she nominates him
jaws and rinsed locks are only super-
dent George Bush's secretary of la-
for a second term as president. But
ficially alike, but the resemblance
bor. She is a presence in the
on the day eight years ago when
must have made for good theater.
Cabinet, as at the Republican Na-
Martin made her biggest impression
Martin, who says she respected her
tional Convention, and this reminds
on Bush, she was not herself. She
friend Gerry's often-different views
everyone that the people around
was Geraldine Ferraro.
and was cheered by her nomination,
Bush don't all "look the same, talk
Bush was running for reelection
researched Ferraro's record thor-
the same and walk the same."
as vice president and couldn't have
oughly, and delivered to Bush the
Martin's casual formulation is a
been looking forward to debating
courage of her Democratic col-
friendly Midwestern Republican way
Ferraro, the sharp-edged New York
league's convictions.
of describing affirmative action; the
congresswoman who was his Demo-
cratic challenger. Not his strength,
Martin recalls saying nothing rude
phrase is a veritable mantra in her
to unsettle the well-mannered vice
sometimes errant, wisecracky pat-
debates. Facing a woman would be
ter. It's also very much the point she
tricky too.
president, whom she knew only
will be making, even if she does so
So he drafted Martin, the two-
barely at the time. But she did tell
only in her sidewise way, tonight.
term Illinois congresswoman, to play
Bush at one point, "Don't be patron-
Ferraro and spar with him in three
izing."
But the symbolism is more com-
plicated. Not only is the 52-year-old
practice debates. The first time out,
It threw him-and Martin likes to
Martin a woman ("and have been for
Martin recalls, "Barbara Bush pulled
think that it threw him a lot less the
most of my life," ho ho ho), she dif-
me aside and said, 'You get him. You
second time, on live television, when
fers with her president on an impor-
go after him.' Martin took the as-
the real Ferraro said something very
tant issue: abortion. What does it say
signment "at full value," donning a
much like that to Bush. Martin
about this president that he would
put forward an abortion rights advo-
MARTIN, From B1
camerahappy Howard Baker and
cate to sing his praises to a party
ie Reliable Source.
that has reaffirmed its intolerance
Page B3
See MARTIN, B7, Col. 1
for abortion?
"I can't imagine that the only peo-
ple who should work for a president
are those who sycophantically agree
on everything," Martin says. "It would
be the most boring Cabinet in the
world and it would be of no use to the
er. She was elected vice chairman of
president."
ington works-in the way it once
the House Republican Conference in
She says it speaks well of Bush that
worked for him-Bush rewarded her
'84, and lost narrowly in a bid four
he would embrace her, and she di-
losing Senate effort with responsibili-
years later to become chairman of the
gresses to indulge a partisan remark
ty for a $42 billion, 18,000-employee
conference. At the 1984 Republican
or two, one tinged with what must be
federal agency.
convention in Dallas, she seconded
personal gall as well. But she is ever
There she sits, a week before her
Bush's nomination-and, she remem-
Houston speech, in an office an acre
polite.
bers with a winning cackle, tripped as
"It's been a little interesting," she
big with one of those panoramas of
she mounted the podium.
says, actually meaning frustrating or
the Capitol that only Hollywood imag-
Martin may have been a party loy-
maddening, "for those of us who ran
ines. She's tall and angular. Her eyes
two years ago for the Senate to hear
alist, but she never shied from taking
startle, they're so gray and hollow.
this called The Year of the Woman.'
her own positions-for abortion
She pours iced tea, tucks her legs up
rights and the Equal Rights Amend-
When Republican women ran, it was
on the couch, and rambles-George
ment. After a visit to South Africa
The Year of the Incumbent.' We
Bush-style, at answer to a
with her Democratic colleague Wil-
have been there, and I have been
question about what she'll say in
liam Gray, she defied the Reagan ad-
Houston when she nominates her
there. Republican women have
ministration by voting to support eco-
boss and benefactor.
taken heavy risks and in that year
nomic sanctions; she also opposed the
we received very Little credit."
Her thoughts alight on this notion:
Bush administration by voting to
"He's coming to us as a president and
You can hear Illinois in the nasal
override the president's veto of fami-
he will leave a nominee. They are two
plateaus of her speech. You can easily
ly leave legislation, among other se-
very different things. And he can't
imagine the vivacious, tough-talking
lected demurrals from the administra-
give up one to be the other. But if
schoolteacher Martin was when she
tion line.
he's just one he won't be good at the
first got into politics, in 1972, as a
candidate for the Winnebago County
Her colleague Dick Durbin, a
other.
Board. Her schoolroom skills were
Springfield Democrat who served
Speaking of herself in the second
evidently transferable; as she later
with her in the Illinois legislature and
person, she says, "You's saying again
said, the House of Representatives is
the U.S. House, says, "There are
to the American people, what is it,
"just like a day-care center-every-
enough exceptions in her political phi-
why we at the convention selected
body would do a little better after a
losophy to suggest she has an open
this person again as the nominee.
mind." Durbin thinks of her as a
And how will that change your life."
little nap."
Charles Percy Republican. And also a
She adds: "Or if you don't elect him,
Martin served two years each in
the Illinois House and then the Senate
George Bush Republican? "The old
what will happen."
Oh, that. Will she use her few min-
(divorcing her first husband, John
George Bush," Durbin corrects.
Martin, in 1978). There she received
What undid Martin's elective ca-
utes on the stage to stick it to Clinton
the ultimate accurate of Jul Cay, if
rear, and handed her her first and on-
and Gore?
not this one: She could be "one of the
ly loss, was the 1990 Senate race.
"I don't say mean things about peo-
The boys in Washington waltzed her
ple," she says, examining the backs of
boys." What this means, says Chicago
Democratic political consultant David
with the prospect of slaying a Demo-
her hands. "I do lack a killer instinct.
Axelrod, is that "she's not intimidated
cratic dragon and winning a seat in
I get too nervous when people
by or uncomfortable with politics in
the Big House. But the wisenheimer
say, 'Go get 'em,' that kind of thing. I
quickly got into trouble by making a
think that might demean his nomina-
its rawest form."
tion."
Elected to the U.S. House of Rep-
mordant remark about "rednecks" in
resentatives in 1980 to fill John An-
downstate Illinois. And like a lot of
But she doesn't mind, in this con-
versation, throwing sudden jabs Bill
derson's Rockford seat, she quickly
other Republicans that year, she
leveraged her skills and connections
walked the no-new-taxes plank just as
Clinton's way. As she talks about
with her fellow Illinoisan Robert
Bush was retreating from it. Simon
Bush's tolerance for her support of
Michel to land a plum Budget Com-
dusted her.
abortion rights, she casts the by-the-
So, in the peculiar way that Wash-
book Republican Party aspersion on
mittee assignment. In a characteristi-
the Democrats' failure to allow an
cally antic remark, she confessed to
the Chicago Tribune that serving on
that committee so early in her tenure
was tike "getting sex education at age
6. It's a little too soon to under-
stand-there's a lot of stuff you really
shouldn't know until a lot later."
But in time, thrust into an impor-
tant negotiating role with the Demo-
cratic leadership, she won bipartisan
admiration and marked herself a com-
The Washington Post
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 19, 1992
antiabortion governor, Bob Casey, to
address their July convention.
"I was actually surprised," Martin
says, "when Bill Clinton said there
would be a litmus test [for pro-abor-
tion rights Supreme Court nominees].
I find that very worrisome. What if his
next litmus test isn't something I
agree with?"
Martin has been'a natural and will-
ing surrogate for Bush this year. On
the campaign trail a few weeks ago,
she nominated Al Gore for "the Rott-
weiler award." During NBC's cover-
age of the Democratic convention,
she registered to Tom Brokaw her
crocodile surprise that the Democrat-
ic Congress and its leaders were not
being showcased: "You know, these
were all the good old boys in charge
and they still are. That's kind of
amazing. They've just sort of pushed
that out of the way. I don't blame
last year as a chief aide to Lane Kirk-
of Labor has not been at the table, pe-
them, but it is interesting."
land at the AFL-CIO, says that Mar-
riod. 1 think in today's world that's a
Martin clearly enjoys politicking,
tin, in her 18 months at the depart-
mistake. So we try to push to the ta-
maybe more so, her associates say,
ment, "has permitted reductions in
ble. We try. Sometimes we win and
than being secretary of labor-never
staff in areas of enforcement where
sometimes we lose."
an easy post in a Republican adminis-
there's heavy unemployment. History
She doesn't sound wedded to this
tration.
shows that's the time when employ-
job. She is, in fact, wedded (since
Martin has not been a prominent
ers are likely to bend and violate the
1987) to Harry Leinenweber, a feder-
player even in some labor crises, such
law, and workers are restrained in
al judge in Chicago. He brought his
as last spring's rail strike. In a partic-
speaking up because they'll lose their
five children to the marriage, and she
ularly embarrassing juxtaposition, she
jobs."
her two. "We have a commuter mar-
appeared as guest host on ABC's
What's more, Young says, "She has
riage," Martin says, suggesting that
"Home" show during the strike nego-
had no impact at all on economic poli-
tiations, helping Gary Collins discuss
her days in Washington might well be
cy. I can't think of anything Mrs.
numbered. "I've been going back and
leg-hair removal techniques, super-
Martin has done for working people,
market tomatoes and insect repel-
forth now for 12 years."
and I am not drawing a distinction be-
lents. She did, however, get in a plug
She says Bush, "when" he is re-
tween people who are union and non-
for some Labor Department pro-
elected, deserves to choose a new
union."
grams.
Cabinet. But for now she's tinkering
A year into Martin's term, Kirk-
As part of her departmental educa-
land borrowed a line from Dwight D.
with her speech, listening to all kinds
tion, Martin undertook to work a
Eisenhower when he was asked to
of advice and pondering some verities
number of different jobs-burger-flip-
sum up her achievements: "If you
about the presidency and this presi-
per, hospital orderly, welder, lens-
give me a week I might be able to
dent.
grinder, drywaller-and did so with-
think of something."
"I am not a famous orator," but she
out inviting a retinue of cameras to
Does she have an influential voice
hopes to "do all right."
observe her stunt.
She speaks ardently about the se-
in economic policy?
Rep. Henry Hyde, the Illinois Re-
Martin sounds muted and rueful,
publican, has this advice for Martin:
curity of the American worker and
the revolution in the workplace. But
but keeps a stiff upper lip. "It's true
"Be yourself."
that for many years the Department
Also: Watch your step.
she is most convincing when she
stresses her own-and by inference
her president's-commitment to
eliminating the "glass ceiling," the
barrier that stunts the rise of women
and minorities to positions of respon-
sibility. This is the way to make sure
everyone at the Labor Department
doesn't look, talk and walk the same
way.
But to many union members and
Democrats, among others, Martin
has been at best a disappointment at
the Labor Department, all the more
so during a time of stubbornly high
unemployment.
The Labor Department is preemi-
nently an enforcement agency, riding
herd on business compliance with fed-
eral wage, pension and workplace
laws. "It's one of the most regulatory
agencies in the government," says a
former senior official in the depart-
ment-"minimum wage, civil rights,
health and safety, pretty fundamental
issues that drive business crazy."
But Ken Young, who retired late
Washington
Post
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 19, 1992
Prospects that the United Nations,
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 19, 1992 A19
under U.S., British and French domi--
nation, will escalate demands for in-
Rowland Evans
spection of the Defense Ministry and
other suspected sources of illegal
And Robert Novak
weapons development are the lesser
part of Baker's emerging strategy. By
threatening to intervene in the south,
Bearing
Baker intends to convince Iraq's inner
core of generals and Baathist leaders
that clinging to Saddam will divide and
destroy their nation. The Kurdish-
Down
dominated north is already separated
from Baghdad.
Denying air space and ground trans
port to Saddam from what is called:
On Saddam
Iraq's "southern triangle," stretching
to the Kuwaiti border and embracing
Basra and major Shilte cities, will be
HOUSTON-President Bush, in
Baker's signal to Baghdad of imminent
high-risk decision that could stunt the
dismemberment. Cut off from Bagh-
recovery of his ailing reelection cam-
dad, the Shiite south could control its
paign, is trying to force Saddam Hus-
own future with U.N. inspectors and
sein out of power by splitting Iraq.
human rights officials on the ground. in
James A. Baker III. back in the
White House running things, has pruner
dently guarded against political attack
Every responsible Democratic leader
"Think of Saddam's regime as a
now supports Bush's still-unannounced
table whose base has now shrunk so far
policy: to split off the southern one-
that 2 push at the top will tip it over,"
"I
third of Iraq from Saddam's Baghdad
Prince Bandar, the Saudi ambassador
and Baker's indispensable Arab con-
tact, told a friend here Monday. Public
execution of some 40 leading Iraq?
Removal of the
businessmen, following last month's
aborted coup, was a shocking revela-
president's nemesis
tion of how far that base has shrunk,
Saddam's official food taster is believed
could transform
to be the son of his chef.
As for bombing Baghdad ministries
Bush's campaign
Saddam is expected to barricade
against U.N. inspection, Baker believes
overnight.
that too will weaken Saddam with the
diminishing military elite that still
stronghold, converting the newly iso:
backs him. Bush approved the strategy
lated Shiite territory into "independent
of escalating inspection demands in a
Iraq" with a peaceful Kuwaiti border
top-level White House meeting last,
and a U.S.-backed government.
week and sent his Air Force generale
to the Persian Gulf to start planning
Thus, the danger liez not in Demo-
operations.
cratic charges of election-year politics
"If Saddam lets us into his Defense
but in the possibility of failure. If the
plan goes awry, slowly building confi-
Ministry, then we go a step further."
Maybe we demand access to his priors
dence produced by the national con-
vention here could collapse.
vate offices," a policy adviser told us.
"We will continue to escalate as long as
Campaign strategists are willing to
necessary, and sometime he will say no
take the risk. Removal of Bush's nem-
or admit total impotence. When he
esis is seen by Baker as a one-shot
says no, we bomb."
success-the only one-that could
transform Bush's campaign overnight.
Baker has another option: Demand
Iraq policy rose to the political survey
war-crimes trials. But he and the presi-
face here when the New York Times
dent worry that might implicate mili-
tary men beyond Saddam's inner circle
reported an imminent U.S. bombing
attack on Baghdad, coinciding with the
who could include the very post-Sad-
dam successor the United States is
convention, in retaliation for Saddam's
lack of cooperation with U.N. inspec-
looking for. However, the threat of
mass trials remains.
tors. While the willingness to use force
is real, Bush-Baker plans are more
There is no set timetable. Baker is
sophisticated.
counting on the United Nations taking
Baker's analysis is threaded with his
action along the lines of his strategy
usual political astuteness: Play Bush's
well before the Nov. 3 election-per-
commander-in-chief card, his unblem-
haps before this week is out, perhaps
ished political asset. That automatically
next. The sudden focus on the bad man''
puts the nation's focus on the inexperi-
from Baghdad is more evidence that
ence of Gov. But Clinton and his avoid-
with Baker now boss, the Bush came
ance of military service during the
paign is showing a pulse.
Vietnam War.
o Creators Syndicate Inc.
For his part, Clinton has publicly
pledged to support anything Bush
chooses to do to bring down the Iraqi-
dictator. So have his party's military
spokesmen: Sen. Sam Nunn and Rep.
Les Aspin, chairmen of the Senate and
House armed services committees.
Three weeks ago in an Oval Office
session, Nunn and Aspin quietly unin,
derwrote whatever anti-Saddam strat-
egy Bush picks. Aspin specifically in-
serted language in the defense
authorization bill reasserting the Unit-c
ed Nations' right to stop Saddam's
human rights outrages in the Shiite
south.
the Washington Post
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 19, 1992
Yeee-Haw!
Phil Gramm's
Texas Sideshow
The Convention Keynote Speaker,
Strutting His Hour on the Stage
By Lloyd Grove
Washington Post Staff Writer
HOUSTON, Aug. 18
H
ere in Texas, they call it "Gramm-standing."
The expression refers to Sen. Phil Gramm-today's
keynote speaker at the Republican convention-and his
insatiable hunger for grabbing the limelight while running
roughshod over his rivals.
The term gained currency in April 1989, when Gramm took
credit for snagging a federal grant for a sewage project that
Rep. Albert Bustamante (D-Tex.) had personally shepherded
through the Economic Development Administration. The ju-
nior senator from Texas had done nothing, Bustamante com-
plained.
"Albert Bustamante is jealous of the fact that he can't do
anything in his district and I get things done," Gramm said dis-
missively in the wee hours of this morning, as he fielded ques-
tions about his White House intentions in 1996. "Unfortunately
for Albert, he wants to be in competition with me. And when
you get in competition with me in Texas, you don't win."
Gramm made these remarks-which Bustamante's press
secretary called "trash"-as he held court at a country-west-
ern hoedown, thrown in his honor by the National Rifle Associ-
ation. Thousands of convention-goers crammed into the Astro
Arena, a hall with the ambiance of a hardened bomb shelter, to
drink beer from plastic cups and watch a film celebrating
Gramm's life and times-a privilege for which they'd paid $75
a head. "Phil Gramm, a new leader for America," narrator
Charlton Heston intoned (visual: Gramm's face superimposed
See GRAMM, B2, Col. 1
BY MARGARET THOMAS-THE WASHINGTON POST
Texas Sen. Phil Gramm, grabbing the limelight in Houston.
The Washington
Post
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 19, 1992
Feisty
Phil Gramm
GRAMM. From B1
over a Clapping flag). as the honoree surveyed his domain
from an imperial box in the $500 VIP section.
The man of the hour was introduced in the flesh by
Heston, and greeted by yells of "Yeee-haw!" as he de-
scended to address them-his wife, Wendy, at his side.
"This is an event that I believe is gonna be the great-
est social event at this convention," he twanged, "just as
George Bush's speech is gonna be the greatest speech at
this convention."
By all appearances, it looked as if Gramm were hold-
ing a convention of his own.
He'd been on the run since dawn of the previous
day-getting honored at a breakfast for the National Re-
publican Senatorial Committee, which he chairs; hosting
a luncheon for the delegates from Iowa, the nation's ear-
liest presidential caucus state; and meeting with Republi-
can contributors and other political players in various pri-
vate sessions.
"I think anybody who's ever been a city councilman,
much less a United States senator, is interested in being
president of the United States," Gramm said-though he
coyly insisted that none of these exertions, much less all
the Texans wearing "Gramm '96" buttons, has anything
to do with this interest.
"I'm up for reelection in 1996, so my committee is
called 'Gramm '96,' he explained with a winning grin.
But surely he couldn't run for senator and president si-
multaneously?
"Yes I can.
A lot of Democrats have done it,"
Gramm said, invoking the unusual Texas law passed for
the convenience of Sen. Lyndon Johnson during the cam-
WOOD FOR
paign of 1960, and later exploited by Sen. Lloyd Bentsen
Sen. Phil Gramm of Texas at his "Red, White and Boots"
in 1988. But that was for vice president.
fund-raiser in Houston Monday night
According to the September issue of Vanity Fair, Mar-
ilyn Quayle hit the roof after Gramm sent delegates vari-
Fear of Gramm, his colleagues say, is probably what
ous invitations under the aegis of "Gramm '96" instead of
makes him so effective, and Gramm seems to delight in
the more generic senatorial campaign committee, and
that Gramm was ordered by the Bush-Quayle campaign
being the Democrats' bête noire.
to change the sponsorship of several events.
"I think the statement was," said Gramm, recalling one
"I heard the story," the senator said, suddenly darting
of the old chestnuts he never tires of repeating. "that I
his eyes at a nervous aide, "but she never called to tell
didn't come to Congress expecting to be loved, and I've
me."
not been disappointed."
And then he left to greet his guests in the Astro Are-
One GOP politician here says Gramm's Texas support
na.
must reflect the Republican base, because nobody votes
Gramm, 50, is clearly a horse of a different color from
for him out of affection.
good-looking, charming wannabes such as South Carolina
"He's a rammer," said Sen. Conrad Burns of Montana,
Gov. Carroll Campbell, Massachusetts Gov. Bill Weld,
contrasting Gramm's style to his own preference for
Housing and Urban Development Secretary Jack Kemp
cloakroom consensus-building.
and even Vice President Quayle. Balding and stoop-
Gramm is also known as a first-class strategist who on
shouldered, peering through wire-rimmed glasses, he
any given issue decides immediately what he wants and,
looks like a mole squinting into the sunlight-albeit a
just as important, figures out how to get it. It is a trade-
mole with very sharp claws.
mark he established when he arrived in the House, as a
Take the experience of Sen. Kent Conrad, a North Da-
Democrat, in 1979, having spent a decade as an econom-
kota Democrat.
ics professor at Texas A&M University. He quit his seat
In February 1989, Conrad tangled with Gramm before
in 1982 after the House leadership accused him of "spy-
the Senate Energy Committee, where Gramm testified
ing" on Democratic caucuses for the Reagan administra-
on behalf of the multi-billion-dollar superconducting su-
tion and threw him out of the Budget Committee. He
per-collider, to be built in Texas. Conrad was incensed
was resoundingly reelected that year as a Republican.
that Gramm, who'd gained his fame as the arch-enemy of
"He's very smart, extremely facile to the edge of glib-
deficit spending (mainly as an author of the Gramm-Rud-
ness, and he appears to have a towering ambition," said
man-Hollings budget-balancing law), had continually at-
Sen. Tim Wirth, a Colorado Democrat who has served
tacked the pet project of Conrad's senior colleague.
with Gramm in both the House and the Senate. That am-
Gramm had mocked Sen. Quentin Burdick's proposed
research center at North Dakota State University as a
bition is flowering this week with his keynote address
and his deft rise of his oost at the helm of the Senate
pork-barrel boondoggle to promote "weeeeed science."
"Here you are, one of the foremost advocates of being
campaign committee.
Since he took over the campaign committee in 1990,
tough on spending, in here advocating a spending project
that would benefit your constituents," Conrad scolded
Gramm has been tireless in raising money for GOP can-
Gramm. "It's not high on my list," he added.
didates around the country and picking up IOUs. For Illi-
After the hearing, Conrad confirmed, Gramm phoned
nois Senate contender Rich Williamson, facing an uphill
him with a threat.
battle against Carol Moseley Braun, Gramm not only
"You really got me where it hurts," Gramm told his
contributed $1 million in committee funds, he also raised
colleague, "and now I'm going to get you."
an additional million by spending a day in Illinois recently
As far as Conrad knows, Gramm hasn't yet delivered
appearing at 16 fund-raisers. Should he win a Senate
on his threat.
seat, Williamson will be hard-pressed not to support
Gramm for whatever office he seeks.
Indeed, several of Gramm's colleagues describe him as
a fierce defender of Texas pork, as well as other inter-
As for his Gramm's vaunted combativeness, Wirth
ests close to his heart.
said, "He'll be mocking, but he does not do things that
A Democratic senator, who spoke on condition of ano-
are openly nasty."
nymity, said Gramm pulled out all the stops last year to
Not usually, anyhow. Many still remember Gramm's
prevent the Bush administration from transferring regu-
performance during the 1987 Supreme Court nomina-
latory authority from the Commodities Futures Trading
tion battle of Robert Bork, when he personally attacked
Commission to the Securities and Exchange Commis-
two of his anti-Bork colleagues, Ted Kennedy (D-Mass.)
sion. Wendy Gramm, the Texan's wife, chairs the CFTC.
and Joe Biden (D-Del.): "The American people know
"Gramm browbeat and hammered [Treasury Secre-
what the people who cheated in college think, but we
tary) Nick Brady, just clobbered him," the Democrat re-
want to give them a chance to hear the qualifications of a
called. "And Nick Brady
would not take on the fight."
guy who was a straight-A student."
The Washington Post
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 19, 1992
signed to the task ahead. "It's just not
fun to run" when campaign rhetoric
gets "too filthy," she said. But: 1 can do
anything for three more months."
In the eyes of Republicans, she can
do no wrong. In fact, she could rein-
vent the wheel and get credit for it.
Certainly they are counting on this Sil-
ver Fox to be a huge asset, especially
alongside lawyer-activist-mother Hilla-
ry Clinton, a prime target so far at the
convention. According to a Wall Street
Journal-NBC News poll released Fri-
day, she has a 63 percent popularity
rating with voters compared with Hilla-
ry Clinton's 34 percent.
Barbara Bush maintains that she
does not appreciate such comparisons,
or the idea that she might find friendli-
er audiences out there in voterland
than her husband. "Nobody is jealous of
me," she said. "I mean, look at me.
Who would be? It's easy to like me.
They like George and they respect
him. But he has to say no to people be-
cause he has to do what's right for the
country, and that's hard."
It won't be her first speech at a
GOP convention; she spoke four years
ago in New Orleans. In 1984 in Dallas,
Nancy Reagan's "speech" was more of
a Hollywood production, with Ronald
Reagan waving back from a giant tele-
vision screen. Neither woman filled the
political mission that Eleanor Roose-
velt did in 1940 when FDR sent her to
Chicago to urge the nomination of
Henry Wallace as his running mate.
"But Eleanor didn't have to sell the
New Deal all over again," says Univer-
sity of Texas historian Lewis Gould.
"Republicans, on the other hand, are
undergirding the primary message of
family values, choosing an issue they
think works for them and a person to
deliver it who is far more popular than
either of their candidates.
"What it suggests is that Mrs. Bush
has presented herself very effectively as
First Grandma and Bush has lost most
of his credibility," Gould continued. "If
having the First Lady speak is one of the
strongest weapons in your arsenal, your
arsenal needs some new weapons."
RATING THE VICE PRESIDENTS
Most popular: Nixon
100
July 30-Aug. 4,
Approval or
1960: 71%
favorable rating
80
Disapproval or
unfavorable rating
July 10-13,
1987: 62%
60
40
20
0
20
40
Aug 17-20,
60
1973:31%
Nixon
Johnson
80
Humphrey
Agnew
Rockefeller
Mondale
Bush
Quayle
1953-61
1961-63
1965-69
1969-73
1974-77
1977-81
1981-89
1989-92
NOTE: Data are lacking for Ford's appointive vice presidency in 1973-74.
Least popular: Quayit
SOURCES: The Gallup Poll, The Washington Post-ABC News Poll
The
Washington
Post
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 19, 1992
Granny Get Your Gun: The Other Mrs. Bush
age-have made it to center stage
By Donnie Radcliffe
this year, casting her in a more visi-
Washington Post Staff Writer
ble campaign role than she has ever
HOUSTON, Aug. 18
played before. With a favorable rat-
hen the First Lady takes the
ing as high as 75 percent-more
W
podium Wednesday night at
than twice that of her husband's-
the Republican convention,
it's obvious why.
which Barbara Bush will be speak-
After 3½ years in the White
ing?
House, she is what Americans re
The devoted wife, loving mother,
gard as the kinder, gentler side 0
down-to-earth grandmother who put
George Bush. But behind the non
her family first 47 years ago when
threatening white hair and wrinkle:
she left college to marry George
ticks the mind of a politically shrew
Bush? Or the cagey political partner
woman who choreographs he
who will capitalize on her image as
moves as carefully as her husban
the most popular First Lady in de-
does his own.
cades, to keep her man in the White
Take, for example, last week'
House?
amazing performance on the subjec
Most probably both.
of abortion. For Bush's entire publi
Barbara Bush and her family val-
career, she has dodged the issu.
AGENCE FRANCE PRESSE
ues message-both in carefully cho-
while leaving abortion-rights advc
rbara Bush and son George at the convention: Behind her grandmotherly Image is a politically shrewd woman
sen words and unmistakable im-
See ANALYSIS, B4, CoL 1
ANALYSIS. From B1
cates thinking she is secretly one of
Steady Barbara Bush
them. Last week, in a group inter-
As it happened, U.S. News & World
view with reporters, she again turned
Report, fearing it would be scooped,
aside questions about where she stood
"By osmosis things sometimes
released the news prior to publication,
work," she said later. "So I felt very
recently called her a "stealth-Nancy in
on the issue.
so the story broke last week anyway.
"On abortion, I have to ask you
good about his speech. He talked about
Keds"-as in Nancy Reagan, who was
Strangely, Barbara Bush never men-
the things, the issues important to
deeply involved in her husband's busi-
something," began the Boston Globe.
tioned it again in her heavy schedule of
ness. This month's Vanity Fair goes
"Why is it so many of your friends
me."
interviews.
Previewing Wednesday night's
further, portraying her as a control
think that you are more pro-choice?"
Could the First Lady, the very em-
"I have no idea. I have no idea," she
speech last week at the White House,
freak who sends shudders of terror
bodiment of spontaneity, have been
she characteristically played down its
through the White House. How could
responded, clearly uncomfortable with
party to such a calculated campaign
significance. "Don't expect anything,"
this happen?
the subject.
tactic?
"Let's guess," she explained. "We've
"Because you never expressed it to
You betcha, as she might put it.
she warned, "because you're not going
got four months before the election.
them, never talked about it?" the Globe
But officials demurred. "Her life is
to get it."
How do you get to George Bush? Clob-
persisted.
not all politics," insisted the White
Curiously, at the same time, senior
ber his wife. The truth is, nobody ever
"I've always felt that if I ran for
House.
Bush campaign aides were building her
said I was a saint. But I wasn't what
president, George Bush would back me
up. T'd keep a close eye on Mrs. Bush,"
that [Vanity Fair) article said either."
100 percent. That's the best I can do,"
said one. "She might surprise you."
If the media have given her a relative-
she said.
Barbara Bush picked her issue 14
This is, of course, exactly the sort of
ly easy ride so far, it might well be be-
A little later, abortion came up
years ago. She chose literacy, heavily
responsibility Barbara Bush claims she
cause she can be as funny, frank and
again.
layered with family values.
doesn't want. To hear her tell it, ex-
compassionate as she is sly. caustic and
"No, we can't return to that," she
"I'm a traditionalist," she said in
pectations about what she is going to I
argumentative. And of course, she is al-
began. "Tve given my answer."
1981, "if traditionalism means family,
say make her "very nervous.
ways quotable, answering reporters'
"Well, I'm returning to it," insisted
loyalty, integrity, truth."
can't change family values. I can't
questions most of the time-the way
The Washington Post, "and I want you
In 1984 she spoke of "parental love
innate, instinctive in man or wom-
come up with a zinger. It isn't going she to
any politician does-because she's a
to tell me how can the Republican Par-
be a great speech.
I
mean,"
quick study who prepares assiduously
ty, which
complained in that self-effacing way
for her media encounters. Behind the
"I don't know the answer," Mrs.
an." She added that she did not think
she resorts to at times, "it's nothing."
scenes she leaves nothing to guesswork.
Bush interrupted.
"men and women should have children
She even went so far as to say this
Even if someone were looking for a
which wants less government,"
and not take the responsibility."
week that people wouldn't find it worth
weakness, she seems almost uniquely
continued The Post.
In 1988, she pointed out that
staying up to watch, reinforcing again
invulnerable to attack. Unlike Hillary
"I do not know the answer to this,"
George was "always there when the
that harmless grandmotherly image
Clinton, who has spoken and published
children needed him."
Mrs. Bush said.
marred only rarely by a public slip-or
on controversial issues, Barbara Bush
Sound familiar?
wants less government in our
a pointed criticism-like her "rhymes
has virtually no record to examine. Her
lives," The Post went on, "comes out
After 3½ years, her message of
with rich" shot at Geraldine Ferraro.
family is her career. And her only issue
family values has been taken up by the
Yet she is tough and combative
has been literacy, hardly the material
for a platform that
party as a whole as one of the main
when she has to be. Few presidents'
for political broadsides. Should she,
1 don't know the answer to your
wives have seemed as suited to the
however, go on the attack and begin to
question," the First Lady interrupted
themes of the 1992 campaign. It's a
again, "and so in all honesty don't ask it.
positive theme, stressed so far at this
challenge of a campaign, no matter
create a trail of public remarks and pri-
convention over other topics like the
how mean and personal it becomes.
vate advice, that could change.
1 don't know the answer to your ques-
tion. Pro or con. I just don't want to get
economy, in which the administration
Even for her. though, this year has
Tonight on "The MacNeil/Lehrer
into abortion. Tye had it with abortion."
is on the defensive. Wednesday night
hit "an all-time low," with the punches
NewsHour," she floundered in unfamil-
A few hours later, the reason she
she will be talking about them on
landing on her husband and children
iar waters on policy issues and seemed
had "had it" became obvious. The day
prime-time television.
particularly "hurtful." To stay above
to adopt the party line of blaming the
before-for the first time publicly-
Explaining her choice of an issue,
the fray earlier this year she "damned
media, admonishing Judy Woodruff:
she expressed what came perilously
she said her methodical research had
near bit her tongue off," says one
"You're saying nothing nice. Where
close to advocating abortion rights in
convinced her that the root cause of
source. Privately, she was furious
were you during the Democrat con-
society's ills was illiteracy. "She began
about Hillary Clinton's published com-
vention defending us?" When she stem-
another group interview with the three
to see the connections the inability to
ments this spring in Vanity Fair asking
ly told Woodruff, "Now come on, be
read had with crime rates, juvenile de-
why Bush was not questioned about a
fair," Woodruff responded diplomatical-
major newsmagazines. "I'm saying
abortion should not be in there, pro or
linquency, world peace, teenage preg-
rumored illicit affair, calling it "lower
ly, "1'll try to be, Mrs. Bush. Thank you
nancies and unemployment, and that il-
than low." But publicly, Mrs. Bush dis-
for the advice." The interview ended
con," Mrs. Bush said of the GOP plat-
literacy echoed through the whole
missed the remarks with a ladylike, if
with Mrs. Bush warning, "Tm going to
form. "It's a personal choice, is what
fabric of society," said her friend Janet
firm, "baloney." Last week, when ru-
listen to your questions. I'm going to
I'm saying, personal thing. The person-
Steiger, the Federal Trade Commis-
mors of the affair resurfaced, she
monitor you."
al things should be left out of, in my
sion chairman, who will join her on the
turned up the volume, calling the re-
Gearing up for the fight-of George
opinion, out of platforms and conven-
dais Thursday at a Harris County Re-
ports "ugly," "deceitful," "harmful" and
Bush's political life, Barbara Bush is re-
tions."
publican tribute to the First Lady.
What's going on here? Why, having
"just mean."
taken such a strong stand one day,
Under the umbrella of literacy, her
Still, she didn't forget the wry, dis-
would she clam up on the subject the
rhetoric was geared toward home and
arming exit line. 'it's funny," she later
family. And by the time George Bush
told an interviewer, laughing about it.
next day?
Barbara Bush's office isn't saying, but
stood in front of the U.S. Capitol deliver-
"Nobody ever asks if I've fooled
it's no secret that the newsmagazines
ing his inaugural address in 1989, Bar-
around."
hit the stands on Monday-just as
bara Bush's cause had found its way into
She hasn't been laughing-not yet,
his "kinder, gentler" message: There
George Bush's platform, with its uncom-
anyway-over two recent unflattering
promising antiabortion plank, would be
are the homeless, lost and roaming.
articles about her. The New Republic
There are the children who have noth-
put to the vote of 2,210 delegates.
On that day, her statements would
ing those who cannot free them-
selves of enslavement to whatever ad-
have maximum impact-if they were
diction.
intended as a wink to reassure embit-
Young women to be helped
are about to become mothers of children
tered abortion-rights supporters: Don't
they can't care for
The Washington
Post
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 19, 1992
WE'VE HEARD THAT.
The Boxed-In, Part 2
At least one member of the president's
family is not hiding her light under a
Among those sitting in the Vice
Bush. When Nancy Ellis saw a Houston
President's Box last night:
protest sign instructing "Honk if You're
Marilyn Quayle; Texas millionaire
for Choice," the president's sister
Trammell Crow Sr. and his wife,
enthusiastically ordered her driver to
Margaret; Senate candidate Charlene
"Honk! Honk!"
Haar of South Dakota; Roy Innis,
RNC Chairman Rich Bond jumped on
Congress of Racial Equality national
California Sen. John Seymour minutes
chairman; Labor Secretary Lynn
before the senator's speech Monday,
Martin; radio host Rush Limbaugh;
complaining about unauthorized
Pat Robertson; Howard Baker; U.S.
abortion-rights language in the text that
Olympic Committee President Bill
made reference to Barbara Bush. "This
Hybl; Cap Cities/ABC Chairman Tom
wasn't cleared!" Bond is quoted as
Murphy; Malcolm Forbes Jr.; and Pat
Rich Bond knows which words to use.
snapping. And lo and behold, the
Buchanan.
language was changed when Seymour
book," Chairman Thomas McCormack
And the highlights from the
spoke.
says, "chances are a confidentiality
President's Box: T. Boone Pickens,
Barbara Bush had to step past four
agreement would prevent me from
Bruce Willis, Cheryl
Ladd and former
people in the President's Box Monday
saying so." Sounds like a yes, no?
night to shake Pat Buchanan's hand after
Olympic swimmer
Bill Clinton, Tipper Gore and Bush
Donna de Varona.
his speech. Buchanan didn't go to her, as
political operative Mary Matalin all
protocol would expect.
celebrate birthdays today. But Clinton
PRESIDENT
Ron Brown did not have a good day.
and Gore will be celebrating together.
As the DNC chairman tried to hold a
Yves Graux, Barbara Bush's longtime
Howard's End
VICE
press conference across from the
coiffeur, is in Houston to style the Silver
Astrodome yesterday, carloads of
Fox's locks for her big speech tonight.
The ironies of history are many. As
scrub-faced Republicans wheeled into the
It's his first time on the road with her.
Ronald Reagan delivered what may have
restaurant parking lot with cowbells,
The best celeb the GOP has been able
been his valedictory address to the
large signs and booming voices. They
to produce on the floor so far is Charlton
convention Monday night, a small figure
banged on the windows for a full 45
Heston, who hasn't drawn
moved through the stands of the
minutes, screaming slogans like, "Hey,
this much attention since he
Astrodome, searching for an angle to get a
hey, ho, ho, Bill Clinton's got to go!"
was Moses.
clear view of the podium. It was Howard
The tell-all Ted Kennedy book by
There are 15 intercom
Baker Jr., a man who once loomed large in
former staffer Richard Burke, dropped
extensions at Bob and
GOP circles and even flirted with the
by Putnam's last week as a too-hot
Georgette Mosbacher's
presidency. Just six years ago, after the
potato, looks like it's been picked up by
huge River Oaks house. One
Iran-contra scandal had paralyzed the
St. Martin's Press. "If I were buying the
is to the "wine room."
Reagan administration, the former senator
from Tennessee rallied from retirement to
become chief of staff and rescue the
president's credibility.
All Baker wanted was a spot from which
he could photograph the man for his
extensive collection. "I talked with him last
month," said Baker, now a Washington
lawyer. "He's slowing down a little
but
not very much. He's remarkable.'
He clicked away.
The Washington Post
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 19, 1992
Moderates Looking Beyond Bush
Losers in Bitter Platform Battle Find Consolation in Planning Strategy for '96
"We're the largest untapped political
By David S. Broder and Jonathan Freedland
force in the country, we moderate Repub-
Washington Post Staff Writers
licans," said Rep. Jim Leach of Iowa. "They
HOUSTON, Aug. 18-It was three hours
can't ignore us in the next election."
since the abortion rights forces had seen
But others at this convention didn't pre-
the collapse of their effort to force a Repub-
tend optimism. On the Astrodome floor,
lican National Convention floor debate on
former Indianapolis mayor William H. Hud-
the platform's antiabortion plank. It was
nut III, a minister himself, raged to a re-
two hours until those same moderates
porter that the invocation, which compared
would hear former president Ronald Rea-
abortions to the Holocaust and sought di-
gan and his self-proclaimed legatee in the
vine aid for a Republican victory, was "the
conservative movement, Patrick J. Buchan-
most offensive prayer I've ever heard."
an, define the Republicans' 1992 message
"There are a lot of broken hearts in
to the nation.
here." he said, "and I think out around the
In this brief respite, they gathered
country, that Republicans would present
around the pool at an elegant private res-
such an extreme platform and message.
idence and on the patio of a Mexican res-
I hope that sometime the moderates find
taurant to do what Republican moderates
their voice, but the apparatus has been cap-
have learned to do in recent years: lick their
tured by the right and they're not going to
wounds and VOW that four years hence, they
yield it."
will be better prepared to battle the right
As Hudnut recalled, moderate Republi-
for control of the party they once claimed.
cans-or as they used to call themselves,
Poolside at the home of former Environ-
progressives-first tasted intraparty defeat
mental Protection Agency administrator
in 1964, rallied during the Nixon-Ford
" We 're the largest untapped
William D. Ruckelshaus and his activist-
years and then saw Reagan lead a complete
feminist wife, Jill, and on the patio of the
conservative takeover in 1980.
political force in the country,
restaurant where the Ripon Society, a mod-
Many of them, like Leach, had backed
erate Republican organization, was feting
George Bush in 1980 and when Bush be-
we moderate Republicans."
Massachusetts Gov. William F. Weld, there
came president almost four years ago, they
-Rep. Jim Leach of Iowa
were brave expressions.
See MODERATES, A22, CoL 1
In Platform Defeat, Moderates Look to '96
MODERATES, From A21
warfare for control of party organ-
izations and convention delega-
Equally significant, said Rep.
thought their day had returned. It
tions. "Look," said George Pills-
Marge Roukema (R-N.J.), is the
has not turned out that way, and in
bury, a Minnesota moderate, "I
emergence of a set of potential
retrospect, some of them think they
ran for office and I packed cau-
leaders for the moderate cause,
know why.
cuses with friends, but the funda-
including Weld of Massachusetts,
Said Mary Louise Smith, chair-
mentalists did it through their
his fellow governors Pete Wilson
man of the Republican National
churches. They were better or-
of California and John R. "Jock"
Committee under President Gerald
ganized-and still are."
McKernan Jr. of Maine, and for-
R. Ford and another early Iowa
Ruckeishaus made the same
mer governor Thomas H. Kean of
-backer of Bush: "I think the night
point about his visit Monday to the
New Jersey. Roukema also sug-
George got his phone call from Ron-
delegation from his former home
gested that James A. Baker III,
ald Reagan, offering him the vice
state of Washington. "At least 75
newly tapped by Bush to be White
presidency, he made up his mind he
percent of them are fundamental-
House chief of staff, might fill the
ist Christians," he said. "There's
would not argue with the forces
bill.
no sense my criticizing their stand
that had brought Reagan to power.
Weld was the most active and
on abortion. That's why they ran.
His whole political philosophy was
The only way to change it is to find
visible of the group here and, if
changed by his decision to be part
moderates who are willing to work
reelected in 1994, could be part of
of the Reagan team."
as hard as these people do."
the expected large field of pres-
idential contenders in 1996. Rep.
Nancy L. Johnson (R-Conn.) said
Gregg Edwards, a Ripon mem-
she thought 1996 might see a re-
ber from New Jersey, said it is
now clear that "moderates cannot
Dolly Madison McKenna, a Tex-
play of the 1964 nomination battle
rely on George Bush to set the
as Republican candidate for Con-
between Nelson A. Rockefeller
tone." Even though his Greenwich,
gress, was one of several moder-
and Barry Goldwater, the last time
Kennebunkport, Episcopal and
ates who said one deteats of the
an avowed Republican progressive
Yale background made him a nat-
platform battle have steeled their
challenged the conservative favor-
determination to mount a counter-
ite for the nomination.
ural early ally of the Pillsburys, the
Hillmans and the Goodyears who
offensive in 1996. "We've got to
But it would be preferable, John-
use exactly the tactics the other
son suggested, if the moderates
are prominent among the moder-
side did," she said, "going to the
spent the next four years organ-
ate Republicans here, Bush is now
seen by the moderates as a man
precinct meetings and the cau-
izing enough strength to establish
cuses
who has thrown in with the work-
with a sleeping bag and
themselves as "a constituency any
thermos flask, just like they did."
of the candidates would have to
ing-class Reagan Democrats and
Historically, the moderates have
W00, just as they now all court the
the Christian right with its strong
talked a better game of internal
conservative groups."
anti-elite, antiabortion views.
They also acknowledge that the
Republican politics than they have
That way," she said, "whoever
fundamentalists have simply out-
played. But the early success of
wins, we would not find ourselves
organized them in the precinct
fund-raising efforts for Republican
shut out the way we have been
female candidates who support
here."
abortion rights has convinced peo-
ple like Jill Ruckelshaus and Greta
Greenwald that they have more
financial and organizational re-
sources than they had known.
The Washington Post
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 19, 1992
Republicans Aim Barbs at Hillary Clinton
Some GOP Advisers Question Wisdom of Such Attacks; 'Downside Potential' Seen
Former Republican presidential candi-
morning from the criticism of Hillary Clin-
By Ruth Marcus
date Patrick J. Buchanan went the furthest,
ton. "I'm not walking away from anybody
Washington Post Staff Writer
raising the threat posed by "Clinton & Clin-
here [but] my personal view and advice is:
HOUSTON, Aug. 18-The Republican
ton" and describing Hillary as a champion of
Don't waste time on her," he said.
gathering here was expected to be a festival
"radical feminism."
Republican pollster Neil Newhouse said
of Clinton-bashing. As it turned out, the
In a speech to the convention, Buchanan
attacks on Hillary Clinton alone would not
target has been not only the candidate, but
repeated claims that Hillary Clinton had
affect many votes but might be useful as
also his wife, Hillary.
compared the institutions of marriage and
part of an overall effort to fix an image of
Republican National Committee Chair-
the family to slavery and had proposed giv-
Bill Clinton in voter's minds as a man they
man Richard N. Bond sounded the theme
ing children the right to sue their parents.
cannot trust.
last week when he described Democratic
Not all Republicans think the attacks are
"I think it may resonate just a little bit
presidential nominee Bill Clinton's wife as
such a good idea. "Middle-aged men attack-
with older voters," he said. "Keep in mind
"that champion of the family, Hillary Clin-
ing a woman is just the wrong messenger
we're trying to put together a kind of patch-
ton, who believes that kids should be able to
and the wrong message," said one official.
work of coalitions here to boost our num-
sue their parents, rather than helping with
"It is going to create a lot of sympathy for
bers back up and with every piece of the
the chores as they were asked to do."
her and make us look heavy-handed. There
puzzle helping.
Barbara Bush expressed displeasure with
are more subtle ways of causing voters to
Bond's remarks, but President Bush said
raise their eyebrows than having a bunch of
"I think what we're trying to do is ba-
Hillary Clinton was fair game because she
men attack a woman."
sically paint a portrait of someone who you
was billing herself as a key adviser to her
Charles R. Black, a senior Bush campaign
want to think twice about trusting, and
adviser, also backed off at a breakfast this
See CLINTON, A24, Col. 1
husband.
Many Republican Attacks Have Been Aimed
at the Other Clinton
CLINTON, From A21
campaign communications director George
such arrangements include marriage, slav-
Stephanopoulos said.
ery, and the Indian reservation system."
this is part of that portrait," Newhouse
The core of the criticism of Hillary Clinton
Hillary also proposed expanding the legal
said.
concerns articles on children's rights she
rights of children by reversing the existing
"This by itself may not move many
wrote for academic journals in 1973 and
legal presumption and assuming they were
votes," he said, "but, combined with other
1979.
competent to make decisions for them-
doubts about him, could raise enough of the
In the 1973 article, written for the Har-
selves unless proven otherwise, a point fur-
trust factor to give Bush an edge."
vard Educational Review while she was
ther developed in the 1979 article.
However, Newhouse warned, "There's cer-
working at the Children's Defense Fund in
She said in that article: "Decisions about
tainly a downside potential
among
young-
Washington, Hillary Rodham discussed the
motherhood and abortion, schooling, cos-
er, Republican pro-choice women who are
changing status of children under the law
metic surgery, treatment of venereal dis-
professional and may be leaning away from
from the "prized possessions" in 18th cen-
ease, or employment, and others where the
our party because of the abortion issue."
tury England to the independent beings to
decision or lack of one will significantly af-
Another Republican pollster, Linda
whom courts had recently begun to extend
fect the child's future, should not be made
DiVall, said she suspects that "most people
separate legal rights.
unilaterally by parents. Children should
will. probably side with Mrs. Bush, that
It was in that article that Clinton wrote a
have a right to be permitted to decide their
she's [Hillary's] not on the ballot
I think
passage that is the basis for the assertion
own future if they are competent."
the focus is going to naturally revert back
that she likened marriage and family to
But Hillary was also careful to emphasize
to him. I don't think that Hillary's going to
slavery.
the limits of her proposal, a point omitted in
be:a point of attack that's going to carry
"The basic rationale for depriving people
the conservative critiques. She said that "in
much weight."
of rights in a dependency relationship is that
all but the most extreme cases, such ques-
For their part, Clinton strategists say the
certain individuals are incapable or unde-
tions should be resolved by the families, not
Bush campaign won't get anywhere with
serving of the right to take care of them-
the courts."
the attacks. "People care much more about
selves and consequently need social insti-
She added, "I prefer that intervention into
what a president's going to do about jobs
tutions specifically designed to safeguard
an ongoing family be limited to decisions that
and education and health care than hearing
their position
she wrote. "Along with
could have long-term and possibly irreparable
scare attacks about non-issues," Clinton
the family, past and present examples of
effects if they were not resolved."
"
Several family law experts interviewed to-
Hillary Clinton's proposal to presume chil-
day said the criticism of Hillary Clinton's writ-
dren competent to make their own deci-
ings were unfair and takenm out of context.
sions "provocative" hut that her writings
"I don't consider them the slightest bit,
were "much more reasoned than the shrill
wacky," said Duke University law professor:
kind of radicalism that comes out of some
Kate Bartlett, who said she is supporting
activist organizations."
candidate Bill Clinton.
He said Hillary Clinton was "not outside
Bartlett said "a very fair interpretation" on
the mainstream at all" of academic writings
the sentence involving marriage and slavery
on the subject. However, he added, "If you're
"is that she is referring to the time when
talking about, 'Was she in the mainstream in
married women could not own property and
Main Street, Peoria?' The answer is: Heav-
could not enter into contracts and had virtu-
ens, no."
ally no protection against physical abuse."
Gary Bauer, president of the conserva-
Stanford law professor Michael S. Wald, a
tive Family Research Council, said he
Democrat, said that Hillary Clinton "is not
thought the interpretation of Hillary Clin-
talking about children going off and suing
their parents because they don't like their
ton's statements was "as fair as anything
bedtime." He said that courts had generally
else in the rough and tumble game of Amer-
"moved in the direction" of Hillary Clinton's
ican politics" and not "a twisting in any way
proposals on such issues as abortion and
of what she said." He noted that Vice Pres-
noted that her reference to cosmetic sur-
ident Quayle's speech on the family "had
gery appeared targeted at a specific case
one line about [television character] Mur-
involving a Jehovah's Witnesses family who
phy Brown and that became the subject of
refused to allow their child to have surgery
national debate."
for a cleft palate.
Brigham Young University law professor
Staff writer Ann Devroy and staff researcher
Lynn Wardle, a conservative, said he found
Mark Stencel contributed to this report.
The Washington Post
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 19, 1992
Dreaming a Dream and Giving 'Em the Business
Yoked shirts splashed with sequins, jackets trail-
rings, belt buckles, tea towels, confections, book-
By David Von Drehie
ing leather fringe, cowboy hats in pastel shades.
ends, bottle openers, cocktail napkins, swizzle sticks,
Washington Post Stall Writer
Red-white-and-blue silk flowers in boot-shaped pots.
cream pitchers, sugar bowls, cookie jars, ashtrays,
Golf bags, go balls, putters and pitching wedges, all
toothpick holders, salt shakers and $3,500 bronze
HOUSTON, Aug. 18
embossed with Old Glory. Foods galore, like choc-
statues. Elephants in onyx, applique, brass, glass,
cet Tie Sosnowski.
M
"He's the perfect example of the Bush ad-
olate trufflé-covered popcorn, cherry jalapenos,
plastic, marble, ceramic, wood, pewter, rhinestone,
jalepeno black beans, jalepeno jelly, bean dip, onion
leather, praline and lame.
ministration," in the opinion of his proud
dip, chili mix and giant chocolates shaped like cow
The elephants are jute at Judy's Bags and Gifts,
mother Doris of Grapevine, Tex. Tie is tall, slim,
run by Judy Sandlin of Alexandria, Tenn. "See, the
blond, smooth, with big white teeth and a hydraulic
handshake. Put khaki trousers and red suspenders
pies. . Sculptures of Nancy Reagan. Pink-tinted sun-
trunk and the tail are both pointed up. That's double
on him and he could be poster boy for the College
glasses with lenses shaped like Texas. Computer
good luck," she said. If she makes a lot of money on
disks encoded with the names of everyone in Amer-
them, she deserves it, she figures.
Republicans. But that's not what mom means.
ica who has given more than $250 to a presidential
Why? Because she is the risk-taker. "I am, as far
What she means is, Tie's an entrepreneur.
Barely out of school, he already owns 30 tons of
campaign (product name: Fat Cats). Flower seeds.
as I know, the only person in America willing to put
the old Berlin Wall, and he's selling chunks to the
. And, of course, "Millie's Book," the bestselling
up the money and send it to the mountains of Thai-
tale of the president's dog.
land, where they make these," she said. "The money
Republicans here. That's not all. He installed six
You might say "Millie's Book" is the archetypal
always comes first."
Russian artisans in a Moscow apartment building
merchandise at Mall of the Republicans, in the sense
So true. That's the entrepreneurial spirit the Re-
and fed them Mars bars for 17 days while they
that some publisher has made a killing trading on the
publicans have been extolling for half a generation.
painted the faces of GOP presidents on wooden nest-
presidential mystique. Making a killing is the whole
Alive and kicking. Just because a person doesn't
ing dolls-priced here at $125 per set. "Ike's a little
idea around here, and some people have come up
found a software company, say, or invent junk bonds
difficult to paint," said Tie.
with truly original ideas. Like Michael Coburn, a real
doesn't mean the game is foreclosed.
There are hundreds like him too, moving product,
turning a buck, pitching a pitch, dreaming a dream,
estate man from Bethesda, who is selling framed
Jack Stazo, for example, is heavy into Cap Snaps.
plywood fragments from the convention stage for
His own invention, these are plastic figurines that
in the vast Astro Arena next to the convention hall
this week. At 240 booths, entrepreneurs are pushing
$150 apiece. Or like Kay Maselle and Maureen Har-
attach snugly to the button on the top of any stan-
a staggering array of stuff-from key chains that
kins, who do a booming business in canned armadillo
dard baseball cap. Elephant-shaped, of course, but
emit swear words at the touch of a button to leather-
road kill-"It's not real," said Harkins conspiratori-
"just look at the promotional possibilities," he said
breathlessly. "We got Longhorns for University of
bound sets of Encyclopaedia Britannica. It might
ally.
Richard Lynn Stack, entrepreneur and author, fig-
Texas, Razorbacks for Arkansas, we could make lit-
best be called Mall of the Republicans.
ured, why overdo originality? He simply wrote his
tle footballs, little helmets. Hey!"
Some fault this party for poor management of the
national economy. But in this Little corner of that
own book about Millie, volume three in his Josh the
The art of the deal: "You from Washington, you
great big marketplace, they are making the late Sam
Wonder Dog series.
say?" Stazo put his arm around an out-of-town re-
Walton look like a piker. Conventioneers can buy:
"The Queen of Irabia goes on a visit to the White
porter. "Imagine a Redskin on your hat. You and I
Bush-Quayle bicycle reflectors. Baby bibs, for
House and gets very sick," explained Stack's wife
could talk to those coaches up there. Whaddaya say?
"wee-publicans." Faux-Chanel fabric covers for beep-
Marla June. "She is cured by Josh through a combi-
Get yourself a little piece of the action?"
nation of a lot of prayer and a home remedy. Josh
The reporter demurred, but Stazo has other pros-
ers. Spangled caps and striped birdhouses. Lamps
meets Millie and they fall in love."
pects in the capital. "No problem," he said. "Barbara
made from horseshoes. A book called "The Men Who
Bush came by the booth this morning.
I
gave
her
Lost the Presidency," which, surprisingly, is not
Mostly, people hawk elephants. Elephant
brooches, pins, necklaces, barrettes, buttons, ear-
a business card."
about Democrats.
Washington
Post
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 19, 1992
Party Animals
Parties Yield Rich
Find Pleasure Is
Good Business
Financial Rewards
bent, who has risen to become a
Area Politicians Bring Campaign
MONEY, From A21
senior member of the House's
speaks to almost every group, and
Democratic leadership. Hoyer also
For Money, Friends to Houston
hopes to impress others who will
has received numerous business T.J
contribute money or time.
contributions of his own.
She has kept up a frenetic pace.
"Steny Hoyer is in a powerful
By Kent Jenkins Jr. and John F. Harris
Today she was scheduled to attend
position, and he's a guy a lot
Washington Post Staff Writers
two events sponsored by Georgette
these folks would like to get rid of
HOUSTON, Aug. 18-It's a tough job, hitting three
Mosbacher, wife of former Com-
Hogan said. "I almost didn't come
parties a night and staying out till dawn. But the big
merce secretary, now Bush cam-
here, but it's not a bad idea to:be
political contributors loosen their ties and their wallets
paign official Robert Mosbacher,
hanging out with the leaders of the
after dark, and congressional candidate Larry Hogan Jr.
who held a reception at the family's
party. It's never going to hurt to let
is here to take some bucks back home to Maryland.
home. Groups ranging from the Na-
people know who you are."
"I got in last night at 4 a.m.," said Hogan, a Repub-
tional Women's Political Caucus to
Among the candidates and pas
lican who is challenging Democratic Rep. Steny H. Hoy-
the National Order of Women Leg-
sible candidates in the two states.
er in Maryland's 5th District. "Every potential contri-
islators have had Dyson in.
future elections, money is not the
butor in the country is here, and there'll never be a bet-
Dyson acknowledges that tapping
real issue. They are engaged Mrs
ter place to let them know about our campaign. I'm
into this national women's network
courtship ritual that sometimes
working harder here than I was at home."
was the primary reason she at-
sembles an awkward first date.
While President Bush and other big names dominate
tended the convention. She has had
Williams is the only one of three
the Republican National Convention here, Hogan and
only limited contact with other
Republicans seeking the Virginia
hundreds of other candidates are doing the Houston
Hustle. Whether they're after money for a campaign
Maryland Republicans; she is stay-
governorship who came to Houston
ing in a hotel apart from her state
and he said he has done no fund
this fall or friends for campaigns to come, Houston is
delegation and has attended few
raising for his campaign here
the perfect political marketplace this week. And the
state events.
White House aide Bobbie Kilberg,
countless parties and receptions scattered about town
are where the deals get made.
"At first I wasn't going to come,"
of McLean, is considering a run for.
While Hogan works the political action committees,
Dyson said. "But I think it's impor-
lieutenant governor, but said that
Northern Virginia businessman Earle C. Williams, who
tant for me to be here when [wo-
any campaigning here would be prep
has already entered the 1993 Virginia gubernatorial
men's groups] introduce the can-
mature.
race, is holding his own breakfast for the state's dele-
didates
Volunteers and in-kind
Among the early field of potential
gation Wednesday. Michele Dyson, the Republican can-
contributions would be a real help
Maryland gubernatorial candidates,
didate in Maryland's 4th District, is working a circuit of
to my campaign. Women are going
Anne Arundel County Executive
groups that support women candidates. And a handful
to change the face of the Republi-
Robert R. Neall arrived in Houston
of potential candidates for Maryland governor in 1994
can Party."
this afternoon, and 1990 GOP nóm-
are here to shake hands and size each other up.
This political bazaar did not as-
inee William S. Shephard is concer
"This"is the only place in the world to be if you want
semble itself by accident. Senior
trating here on renewing his ties to
to run for something," said Carol Arscott, a convention
Republican Party officials did every-
state activists.
delegate from Howard County. "If you're looking to
thing they could to bring political
For those hopefuls, small person-
move up. you probably don't know a lot of [Republicans]
consumers and suppliers together.
al gestures now could pay big div:
from around the state very well. This is a chance to get
Hogan's first stop after he ar-
idends later. Republicans say that:
to know them, and to get them to develop a good feel-
rived in Houston Sunday was a re-
although Williams has established
ing about you."
The high-stakes partying can produce both instant
ception sponsored by the National
himself as a party fund-raiser the
gratification and ego-busting frustration. For Hogan,
Republican Congressional Commit-
past years, he needs to convince
the rewards started Sunday night, when he walked into
tee, where representatives of more
fellow Republicans that he can be a
a reception and was handed an unsolicited check for
than 250 political action commit-
party leader.
$1,000 from the political action committee of Phillips
tees were present. His dance card
"He has paid his dues on the fi-
Petroleum, the oil giant.
has also included events sponsored
nance side, but not on the activist
"We had been talking with these groups, but I hadn't
by the housing industry, two oil
side," said Fairfax County Board
asked them for anything," Hogan said. When the guy
companies and a national food man-
Chairman Thomas M. Davis III. a
found out who he was, he said, 'I have something for
ufacturers association.
Williams supporter who is here as,a.
you.' I'll take that any time," Hogan said.
"The party has been telling peo-
delegate. Added another Virginia,
Meanwhile, Williams is learning just how tough pol-
ple about our campaign, so they
Republican, "I don't get the sense
itics can be. A retired defense contractor making his
usually know who I am when I in-
Earle is especially at home here:
first run for elective office, Williams realized that many
troduce myself," Hogan said. "And
J. Marshall Coleman, the GOP's
downstate party activists had not met him. But he was
even if they don't, as soon as I men-
1989 gubernatorial nominee in Vir:
shocked when he introduced Minself to one of the Vir-
tion who I'm running against, they
ginia, said the convention presents'
ginia delegates and was met with a blank stare.
Williams's name, the man said, "doesn't ring a bell."
get all excited."
Williams with an opportunity to cre-
Hogan said Hoyer gets low rat-
ate new political ties. "He's sort of
Most of the time, though, things fall somewhere in:
between. Dyson, who is opposing Democratic state Sen.
ings from major business groups,
got the show all to himself," said:
but conceded he will have to work
Coleman, who attended the national
Albert R. Wynn in the 4th District, already has received
contributions from several women's groups and is at-
hard to unseat the five-term incum-
convention in 1988.
tending their receptions in part to say thanks. But she
See MONEY, A26, Col. 4
The
Washington Post
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 19, 1992
GOP Women Complain
About Role in Shadows
Morella Charges Party Misses Opportunity
To Spotlight Female Candidates, Officials
Democrats, she said, mainly show-
By Maralee Schwartz
cased their seven female Senate
Washington Post Staff Writer
nominees. The Republicans have
HOUSTON, Aug. 18-Rep. Con-
only one woman running for Senate
Islance A. Morella (R-Md.) wanted
this year, Charlene Haar of South
:10 send her party a message today
Dakota, and she is seconding Vice
when she quoted Abigail Adams's
President Quayle's nomination.
warning to her husband John as he
Kay Bailey Hutchison, Texas
helped form this nation's govern-
state treasurer and temporary
ment two centuries ago: "If partic-
chairman of the convention, said
ular care and attention is not paid to
that it is unfair to suggest women
the ladies, we are determined to
got more attention at the Demo-
foment a rebellion and will not hold
cratic convention. "Women are get-
ourselves bound by any laws in
ting a lot of attention at the Repub-
which we have no voice or repre-
lican convention in prominent
sentation."
roles," she said, noting that Labor
Morella is one of a number of
Secretary Lynn Martin is nominat-
female Republican officeholders and
ing Bush Wednesday night.
candidates here who are disappoint-
Republican pollster Linda DiVall
ed that the Bush campaign and the
also said that the two conventions
had different objectives.
While much of the Democratic
convention last month in New York
"They were afraid
focused on the image of the party,
DiVall said the Republican conven-
it would be a messy
tion's "first objective is to highlight
President Bush and his team."
convention."
The Democratic convention, said
-Dolly Madison McKenna,
campaign spokeswoman Torie
House candidate from Texas
Clarke, "was a reflection of how little
Bill Clinton had to highlight" from his
GOP convention planners did not
administration as governor of Arkan-
see-fit to include them in any sig-
sas. Clinton ranks in the bottom half
nificant way in the four-day event,
of governors in terms of appoint-
ments of women to high-level gov-
choosing instead to feature women
in the administration along with
ernment posts, according to the Na-
tional Women's Political Caucus.
Barbara Bush and Marilyn Quayle.
"It's a missed opportunity," Mo-
Bush has appointed a greater
percentage-42 percent-of wo-
rella said.
men to senior government posts
Elizabeth Hager, a six-term state
than any of his predecessors in ei-
representative in New Hampshire
ther party, the caucus said. Three
running for her party's gubernato-
women have Cabinet rank in his
rial nomination in the Sept. 8 pri-
administration, which is more than
mary, said she could not understand
any previous administration. Clarke
why "they aren't bringing us to the
said it is this record and these wo-
podium, even just for a photo op,"
men who are being highlighted by
recalling that the Democrats asked
Republicans here.
the party's female Senate nominees
She fiercely rejected any sugges-
to speak in prime time on the first
tion that more than two dozen fe-
But Morella pointed out that of
House and is now running for a
night of their convention and
male House members and candi-
the 10 female Republicans serving
House seat in Texas, said that per-
presented more than 50 of their
dates were left out of the program
in Congress-one in the Senate and
haps the campaign viewed her and
female candidates on the podium
because the majority of them favor
nine in the House-seven are abor-
other female Republican candidates
the following night.
abortion rights or that the women
tion rights supporters and only two
who support abortion rights as a
"One can make a strong rationale
who were chosen to speak, includ-
are addressing the convention.
risk. "In part, they may be afraid of
why we should have and would
ing those who are abortion rights
Johnson of Connecticut addressed
people
who
are
less
have" spotlighted the female can-
supporters like Martin, owe their
the convention this morning, and
controllable.
They were afraid
didates, said Rep. Nancy L. Johnson
jobs to Bush.
Rep. Olympia J. Snowe of Maine
it would be a messy convention,"
(R-Conn.), who addressed the con-
"They are there because of their
was added this week to Thursday's
she said. "From their perspective,
vention this morning. But she said
accomplishments," Clarke said.
the party wanted to present num-
"And because they help George
program. In contrast, Morella said,
we are less well-known quantities."
two of the three antiabortion female
Morella says that shuwcasing the
ber of articulate women of diverse
Bush and his reelection effort." She
female candidates would have been
backgrounds
and wanted to get
added that it was "insulting" for
members are appearing before the
a plus for the party. "It would be a
to all levels of government."
anyone to suggest that speakers
delegates and the cameras.
way to show diversity in the party
Johnson also said that comparing
were chosen solely on the basis of
Dolly Madison McKenna, who
and give the pro-choice Republicans
the Republican situation to the
sex or not chosen because of they
worked in Bush's 1970 Senate cam-
a chance to vote for the ticket," she
Democratic was not valid. The
support abortion rights.
paign, served in the Nixon White
said.
The Wushington Post
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 19, 1992
Tax, Budget Hopes
vowed to protect Social Security, vet-
erans' benefits, unemployment insur-
ance, food stamps, even the vastly un-
derutilized veterans' hospitals.
In an interview Sunday with David
Meet Fiscal Reality
Brinkley on ABC, Bush said, "I don't
think you need to touch Social Securi-
ty or Social Security COLAs (cost-of-
living adjustments] in order to get the
Bush Aides Acknowledge Proposals
budget in balance over a five-year pe-
riod."
Earlier this summer, the adminis-
Fall Short of Reducing the Deficit
tration agreed to extend the duration
of unemployment benefits.
In a speech this week before a
group of veterans, Bush said, "If Con-
By Steven Mufson
Washington Post Staff Writer
While backing cuts
gress sends me legislation to disman-
tle the VA system [of veterans' hospi-
in entitlements in
tals], I will whip out that veto pen and
In the weeks before the Republican
knock down that Scud missile headed
National Convention and in Houston
this week, various members of the
general, Bush and
right for the well-being of every fami-
ly represented here."
Bush administration have called for a
balanced budget and lower taxes-
his top aides have
Instead, the administration mostly
wants to target two entitlement pro-
without cutting Social Security bene-
ruled out specific
grams, Medicare and Medicaid. Yet
fits, touching veterans' programs or
these programs aren't big enough to
making deeper cuts in military spend-
ing.
cuts in most such
get the spending cuts needed. To
eliminate the deficit as would have
The numbers don't add up, even
without any new tax cut proposals by
been required under the balanced-
programs.
budget amendment Bush supported,
the president-and several top ad-
Bush would have to cut about $250
ministration officials privately ac-
knowledge it. They say that the na-
Secretary Nicholas F. Brady said, "I
billion of spending, largely from those
tion will have to live with either
am not going to upstage anything
higher taxes, budget
the president might say at the con-
two programs. The two programs to-
NEWS
vention about taxes, but he feels
gether will add up to less than $200
ANALYSIS
deficits of $100 billion
to $200 billion a year,
very strongly that the American
billion in spending this year. Even by
or changes in Social Security retire-
people are overtaxed."
1997, Medicare and Medicaid would
As part of its proposed 1993 budg-
only add up to $350 billion.
ment age and cost-of-living adjust-
et now before Congress, the adminis-
Moreover, Bush wants to achieve
ments-or some combination of all
tration already has asked for a seven-
those savings at the same time he
these measures.
While publicly vowing to work for
part package of tax cuts-featuring for a
proposes to expand health care cover-
cut in the capital gains tax, breaks
age to the nearly 40 million uninsured
lower taxes, some top officials pri-
vately believe that anywhere from
first-time home buyers and real es-
Americans. The administration has
tate developers, expansion of individ-
proposed a far-reaching health plan
$60 billion to $90 billion a year in
ual retirement accounts and invest-
that would cut some Medicaid costs.
new taxes will be needed in a second
ment tax credits-parts of which,
But the administration's own experts
Bush administration to bring the def-
icit down to what they say is a rea-
budget experts say, could cost the of
still believe the plan would cost nearly
federal government tens of billions
$30 billion a year.
sonable level.
dollars a year in lost tax revenue by
"I've had budget after budget up
And while publicly backing the
the latter part of the decade.
there to show how to get in balance,"
balanced-budget amendment-and
Yet when Democrats proposed
Bush told David Brinkley on ABC last
hammering congressional Demo-
offsetting tax increases; as required
weekend. "Got one there sitting right
crats for their role in rejecting it ear-
lier this summer-senior officials
under the 1990 deficit reduction
now. Tough decisions in it."
agreement, the administration ac-
But the Bush budget proposal only
say privately they do not believe in
the need for a balanced budget.
cused them of wanting to stunt any the
reaches balance in 1998 through two
stimulus the package would give
sleights of hand. It forecasts econom-
Some senior Bush aides say an ac-
economy. The Democrats, Brady
ic growth far in excess of what Bush's
ceptable federal budget deficit could
run anywhere from 1 percent to 3
said, wanted to "load it up with taxes
own Council of Economic Advisers
and make it ineffective."
predicts. And it includes a cap on the
percent of the nation's economic
The administration has claimed
growth of entitlements programs
output, or between $60 billion and
that it can keep a lid on taxes-per-
without telling Congress or voters
$200 billion a year.
haps even lower them-and narrow
how Bush plans to meet that cap.
Four years ago at the Republican
the deficit over the next four years
That's because it can't be done.
convention, candidate George Bush
through tight controls on "entitle-
Bush said in a television interview last
made his fateful campaign pledge-
weekend that his budget has 30 pro-
"read my lips; no new taxes"-only
ment" programs.
Since most Americans don't know
posals for limiting entitlements. But
to break his word and make a $137
what programs are "entitlements,"
the Office of Management and Budg-
billion tax increase part of a 1990
this pledge is politically innocuous.
et's mid-session review of Bush's
budget compromise.
budget document counted up his ad-
This week as Republicans gather
But the word entitlements is actually
ministration's proposed cuts in enti-
to renominate Bush, the president
a euphemism for popular social pro-
tlements, plus cuts proposed by
and other members of his adminis-
grams that automatically benefit peo-
House Budget Committee Chairman
tration have hinted at new pledges
ple who meet certain criteria. Entitle-
Leon Panetta (D-Calif.) and the con-
that budget experts say could be just
ment programs include Social
servative Heritage Foundation-and
as hard to keep if he wins a second
Security, Medicare, Medicaid, veter-
it still did not add up to enough cuts to
term.
ans' benefits, unemployment insur-
bring the growth of entitlements pro-
Financial markets seem to under-
ance, food stamps and farm price sup-
grams below the suggested growth
stand the mainematical impossibility
ports.
of what the administration is consid-
These programs, as Bush officials
cap. In 1997, even if all three sets, of
ering. As the odds of a Bush tax cut
often note, account for more than
proposals were enacted, the adminis-
proposal appeared to grow more
half of government spending, yet do
tration would miss its target cap by
likely, long-term interest rates
not require annual appropriations by
$45 billion. To close that gap, the ad-
jumped up because of fears of a larg-
Congress. Past legislation allows
ministration would still need some big
er deficit. "If the Republicans resort
higher and higher spending in those
measures. It could, for example, make
to some kind of voodoo Bush-onom-
categories.
much deeper cuts in defense. Or it
ics that no one understands and even
But while backing cuts in entitle-
would have to increase the revenue
fewer folks have thought through," it
ments in general, Bush and his top
collected through all personal and
could destabilize the markets,
aides have ruled out specific cuts in
corporate income taxes by 7 percent.
warned Carl B. Weinberg, chief
most such programs. They have
In any case, the administration has
economist of High Frequency Eco-
never formally proposed an entitle-
nomics, a New York consulting firm.
ments cap in legislation. And when it
White House spokesman Marlin
"If Congress sends
listed its own, Panetta's and the Heri-
Fitzwater tried to calm jittery mar-
tage Foundation's options for cuts, it
kets last week by assuring them that
me legislation to
printed the following disclaimer "in
the administration would do nothing
large type: "specific options included
to make the deficit worse. But in a
dismantle the VA
are illustrative" and "inclusion of a
Sunday interview on ABC, Treasury
particular option here does not neces-
system, I will whip
sarily imply support for such an op-
tion-and should not be construed to
out that veto pen
imply support-by the administration
President Bush. in a speech to veterans
The
Washington
Post
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 19, 1992
POLITICS
Buchanan's Riot Story
former president got the quotes from a
book called "Past Masters' Treasure
Of Bravery Disputed
Chest," a compendium of quotations.
HOUSTON, Aug. 18
Strong Denials From Ailes
That retirement home Patrick J. Bu-
It's a sign of the troubles in the Bush
chanan described in his speech to the
campaign ad operation that Roger Ailes
Republican convention as being pro-
tected by troops who risked their lives
was busy denying all over Houston to-
during the Los Angeles riots last
day reports that he would return to the
spring-it wasn't. The elderly residents
operation in his 1988 role as impresario
defended the home themselves, accord-
of ads. Bush aides acknowledge that
they need a political "artiste" to oversee
ing to an Associated Press report.
the Madison Avenue team of ad makers,
Although troops arrived later, early
pleas for help during the worst of the vi-
and the assumption has been that Ailes
olence were ignored, manager Jewell
might be persuaded to come back.
Anderson told the AP today. By the time
Ailes said today he's sorry, but no
the 18th Cavalry showed up early May
way. He has "returned to television,"
1, there was no threatening and cursing
with three shows in production for the
mob near the home as described by Bu-
fall, and has signed contracts with other
chanan in his speech.
clients. Backing out of those kinds of
The rioters were held off by about 70
commitments would end his career, he
elderly residents, who formed a ring
said. "I made a commitment to get out
around the building, Anderson said.
of politics," he declared, and outside of
Buchanan's description of the young
"informal advice" to the president on
troops, risking their lives to defend the
major speeches and debates when called
old people, was one of the most emo-
on, "I am not getting back in."
tional moments of his Monday night
The Bush ad team has been squabbl-
speech.
ing and struggling from the outset,
Terry Jeffrey, director of policy for
mainly because of a broad disagreement
the Buchanan campaign, said Buchanan
at the top of the campaign and White
got the information from two troopers
House over what kind of ads should be
he met at an Army compound in south
made and what they should say. The one
Los Angeles.
set of ads aired so far-close-up shots of
Bush talking about the balanced budget,
Reagan's Non-Lincoln Quotes
welfare "reform" and other issues-was
not widely admired in GOP circles.
Republicans are fond of quoting their
Some Republicans called those ads a
party's first president, Abraham Lin-
waste of the $5 million they cost. Their
coln, and Ronald Reagan is no excep-
tion. But according to a historian of the
airing, in 15 individual states, ended this
week.
Lincoln era, Lincoln never said what
Reagan said he said.
Safer Sex for Conventioneers
Eric Foner, a Columbia University
history professor, said many of the quo-
There they were in the blazing noon
tations that Reagan attributed to Lin-
sun wearing antebellum dresses and big
coln in his speech to the Republican con-
hats with bows, carrying baskets of col-
vention Monday night-such as "you
orful condoms. They are the Southern
cannot help the wage earner by pulling
Belles for Safer Sex and they spent part
down the wage payer"-were actually
of the noon hour here parading along
the words of the Rev. William Boetcker
the street across from the Astrodome
of Erie, Pa.
distributing condoms to conventioneers
Boetcker printed his ideas as a phi-
and promoting family planning.
losophy of life in 1916, and his words
The Belles, members of the Pro-
were so popular with Republicans that
Choice Coalition of Kentucky, said:
they were reprinted in leaflets along
"With the Republican Party wanting to
with quotations from Lincoln.
ban a woman's right to an abortion, we
Over time, Foner said, Boetcker was
thought it would only be proper to bring
largely lost to history, and his quota-
our pro-family planning message to
tions were attributed to Lincoln. "In
Houston. We would hate to see one of
1950, they were printed in the Congres-
these delegates contribute to an un-
sional Record as Lincoln's," Foner said.
wanted pregnancy during all the hoopla
At that point, historians got on the case
this week."
and rediscovered Boetcker.
-Maralee Schwartz,
Reagan is innocent of any effort to de-
E. J. Dionne Jr.
ceive, a GOP spokesman said today. The
and Ann Devroy
The Washington Post
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 19, 1992
Clinton Rebuts
GOP Attacks
With TV Ads
By Howard Kurtz
Washington Post Staff Writer
Bill Clinton's campaign, in an unusual bit
of counter-programming, aired two new
television ads yesterday in an attempt to
blunt, attacks being rained on the Democrat-
ic presidential nominee at the Republican
National Convention.
The 15-second spots, being shown only in
Houston and Washington, are something of a
media stunt, because the campaign is count-
ing on news coverage to bring them to a
broader audience. But the unprecedented
tactic of airing commercials during the op-
posing party's convention is part of a Clinton
strategy to let no charge go unanswered.
One ad, responding to President Bush's
charge Monday that Clinton is proposing
the largest tax increase in U.S. history,
says: "On Nov. 5, 1990, George Bush
signed into law the second biggest tax in-
crease in American history. Under Bill Clin-
ton, Arkansas has had the second lowest tax
burden per person in the country. Those
are the facts. Back to the show."
The second spot says there has been "no
growth in private sector jobs" during the
Bush administration, while Arkansas this
Clinton Camp Sizes Up the Rhetoric
year "leads the nation in job growth and in-
comes have grown at twice the national
rate."
Democrat's Strategists Say They Expect Lead to Shrink
Frank Greer, Clinton's media adviser,
said campaign officials "didn't like the first
and feel of the campaign. So far, it kind of
day of their attacks on Bill Clinton and Al
By David Maraniss
smells the same." Clinton, who has spent
Gore, 80 we're going on the air. We want to
Washington Post Staff Writer
the last two days dealing with Arkansas
set the record straight in response to their
LITTLE ROCK, Ark., Aug. 18-Bill
budget problems, said he has not watched
distorting our record."
Clinton and his strategists, monitoring the
the GOP convention on television but has
Bush campaign officials produced a rapid-
Republican National Convention in Houston
read reports from his staff and portions of
fire response, saying in a press release that
from their perch in Arkansas, expressed
the most critical speeches.
the 1990 budget agreement was "forced on
conflicting sentiments about the GOP's blis-
He described Buchanan's speech Monday
the president by a Democratic Congress
night as "just amazing." Buchanan portrayed
obsessed with spending." The statement
tering opening attacks on the Democratic
added that "Clinton is too slick by half" and
presidential nominee and his wife, Hillary.
Hillary Clinton as the ideological leader of a
that "Arkansas tax revenue is low only be-
Clinton campaign officials maintained that
"Clinton-Clinton" administration that would
cause Arkansas citizens have been kept so
some of the rhetoric, especially from Pat-
push a radical-feminist agenda.
"Pat Buchanan in his life has never done
poor under Bill Clinton."
rick J. Buchanan, Bush's erstwhile primary
as much as Hillary to strengthen families
The Democratic National Committee is
opponent turned general-election attack
and children," Clinton said. "The very idea
paying for the ads, which will not count
dog, seemed SO strident that it might fright-
that he would be up there attacking her
against Clinton's fall spending limits.
en undecided voters.
shows you how impoverished they are for
Republican consultant Don Sipple said
On the other hand, strategists here said
ideas, how out of touch they are, how irrel-
the Clinton camp has shown "a skillful ap-
they expected the four days of Clinton-
evant alot of what they're doing is. But it's
proach to counterpunching. They know the
pounding to have a marked effect in the
what they know to do-divide and use those
Bush people are attacking Clinton as the
polls, perhaps cutting the Democrat's lead
wedges to personally attack."
failed governor of a small state and they
want to inoculate him on the tax issue and
by 10 or 15 points.
George Stephanopoulos, a Clinton aide,
"There's no doubt they're going to cut
characterized the opening 36 hours of the
the jobs issue. These guys are acutely
the lead, but it's like someone said of a
convention as "It's Yesterday in America," a
aware of the ghost of Dukakis past."
While presidential candidates usually dis-
Mike Tyson punch-that it landed so hard
satirical reconfiguration of former president
appear during an opponent's convention,
it changed your sense of smell," said James
Ronald Reagan's 1984 theme, "It's Morning
Clinton has strived to remain visible. On the
Carville, Clinton's chief strategist.
in America." Of the two main speakers on
"The question is whether the Republicans
opening night, Stephanopoulos said, "Pat
CBS Evening News" Monday, Clinton's live
can deliver a punch this week with that kind
Buchanan is Cape Fear,' and Ronald Rea-
Interview with anchor Dan Rather gave him
nore air time than Bush.
of impact where it changes the whole smell
gan is The Way We Were.'
The Washington Post
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 19, 1992
GOP Plans a 'Family Values' Offensive
Pitch to White Middle Class Casts Bush as Defender of Social Norms
By Thomas B. Edsall
cates of individual fulfillment, without regard to gen-
Washington Post Stuff Writer
erally held values and beliefs."
The touchstones of this conflict will be gay rights,
HOUSTON, Aug. 18-When Barbara Bush speaks to
school choice, welfare policy and a sustained Republican
the Republican National Convention Wednesday night,
drive to portray Barbara Bush as the epitome of grand-
she will be an important symbol of a concerted effort by
motherly maternalism in contrast-sometimes explicit,
the Republican Party to win the heart and soul of mid-
sometimes implicit-to a Hillary Clinton defined as the
die-class white America.
essence of hard-edged feminism.
With pocketbook issues currently working to the ad-
These themes have already shaped President Bush's
vantage of Bill Clinton and the Democratic Party, Re-
campaign appearances.
publican strategists plan their own offensive on the
"I stake my claim to a simple belief: The president
question of "family values"-a convenient catch phrase
should try to set a moral tone for this nation," Bush told
for a series of deeply polarizing sexual, cultural and ra-
the Knights of Columbus earlier this month in New
cial conflicts arising from the changing role of women,
York. "I believe that a central issue of this election year
the gay rights movement, the deterioration of the nu-
should be: Who do you trust to renew America's moral
clear family and the emergence of minority-preference
purpose, who do you trust to fight for the ideas that will
civil rights policies.
help rebuild our families and restore our fundamental
Describing the party's goals, a Republican strategist
values?"
uses the language of social science to distinguish be-
While often couched in generalities, the purpose of
tween two sharply different world views:
values themes in elections is to create a series of "us"
"Our purpose is to define George Bush and the Re-
versus "them" situations that pit the mass of working-
publican Party as the proponent of fundamental social
and middle-class voters against a whole set of different,
norms in terms of the family, in terms of sexual behav-
but in varying degrees interrelated, targets.
ior and in terms of reward for work. Conversely, we
On Monday night, Patrick J. Buchanan pushed con-
intend to define Clinton and the Democrats as advo-
See VALUES, A24, Col. 1
The
Washington
Post
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 19, 1992
GOP Strategists Are Planning
A 'Family Values' Offensive
VALUES, From A1
Stanley Greenberg and James Car-
values assault appears likely to fo-
ville-are acutely aware of the
cus on gay rights.
servative values themes to the edge
Democratic liabilities on values is-
At a breakfast this morning,
of the envelope when he declared:
sues. These liabilities have weight-
Charles Black, a senior adviser to
"The agenda that Clinton & Clinton
ed down the presidential wing of
the Bush campaign, said "a legiti-
[Bill and Hillary] would impose on
the Democratic Party over the
mate issue in the election is the
America-abortion on demand, a
years with the nominations of
contrast between President Bush's
litmus test for the Supreme Court,
George McGovern, Jimmy Carter,
belief in family values [and Clinton's
homosexual rights, discrimination
Walter F. Mondale and Michael S.
strong endorsement of non-discrim-
against religious schools, women in
Dukakis, along with the prominent
ination against gays). He [Bush]
combat units-that's change, all
role of Jesse L. Jackson in the pres-
does not believe you should have
right, but it's not the kind of change
idential politics of the 1980s.
government preferences for the ho-
America needs."
Carville learned the power of val-
mosexual lifestyle, and he does not
For the past 20 years, the two
ues when he worked in the 1984
believe that government leaders
architectural geniuses in designing
Texas Senate race that saw Phil
should promote the gay lifestyle,
campaigns dominated by values
Gramm (R) crush Lloyd Doggett
versus Governor Clinton, who went
themes have been Sen. Jesse Helms
(D) in part by capitalizing on a gay
to California and spoke to the larg-
(R-N.C.) and the late Lee Atwater,
fund-raising event held in behalf of
est gay group there and tearfully
who ran the 1988 Bush campaign.
Doggett. Greenberg, in turn, has
endorsed their agenda. There is
In 1990, Helms steadily cut into
specialized in the study of the racial
clear difference on family value is-
the lead held by his Democratic
and cultural concerns of white Rea-
sues."
challenger, Harvey Gantt, first with
gan Democrats. He was one of the
On AIDS, for example, an Implicit
a commercial that portrayed Gantt
few Democratic consultants in 1988
distinction can be made by empha-
as the advocate of legislation man-
to immediately recognize the power
sizing the individual's role in con-
dating gay teachers in public
of the furlough of first-degree mur-
tracting the disease. On Monday,
schools-a commercial that drove
derer Willie Horton to establish an
Joyce Terhes, the Maryland state
many normally Democratic women
image of Dukakis as a liberal more
party chairman, made this point
with moderate incomes into the
concerned with prisoner rights than
when she said the GOP platform
arins of the GOP.
with the security of law-abiding cit-
calls "for compassion for persons
Helms followed up the gay ad
izens.
with AIDS. At the same time, we
with a commercial that has already
Clinton, in turn, has from the
recognize the crucial role of person-
become a classic in the melding of
start of his presidential campaign
al responsibility in maintaining good
sought to minimize Democratic li-
health."
values, race and workplace self-
abilities on values issues. He has
Black argued that engaging in a
interest: the picturing of white
stressed his commitment to a rel-
values debate inherently works to
hands ripping up a job rejection slip
atively tough welfare-workfare pol-
the benefit of the GOP because the
issued because the employer was
icy, carried out the death penalty as
"conservative themes
that we
forced to meet a racial quota.
governor of Arkansas and accepted
are articulating here and the pres-
Two years earlier, Atwater had
the Democratic nomination "in the
ident articulates every day are not
combined a whole set of values
name of all those who do the work,
only useful in consolidating the Re-
themes to give Bush, a patrician
pay the taxes, raise the kids and
publican base, but they are also po-
member of the upper class, a deep
play by the rules." At the same
sitions adhered to by a lot of ticket
populist hue: Willie Horton, the
time, his highly publicized conflicts
splitters, independents and conser-
death penalty, the American Civil
with Jesse Jackson have played well
vative Democrats.
Liberties Union and the 'no new
with socially conservative white
"Governor Clinton has the oppo-
taxes' pledge.
voters.
site problem: To consolidate the
These themes went right to the
The second major change in the
Democratic base, he has had to
heart of Democratic vulnerabilities
values debate, is that Bush, by
move left and the indepen-
among key working- and lower-
breaking his 'no new taxes' pledge,
dents, ticket splitters and conser-
middle-class white voters who be-
effectively severed much of the un-
vative Democrats who decide the
lieved the party of Franklin Roo-
derlying linkage of values issues to
election, you are at odds with their
sevelt had bacome-the party of spe-
the pocketbook.
position."
cial. preferences, using tax dollars
As long as the GOP retained its
In fact, however, the GOP has
collected from workers to pay for
firm reputation as the anti-tax par-
been running into problems similar
welfare and programs benefiting
ty, Bush could present himself as
to those of the Democrats on issues
prisoners more than victims of
standing tall for hard-working
ranging from abortion to the role of
crime.
American voters against a Demo-
evangelicals in setting party agen-
In 1992, however, there are two
cratic Party portrayed as deter-
das. As the controversy over Bu-
major differences from the climate
mined to direct government policy
chanan's speech and the criticism of
of the 1988 election.
and tax dollars toward the non-
attacks on Hillary Clinton have
The first is that members of the
working, minorities and social rad-
shown, the emotions generated by
Clinton campaign-not only the
icals.
values issues do not always fall
candidate, but such key advisers as
In the short term, the Republican
neatly along party lines.
The
Wushington
Post
Coherent
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 19, 1992
Message
At Midpoint, GOP Is Still Reaching
Elusive
for Coherent Message
At Halftime, GOP
MESSAGE, From A1
The message was divisive even among
Hunts for Theme
ilar problem. They began getting it together
delegates. Edward L. Tarpley Jr., a Loui-
only on the third night, when New York Gov.
siana district attorney and former Demo-
Mario M. Cuomo made his stirring presidential
crat, said, "Issues like abortion and homo-
nomination speech and nominee Bill Clinton
sexuality are at the core of what conserva-
staged his march from Macy's to symbolize the
tives stand for. On those two issues, there
By David S. Broder
start of a new era in his party's long history.
can be no compromise."
Washington Post Staff Writer
Until then, the New York convention had
But New Jersey delegate Elizabeth Bauer
been a pastiche of mixed-up themes, telling
said, "I think he was defeating the policy of
HOUSTON, Aug. 18-The
voters less about Clinton's credentials and
inclusion that we're trying to show." And
Astrodome, like Madison
vision than about the random thoughts of
Sen. Richard G. Lugar (R-Ind.) told report-
Square Garden, turns out to be
such diverse personalities as cerebral Bill
ers this morning that Buchanan's "was not
a place where visiting teams
Bradley, sloganeering Zell Miller, profes-
sorial Barbara Jordan, moralistic Jimmy
an appealing message at all, not a winning
need time to adjust. Halfway
Carter and passionate Jesse Jackson.
message. I hope we can focus on the
It would have been easier for both parties
economic issues, rather than cultural wars."
through their convention in
The economic message was central for
the Dome, Republicans are no
to program the early part of their conven-
closer to delivering a coherent
tion weeks had the nominees been content
both of tonight's featured speakers, Housing
with their pre-convention images. But Clin-
and Urban Development Secretary Kemp and
message to the public than the
ton saw the necessity of "reintroducing"
Texas Sen. Gramm, widely viewed as men
Democrats were at a compa-
himself to the American people after the
rable point in their Garden
battering his character had taken during the
who will challenge Buchanan, Quayle and
long Democratic primary season. Judging
probably others for the 1996 presidential
party last month.
from the "bounce" he and running mate Al-
nomination. But the two men spoke to differ-
The featured prime-time
bert Gore Jr. got in the polls, the effort was
ent priorities-and constituencies.
speakers the Republicans have
Gramm, a professional economist, former
a success.
presented-former president
Now Bush will attempt the same thing,
Democrat and influential member of the Bud-
seeking to change his image from that of a
get Committees in both the House and Sen-
Ronald Reagan and defeated
world statesman uncertain how to grapple
ate, put his emphasis on slashing government
presidential challenger Patrick
with the worrisome economic and social
spending and reducing deficits-an approach
J. Buchanan on
problems at home to a domestic reform
long favored by traditional Republican con-
NEWS
ANALYSIS
Monday night;
president with a clear strategy and commit-
servatives and their business constituents.
ment to spurring governmental change and
"The change Republicans want today is to
1996 possibili-
economic growth.
stop the growth of government, to control
ties Jack Kemp and Phil
Because none of the early speakers wanted
spending, to balance the budget and to cut
Gramm tonight-did more to
to preempt the nominees' own refurbishment
taxes again." While balancing the budget
showcase their own ideas and
efforts-and perhaps were uncertain what
may seem "the hardest thing we must do to
the new looks would be-they were neces-
right our economy," he said, it is "pretty
personalities than to answer
sarily vague in their descriptions.
simple" if Republicans just say no to pro-
the questions voters have
But the problem was compounded for
grams that are worth less than the taxes
about Bush.
both parties by the need to send reassuring
they will cost.
That leaves much to be
messages to constituencies that have little
In other settings, Kemp has derided this
in common with each other. That has
kind of traditional conservatism as "root-ca-
done in the few hours of free
turned out to be even truer for Republicans
nal economics." He has pressed Bush to
television time left to the
than Democrats.
make a major new tax cut the cornerstone
GOP, starting with Wednesday
To be sure, there are common elements
of his reelection drive.
night's speeches by First Lady
in all the speeches. Every Republican orator
Tonight's speech-aimed at younger vot-
claims the GOP deserves credit for winning
ers, entrepreneurs, Reagan Democrats and
Barbara Bush, Second Lady
the Cold War, the fall of the Berlin Wall and
minorities who are rarely courted by tra-
Marilyn Quayle and Lynn Mar-
the breakup of the Soviet Union. Every Re-
ditional conservatives-did not mention the
tin, the Labor secretary se-
publican blames the long-entrenched con-
budget, the deficit or the need to curb
lected by Bush to deliver his
gressional Democrats for blocking impor-
spending. Its prescription for economic
nominating speech. Even more
tant parts of the Bush program.
growth was to slash capital gains levies,
will rest on the acceptance
No major Republican constituency is go-
reduce tax rates on working families and
ing to take offense at any of those mes-
steer capital to "poor Americans who want
speeches Bush and Vice Pres-
sages. But beyond that, what voters heard
their shot at the American dream."
ident Quayle give Thursday
from Gramm, Kemp and Buchanan were
In what could be read as a rebuttal to
evening.
three very different varieties of the conser-
Buchanan's attack on the values of the Los
The Democrats had a sim-
vative message, aimed at three different
Angeles rioters, Kemp said that "we can't
sets of voters who agree on very little and
expect people to defend property rights
See MESSAGE, A24, Col. 1
don't like each other very much.
when they are denied access to
Buchanan's message, the harshest and
property
It's not the values of the poor
most controversial of the three, was a full-
that are flawed; it's the values of the wel-
throated version of the social-issue sermon
fare system that are bankrupt."
cherished by the Christian right but less than
The speech that reverberated best with all
welcomed by both the old-fashioned econom-
the varieties of conservatives-and even the
ic conservatives and the supply-siders.
relative handful of moderates in the conven-
"There is a religious war going on in this
country," the onetime TV commentator
tion-was, not surprisingly, Ronald Rea-
said. "It is a cultural war, as critical to the
gan's. It was Reagan who formed the current
Republican coalition by incorporating ele-
kind of nation we shall be as the Cold War
ments of all their agendas into his program,
itself.
and wrapping it all in his patented mixture of
The enemies in the "war," as identified by
nationalism, optimism and goodwill.
Buchanan, are homosexuals, radical femi-
Skirting past the economic problems and
nists, defenders of abortion, environmental
their answers (in a way Bush cannot afford
extremists and the "liberals" who espouse
their causes. In a closing passage that some
to do on Thursday), touching lightly and
humorously on the Democrats' efforts to
White House officials said they were un-
comfortable watching, Buchanan made a
redefine their "values" in more conservative
connection between the mobs in the Los
terms, the 81-year-old Reagan invoked the
Angeles nots and these other enemies. As
spirit of a nation of shared values, instine-
the troopers of the 18th Cavalry, "M-16s at
tive compassion and unlimited potential, "a
the ready
took back the streets of Los
country that is forever young."
Angeles, block by block," he said, "we must
As Lugar put it, Reagan presented "the
take back our cities, and take back our cul-
smiling, gracious face of conservatism, not
ture and take back our country."
partisan, not nasty." New Jersey delegate
Mary Virginia Webert said, "Everybody
went out of here walking on air."
The Washington Post
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 19, 1992
Bush Woes Blamed
On Hill Democrats
GOP Speakers Take Aim at Congress
By E.J. Dionne Jr.
Washington Post Staff Writer
HOUSTON, Aug. 18-With
caustic attacks on congressional
Democrats and grim warnings
about Bill Clinton's plans for the
country, Republicans mobilized
Cabinet officials, governors and
members of Congress tonight to
argue that President Bush could
match his foreign policy successes
with a program for change at home.
While speaker after speaker
blamed Congress for blocking the
president's domestic initiatives,
Bush used an appearance on the
"MacNeil-Lehrer NewsHour" to
promise some change at the other
end of Pennsylvania Avenue. He
said that he would "revitalize" his
administration in a second term and
make "a lot of changes in people,
maybe in structuring the executive
branch itself."
As a way of responding to a res-
tive electorate that sees Bush as
indifferent to domestic affairs, some
of Bush's advisers have urged him
to use his acceptance speech Thurs-
day to announce that his new chief
of staff, James A. Baker III, would
take a super-Cabinet position in a
second term, described by aides as
a "secretary of economic and do-
mestic affairs."
But a source familiar with Bak-
er's discussions with the president
said "there's absolutely no truth to
rumors" that Bush would announce
any definitive new role for Baker
this week. "It is baloney," the
source said. "It is factually incor-
rect. No discussions of such a na-
ture have occurred."
While rumors about Bush's next
moves swept the convention floor,
Republicans on the podium used
speech after speech to. highlight
three themes: That contrary to
popular perceptions, Bush does
have a domestic program; that it
has been foiled by the Democrats
who control Congress; and that
whatever Bush's: shortcomings
Democratic nominee Clinton would
make things much worse.
"The Constitution makes the
president commander in chief of the
Army but not commander in chief of
See REPUBLICANS, A23, Col. 1
Other stories on the COP Con-
The Wushington Post
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 19, 1992
GOP
Speakers
Blame
Bush's
Woes
on Hill Democrats
REPUBLICANS, From A1
the Congress," declared Sen. Phil Gramm (Tex.) in his
keynote address to the 35th Republican National Con-
vention. The Democrats who control Congress by
of Management and Budget Director Richard G. Dar-
overwhelming margins have used their majority to
man not be included in his second Cabinet. Bush has
throttle the president's program and strangle the na-
strongly resisted such changes.
tion's economy in a partisan gridlock the likes of which
For the second consecutive day, Republican speakers
we have not seen in this century."
paid a backhanded tribute to the success of last month's
"America's problem today is not that the president's
Democratic National Convention in New York by argu-
plan to energize the economy has failed," Gramm said.
ing that the image of moderation projected at Madison
"Our problem is that it has not been tried."
Square Garden was misleading.
As for Arkansas Gov. Clinton, Gramm suggested that
In making this case, California Attorney General
:his election would be nothing short of a national catas-
Daniel E. Lungren recalled former U.N. ambassador
irophe. If Clinton's economic program were passed,
Jeane J. Kirkpatrick's assault on the liberalism of the
Gramm said, "private investment would collapse and
1984 Democratic convention in San Francisco. "The
millions of Americans would lose their jobs."
San Francisco Democrats, now cloaked in respectable
In an address that drew frequent cheers, Jack Kemp,
Madison Square Garden colors, wish for us a collective
the secretary of housing and urban development, linked
amnesia," Lungren said.
In a further effort to link Clinton with liberals past,
the crumbling of the Soviet Union to his favorite theme,
the triumph of the ideas of "liberal democracy, individ-
Lungren reminded delegates of Willie Horton, the con-
victed murderer furloughed under a Massachusetts pro-
ual freedom, entrepreneurial capitalism."
gram who became the centerpiece of Bush's assault on
These were the driving principles behind Bush's pro-
Democratic nominee and Massachusetts Gov. Michael
posals to cut taxes, Kemp declared, but "Congress said
S. Dukakis in 1988.
no," a phrase he repeated like a mantra three times in
"Think about it!" Lungren said. "When we begin to
his speech.
talk about crime, they trot out their liberal icon and
Scoring Clinton's promise of a "New Covenant" and
invite the press to worship at the altar of righteous in-
using some of Clinton's favorite slogans, Kemp de-
dignation. The icon is spelled with two words: Willie
clared: "The Democrats' New Covenant is not new. It's
Horton. When they utter those words, we Republicans
not change. It doesn't put people first, it puts govern-
are to bow down in a frenzy of mea culpas!"
ment first. It doesn't empower people, it empowers
bureaucracy. It doesn't encourage investment and
Republicans hope to use this convention to make all
growth. It spends and spends and spends."
things new and cast themselves as a forward-looking
Although the response on the convention floor to to-
party. Vice President Quayle wants to do that at least
night's speeches was occasionally tepid, delegates and
as much as anyone, and today he told an interviewer on
some party officials said the mood had improved since
CNN: "You are going to see a new Dan Quayle."
the Republicans began gathering here this weekend.
"I had a bad campaign in 1988 personally and I am
"I feel a marked difference on the floor, a much more
not going to repeat the same mistakes," he told CNN's
positive environment, [a feeling of] let's go for it, let's
Bernard Shaw. "I'm going to rely on my own political
do it," one Republican operative said.
instincts. They got me where I am. I am a determined
While Republicans attacked, Clinton's campaign and
individual."
the Democratic National Committee issued a steady
Although the abortion issue was settled as a platform
stream of responses. "Phil Gramm turned the Astro-
matter Monday when the convention ratified a state-
dome into the Republican Hall of Blame tonight," said
ment of principles that included a strong antiabortion
George Stephanopoulos, Clinton's communications di-
plank, the matter continued to be raised at and around
the convention. Republican supporters of abortion
rector. "His facts and figures were as authentic as As-
rights rallied behind Bush while promising to fight an-
troturf."
The Democrats also sought to tweak the Republicans
other day.
"I'm proud to be pro-Bush and pro-choice," Rep. Nan-
"by airing brief ads in the Houston and Washington me-
cy L. Johnson (Conn.) said in a formal speech to the
dia markets, pointing to Bush's breaking of his "no new
convention that drew applause. "If you're pro-choice,
taxes" pledge and to slow job growth during his term.
The ads conclude: "Those are the facts, back to the
join the organizations in our party that are pro-choice's
your voice will be heard. Americans are overwhelming-
show."
ly in favor of government and political parties staying
If there was a hyperbolic quality to some of the
out of this issue."
speeches tonight, they generally avoided the sharply
Massachusetts Gov. William F. Weld also declared
personal tone of Monday's addresses, particularly that
his strong support for abortion rights but called for uni-
of Bush's opponent in the Republican presidential pri-
ty. "We shouldn't let this issue divide us," he said. "We
maries, Patrick J. Buchanan. Tonight's speeches were
should focus on uniting and winning in November."
more tightly focused on economic policy and on propos-
To that end, Republicans sought to open a counter-
als made by Bush and Clinton.
offensive in defense of Bush's domestic program.
In one address, Secretary of Health and Human Ser-
"When the president proposed school choice," said
vices Louis W. Sullivan touted Bush's health care plans
Wisconsin Gov. Tommy Thompson, "the Democrats in
and said Clinton's proposals would mean "huge tax in-
Congress said: 'Can't do that. The special interests
won't like that.'
creases" and "waiting-room gridlock." In another,
"From Massachusetts and Michigan to London and
House Minority Whip Newt Gingrich (Ga.) accused
Moscow, privatization-reducing bureaucracy and sav-
Clinton of wanting to increase federal spending to fi-
ing tax dollars-is on the cutting edge of progress,"
nance "the big city Democratic machines." And Mich-
said Ellen R. Sauerbrey, GOP leader in the
igan Gov. John Engler charged that new fuel efficiency
House of Delegates. "But when President Bush has
standards favored by Democrats "will cost 40,000 auto
tried to take the same approach nationally, what does
workers their jobs in my state alone."
the leadership of the U.S. Congress say? They just say
The speeches were made on a day when the presi-
no!"
dent, who had roused the party faithful on his arrival in
In an address of slashing attacks and some humor,
Houston Monday night, took a lower profile. He toured
Gramm accused Clinton and the Democrats of running
an anti-drug abuse program with martial arts actor
away from their own congressional leadership.
Chuck Norris and had lunch with the locals at Otto's
"Did you notice at their convention in New York, the
Barbecue. Bush is working on his Thursday night ac-
Democrats hid their congressional leaders?" Gramm
ceptance speech, and tried to play down the expecta-
asked. "Speaker [Thomas S.] Foley and [Senate] Ma-
tions placed on it by friends and enemies.
jority Leader George Mitchell were so far back in the
"Lower them a little, will you?" he asked reporters at
crowd that you had to press your nose right up to the
Otto's. "Lower them down just a little, lower the high
TV screen and use a magnifying glass to spot
bar.
them.
But Kemp may have raised them again with a line he
While Gramm praised Bush's domestic programs, he
added at the end of his talk, to loud cheers. "And Mr.
opened his address by highlighting Bush's strong suit:
President," he said, "give 'em hell Thursday night."
The collapse of the Soviet Union and the end of the
Bush raised the stakes himself with his comments on
Cold War.
television. "You'll see plenty of new faces, plenty of
"When you count the number of nations that have
changes." Many conservative Republicans, unhappy
been liberated from Soviet tyranny," Gramm said,
with the handling of budget and economic issues, have
"when you total up the population freed from the Marx-
urged publicly and privately that Bush also announce
that Treasury Secretary Nicholas F. Brady and Office
ist yoke, when you add up all the puppet despots whose
support from Moscow has now been yanked away, ours
is the greatest victory in the history of freedom."
The Washington Post
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 19, 1992
Allies Endorse U.S. Plan
For 'No Fly' Zone in Iraq
Baghdad's Aircraft Would Be Shot Down
all but a narrow strip across the
By John Lancaster
country's central portion.
Washington Post Staff Writer
U.S. military officials say the ban
British and French officials said
can be enforced using Air Force and
yesterday they have agreed to a
Navy aircraft already in the Persian
U.S. proposal to block Iraqi air at-
Gulf region, and analysts expressed
tacks against Shiite Muslims in
doubt that Iraq would risk any more
southern Iraq, declaring that any
of its already diminished air force
Iraqi aircraft violating the "no fly"
by trying to defy it. Nevertheless,
zone will be shot down.
the plan is not without risks for the
British Prime Minister John Ma-
Bush administration, which fears
jor, accusing Iraqi President Sad-
the possible creation in southern
dam Hussein of "systematic mur-
Iraq of a breakaway state under the
der, genocide" against the Shiites,
control of fundamentalist Shiites
said following a five-hour cabinet
linked to neighboring Iran.
meeting yesterday that allied air-
"What you really need to encour-
craft would patrol a broad area of
age is a new, more liberal and fed-
southern Iraq to enforce the ban.
erated Iraqi political structure, and
"We will instruct the Iraqis not to
the danger is you wind up encour-
fly in that area. They will be at-
aging separatism or civil war," said
tacked if they fly in the area that is
Thomas McNaugher, a senior fel-
proscribed," Major said in an inter-
low at the Brookings Institution.
view with a British television sta-
"You're trying to protect people and
tion, the Reuter news agency re-
bring pressure to bear on Saddam,
ported from London.
but you're also playing to a religious
[In another development, the
group that has ties to Iran and dis-
head of the U.N. inspection team
sidents in Saudi Arabia. It's very
that left Baghdad yesterday said
tricky in the region."
Iraqi officials supplied information
For many months, Saudi Arabia's
about previously unacknowledged
Sunni Muslim leaders had been
ballistic missile programs.
wary of lending support to the Shi-
[Nikita Smidovich, who arrived in
ites. But a source familiar with
Bahrain after an 11-day stay in Iraq,
U.S.-Saudi negotiations said yester-
also said the Iraqis provided im-
day the Saudis have agreed to allow
proved security for his 22-member
use of their air bases to enforce the
team, did not obstruct their inspec-
security zone.
tion of eight sites and gave "good
A British official said yesterday
information" on Iraq's ballistic mis-
there is "broad agreement" among
sile program. Details on Page A14.]
the allied partners on the need for a
In Paris, French Foreign Minister
security zone, and all that remains
Roland Dumas echoed Major's re-
is "ironing out details."
marks on the new security zone, say-
The security zone proposal was
ing the allies would extend much the
spurred by what Pentagon officials
same protection to the Shiites as is
See ZONE, A14, Col. 1
already provided to Iraq's Kurdish
minority north of the 36th parallel.
Bush administration officials have
said the new security zone would
include the vast chunk of Iraqi ter-
ritory south of the 32nd parallel,
effectively grounding Iraqi flights in
The Washington Post
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 19, 1992
Britain and France Accept U.S. Plan
For 'No Fly' Zone to Protect Shiites
liams said. Roads are being built
Casplan
into Shiite areas to permit military
ZONE, From A1
Existing protection zone
Sea
operations there, he added.
described as an escalating military in
under Kurdish control.
The Iraqis currently maintain
about 30 fixed-wing aircraft in south-
campaign against Shiite Muslims
TURKEY
36th
parallel
Iraq, including Soviet-built Su-25 40
southern Iraq. Shiites constitute
ern Frogfoot ground assault jets, and
nearly 60 percent of Iraq's 18.2 mil-
helicopters, including Soviet-built
lion people and have long chafed un-
SYRIA
der Saddam's Sunni Muslim govern-
Kirkuk
IRAN
Mi-25 Hind gunships, Williams said.
U.S. officials say they have spot-
ted use of Iraqi fixed-wing aircraft
ment. The center of Shiite resistance is
Baghdad
against the Shiites only once-on
in the south, which includes a vast
IRAQ
July 23-but Williams said Iraqi
of lakes and marshes as well as
government forces have conducted well
area major Iraqi cities such as Basra,
Najaf
Basra
frequent training missions as
Nasiriyah and Amarah. In the chaos
32nd
parallel
combat sorties using helicopters.
that followed the Persian Gulf War,
as Of similar concern, a Pentagon of-
Shiites staged a rebellion against
Proposed new
KUWAIT
ficial said, are frequent bombard-
Saddam's forces, but the uprising
"no-fly" zone.
was soon quelled and the rebels
Persian Guif
ments of Shiite villages using
SAUDI
ground artillery.
were driven into the marshes or
0
200
U.S. officials contend the military
across the border into Iran.
ARABIA
MILES
BY LARRY FOGEL-THE WASHINGTON POST
operations are being conducted in
In recent weeks, the Iraqi mili-
defiance of U.N. Resolution 688,
tary's attacks on the Shiites have
escalated from a relatively low-level
quent helicopter strafing attacks The
which was passed in the aftermath of
counterinsurgency campaign to
and artillery bombardments. of
the gulf war and prohibits Iraqi "re-
Iraqis also are using the guise
pression" against its own people. the
what Pentagon chief spokesman
Pete Williams yesterday described
public works improvements-in
U.S. officials have argued that
resolution gives the allied partners
as "a more generalized attack-
this case, a massive irrigation pro-
ject-to deprive the guerrillas the of
license to impose the security zone
against the Shia population."
without seeking additional author-
At his regular press briefing yes-
natural protection by draining
ization from the United Nations.
terday, Williams read from U.S.
marshes in which they operate, Wil-
intelligence reports describing fre-
The Washington Post
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 19, 1992
Who Really Won the Cold War?
Credit where credit is due-on both sides.
States drove them into economic cri-
Who won the Cold War? Who were
sis. Those who wholly discount this
is heroes and its slackers? Half-truths
Russian version apparently see no
nay confuse you if the presidential
need for military power to enforce a
lection debate turns to foreign policy
New World Order.
his fall. Worse yet, they will thwart
effective U.S. leadership in stopping
Fortunately, other Democrats, par-
the present international drift toward
ticularly leading figures on the armed
services and intelligence committees
chaos and disorder.
The Republicans have been script-
of Congress, understand that military
ng their version of the story since the
power does count, that the results of
day Mikhail Gorbachev decided to call
diplomacy are directly related to the
off the Cold War. They insist that the
military power that backs it.
man who called the Soviet Union an
But just as an allergy to military
"evil empire" brought its end single-
power will not allow a president to
handedly. As in a western movie, the
lead in building a New World Order,
gunslinging sheriff tracked down the
neither will an affinity for military
gunslinging cattle rustler, winged him
power alone. President Bush con-
with a bullet in his pistol hand and
ceived the phrase, but has failed to
brought him back to the county jail.
give it substance.
The sheriff had to go alone because
At the end of great wars in the
he Democratic slackers would not
modern world, the major powers have
Vandenberg
Truman
bin a posse. A new version has his
held peace conferences to establish
leputy sheriff, George Bush, holding
new orders. The end of the Cold War
is horse during the shootout.
is no less dramatic than the end of the
Democrats offer alternative half-
Thirty Years War, the Napoleonic
ruths. Some were horrified at the "evil
Wars or the world wars of this centu-
mpire" speech, although they surely
ry. Yet no major equivalent to the
id-not believe it was a "virtuous em-
Peace of Westphalia, the Congress of
ire." They argued that the collapse of
Vienna, Versailles or Postdam for cre-
le Soviet Union was wholly due to
ating a New World Order has OC-
ternal factors, sometimes even adding
curred. Instead, we see the world
hat U.S. military policy prevented its
drifting into disorder-Yugoslavia,
arlier demise. Thus Ronald Reagan
Somalia, Peru and parts of the former
vas no hero because the cattle rustler
Soviet Union. President Bush's empty
idn't even have a gun and would have
slogan is as troubling as the allergy of
urrendered voluntarily.
some Democrats to guns.
The true story does not make good
The post-Cold War challenge de-
ampaign rhetoric. The American de-
mands at least a modicum of biparti-
ision to meet the Soviet challenge
sanship. Half-truths about who won
fter World War II rested on biparti-
the Cold War will not forge the neces-
anship. Without it, the United States
sary consensus to use American influ-
nore likely would have retraced the
ence to promote democracy and free
ath it took after World War I, a bitter
markets around the world. Bill Clinton
artisanship leading to isolationism
Carter
Reagan
made a first step with his position on
nd another world war.
B-2 bomber, the intermediate-range
about democratic transitions in Central
Yugoslavia. Equally encouraging, he
President Truman took the formal
ecisions, but he counted heavily on
missiles for Europe, a rapid deploy-
America began with Carter, and after
has not reflected an antipathy toward
(epublican Sen. Arthur Vandenberg.
ment force (without which the Desert
criticizing it, President Reagan contin-
military power characteristic of some
Iven through the troubled time of the
Storm operation would have been im-
ucd the policy. La sum, the record
members of his party. Let us hope
'ietnam War, a few serious-minded
possible) and several other crucial
shows more continuity than change.
that he can convert them. And if he
eaders in both parties kept constant
programs were all initiated by Presi-
Through the 1980s, what has been
wins, let us hope that the Republicans
he basic thrust of U.S. military strat-
dent Carter. He also made the first
particularly troubling about some
do not reject Clinton's bid for a new
ggy directed toward the Soviet Union.
effort to seek deep cuts in strategic
Democrats is their view that U.S.
foreign policy consensus.
The Republicans presided over the
arms instead of the codification of
military power figured little in the
In the meantime, take with a grain
argest reduction in defense spending
planned buildups in the SALT I treaty.
fading of communism. Many Russians,
of salt any stories you may hear this
in the postwar period-38 percent
President Carter's human rights poli-
including Russian generals, assert the
fall about who were the heroes in the
between 1968 and 1976. Much-
cy, launched in his letter to Soviet
contrary. By inveigling them into the
Cold War.
abused President Carter began the
dissident Andrei Sakharov, sounded the
military competition, they complain,
defense buildup that President Reagan
same theme as President Reagan's evil
particularly a "qualitative" arms race
The writer is former chief of the
was to claim entirely as his own. The
empire speech. The effort to bring
and a war in Afghanistan, the United
National Security Agency.
Colbert King
Once This Was the Party of Frederick Douglass
HOUSTON-More than a hundred years ago, Fred-
Political and Economic Studies. Stack that against the
back our culture" from a nameless but-you-know-who-
erick Douglass boasted, "The Republican Party is the
771 black delegates who attended the Democratic
I'm-talking-about enemy.
ship, all else the sea." If Douglass were in Houston to
convention in New York, and their broad representa-
Thanks to American history, most blacks past the
read this year's rigidly conservative platform, or witness
tion on the credentials, rules and platform committees.
age of 40 carry with them a keenly developed second
the marginal role of black Republicans in this convention,
Opening day at both conventions gives an indication
sense of peril. And they know damn well what and who
he would quickly grasp why most African Americans
why African Americans have abandoned the GOP in
Buchanan is talking about.
haven't sailed on the GOP vessel for years.
droves. Last month's Democratic convention was gav-
But changing the ways of the GOP is off the screen at
The Houston gathering is a pale imitation of the
eled open by Ron Brown, who holds the critical post of
this convention. Take the case of Lugenia Gordon, who
party Frederick Douglass touted. Douglass's GOP was
Democratic national chairman. He was backed up by
heads the New York-based Freedom Republicans. Gor-
the major political party of social progress. Despite
another African American vice chairman and 80 black
don, a disciple of Frederick Douglass and Harriet
some backsliding during the post-Reconstruction peri-
members of the Democratic National Committee.
Tubman, has sued to change party rules that hamper
od, Republicans led the fight to abolish slavery, give
The Republican convention also opened with a black
blacks from serving as delegates and members of the
blacks the vote and guarantee due process to Ameri-
near the top of the schedule. He was former Reagan
Republican National Committee. She came to Houston
cans regardless of race. These victories earned the
administration aide Fred McClure, who was given the
and told the GOP rules committee: "Today black Ameri-
GOP the allegiance of most blacks well into Franklin D.
honor of singing the national anthem. McClure's GOP
cans, the very citizens who more than any other can
Roosevelt's New Deal.
national committee has only four black members: three
understand and testify to the traditions of the GOP, feel
But the capture of the party by conservative extrem-
alienated from the Republican Party." Gordon asked:
from the Virgin Islands and one from the District of
ists and the past 12 years of Republican White House
"What would the founders of the GOP say were they to
Columbia. McClure could gaze over an auditorium in
control have given African Americans little reason to
attend a meeting of the Republican National Committee
which 15 states had no black delegates.
consider boarding that ship again. That seemed to be
and learn that the only full black members are from the
Black Republicans weren't idle though; on opening
the message received by Tom Smith, the black Re-
Virgin Islands? That the RNC has a specially designated
day they sponsored a "Salute to Lee Atwater" starring
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 19, 1992
publican mayor of Asbury Park and member of the
auxiliary reserved for black Republicans?"
Health and Human Services Secretary Louis Sullivan.
New Jersey General Assembly, who is attending his
Having heard Gordon on the subject before, the party
The convention did hear from Maryland black conser-
first GOP convention. He didn't disguise his disappoint-
stuck to past scripts and ignored her. But she'll continue
vative and U.S. Senate hopeful Alan L. Keyes. His
ment with the right-wing platform.
her lawsuit challenging the party rules as racially
"There's no hope in it," he said of a platform that
appearance followed his charges that convention orga-
discriminatory. She won a victory in district court earlier
nizers had refused him an invitation to speak. Keyes
talks tough about the need for more tough judges,
this year when Judge Charles R. Richey in Washington
had also released an open letter to President Bush
tougher anti-crime laws and tough treatment of welfare
found that the Civil Rights Act applied to the GOP and
recipients who don't behave like the middle class.
asking, "What impression does it create when you go to
Democratic conventions. The Federal Elections Com-
Smith said the platform offers little to adult African
Illinois to help raise half a million dollars to defeat Carol
mission, which must enforce the court order, has
Americans, who may be moderate but are far from the
Mosely-Braun, while your staff treats me like the
appealed. So the feisty Mrs. Gordon is now pitted
Republican political and religious right who embrace
invisible man?" That blast got Keyes a spot on the
against the FEC and the RNC. She said if Frederick
the so-called wedge issues.
podium twice, including a prime-time slot. Who says
Douglass were here today, he "would spit in their faces."
Any doubt about where people with moderate views
that playing the race card in the GOP can't win?
That part might be debated. But is there any doubt
fit in today's Republican Party was laid to rest by arch
But it fell to Pat Buchanan to remind African
that Douglass would be up in arms over his party's
conservative Phyllis Schafly. "Total victory," she
Americans why. treading water alone in shark-infested
12-year retreat on civil rights, its divisive handling of
crowed about the defeat of pro-choice Republicans.
seas may be preferable to setting sail with him in the
racial issues and its indifference to the problems
"None of this litmus-test, big-tent garbage."
Republican Party. For one who invokes the name of
crushing blacks who remain trapped in America's inner
To understand why conservatives are having their
God at every turn, Pat Buchanan can be mean and
cities? Its a good bet that if Douglass and his co-
way, Frederick Douglass would only have to take a
intolerant, as he demonstrated on Monday night, when
abolitionists were aboard that Republican ship today,
stroll around the convention hall. Of the 2,210 dele-
he bashed gays and pro-choice advocates, misrepre-
they would be up on charges of mutiny.
gates attending the convention, only 107, or less than 5
sented Hillary Clinton's views on children and did his
version of David Duke's number on the need to "take
The writer is a member of the editorial page staff.
percent, are black, according to the Joint Center for
The
Washington
Post
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 19, 1992
The Vice Presidency: Unkind History
Lessons for Quayle
Franklin D. Roosevelt twice
Thomas Jefferson, James Madison
traded in his vice president on a new
overwhelming redeeming feature.
and James Monroe, in succeeding
model. John Adams spent four years
If the big dog dies, gets thrown out
each other as president, needed to
Sen. Thomas Eagleton (D-Mo.),
knowing his vice president was a po-
of office or resigns, the vice pres-
finesse a Twelfth Amendment pro-
ident takes his place. This has hap-
was dumped even before the elec-
litical enemy who wanted to take his
vision discouraging people from the
tion. Presidential nominee George
job-and did. Richard M. Nixon's
pened nine times (four assassina-
same state from running on the same
McGovern forced Eagleton out in
vice president resigned, so he picked
tions, four deaths from natural
ticket.
causes and one resignation) out of
1972 when it became known that
a new one. Then Nixon resigned and
If the Virginians couldn't pick
Eagleton had once undergone psy-
41 presidencies.
the new one took over.
their buddies, Wattenberg said,
And on one occasion the vice pres-
chiatric therapy. Switching horses,
Dwight D. Eisenhower didn't like
"they would choose very obscure
ident has been touched twice by the
however, didn't help McGovern,
his vice president and wanted the
people" SO "no one would have the
hand of fate. In 1973 Nixon ap-
who was drubbed by Nixon.
Republican convention to find him a
stature to interfere with their suc-
pointed Gerald R. Ford to succeed
And only once has the vice pres-
replacement. Andrew Jackson's
cession plans." It worked.
Vice President Spiro T. Agnew, who
ident deliberately run afoul of the
vice president quit because he
Before then, the vice presidency
pleaded no contest in a tax evasion
boss. John C. Calhoun, whose bitter
couldn't stand Andrew Jackson.
by law went to a heavyweight: the
case and was forced to resign. The
opposition to Andrew Jackson's tariff
This year it's Dan Quayle's turn
man who finished second in the
next year, his presidency shattered
policies grew into a personal feud,
in the vice-presidential hot seat.
presidential balloting. This worked
by the Watergate scandal, Nixon re-
resigned under pressure in 1832 to
He's been derided for four years as
all right for George Washington and
signed and Ford became the first and
battle Jackson from the Senate.
an unredeemable lightweight, and
Vice President John Adams, both
only president never to have won a
Refusing to be a good soldier, Cal-
many Republicans, conservatives
Federalists. But as president, Ad-
national election.
houn in effect dumped Jackson.
and moderates in recent weeks
ams spent four years looking over
The second good thing about be-
Conventional wisdom has it that a
have called for his head. Quayle ar-
his shoulder at Jefferson, his worst
ing vice president-that he be-
presidential candidate should pick
rived in Houston this week intent
political enemy. And Jefferson's
comes a "national figure" with the
his running mate to sweeten the
upon turning those sentiments and
first election created such a multi-
inside track to the presidency-is
ticket regionally (easterner John F.
his image around and finally putting
candidate fiasco that Congress
open to question. While many sit-
Kennedy picking Texan Lyndon
to rest unsettling memories of the
amended the Constitution to elim-
ting vice presidents run-all but
Baines Johnson in 1960), ideolog-
1988 GOP convention, when he was
inate the second-place rule.
two since 1944-few have been
ically (moderate Bush choosing con-
so awkwardly introduced to the na-
By the mid-19th century, the
chosen. When George Bush, a sit-
servative Quayle), for generational
non-entity approach was well-
tion.
ting vice president, won election in
balance (Kennedy-Johnson and
established. Presidential candi-
1988, he was following in the mil-
Bush-Quayle) or, perhaps, to keep a
No matter how the week, or the
dates, win or lose, remained pow-
dewed and mostly forgotten foot-
disappointed primary loser and his
election, turns out for Quayle, he can
erful chieftains in their own party
steps of Martin Van Buren, who
troops in the fold (Ronald Reagan
find solace in knowing that history
and, Wattenberg said, "didn't want
has often dealt unkindly with vice
performed the feat in 1836. Van
tapping rival Bush in 1980).
anybody competing with them."
Buren, like Bush facing an economic
in fact, however, scholars tend to
presidents. Voters always seem to
Hence, there were luminaries like
crisis, failed to win reelection.
believe that vice-presidential can-
want a good one, but treat him like
Franklin Pierce's vice president,
Nixon, who was Eisenhower's
didates never help a president win.
the greeter at a Las Vegas casino:
William Rufus de Vane King, who
vice president, won the presidency
They say voters are more interest-
nice to know you, but let's get down
ed in the person who signs laws, not
to business. It is arguably the strang-
took office with terminal tubercu-
the person who chairs the Compet-
est position in American politics.
Quayle may chair the Competi-
losis on March 4, 1853, and died 45
in 1968 and 1972, but he lost in
itiveness Council.
"Basically, people say, 'Very nice,
tiveness Council, stump the hus-
days later.
1960 when he was riding Eisenhow-
Starting with Walter F. Mondale,
but SO what?' . said Wattenberg,
tings for "family values" and tran-
er's coattails. In fact, Eisenhower
who was included in policy briefings
who has studied the effect of run-
quilize conservatives when they get
thought so little of Nixon that he
upset, but most of the time-as has
by President Jimmy Carter, the vice
wanted the Republican convention
ning mates on campaigns since
presidency has grown in visibility
1952. The most help ever provided
been the case for the last 150
to pick a new vice president for his
years-veepdom remains a non-job.
and stature. Wattenberg, who
1956 reelection campaign.
by a vice-presidential candidate
teaches political science at the Uni-
came from Geraldine A. Ferraro in
The vice president is the one who
Nixon scotched that plan by
attends funerals, takes on a full
versity of California at Irvine, also
refusing to cooperate and accept a
1984, Wattenberg said, but it
credits television with the modern
Cabinet post Ike offered, suspect-
wasn't enough-by a lot-to make
schedule of rubber-chicken fund-
practice of choosing someone "pres-
ing-probably correctly-that get-
Mondale president.
raisers, visits foreign countries that
idential" as a running mate: "These
ting dumped would be a one-way
Vice-presidential candidates can,
the boss doesn't care about and
days we have disposable candidates,"
ticket to political oblivion.
however, hurt candidates, Watten-
limos over to the Senate once in a
he said. "By the time it's over, the
History has shown that vice pres-
berg added. He estimated that
while in hopes of casting a deciding
losing candidate has been chewed
idents are eminently expendable:
Nixon, "seen as a bitter partisan and
vote. And always he seems to be
apart-he's through." Parties must
Abraham Lincoln had two; Grover
a slash-and-burn politician," cost
the one out in the cheap seats lead-
have new stars waiting in the wings.
Cleveland, the only president to win
Eisenhower a percentage point in
ing cheers for the home team-the
But there's still no reason why
two non-consecutive terms, had a
1956. He attributed a slightly high-
amiable buffoon that the network
they have to do anything. The pri-
different running mate each time.
er cost to Nixon's choice of Agnew,
cameras find so amusing.
mary reason vice presidents spend
Franklin D. Roosevelt spent two
who, he said, was "seen as a nobody
Prof. Martin Wattenberg, a stu-
their time on whirlwind banquet
terms with John Nance Garner,
not prepared to be president."
dent of this peculiar profession,
tours, Wattenberg said, is not ores-
then dumped him in 1940 after Car-
But the biggest loss since
traces its pointlessness back to the
idential jealousy; it is that the vice
ner made known his disenchant-
1952-slightly more than 2 per-
early 19th century when Virginians
president, as an elected official, is
ment with the New Deal and a
centage points, according to Wat-
the only person in a president's ad-
three-term presidency. Garner an-
tenberg-was provided by Quayle
ministration that the president can't
nounced his own candidacy for the
in 1988. And that, no doubt, is
fire.
presidency and ran against FDR in
something the vice president hopes,
"Suppose the vice president re-
several primaries. Roosevelt then
by week's end, many party faithful
ally messed up something impor-
chose Henry A. Wallace, whom the
will forget.
tant, or said something blatantly
party got rid of four years later be-
racist,' Wattenberg said. "The pres-
cause he was thought to be too
ident would be powerless to do any-
much of a leftist and because the
thing about it." Better to have him
president was sick. When Roosevelt
do nothing at all than to risk having
died in 1945, the new vice presi-
him do it badly.
dent, Harry S. Truman, became
The job does, of course, have one
president.
One vice-presidential candidate,
Washington
Post
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 19, 1992
Truly Slick
ALK ABOUT slick! George Bush has
And finally there are, of course, the question of the
T
something truly slick, if not downright oily,
Clinton draft status during the Vietnam War and the
going with the newest version of the oldest
attempt to savage the candidate's wife.
political game in the world. It's called "Who, me?"
The Vietnam issue is likely only to stir up all the old
The rule is that you encourage others to make all the
debate over the circumstances under which Vice
truly sleazy or crooked or demagogic points against
President Quayle found his way into the Indiana
the opponent while you merely gasp and fan yourself
National Guard. And even Mr. Buchanan may face a
and flutter that gash you wish they would stop. The
question or two. On television after the Buchanan
makers of these remarks then apologize, sort of,
speech, the commentator Mark Shields started it off:
through a big grin, and everyone sits back and awaits
"I did find it a little bit disingenuous for Patrick
the next "unauthorized" attack. It is never a long wait.
Buchanan, whose bad knee kept him out of military
Maybe this stratagem is as clever as some Republi-
service and who is almost a compulsive jogger to this
cans in Houston seem to think. To us it doesn't look so
day, for him to be criticizing Bill Clinton's lack of
clever, since its implication, which is bound to sink in
military service." Mr. Buchanan will complain that this
with repetition, is one of weakness, of refusal to take
does not do justice to the full facts of his case. Doing
responsibility for what is done in your name.
justice to the full facts of any case, including Bill
Of course, part of the problem is that no one has
Clinton's, is not something for which he is himself
exactly defined what is and is not sleaze or what does
famous.
constitute irrelevance or out-of-bounds assaults in the
As for Hillary Clinton, the Republicans may risk
campaign. Ronald Reagan, in his rousing political
looking a Little foolish and overkill-minded in their
Democrat-bash Monday night, showed, once again,
preoccupation with her, the kind of focus that gets
that he is the tonal master, knowing how to hit hard
people to saying they should be concentrating on other
without crossing the line into nasty, unattractive
things. But the candidate's wife and her beliefs are a
abuse. He took on candidate Clinton and the Demo-
legitimate object of inquiry. We would add that when
cratic Party in that good-humored but devastating
George Bush complains that it is by definition "sleaze"
"there you go again" voice made familiar in his debate
to go after his children, he is off the mark, as they are
with Jimmy Carter. Others, including notably Sen.
also legitimate objects of inquiry, since these presi-
Alan Simpson and Patrick Buchanan, did their familiar
dential children are not exactly minors after all, but
claw-on-the-side-of-the-face thing.
grown men involved in financial arrangements that
Mr. Buchanan is interesting here. He has moved on
bear on their father's office. Just so, Mrs. Clinton's
from King George, as he derided Mr. Bush last winter,
views and professional activities are within the realm
to Prince Albert, as he now derides Sen. Gore. Mr.
of fair comment.
Buchanan's spectacular flip-flop from the 32-foot board
should be a bit awkward to accommodate for a party
The problem is elementary fairness and honesty in
that makes so much of the claim that Mr. Clinton has
debating them. Mrs. Clinton wrote two articles about
shifted from one position to another without hesitation
the legal status of children that are the basis for the
or scruple. It seems like only yesterday, and in fact it
distortion of her positions. She noted in one, a
practically was, that Mr. Buchanan was telling the
scholarly piece in the November 1973 Harvard Educa-
American public of Mr. Bush: "He says one thing and
tional Review, that the law refers to the family in
does another." "He's the biggest taxer in history, the
setting the rights of children. She likened that to the
biggest spender, run the biggest deficits." "Mr. Bush
way the law had sometimes consigned other groups
had what he called a new conservative State of the
thought incapable of managing their own affairs to
Union, but when you looked at it, the proposals were
institutional settings in the past. Such settings "along
small and pathetic and timid." "Why has the United
with the family" had at one time or another included
States failed to recognize the peoples of Slovenia and
"marriage, slavery and the Indian reservation system,"
Croatia who are rising up for their freedom even as we
she wrote. The reference to marriage was to the fact
did 200 years ago? Why is Mr. Bush playing footsie
that for much of the nation's history the property and
with Li Peng and Deng Xiaoping? Excuse me, but
rights of married women were given to their hus-
were these not the gentlemen who sent the tanks to
bands.
roll over the children in Tiananmen Square
? What
She refers in the second piece to rare occasions
happened? One month later a secret visit from Eagle-
when children ought to have a right to sue their
burger and Scowcroft, the kowtow twins of Kissinger
parents. Chores have nothing to do with it, as one of
Associates."
her slick assailants on this issue, Republican National
But in a political world where nothing matters and
Chairman Richard Bond, well knows. What do the
nothing lasts, except of course the protestations by
right-to-lifers to whose views his party defers think
switchers like Mr. Buchanan that they and they alone
about those occasions when, for religious or other
are pillars of unbending principle, all this stuff from
reasons, parents would deny life-saving medical care
one day is gone down the memory tube the next. And
to their children?
in truth he seems more suited to his current attack
Mr. Buchanan, Mr. Bond and the others in Houston
than he was to mere Bush-bashing. For the themes
have caricatured Hillary Clinton and are hoping to
being most assiduously cultivated in these "who, me?"
frighten the electorate with the result. The question is
attacks made on behalf of George Bush are right up
whether the voters will be more frightened by this
the Buchanan alley: imputations of moral inferiority,
concoction of theirs than they are by the economic
warnings about the dangers homosexuals pose to the
situation. We think it's a long shot that they will and
society, allegations of failed patriotism on the part of
that, meantime, even with the daily disclaimers of
opponents and the rest. All this is the stew that the
responsibility, the president risks being made to look
Republicans are stirring while George Bush frowns in
foolish and frantic. by his campaign's run against the
unconvincing disapproval.
Clinton bogeys.
The Washington
Post
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 19, 1992
D.C.'s GOP Delegation
Feeling the Chill in
Their Northern Outpost
HOUSTON, Aug. 18-Conservative Re-
publicans often accuse the District of Colum-
bia of being far to the left politically, but here
at the national convention, D.C. Republicans
are far to the north.
The District's GOP delegation is staying at
one of the least desirable hotel locations avail-
ISPANICS
able here, all the way across town from con-
vention headquarters at the Astrodome.
The dome is south of downtown Houston,
but the D.C. group is billeted at a hotel on the
REDHEAD
(ar north side near Intercontinental Airport.
Harry M. Singleton, the District's incoming
BUSH
national committeeman, estimates that the
distance from hotel to hall and back again is
about 60 miles.
REPUBLICANS
"It takes us about 30 to 35 minutes to get
here," Singleton said. "It's really spread out
and it's tough to get around. That doesn't
FOR
make things easy."
Singleton notes that the District is not alone
in its misery. GOP delegations from Wiscon-
sin, Louisiana and Pennsylvania are also stay-
BUSH
ing near the Washingtonians.
The District's predicament elicited chuckles
from Donald W. Huffman, former chairman of
QUAYLE
the Virginia Republican Party. After being
relegated to a hotel several miles outside New
Orleans in 1988, the Virginians have landed a
prime spot about 10 minutes from this con-
vention's hub.
BY MARGARET THOMAS-THI WASHINGTON POST
"I got on the housing subcommittee this
Jose Santaballa and Gloria Fisher, both of Fairfax County, show support for Bush among two groups.
year specifically to make sure we got a place,"
Huffman said. "We're enjoying it.'
In the Spirit of Brotherhood
To ensure that his cherubic face doesn't turn
Of the District's outpost, Huffman quipped,
By all accounts, the Rev. Marion G. "Pat"
jowly, Davis skipped this morning's convention
"That's about the right place for them. They
Robertson's cup did not runneth over with
proceedings-there was nothing much on the
don't do much for the Republican Party any-
schedule anyway-to swim 44 laps at the Hol-
way."
charity Monday night for the speech of fellow
iday Inn pool. He took a break halfway through
conservative Pat Buchanan.
to share thoughts with a reporter.
Just Saying No-Again
Robertson, whose Christian broadcasting
Davis said he thought it was important for
Nancy Reagan made famous the phrase
empire is based in Virginia Beach, joined the
him to come to Houston so the moderate wing
"Just Say No" as part of her fight against
Virginia delegation on the floor of the Astro-
of the party would be represented. Davis esti-
drugs. But a senior Maryland Republican
dome to hear Buchanan's prime-time address.
mated that conservative activists outnumber
brought the familiar words out of mothballs
According to one Virginian seated near Rob-
moderates in the Virginia delegation by two to
yesterday, and her target was the Democrats.
ertson, his voice rose "to stentorian volume"
one.
Del. Ellen R. Sauerbrey, of Baltimore Coun-
while he made several sarcastic remarks
ty, the minority leader of the House of Del-
about the length and delivery of Buchanan's
The Walls Have Tape Recorders
egates, spoke to the convention yesterday
speech.
Excuse me, but your quote is showing.
morning, portraying Democrats as champions
Some who overheard Robertson's biting
of big government and impediments to indi-
Leaders of the Virginia Republican-delega-
critique said the evangelist may perceive Bu-
tion advised members in a welcome-to-Hous-
vidual innovation.
chanan as a competitor in national conserva-
From the main podium in the Astrodome,
ton letter to think twice before dispensing any
tive circles.
Sauerbrey contended that the GOP wants to
pearls to reporters.
privatize many government services, sell pub-
"The media knows what story they are look-
Down With Governmental Bloat
lic housing units to their tenants and subsidize
ing for before they ask you a question," the
private schools. But ask the Democrats about
With the prodigious quantities of free food
letter warns. "If you agree to be interviewed,
these things, she said repeatedly, and, "They'll
and drink available to delegates here, it's wise
remember that unflattering stories or some
just say no."
to be wary of post-convention bloat.
form of controversy are what they might be
"George Bush and all Republicans believe in
Thomas M. Davis III, a convention delegate
looking for from you."
empowering people," Sauerbrey said. "Not
who is chairman of the Fairfax County Board
- Compiled by Kent Jenkins Jr.
expanding bureaucracies."
of Supervisors, said he is taking no chances.
and John F. Harris
The
EQushington
post
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 19, 1992
TheTV Column
Nielsens and a 30 share, exactly the same overall
By John Carmody
average for Night 1 of the Democratic conven-
Washington Post Staff Writer
tion in New York a month ago
eter Jennings will chat up President
CBS, which went political from 9:30 until
P
Bush on tonight's edition of "ABC
11:41 p.m., averaged a 5.6/10 in that time
World News Tonight" in an interview
period, compared with a 5.3/10 for ABC, another
to be taped earlier in the day in Houston
9:30 starter, and a 5.2/10 for NBC, which left
Tom Brokaw talked to the Prez via satellite on
PBS at 10 for its own convention coverage
Monday from Indianapolis. A brief portion of the
According to Nielsen overnights in the 25 big
interview showed up on "NBC Nightly News,"
cities, the PBS/NBC coverage from 8 to 11:53
and all of it was aired in the first hour of that
averaged a 3.0/5, compared with a 3.2/6 for the
night's joint PBS-NBC coverage
first night of the Democrats in July
But CBS News anchor Dan Rather-who was
In Washington Monday night, convention cov-
bruised in an on-air skirmish with candidate Bush
erage on NBC-owned Channel 4 got the top
in early 1988-and his "Evening News" are not
audience, a 6.6/13 for the 11/2-plus hours from
in the game this time around
Houston. ABC coverage on Seven did a 5.5/10
Joe Peyronnin, CBS News vice president, said
from 9:30 on and CBS coverage on Nine aver-
yesterday: "We have had a request for an inter-
aged a 4.9/9. Each local ratingzzz point repre-
view with the president to be conducted by Dan
sents 18,199 TV homes
Rather for "Evening News' before the White
PBS's Channel 26 averaged a 3.2/5 from 8 to
House for some time. They have rejected it, we
11:53
have repeated it, along with a request for Mr.
CNN said it averaged a 2.3/4 from 8 to 11 on
Bush's appearance on 'CBS This Morning,' Face
Monday, which, in the CNN cable universe,
the Nation' or other programs of his choice. I am
translates to 1.2 million households, down slightly
hopeful they will accept one or all of our requests.
from the opening night of the Dems in July
Meantime, CBS News is committed to fair,
NBC subbed a refun of "The Tonight Show"
accurate and independent coverage of this con-
Monday night when it became clear the speech-
vention"
One consolation for Dan: Last week, "CBS
ifying would run late. Pat Buchanan's scheduled
nine-minute talk, which ran half an hour, was the
Evening News" came within two-tenths of a
ratingzzz point of "ABC World News Tonight,"
tip-off. The network expected Jay Leno to be
back on with a regular show last night
the closest CBS has been to ABC-in a "normal
Barbara Bush is due on "Good Morning
program week"-since the two tied for first place
America" today during the 7:30 half-hour talking
the week ending Oct. 6, 1989
CBS has been closing the gap with ABC for
to Charlie Gibson live in Houston
Vice President Quayle will be on GMA Friday
some weeks now
Last week ABC won with an 8.5/19, followed
morning
by CBS at 8.3/19 and NBC at 7.8/18
Jose Pretlow, who has been a producer of
The close finish gave "Evening News" execu-
"Donahue" the past four years, has been named
tive producer Erik Sorenson a chance to tweak
senior producer of "Geraldo." He replaces Dan
Steve Friedman, his counterpart at "Nightly
Weaver, who's decided to return to California,
News," who had been sure the Summer Olympics
and Ray Giuliani, who has gone to work for an
on NBC would provide a "bounce" in the numbers
upcoming syndicated effort
for the third-place show much as the Winter
Rivera tangled with a Ku Klux Klansman
Games had helped "Evening News"
Sunday in Janesville, Wis, as his crew taped a
Sure enough, during the Games, "Nightly" tied
Klan rally. The talk-show host claimed John R.
CBS for second two weeks in a row. But last
McLaughlin, 42, of Champaign, III., called him "a
week it slid right back to third
spic, then a dirty Jew, then threw something at
"Steve has been promising a big post-Olympics
me and kicked me in the left leg" before he hit
bounce for NBC News," Sorenson said yesterday
him back
in Houston. "Instead, they'v bounced right back
A spokesman said yesterday that Rivera "was
into third. It's satisfying that we've gotten as
sliced up pretty bad. He has scars on his forehead
much Olympic bounce as they did"
and on his cheek and his right hand is bandaged
Friedman responded, "All I said was that the
where the Klansman bit him"
Olympics would help us and they did. The last
Rivera and McLaughlin were both charged
two weeks we were neck-and-neck, and this
after the melee and are scheduled to answer
week we're only one share point back. And Dan is
misdemeanor battery and disorderly conduct
running third in the key 25-54 men demograph-
charges respectively on Aug. 31 in Janesville
ics-we were first-and 25-54 adult-we were
After tetanus shots and a test for the AIDS
second, right behind Peter-this week"
virus, Rivera has taken the week off to recuper-
Sorenson said, "This fall will be very competi-
ate
tive." He credits regular segments on health and
And why are we not surprised to learn that the
personal finance and "Eye on America" for some
whole affair will be seen on the Sept. 14 show,
of the improvement. "The country is looking at
kicking off the new season for "Geraldo"?
itself, and I think we've done a reasonably good
Oh, and HBO says the premiere of "The Larry
job of highlighting some of those issues"
Sanders Show" starring Garry Shandling Satur-
"And, after years of media bashing on Dan,
day night averaged an 8.9/15 and outdrew the
he's proved to be very resilient. He's the senior
three big networks on the cable systems carrying
anchor at the networks now and we're benefit-
HBO
ing"
That two-hour Fox movie Monday night, "Bon-
nie and Clyde: The True Story," averaged an
Kent Kountdown
8.7/15 in the national Nielsens. Locally, the
Both sides were taking a breather yesterday
movie did a 9.9/16 on Channel 5
in the battle between NBC News correspondent
Arthur Kent and the network
TV Ratingzzzz
ABC News correspondent and weekend an-
Following are the top 20 network prime-
chor Carole Simpson has won the National Asso-
time shows last week, ranked according to the
ciation of Black Journalists' Journalist of the Year
percentage of the nation's 92.1 million TV
Award
households that watched, as measured by the
It will be presented on Aug. 22 during the
A.C. Nielsen Co. A share represents the per-
NABJ's "Salute to Excellence" awards ceremony
in Detroit, part of the 17th annual convention and
centage of actual sets-in-use tuned to a par-
Jobs Fair
ticular program when it aired.
Rating
Share
Natwork
Among previous winners were Maureen Bun-
1
180
Rossanne
28
ABC
yan of WUSA and Bernard Shaw of CNN
2
148
Home Improvement
27
ABC
Those Democratic National Committee
3
14.4
Goodnight Sweet Whis
25
CBS
4
142
Coach
24
ABC
spots-"those are facts, now back to the show"-
5
130
60 Minutes
29
CBS
are being aired only in Washington and in Hous-
6
12.8
Blossom
23
N9C
128
Settle the Score
22
NBC
ton. They show up during the convention and a
8
127
Street Stones
22
cas
couple of times during the day (next to the news
9
125
Murphy Brown
21
CBS
shows, for instance) on the network affiliates, at
10
12.4
Murder, She Wrote
23
CBS
11
122
FULL House
24
ABC
least on Tuesday and Wednesday. They're aimed
122
48 Hours
23
CBS
right at the media in the two towns
13
118
20/20
24
ABC
You'd better be sitting down for this one, TV
118
Northern Exposure
21
CES
15
11.4
Cheers
20
NBC
Column fans: Nielsen will be changing its house-
11.4
Seinfield
19
NBC
hold count for the national and local ratingzzz on
17
11.3
Designing Women
19
CBS
Sept. 1. No details yet (hey, it's still 921,000 TV
18
11.2
Top Cops
22
CBS
19
11.1
Unsolved Mysteries
21
NBC
homes for the nationals, 431,151 for the 25-city
11.1
Bodies of Evidence
20
CBS
overnights and 18,199 for Washington) but the
With the Olympics out of the way, CBS re-
viewers-per-ratingzza point are expected to climb
turned to first place in the primetime ratings,
a little
averaging a 9.9/19 for the week, compared with
Opening night of the GOP convention drew 8
a 9.1/17 for NBC, an 8.6/16 for ABC and a
three-network rating of 16.1 in the national
7.1/14 for FOX
The Washington Post
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 19, 1992
HIGHLIGHTS
Coverage of the Republican National Convention
Series
around the dial.
New episodes of "Beverly Hills, 90210" and
Unsolved Mysteries (CC) (R). Segments in-
"Melrose Place" on WTTG.
clude the investigation of an abducted Ten-
New timeslots for "Home Improvement" and
nessee pastor, the search for the killer of two
Texans, and the story of an amnesia victim
"Doogie Howser, M.D." on WJLA.
(Channel 4 at 8).
Plus, the conclusion of a two-part "Seinfeld" on
WRC.
Beverly Hills, 90210 (CC). It's time for the
summer-ending clambake at the beach club
Convention Coverage
(Channel 5 at 8).
C-SPAN provides gavel-to-gavel coverage of
The Wonder Years (CC) (R). Kevin and Win-
the Republican National Convention begin-
nie set each other up with dates for the
ning at 8 p.m.
spring formal (Channel 7 at 8).
CNN's Bernard Shaw and Catherine Crier
Doogie Howser, M.D. (CC) (R) and Vinnie are
anchor coverage of the GOP convention be-
off to Palm Springs for spring break (Channel
ginning at 8 p.m.
7, 8:30).
PBS's Robert MacNeil and Jim Lehrer are
Seinfold (CC). In the conclusion, Kramer is
joined by NBC's Tom Brokaw and John
accused of being a serial killer as Jerry and
Chancellor (CC). Three hours (Channels 22,
George continue to search for him in Los
26 and 32 at 8 p.m.).
Angeles (Channel 4 at 9).
NBC's coverage features Brokaw and Chan-
Melrose Place (CC). Sandy lands her first
cellor (CC). One hour (Channel 4 at 10 p.m.).
role in a slasher film and Rhonda thinks it has
gone to her head (Channel 5 at 9).
ABCs anchors are Peter Jennings and David
Brinkley (CC). One hour (Channel 7 at 10
Home Improvement (CC) (R). Tim's garage
p.m.).
is invaded by Jill's pottery class (Channel 7 at
9).
On CBS, Dan Rather is the anchor (CC). One
hour (Channel 9 at 10 p.m.; further coverage
Wings (CC) (R). The gang compares their
beginning at 11:30).
video dates (Channel 4, 9:30).
Convention Night in Review (CC). With host
Arresting Behavior (CC). Bill and Danny
Paul Duke (Channels 22, 26 and 32 at 11
disguise themselves as prostitutes for a sting
p.m.).
operation and turn up one of Bill's neighbors
(Channel 7. 9:30).
Primetime Movies
Late Night
The Dream Team (1989) (CC) (R). Michael
Keaton leads four psychiatric patients sepa-
The Tonight Show With Jay Leno (CC). With
rated from their therapist on the streets of
Brandon Lee and Los Lobos (Channel 4,
New York (Channel 9 at 8).
11:35).
Let's Get Harry (1986). A group of friends
The Arsenio Hall Show. With actress Maria
are out to save Mark Harmon from South
Conchita Alonso, Tony Curtis, and Pete Rock
American drug dealers (Channel 20 at 8).
and C.L. Smooth (Channel 9 at midnight).
THE WALL STREET JOURNAL.
© 1992 Dow Jones & Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved
WEDNESDAY. AUGUST 19, 1992
Of Conventions and Courage
By MARK HELPRIN
George William Curtis to despair. young
president evince absolute loyalty and im-
HOUSTON - In his magnificent "The
Theodore Roosevelt, a New York assem-
peccable calm. Aware that the Republican
Rise of Theodore Roosevelt," historian
blyman, made his first address to a na-
Party may soon suffer the fate of a
Edmund Morris writes of the Republican
tional body. He called for time and climbed
reception tent in a hurricane, and that with
convention of 1884, in Chicago: "Tuesday
onto one of the cane chairs to stand high
Democrats in control of both houses of
June 3. Warm, radiant spring weather.
up he spoke. After Blaine, the way was
Congress, the executive, the presidency,
as eventually opened to him in the process of
most state and local governments, the
The lake 'velvety-violet,' the trees along
Michigan Avenue dense with new leaves.
death and rejuvenation that, even if not
press, publishing, Hollywood and the uni-
obviously. accompanies complex systems
versities, they will be exiled to
Atop the arched glass roof of Exposition
Hall, a hundred flags flutter and snap.
such as evolving political parties, and runs
half-a-dozen think tanks and the editorial
Inside, an immense luminous space, so
beneath the superficial aesthetics that are the
pages of this newspaper, they wait with
bright with red, white, and blue bunting
to its workings merely a clue. For as
admirable bravery. "It's like Robin
that at first it sends a tiny stab of
failed aesthetic of a great political conven-
Hood," someone says. "Clinton's arrow is
pain into the eyes. An acre or more of light
tion elicits the customary contempt. its
sitting in the middle of the bull's-eye. The
cane chairs.
Somewhere, a band is
underlying forces are working quite bril-
president has to split that arrow with his
playing Gilbert and Sullivan."
liantly to shape a future course.
own."
This aesthetic, apart from the bunting,
Two transvestites, very long in the
so much more subtle and calm than the
One hundred and eight years and 12
tooth, are buying papier-mache Republi-
whoring colors that please the eye of
Republican presidents after Curtis imag-
can elephants at a supermarket near the
television, was in its time merely the
convention site. They rush an exhausted
expression of a turbulent process underly-
newspaper reporter and, after inquiring
ing it. In 1884 the great issues were corrup-
ined the death of his party, his partisans
if he has AIDS and receiving a polite but
tion and the spoils system. The incumbent
have come to Houston, in the bright Texas
firmly negative answer, volunteer that
Republican president, Chester A. Arthur,
heat, not to choose their nominee but in the
they will soak the elephants, whom they
had such a weak hold upon the needs and
hope that they will witness his awakening.
have christened "Bush" and "Quayle,"
imagination of his party that he forfeited
That is the one great question of this
in gasoline, and burn them in front
the nomination to James G. Blaine, who,
convention, indeed, the only question, with
of the Ritz-Carlton Hotel. Asked if this will
being even less honest than Arthur, went
all else being of subsidiary radiance.
help fight AIDS, they reply that it is a step
on to lose the election.
The mood of the convention, while
in the right direction.
The struggle among the two main fac-
superficially optimistic, is subdued by anx-
The lectern where the president will
tions and an idealistic reform wing fore-
iety that the president will not abandon
speak is safely set back from the edge of
shadowed, in struc-
calculation for courage, and that therefore
the platform. and has the feel of the bridge
ture, the current di-
his voice will be separate from the voice of
of a sportfishing boat. Though two tele-
vision of the Repub-
the people. Republican partisans want him
prompters will silently scroll his text in
lican Party into an
to make clear distinctions, state his posi-
black and white, a paper copy will lie
accommodationist
tions strongly, and adopt a stance of
before him. He will turn the leaves without
wing that controls
electrifying defiance, for if he does not.
looking, signaled by a dot in the tele-
the apparatus of
they fear he will go down. Everything that
power, the conser-
happens before his speech on Thursday
vative wing that
night is inconsequential, and, yet, is tell-
claims the party's
ing in its own way.
heart, and the Bu-
As Peggy Noonan crosses the bright
chanan separatists
white carpet of the speakers' platform in
who are a third
the Astrodome, treading across what
party without the
seems like a snowfield lifted from the
energy to bolt.
Theodore Roosevelt
western mountains, a dozen cameras focus
Disillusion
in
on her and reporters congregate like papa-
1884 was such that George William Curtis,
razzi. She merely wants to look out from
a party elder, judged the convention in
the lectern, but the press speculates that
these words: "I was at the birth of the
she has written the speech the president
Republican Party, and I fear I am wit-
ness to its death." Common wisdom then
desperately needs. The speculation is
as now was to mock political conventions
groundless.
as exercises in false piety, but hopeless-
From the porches of the hotel that
ness and revulsion can always be expected
serves the press, you can hear startlingly
in the face of great chaos and fluidity,
powerful cicadas and the mournful steam
where control eludes all factions as inter-
whistles that once sounded for Faulkner,
ests clash and are reconstructed in a new,
Thomas Wolfe and James Agee. But this is
single braid formed of many threads. It is
the transient feeling of having lost power
that engenders what mercifully becomes
not the Old South. it is 1992, and the
transient cynicism.
whistles come from a toy train in an
At the very convention that caused
amusement park. Here, as demonstrators
nearby shout "Children are dying!" and
presidential helicopters make practice
landings on the Astrodome's immense
white-hot parking lots, parents are she-
pherding their sunburnt boys and girls to
the gates of roller coasters and water
slides, as if politics did not exist. They
have a life of their own, a life with which
politics and politicians seldom make any
real connection, and it is, indeed, the life of
the nation. Everything that happens in the
Astrodome will be judged at their pleasure
and by their standards, even if they seem
not to know it.
At the gilded events that do not appear
on the master calendar, those close to the
THE WALL STREET JOURNAL.
© 1992 Dow Jones & Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 19. 1992
prompter text. Should the cathode-ray
Today, if a young Theodore Roosevelt
tubes fail, the paper, which will not, will
stood on a chair and asked to be recog-
await his eye at the proper page. The
nized, he might be carted off to a mental
platform is spacious and comfortable, the
hospital, except that the Astrodome is SO
podium an excellent, secure place from
vast that no one in authority would ever see
which to deliver an address, even if the
him.
long view into the Astrodome is blocked by
the camera platform. because, by looking
But the courage of Theodore Roosevelt,
into this dark box, the president will be
his simplicity and power of speech - that
which comes from the mind of one man
looking out at the whole country.
rather than from a committee - are what
Not all is well here, however, for behind
the rostrum stands a faux Babylonian
the country longs for: Not the trappings of
temple that looks like it might have been
power, not politics, not pleasantries, but
Cecil B. DeMille's birthday gift to Musso-
electrifying oratory announcing electrify-
lini. It suggests the worst aspects of incum-
ing acts.
bency - grandiosity, staleness, inaccessi-
The president is bound by the condi-
tions through which he achieved his posi-
bility - and will, ironically, make George
tion and by which he maintains it. Taken
Bush, a man of great physical stature,
together, they represent a complexity be-
look like a pygmy.
Of the 15,000 in the press, who outnum-
yond human understanding, SO quickly
ber delegates by almost seven to one, it is
do they multiply and change. It is this
confusion, however, that a leader is bound
probably safe to say that 14,992 are Demo-
to break. And he can do SO not by calcula-
crats. Thus, Republicans may compare
tion but only by courage, the quality that
themselves to a gathering of ducks at
which 85% of those in attendance are duck
allows us to go beyond where we can see. A
people requires from its leaders, above all,
hunters.
A newspaper correspondent stumbling
the ability to cast aside their own interests
into CBS News is greeted with "Welcome
and to forge ahead, even at great risk,
to mind control." After responding, "Yes,
where no way is readily apparent.
General Patton, who was fond of quot-
but what would we do without you?" he is
told, "I mean the Republicans," who
ing French aphorisms, said very clearly,
and in English, the one sentence that
control minds with access badges, gates,
schedules, etc. Informed that this is control
should guide George Bush as he accepts his
not of the mind, but the body, the CBS man
party's nomination tomorrow night - "All
that is necessary now is to take
cites as brain-washing the many briefings
chances."
and press releases. Asked whether, if these
were not available, he would call the
Republicans secretive and stonewalling,
Mr. Helprin, a novelist, is a contrib-
he admits that he would. A duck hunter
uting editor of the Journal.
at a duck convention will be satisfied only
one way, and the ducks are guaranteed not
to like it.
Among the trees in a field near the
Astrodome, the Houston Police mounted
patrol makes its temporary camp. Its offi-
cers vehemently dispute press estimates of
the numbers in the pre-convention abor-
tion wars, insisting that each side has only
about 1,000 fully mobilized supporters. At
certain demonstrations, horses and press
outnumber the participants, who receive
more coverage than the war in Europe, and
benefit from the careless assumption that
the only place in America without unanim-
ity on the subject of abortion is the Repub-
lican Party.
The mounted patrol is used to presiden-
tial comings and goings. Several years
ago, after allowing the Marines to ride
their horses, they walked one of their
mounts into the interior of the presidential
press helicopter, where the animal had his
picture snapped as his head protruded
from the pilot's window.
This cavalry unit has 30 mounted
riders, and they have had a long day. With
their Bristol-blue shirts, gold insignia, and
Sam Browne belts, the sunburnt. mus-
tached men bivouacking their horses in
the trees at dusk as the cicadas deafen the
air are much like their forebears of the
Civil War. They know that history will soon
be made, very close by, and they are as
tranquil as Mosby's men. or Jackson's.
Some things change. Some stay remarka-
bly the same.
THE WALL STREET Reserved. JOURNAL.
1992
Dow
Jones
&
Company,
Inc.
All
Rights
WEDNESDAY,
AUGUST
19.
1992
Saddam's Work in the Marshlands
Earlier this month the United Nations
the past, small military operations have
tants of the neighboring villages. Ac-
Human Rights Commission Special Rappor-
been explained by the need to seek out
cording to certain reports, the programs of
teur on Iraq. Max can der Stoel, produced
so-called criminal elements who had
village amalgamation are justified by the
the following interim report on the situation
sought refuge in the marshes. These per-
government by the necessity to bring these
of the Shi'a in Iraq's southern marshlands.
sons were generally said to be either
people closer to better medical and other
We reprint excerpts below:
military deserters or participants in the
services. Some marsh Arabs are said to
The southern marsh area of Iraq is a
March 1991 uprisings and who are ac-
have been given new homes closer to
vast maze of lakes and waterways, clotted
cused of murder and rape.
places of fixed employment.
with reedbeds and islands, which is inhab-
However. the special rapporteur cannot
The precise "necessity" of these relo-
ited by a unique people who trace their
understand how indiscriminate bombard-
cations has still to be sufficiently ex-
origins back to before 3000 B.C. The exact
ments of civilian settlements could possi-
plained, but it is clear that many of
number of people who live in the marshes
bly be justified by police actions directed
the persons affected were unwillingly
is unknown. but several hundreds of thou-
against a small number of individuals. As
moved, in violation of their human right to
sands live in small towns and villages on
pointed out by the special rapporteur on
freedom of movement. On this point, the
the edges of the area. Millions more popu-
extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary exe-
special rapporteur cannot but recall the
late the cities of Baasra, Nassiriya and
cutions in his recent urgent appeal con-
program of forced relocations, village
Amara, which are located near the marsh
cerning these attacks. the government of
amalgamation and internal expulsion that
area.
Iraq must respect the rights to life and
constituted part of the "Anfal Operations"
According to a variety of reports
physical integrity included in the Univer-
waged by the government of Iraq against
brought to the attention of the special
sal Declaration of Human Rights and the
the Kurdish population in the late 1980s.
rapporteur. there appears to be a resur-
International Covenant on Civil and Politi-
In addition to the program of forced
gence of grave violations of human rights
cal Rights. Further, the tactics employed
relocations of the local population, the
by the government of Iraq against the
by the government in using military at-
population in the area, in various ways.
tacks are completely incompatible with
government of Iraq has held the marsh
area subject to an internal economic block-
Viewed together, the special rapporteur
their obligations to provide for due process
ade for some time. By restricting the
has considerable cause for concern that
of law such that innocent persons are not
inflow of basic foodstuffs and medica-
there is in fact a specific policy aimed at
wrongly penalized and such that guilty
ments needed by the inhabitants, it is
the marsh Arabs in particular.
persons are nevertheless dealt with ac-
In this connection, the special rappor-
cording to the rule of law. including a fair
alleged that the government is trying to
draw people out of the relative protection
teur is especially cognizant of a videotape
and public trial.
of the marshes in order to control the popu-
in his possession wherein the present
In the face of confirmed reports of
lation and arrest those labeled "crim-
prime minister is heard to instruct. late
artillery bombardments and reliable re-
inals."
last year. several Iraqi army generals to
ports of considerable troop movements and
fixed-wing aircraft flights in the region, it
In this connection, it has also come to
"wipe out" three specified marsh Arab
would seem clear that the level and nature
the attention of the special rapporteur that
tribes. The same videotape, portions of
which have been broadcast on various
of force being employed in the region for
the government of Iraq has acted to cause
whatever purpose exceeds by far the stan-
the international non-governmental hu-
national television networks, shows Iraqi
dards detailed in the Basic Principles
manitarian agencies previously working in
army personnel apparently training to
carry out assaults on the population, with
on the Use of Force and Firearms by
the area to withdraw. thus leaving the local
some portions of the videotape appearing
Law Enforcement Officials and the Code of
population with even fewer sources of
to show actual interrogations and raids in
Conduct for Law Enforcement Officials.
assistance. As the United Nations family of
According to information received by
humanitarian agencies also scales down
progress.
In this context. then, the many recent
the special rapporteur. a series of military
its presence, concern for the well-being of
reports of full-scale military attacks on
attacks are alleged to have commenced as
the people increases.
southern marsh villages are extremely
of early July 1992. Initial artillery attacks
Perhaps the greatest threat to the
disturbing and may be seen as the mani-
are said to have been aimed at certain
inhabitants of the southern marshes is
festation of a preconceived policy.
tribes. The main activities appear to
posed by the enormous water diversion
Certain of the recent reports of military
have focused on villages southwest of
program which is proceeding at a rapid
attacks on the civilian population were
the city of Amara. In the villages of
pace. Known as the Third River Project.
taken up by the special rapporteur on
Adil, al-Salaam, Mainona and al-Majar,
the government program to create another
extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary exe-
curfews were in effect prior to the com-
central waterway in the region for the
cutions in an urgent appeal to the govern-
mencement of bombardments. Following
purpose of irrigating salted flats will
ment of Iraq. Expressing the same and
the bombardments, reliable reports indi-
clearly result in the draining of much of the
cated that local hospitals and medical
marsh area of its watercover, surren-
many other concerns, the special rappor-
teur on human rights in Iraq has also
clinics showed significant increases in pa-
dering the silty soils to the dry air. As
tients being treated for related injuries. As
the reedbeds become exposed, they die,
addressed a letter to the government of
a result of the continuing military opera-
further contributing to the deterioration of
Iraq. Clearly, the greatest immediate con-
cern is for the lives of the people. Military
tions, there have also been reports of
the environment; this process is said to
attacks on civilians, whether on the basis
disappearances.
have been sped up by the occasional
of orders against particular individuals or
At the same time as the local population
burning of reeds.
as part of indiscriminate mass bombard-
has been suffering stepped-up military
Insofar as the marsh Arabs are inte-
ments, clearly violate the rights to life,
attacks, the government of Iraq has appar-
grally linked to this special natural envi-
personal integrity and due process of law.
ently also been proceeding with the forced
ronment, they are threatened both in
Indeed. such attacks constitute assaults
relocation of marsh Arabs and inhabi-
terms of their daily needs (which are
against the essential principles of any rule
largely met through fishing) and in terms
of law compatible with the very notion of
of the survival of their ancient culture.
human rights.
Quite apart from potentially serious envi-
In the special rapporteur's report of 18
ronmental effects, the program may also
be seen as a method to facilitate govern-
February 1992 to the Commission on Hu-
ment control over the population in the
man Rights, certain concerns were raised
in relation to the marsh Arabs who are also
area. In the opinion of the special rappor-
Shi'a Moslems. At that time, the special
teur, the government's program of the
rapporteur considered the policies affect-
Third River Project should be immediately
ing them as partly related to their religious
brought to a halt pending a comprehensive
environmental assessment and consulta-
beliefs. However, it is here worth recalling
that the special rapporteur also cited a
tions with the affected population.
series of articles in Al-Thawra (the [rul-
Considering the developments re-
ing) Baath party newspaper) which char-
counted above, the special rapporteur is of
acterized the marsh Arabs as an inferior
the opinion that, irrespective of the reply
and "un-Iraqi" people. These sinister and
the Iraqi government may send to his
ominous references may now be viewed in
appeal of 29 July 1992, there is an urgent
relation to the current wave of repres-
need to send a team of human rights
sion.
monitors to the specific region of the
The most blatant violations of human
southern marshes. These monitors would
rights being perpetrated by the govern-
constitute an independent source of reli-
ment are constituted by the military at-
able information following the course of
tacks against the civilian population. In
events in the marsh area.
THE WALL STREET JOURNAL:
© 1992 Dow Jones & Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 19. 1992
Reagan's Secret
By nearly all measures, Ronald
vented revolutionary technologies."
Reagan's speech to the convention
His America has "a powerful sense of
Monday night was a large success. As
energy." The world is being trans-
one non-admiring network reporter
formed and "while no transition is
was heard to say to a colleague on the
without its problems." it will leave
floor afterward, "He's done it again."
America more "dynamic." (Set in this
Yes, but how does he do it?
context, what exactly is the meaning
Is it the bobbing head? The voice?
of "conservative"?)
The amiable countenance of an Irish
The speech returns repeatedly to
cop? Is it the shoes? No, as Michael
variations on this theme of striving
Jordan had to remind Spike Lee, "No,
and future accomplishment. Emerson
Mars, it's not the shoes."
was right. We are the country of tomor-
It's this: "I live for the future."
row. Our revolution did not end at York-
Perhaps as much as anything, this
town. Again, to his critics it is all hope-
line marks the divide between Ronald
lessly Pollyannish, this "morning in
Reagan and his critics. He's an opti-
America" stuff. But his critics, mostly
mist. They, most of the time, are
writers, are the sort of people who've
Spenglerian brooders.
always tended toward brooding about
Ronald Reagan sees a country of
details left undone and life's sorrows.
opportunity, possibility and individual
And they're sure that this sense of
achievement - the "shining city on a
life's melancholy gives them a more
hill." They see the homeless, people
complete sense of the human condi-
with AIDS, single mothers - a country
tion. Maybe so, but Ronald Reagan,
of unfulfilled ideals.
with the mind-set of an engineer or
With his vision, Ronald Reagan
builder, offered a vision of the human
won two presidential elections and left
condition, a prospect really, that had a
a legacy that won a third election.
greater political appeal.
They, his critics, kept losing.
Most likely, Ronald Reagan's
His critics diminish democracy by
critics don't care to learn anything
arguing that Mr. Reagan somehow
about politics from him. But his party
fooled the country for eight years. Mil-
should.
lions and millions of people vote in our
It's impossible to imagine Ronald
presidential elections, and we believe
Reagan talking in the way Pat Bu-
that in its collective wisdom, the elec-
chanan does about keeping foreign
torate knows what it is doing.
people and foreign products out of the
Mr. Reagan's convention speech
U.S. Nor would he ever give the im-
did indeed "do it again," and a close
pression that his political actions drew
parsing of it would suggest to a disin-
their energy from reservoirs of bitter-
terested person the secrets of the Rea-
ness and antipathy. Certainly politics
gan appeal.
gets rough at times, but during the
Like most Americans, I live for the
years of the Reagan presidency his
future.
and the party's personality were de-
The Reagan speech was suffused
fined in terms of tomorrow's potential,
with the expressions of a politician al-
not today's problems.
most solely preoccupied with forward
Today's voters may be too fixated
movement, driven by the country's in-
on the present dark mood to find ap-
tellectual, technical and economic
peals to future progress attractive. But
skills. He pushed his politics and his
the mood in 1980 was dark, too. Opti-
people toward the cutting edge. He is a
mism, at any time, resides somewhere
relentless apostle of progress.
inside nearly every voter. We doubt
We believe that no power of govern-
there's a politician who more master-
ment is as formidable a force for good as
fully and completely explored the po-
the creativity and entrepreneurial drive
tential of this powerful human need
of the American people.
than Ronald Reagan. He offered a
When Mr. Reagan talks about
textbook lesson in his technique Mon-
"ideals," they are ideals that "in-
day night. Read the speech.
THE WALL STREET JOURNAL.
© 1992 Dow Jones & Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved
WEDNESDAY. AUGUST 19, 1992
Late-Inning Rally?
When they're trailing but get a
lina, home to Roger Milliken and the
base runner in the late innings, base-
textile lobby, said 73,000 people go to
ball players in the dugout don "rally
work each day in his state in busi-
caps." Unless we miss our bet, Repub-
nesses backed by foreign investment.
licans in Houston's Astrodome are put-
Merits aside, this free-trade sup-
ting on their own re-election rally
port will give Republicans a psycho-
caps.
logical boost. It lets them go on the of-
The media notices are still bad. of
fense, forcing Bill Clinton to choose
course, as the journalistic pack muses
between his avowed support for open
darkly about the "religious right" it
markets and his party's special inter-
barely knows and pursues asides
ests. It also shows faith in an America
about "skirt-chasing. Woody Allen
that is able to compete against any
and Mia Farrow are getting more seri-
country in the world. One could even
ous coverage. Yet on more important
call it "visionary."
matters in Houston, the GOP seems to
Last night, a forward party of Re-
be shaking the Beltway despond that
publicans offered what amounts to a
has weighed it down in recent months.
conservative domestic reform agenda.
Republicans are starting to get their
Lamar Alexander challenged Demo-
message out. Maybe they feel liber-
crats to accept "choice" for public and
ated now that they've left the vapors
private schools, Jack Kemp talked
along Pennsylvania Avenue.
about empowering the poor, and Louis
Rolling into Houston Monday,
Sullivan compared Mr. Bush's market-
President Bush said he's behind be-
driven health-care plan with Gov.
cause Democrats have been at the
Clinton's price controis and rationing.
plate for nine months straight. He's
In his keynote address, Texas Senator
onto something here, though the tacti-
Phil Gramm dissected both the Demo-
cal decision to sit on the sidelines
cratic Congress and Mr. Clinton's
seems to have been Mr. Bush's. Now at
economic plan. Maybe the "prag-
least he and his allies are fighting
matic" Bush Republicans have begun
back. If he offers an agenda this week,
to understand that the only way they
as new Chief of Staff James Baker
can win is by offering sharp contrasts
hinted, Mr. Bush might even emerge
on the issues.
with an election mandate.
President Bush himself seemed to
On Monday night, onetime TV pu-
ignite some of the new enthusiasm
gilist Pat Buchanan slapped a base hit
with his own speech upon arriving in
by endorsing President Bush and say-
Houston. Finding congressional lead-
ing his typically subtle things about
ers at the Democratic convention last
Democrats. Some of Pat's swings were
month "was like playing, 'Where's
a little wild for us, but most seemed to
Waldo?' in the Astrodome," he
buoy the spirits of delegates who'd
cracked. "They gave a new meaning
been reading too many opinion polls.
to the word 'closet liberal.' Demo-
When Mr. Buchanan cracked about
crats claim to be for "change," he
the bias of "commentators, looking
said, but they oppose term limits and
down from their sky boxes and anchor
other conservative reforms.
booths," the delegates hooted their
Most significantly, Mr. Bush said,
agreement.
"I held out my hand to those crazy
Ronald Reagan then stepped up to
guys in Congress and they slapped it."
clear the bases with a speech that re-
We hope this really does signal a
vealed all of his trademark humor and
change in strategy from the cut-any-
optimism. There was something, well,
insider-deal habit of most of his first
Reaganesque about an 81-year-old
term. It's possible Mr. Bush has de-
man saying "goodbye" with a speech
cided that George Mitchell isn't play-
full of his trademark humor and opti-
ing by the Marquess of Queensberry
mism (see below).
rules after all.
More important for this November,
The emerging Republican theme
Republicans are beginning to remem-
here is that Mr. Bush's first term was
ber to stand for something. Most nota-
to save the world, while a second will
bly, a string of Governors and others
be devoted to domestic and economic
rose Monday to talk about the benefits
issues with a new Congress. This is a
of the North American Free Trade
plausible re-election rationale, and po-
Agreement. Jim Edgar of Illinois, an
tentially a convincing one. Mr. Bush's
election battleground, said 39% of his
task on Thursday night will be to
state's exports go to Canada and Mex-
show, not only with words and action,
ico. Carroll Campbell of South Caro-
that he's willing to fight for it.
THE WALL STREET JOURNAL.
© 1992 Dow Jones 8 Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 19. 1992
Familiar Agenda
Some who work closely with Mr. Bush
also foresee, in a second term, a sharper
A Bush Second Term
focus on domestic matters if only because
his sense of public service leads him to deal
with whatever crosses his desk. "There
Would Probably Keep
will be heavy emphasis on domestic issues
because there are things that have to be
dealt with." says Sheila Tate, Mr. Bush's
Foreign-Policy Focus
former press secretary.
In an interview with the Public Broad-
casting Service yesterday. Mr. Bush said
But Top Advisers Consider
he would "make a major commitment to
making things better at home" in his
Tax Cut, New Incentives
second term. "I would want to accomplish
a change domestically on education.
For Savings, Investment
health care, and the whole anti-crime and
anti-drug front," he said.
In the White House, policy advisers
One More Swing at Deficit?
already have quietly started working on an
ambitious agenda
for the early days of
By MICHEL MCQUEEN
a Bush second term
Staff Reporter of THE WALL STREET JOURNAL
that goes far beyond
HOUSTON - In the days before the Re-
anything
men-
publican convention, some of President
tioned in the GOP
Bush's top advisers carried a laminated
platform or in Mr.
index card listing his first-term accom-
Bush's acceptance
plishments on the left side ("fall of commu-
speech - a speech
nism, Desert Storm, legislation") and his
that is likely to in-
second-term goals on the right ("stimulate
clude tax proposals.
economy, educate work force, family
Among the ideas be-
values").
ing considered for
It was a useful reminder for Bush aides.
the second term is
Although it has been clear for more than
an extensive round
President Bush
two decades that George Bush wants to be
of tax changes that
president, it still isn't clear to many people
would lower tax rates and provide new
exactly what he wants to do as president.
incentives for savings and investment. The
In a second term, he would, for the first
boldest version would pay for the cuts with
time, be free from election worries. But
a new tax on consumption. such as a
how would he use that freedom? That
value-added tax: a more modest approach
remains the subject of fierce debate in
would eliminate existing tax loopholes.
Houston this week.
One likely proposal: capping the amount of
Despite efforts by his supporters to play
employer-provided health insurance free
down foreign policy right now, a second-
from taxes.
At the Treasury Department. Secretary
Call for Tax Cuts
Nicholas Brady has been aggressively
With time running out, President Bush is
pushing a plan to eliminate the dou-
putting together a call for a new round of
ble taxation of corporate profits. Un-
tax cuts, and new faces for a second
der existing law, those profits are gener-
administration. See article on page A14.
ally taxed when earned and again when
In other developments:
paid out as dividends. Also high on the
GOP congressional candidates are re-
administration's list is a sweeping health-
casting their campaign strategies, A14.
care initiative that would use tax incen-
Small-business owners still are ex-
tives to push the country away from na-
pressing their loyalty to Bush, B2.
tional health insurance and toward a sys-
term President Bush would almost cer-
tem based on free-market principles. And
tainly continue to focus on it. He and his
education reform, possibly encouraged by
advisers have already begun thinking
a commitment to spend more federal dol-
about transforming the North Atlantic
lars, is under study.
Treaty Organization and other relics of
Top advisers hope to sit down with the
East-West confrontation into vehicles for
president immediately after the election, if
managing today's conflicts in Europe and
he prevails, and begin talking about a "100
other places, particularly the Mideast. And
days" agenda.
he would surely want to nurture democ-
But such talk, in the end, may produce
racy in Russia, which will enter into
more rhetoric than action. Fundamentally,
another precarious winter just before a
Mr. Bush believes that the nation has
new Bush term would begin.
"come to rely on government too much,"
Faced with the prospect of going down
Please Turn to Page A8, Column 1
in history as a man who presided over the
biggest budget deficits in U.S. history, Mr.
Bush might also make one more serious
effort to tackle that problem. "There is a
debate within the Republican Party on
growth VS. deficit reduction," says a prom-
inent conservative Republican lawmaker.
"But there is no debate within George
Bush. He holds that traditional Republican
view that big deficits are unacceptable and
that when it comes to the economy or
domestic issues, you can't do much, and
anything you do do, will probably hurt."
THE
WALL STREET JOURNAL.
C 1992 Dow Jones 3 Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 19, 1992
Continued From First Page
Cold War." Mr. Beschloss says. Similarly,
says Thomas "Lud" Ashley, a longtime
Mr. Bush would "make an effort to bring
friend of Mr. Bush and a former Demo-
some kind of process and predictability to a
cratic congressman from Ohio. He says
world that is still very chancy."
Mr. Bush. for 40 years. has expressed
Some conservatives cling to the hope
skepticism about Washington's ability to
that in a second term, George Bush would
solve social problems - hardly an attitude
be revealed as a true believer and fer-
leading to activist government.
vently pursue the deeply conservative so-
Mr. Bush would also find an arena
cial and economic agenda laid out in the
vastly more complicated than that four
GOP platform. Ernest Angelo, a Republi-
years ago. Congress would be awash in
can national committeeman from Texas
new members who may be less entrenched
who has despaired of Mr. Bush's economic
than their predecessors, but whose Demo-
team, believes that the more than 100 new
cratic leaders would be even more conten-
people in Congress are likely to be conser-
tious after four years of increasingly parti-
vatives looking at the world as Mr. Bush-
san warfare. "The likelihood of a Republi-
or at least Mr. Angelo-does.
can Congress is very small," says William
Schneider, an American Enterprise Insti-
"I think the Congress will be improved.
tute analyst. "If his program for change is
I think there will be more Republicans and
more Democrats Inclined to fiscal respon-
elect a GOP Congress, that doesn't look
like it's in the cards."
sibility and more inclined to the policies
The public's anxious mood, stoked by
the president will support," Mr. Angelo
months of economic uncertainty, would
says. He believes Mr. Bush's re-election
would come with a conservative mandate
also cut short any post-election honey-
moon. And the budget deficit that SO
he didn't have in his first campaign and
crimped Mr. Bush's ambitions at the be-
thus "he will not take as nearly a compro-
ginning of his first term would be even
mising approach to Congress."
larger at the beginning of his second.
But if, as expected, the Democrats
Indeed, just as Mr. Bush spent much of
continue to control Congress. pursuing
his first term cleaning up problems left
such an agenda could be a recipe for
over from his predecessor, he might spend
continued gridlock in Washington. And if,
much of his second cleaning up problems
on the other hand, Mr. Bush abandons the
from the first. And Mr. Bush's tendency to
conservative agenda, he might face con-
rely on a trusted circle of old friends and
stant skirmishing from his right that would
advisers would be hobbled: these men and
hamper his ability to proceed.
women are clearly exhausted after four
On appointments. Mr. Bush suggested
years of service at his frenetic pace.
in his PBS interview yesterday that he
The result, say Democratic critics such
would bring in "plenty of new faces" in a
as New Jersey's Sen. Bill Bradley, would
second term to revitalize his administra-
be "drift at best, Hoover at worst." He
tion. But many who know him say that
adds: "The way Bush conducted his first
would be out of character for the 68-year-
term and his total absence of any involve-
old president. And in fact, Mr. Bush has
ment in making life better for Americans
already signaled his intention to stick with
makes it hard for me to believe a second
the tried and true: Last week's White
term will be any different. He has never
House staff shakeup brought back a reluc-
shown any willingness to take bold action
tant James Baker to act as his chief of staff
domestically, and there's a real question of
in the three months before the election
what he believes."
with a cadre of people Mr. Baker has
History also argues against bold initia-
groomed through three cabinet agencies.
tives. "The first given, which is a shocking
Mr. Bush "tends to go back to people
fact. is that second terms are almost
he's had a longstanding relationship
always less productive than first terms. It
with," says Gary Bauer, a conservative
has nothing to do with George Bush," says
activist who served as a domestic policy
Stephen Hess, a veteran of the Nixon and
adviser in Mr. Reagan's second term,
Ford administrations who now is writing at
"and the new people in the party tend not
the Brookings Institution. "There's a form
to have had a long history as Bushites."
of lame-duckism that sets in.'
Less likely to be included would be
With such complications on the home
conservative idea men such as Housing
front, Mr. Bush - who has never seemed
surefooted on domestic policy anyway-
Secretary Jack Kemp or former Education
Secretary William Bennett, who are less
might be even more inclined to follow his
natural bent toward foreign policy.
predictably loyal than most Bush aides and
"All of the pressures are toward isola-
haven't developed the personal chemistry
tionism in the country-pressures from the
with the president that he seems to like.
grass roots, pressures from special inter-
But one thing that has bedeviled Mr.
ests," Mr. Hess says. "Bush, as a tradi-
Bush's critics and supporters alike - his
tional internationalist without a concern
unwillingness to stake out predictable
for getting re-elected, would be in the best
ideological ground - isn't likely to change.
position to push against that trend and to
The word "balance" is one of Mr. Bush's
keep the U.S. connected with that world."
favorites, aides say; in meetings, he often
In addition to redoubling his efforts to
gestures to emphasize how he wants policy
institutionalize the "New World Order,"
issues to come out. That is why, despite
Mr. Bush might seek to strengthen the
hopes of activists on either side of any
Group of Seven arrangement through
number of policy debates, the most
which the major industrial countries coor-
strongly ideological are still likely to be
dinate international economic policies, a
frustrated at the end of a Bush second
mechanism that has languished during his
term.
first term. And he might take a much more
"Bush is a politician who is difficult to
active role in promoting free trade, espe-
characterize." says Peter Teeley. U.S.
cially in Latin America.
ambassador to Canada and longtime Bush
Presidential historian Michael Besch-
associate. "I don't expect that to change.
loss likens this process to President Tru-
Bush is a pragmatic man, and he will try to
man's efforts to shape world affairs after
weigh both sides and he will come up with
the end of World War II. "Truman tried to
an answer that often won't satisfy the
give some predictability and shape to the
extremists on both sides."
THE WALL STREET JOURNAL:
© 1992 Dow Jones & Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 19, 1992
Trade Pact Provisions Would Curb
Competition in Agricultural Products
By BOB DAVIS
U.S. tariffs on frozen orange juice,
Staff Reporter of THE WALL STREET JOURNAL
sugar and peanuts would only be elimi-
WASHINGTON - Special provisions in
nated over 15 years: tariffs on dairy and
the North American Free Trade Agree-
fruits and vegetables will be phased out
ment would restrict competition in agricul-
over 10 years. During that time. imports of
tural products, propping up supermarket
those products from Mexico would also be
prices and limiting the value of the
subject to quotas, which would be in-
pact for consumers in the U.S., Mexico and
creased during the transition period.
Canada.
Nevertheless, some critics of the trade
The final version of the pact hasn't been
pact want even more protection. Luther
made public. But some farm analysts have
Markwart, executive vice president of the
been able to inspect the document so that
American Sugarbeet Growers Association,
they can prepare analyses that will accom-
says he fears Mexico will import cheap
pany the release of the accord. According
sugar for domestic use and export Mexican
to several analyses of the agricultural por-
sugar to take advantage of higher prices in
tions, made available to this newspaper.
the U.S. "I can't see how the safeguards
45% of the $5.5 billion in agricultural trade
are going to work." he said.
between the U.S. and Mexico will be
Mark Ritchie, director of the Institute
subject to special quotas and other provis-
for Agriculture and Trade Policy, a Minne-
ions that will last as long as 15 years.
apolis think tank that has opposed the
"The normal increase in shipping costs
pact, criticized one of its true free-trade
lover that time) will come at the same time
provisions: elimination of U.S. restrictions
as tariffs are decreased," said Dale Hath-
on imports of Mexican cattle. He predicted
away, director of the National Center for
that Mexican cattle shipments to the U.S.
Food and Agricultural Policy, an agricul-
would increase tenfold to 20 million head a
tural think tank here. "Food prices will be
year while Mexico feeds its domestic mar-
more expensive generally." he calculated,
ket with cheaper beef bought in Latin
although the accord would "mitigate" the
America with pesos or bartered oil. Cattle
increases.
prices would plummet in the U.S., he said,
'Very Small Effects'
harming U.S. producers of dairy goods.
Daniel Sumner. assistant secretary of
cattle and corn.
agriculture for economics, generally con-
John Ford, a Washington representa-
curred. Prices of tomatoes in the winter
tive of the American Corn Growers' Associ-
might drop a percentage point or two, he
ation, said he was concerned that a pro-
said. while prices of apples might rise
spective drop in U.S. corn purchases by
slightly. "When you get to consumers' food
cattlemen would more than counteract
budget, we see very small effects." he
increased corn shipments to Mexico. Ac-
said, "and I couldn't tell you whether it will
cording to the agricultural analyses, Mex-
be positive or negative."
ico will eliminate tough trade restrictions
The agreement generally eliminates
on corn over 15 years, with an initial
tariffs among the U.S., Mexico and Canada
tariff-free quota of 2.5 million metric
over 15 years. and is being promoted by the
tons, which will grow 3% annually during
Bush administration at the Republican
the transition period. The quota and tariff
convention as a model of free trade. But it
would be eliminated after 15 years.
is becoming clear that much of the agree-
Backers of the agreement point to the
ment carves out special deals for powerful
deal to open Mexico's protected corn mar-
industries, considering consumer inter-
ket as one of the biggest U.S. gains from
ests only secondarily.
trade talks. But Mr. Ford said, "We're
"We haven't run numbers on savings to
concerned we'll be a net loser.'
consumers in particular sectors." said a
Mr. Sumner, the agriculture depart-
spokeswoman for the U.S. trade represen-
ment economist, said the corn growers'
tative's office. "Our job is to get barriers
"fear is misplaced.' U.S. pork and cattle
down SO U.S. companies can be more
exports to Mexico will rise under the trade
competitive. We can't make companies
pact, he said, and the animals will feed on
pass on savings to consumers, but that
U.S. corn that's exported as well.
would be a good benefit."
In the agricultural sector, among the
most highly protected and politically po-
tent, the three countries couldn't even
agree on a single document. Instead, each
essentially negotiated different bilateral
agricultural pacts, with Canada refusing to
eliminate its sharp import restrictions on
dairy products and poultry. As a result, the
U.S. continued to block Canadian farmers
from the highly protected U.S. sugar,
dairy, cotton and peanut markets, the
analyses said.
Tight Rules
The U.S. did agree to reduce restric-
tions on those commodities to Mexico, but
only under tight rules designed to keep
Mexico from importing these commodities,
processing them. and exporting them duty-
free to the U.S. For instance, the rules
would prevent Mexico from importing milk
into Mexico, processing it into cheese and
shipping it into the U.S. tariff-free. Simi-
larly. citrus juices receiving duty-free
treatment must be produced entirely from
citrus grown in North America, the ana-
lyses said, even if that means higher
prices for consumers.
The New York Times
NEW YORK, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 19, 1992
How to Hit Iraq
ited number of critical command and
By Anthony H. Cordesman
control facilities. For control over
Iraq, he relies on Presidential and
WASHINGTON
Republican Guards, whose barracks
I the United Nations is to suc-
are open to attack. His air bases and
I
ceed in Iraq, and if interna-
key surface-to-air missile facilities
tional efforts to deter and re-
and sensors are relatively vulnera-
pel aggression are to have fu-
ble.
ture meaning, the United
We need to use force with a proper
States must be ready to use
understanding of the political and
limited but ruthless force in Iraq. We
strategic situation. We cannot react
can't afford to let Saddam Hussein
to the latest provocation or start mili-
defeat the U.N. sanctions by constant-
tary action without a clear picture of
ly challenging them at the margin
our final objective. We need to con-
and by using military forces to attack
vince the world we are acting in
his own people.
support of the U.N. and not simply to
If we do, the gulf victory will be-
meet domestic political needs or out
come a strategic defeat, we will even-
of hatred for Saddam Hussein.
tually face the same problems in the
There is no faster way to destroy
gulf and with the world's oil supply
U.N. and U.S. credibility than to
that we did before the war. Any fu-
strike without giving him every
ture U.N. peacemaking efforts any-
chance to avoid the use of force, and
where will be jeopardized.
to attack before the U.N., our allies
The justification for the use of
and the world appreciate that we
have no alternative.
We must convince our allies in the
region, especially Turkey and Saudi
A political
Arabia, that our actions will not cre-
ate more problems than they solve.
and military
And we must make it clear to our
allies that any use of force will be
battle plan.
sustained enough so that Saddam
Hussein cannot "win" in the sense
that he can ride out our attacks, ig-
nore the limited damage and claim
martyrdom and a moral victory. The
force would be major attacks by Iraq
history of escalation tells us that to-
on Shiites and Kurds, and categorical
ken strikes, negotiating pauses and
denial of U.N. inspections. The minis-
empty compromises fail and do not
tries and facilities suspected of har-
save lives. If force is too limited, it
boring the technology or components
encourages sustained escalation and
for weapons of mass destruction can
enemy acceptance of growing losses.
be destroyed with cruise missiles or
Enforcing the U.N. mandate will
precision-guided weapons.
protect the most threatened Iraqi cit-
It would be a mistake, however, to
izens, remove the critical peril Iraq
try to kill Saddam Hussein or to de-
poses to the region and steadily de-
stroy-h regime. Even if we-did, his
stroy its military regime.
successors might make matters even
What we must not do is demonize
worse for the Iraqi people.
Saddam Hussein, make him and his
We must strike at targets crucial to
regime the target and, going beyond
his regime and do serious damage to
the U.N. mandate, try to shape Iraq
them even if it means military and
politically. Killing one man is no
civilian casualties. We must be pre-
guarantee we would solve Iraq's
pared to strike again and again de-
problems.
spite Iraqi claims that we are killing
Any military action must take into
the innocent. And we must strike until
account that Iraq is deeply divided
we force Saddam Hussein to accept
and on the edge of a civil war among
the settlement we dictate.
its ruling Sunni minority, separatist
While we may take losses in air
Kurds and Shilte majority. The Baath
strikes, we can effectively use air and
Party and other authoritarians are
missile power against valuable tar-
likely to keep power if Saddam Hus-
gets. Although Saddam Hussein re-
sein is killed, and, if they do not, we
tains about 40 percent of the military
may end in triggering a civil war and
power he had when the war began, he
creating another Yugoslavia.
has lost much of his air- and ground-
based air defense capability. His
Anthony H. Cordesman, adjunct pro-
ground forces opposing the Kurds
fessor of national security studies at
and Shiites depend on highly vulnera-
Georgetown University, is national
ble bases and stockpiles.
security assistant to Senator John
Saddam Hussein depends on a lim-
McCain, Republican of Arizona.
The Now Both Times
NEW YORK, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 19, 1992
Buchanan, Conservatism's Ugly Face
the party's new leadership, the G.O.P.
CO Franco and Augusto Pinochet.
By Michael Lind
was surrending to its own fringe, the
When the saints
The traditional values upheld t
San Jacinto Republicans.
Santa Anna - reactionary Cathol
WASHINGTON
San Jacinto is the marshy site near
cism, militarism, contempt for peti
"
olitics," Henry Adams
the convention center where, in 1836,
go marching out.
fogging parliaments and civil right
P
observed, "is the
Gen. Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna
hatred of subversive immigrants
systematic organiza-
managed to turn his overwhelming
are closer to those of the Buchana
tion of hatreds." In
advantages over Sam Houston's small
brigades than the values of live-an
Houston, the country
army of rebel Texans into a debacle.
licans, scorching the earth as they go,
let-live Texans like Jim Bowie, Dat
club Republicans
Santa Anna's tactics - take no prison-
march off into the fever swamps. San-
Crockett, William Barret Travis (
supplied the organization and the Bu-
ers, burn everything - only reinforced
ta Anna would find himself at home in
divorced womanizer) and Sam Hou
chanan-Robertson brigades supplied
Texan resistance to his reactionary
the pantheon of Patrick J. Buchanan,
ton (a divorced atheist known amor
the hatreds. Even as the Democratic
authoritarianism. There is a moral
an acknowledged fan of two 20th cen-
the Cherokees as Big Drunk).
fringe was being shown the door by
here worth considering, as the Repub-
tury Roman Catholic tyrants, Francis-
What would hell-for-leather hero.
of the Texas Revolution think of M
Buchanan, a Washington journali.
who, though he never spent a day
battle, rants obsessively about soldie:
and policemen - a brave patriot wh
having earlier identified the greate.
threat to America after the cold war :
(largely Jewish) neo-conservative pr
fessors, now mans the ramparts
protect the Republic from lesbians?
Whether the San Jacinto Repub:
cans lead the G.O.P. to re-enact tt
fate of the San Jacinto Mexicans (
not, one thing is clear: Pat Buchana
with the help of Pat Robertson,
undisputed leader of the masses 1
the American right. That means tt
chances for a responsible, intellige
conservatism are in danger. The W:
liam F. Buckleys and Irving Kristo
who detoxified the right are beir
succeeded by a generation of Bucha
ans and Rush Limbaughs setting up
retox ward.
As the saints come marching i
watch for a lot of others - Reag:
Democrats, moderate Sun Belt su
urban Perotistas, neo-conservative
- to go marching out. There is no b
tent in Houston, only a revival ter
No doubt, in the weeks ahead mode
ates will try to erase this impressio
What can decent Republicans lil
Jack Kemp offer mainstream Ame:
cans who are repelled by the milita
fundamentalism of the Buchanan b:
gades? A capital gains tax cut? E
terprise zones? These are not ideas
send middle Americans to the bar:
cades - even to the polls.
Most likely the voters in Novemb
will remember what they have se
this week: conservatism with an ug
face. So far, the convention's masc
has been The Snarl, in all its varieti
- the self-conscious sneer of Ri
Bond, the pugnacious frown of P.
Gramm, and above all the tigl
lipped grimace of Pat Buchana
Like a dark parody of the Cheshi
Cat, the San Jacinto Republicans,
they fade into the swamp gas, lea
nothing but a disembodied scowl.
Michael Lind is executive editor
The National Interest.
The New York Times
NEW YORK, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 19, 1992
The Disaster That Didn't Happen
to represent the popular will. Yet by
Yeltsin himself cried conspiracy.
By Michael Scammell
overriding Parliament with decrees,
Russia's leaders are struggling
he invites charges of dictatorship.
with other legacies. One is the prac-
he big news from Rus-
This conflict appears to have influ-
tice of ideologizing issues in a vain
T
sia - one year after
enced Mr. Yeltsin's decision to create
search for total solutions. For conser-
the abortive coup - is
a Russian Security Council with sweep-
vatives, various forms of Russian na-
that there is no news.
ing powers to set the political agenda
tionalism have replaced Communism
No news, that is to
independently of parliament. Some
as a unifying ideology. For liberals,
say, of the kind we had
commentators point to the uncomfort-
"democracy" - often a wholesale
grown used to over the 83 years of
able similarity between Mr. Yeltsin's
adoption of Western Institutions -
Soviet rule. No news of five-year plans
council and Mr. Gorbachev's National
has come to represent utopia.
and great leaps forward. No purges,
Security Council, which was formed in
In this late echo of the 19th century
Invasions, arrests or saber-rattling. No
the last months of his regime and
debate between Slavophiles and
longer do we have to study who was
included many of the coup's leaders.
Westerners, one might possibly have
standing where during the May Day
While Mr. Yeltsin's council is more
the roots of a genuine two-party
Parade to find out which leaders are in
balanced than Mr. Gorbachev's, alarm
system. Sadly, such a, prospect col-
and which are out, or pore over speech-
bells went off when Yuri Skokov, a
lides with another Russian tradition,
"es' clotted with Marxist jargon.
former defense factory director, was
that of communitarianism. Parties,
These days it is all in the newspa-
Russians are quick to remind us, can
'pers and on TV. There is a President
represent only a "part" of the elec-
at odds with his Parliament and legis-
torate. They yearn for unanimity,
lators who snarl at the press (and a
press that snarls back). Parties
A non-conspiracy
which explains why President Yel-
tsin, a liberal, feels obliged to co-exist
wrangle and the military wants to
hold on to as much power as it can.
theory for Russia.
in one government with Vice Presi-
dent Rutskoi, a conservative.
The very normality of it all is shock-
The concept of a loyal opposition
ing. How quickly we forget that even
has had a hard time taking hold in
Mikhail Gorbachev's Russia was rec-
Russia. Hence the desperate at-
ognizably the Russia of Brezhnev, Sta-
appointed secretary. Mr. Skokov is a
tempts either to silence the opposition
lin and Lenin. Though he will go down
close ally of another council hard-liner,
or to draw it into coalitions.
in history as the first Soviet leader to
Vice President Aleksandr Rutskoi. And
In spite of all this, President Yeltsin
understand that the empire had be-
both belong to the conservative Civic
has done better than could have been
come a Potemkin village, a glorious
Union, whose leader, Arkady Volsky, is
expected. Most of his original admin-
facade without substance, Mr. Gorba-
a contender to replace Yegor Gaidar
istration is still in place. He has made
chev's aim was to rescue Commu-
as Prime Minister.
a start on promised reforms. He has
nism, not bury it. President Boris Yel-
Whether all this amounts to a "qui-
negotiated disarmament treaties and
tsin's goal has been the opposite.
et coup," as The Moscow News has
loan agreements and maintained
Does this mean that Mr. Yeltsin
warned, remains questionable. But
more or less peaceful relations with
has succeeded? Was the abortive
the council's creation, along with ru-
Russia's commonwealth neighbors.
coup the last convulsion of a system
mors of the impending resignation of
The Russians have shown them-
in its death throes? Or is the present
Andrel Kozyrev, the liberal Foreign
selves to be a mature, if innately con-
democratic regime itself a Potemkin
Minister, is causing jitters.
servative, people. And while it is true
village, with Mr. Yeltsin doomed to
Waves were also made earlier this
that Mr. Yeltsin's popularity has plum-
regress and to repeat the same cycle
month when the deputy chief of the
meted, it is not clear how trustworthy
of attempted reform and defeat?
Russian defense staff, Gen. Mikhail
the polls are. Most ratings appear to be
Some pundits lean toward the the-
Kolesnikov, accused the West of dou-
weighted in favor of the cities, and of
ory that history will repeat itself. Like
ble-crossing Russia over aid and
the intellectuals in the cities, who have
Hollywood moguls, they love sequels.
warned that Russia was becoming a
never been great fans of the blunt,
Mr. Yeltsin's changes, they argue, are
tool of Western capitalism.
unpolished President. It is they, very
superficial. They cite his style of lead-
There is a need to keep things in
often, who are feeding conspiracy theo-
ership, described as autocratic, and
perspective, though. Mr. Kozyrev is
ries to Western correspondents, and
his penchant for ruling by decree.
still in office. General Kolesnikov was
who would welcome his demise.
But Mr. Yeltsin is facing a real
hardly the first to warn against West-
It would be a mistake to replace
dilemma. The Parliament includes a
ern economic interference in Russia,
one conspiracy theory with another,
majority of Communist conservatives
and the fact that the general was
but a little more caution would be in
and hard-liners, most of whom were
speaking openly - on the record - is
order. We have seen what govern-
appointed before the coup. These are
cause for satisfaction rather than fear.
ments of intellectuals can do in all the
people who would not be re-elected if
Rumors of coups are an inevitable
Communist regimes of our century,
there were a popular vote.
consequence of the supercharged at-
starting with Lenin's and ending (one
If Mr. Yeltsin, who was elected by a
mosphere in which Russian politics is
hopes) with Mr. Gorbachev's. It is
popular vote, were to defer to Parlia-
still conducted. Because of the unfa-
time in Russia at least to call a halt to
ment, he would be neglecting his duty
miliarity with pluralism and free de-
impossible schemes and dreams.
bate, plots are seen to lurk behind
Long live the politics of compromise!
Michael Scammell, a professor of
every hint of opposition. When Mr.
Long live Boris Yeltsin!
Russian literature at Cornell, is writ-
Gorbachev spoke out against Govern-
ing a biography of Arthur Koestler.
ment policies earlier this year, Mr.
Anna Quindlen is on vacation.
The New York Times
NEW YORK, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 19, 1992
Don't Shoot the Iraqi Helicopters
In the latest emerging showdown with Saddam
The repression has had the tacit support of
Hussein, Washington and its allies are rashly plan-
others in the region. Turkey, which has many more
ning to shoot down any Iraqi aircraft that try to
Kurds than Iraq does, fears that their rebellion
r
repress rebellious Shiites in southern Iraq. Such a
would spread and has stepped up its own repression,
policy would be legally untenable and politically
even conducting air strikes against Kurdish en-
unwise.
campments in northern Iraq. Most states in the
Some forceful action by the U.S. and its allies is
Middle East, concerned that the main beneficiary of
clearly warranted if Mr. Hussein continues to flout
Iraq's breakup would be Iran, have not protested
the Persian Gulf cease-fire accord by interfering
repression of the Shiites.
with United Nations operations. But the accord
permits Iraq to fly aircraft and sets no restrictions
on their use. Shooting them down would put the U.S.
Now Saudi Arabia seem to have changed its
in the position of breaking an accord it is pledged to
mind and wants to support the rebels. So do Britain
uphold.
and France. President Bush, casting for a way to
Even worse, such precipitous action could sub-
whack Iraq and boost his own political fortunes, is
vert America's prime aims in Iraq, which are to
pressing that effort on reluctant allies.
keep that country disarmed and undermine its
He wants to impose a "no fly" zone in southern
desperate dictator. The U.S. and its allies had those
Iraq. That would stretch the cease-fire accord be-
aims clearly in sight when they insisted on the U.N.
yond the breaking point. And it won't be enough to
'inspectors' right to search for weapons of mass
stay the Iraqis' hand. Even if the allies barred
destruction, and threatened military action if in-
flights, Iraqi troops and tanks would remain the
spections were thwarted.
main engines of repression.
But using force to back the Shiite rebellion
Mr. Bush seeks action under U.N. Resolution
would only weaken Arab support for keeping U.N.
688, a dubious justification. The resolution con-
inspectors and relief workers in Iraq. And the
demned Iraqi repression as a threat to international
threat to break up Iraq will only shore up Mr.
peace, demanded a cessation and called for humani-
Hussein by rallying the army to his side.
tarian aid. But it did not authorize force to stop the
There is scant enthusiasm for intervening in
Iraqis.
support of the Kurdish and Shiite rebellions. Since
President Bush would be wiser to support U.N.
the cease-fire the Iraqi Army, instead of turning on
enforcement of the cease-fire agreement without
Mr. Hussein, has backed his efforts to repress the
pushing beyond that agreement into new and dan-
rebellion and hold the country together.
gerous territory.
The New York Times
NEW YORK, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 19, 1992
The Politics of Exclusion
The Republican Party platform is warmly ti-
race-baiting by those like the former Presidential
tled "The Vision Shared: Uniting Our Family, Our
candidate Patrick Buchanan and Dan Lungren, the
Country, Our World." The booklet bears a nostalgic
Attorney General of California. Mr. Buchanan, in a
photograph from the Ellis Island era: a family of
portion of his speech dealing with the Los Angeles
three looks across New York Harbor at the Statue of
riots, seemed to portray the city's blacks and His-
Liberty, with the camera at their backs.
panics as an alien force that the rest of the populace
The Republican Party on display in Houston is
would have to subdue.
far - more exclusionist than these Ellis Island scenes
Mr. Lungren went further: He said that Repub-
would suggest. It's clear from the number of women
licans should stop apologizing for the Willie Horton
and blacks present that the party has made strides.
ad of 1988, rightly acknowledged as one of the worst
But on issue after issue - abortion, gay rights and
examples of race-baiting in recent politics.
race - the Republicans still have a long way to go
Rhetoric like Mr. Buchanan's and Mr. Lun-
before actions match their rhetoric.
gren's makes black Republicans feel unwelcome.
Abortion is an obvious example. While very few
Alan Keyes, former Deputy representative to the
Americans oppose abortion, the Republican plat-
U.N. and a candidate for the Senate from Maryland,
form takes the extreme position of guaranteeing
is one black who feels unwelcome. He tried for
that the rights of the fetus supersede those of the
weeks to get time at the microphone at this Conven-
woman in all circumstances.
tion but was ignored until a news story appeared
The platform goes out of its way to bash gay
carrying his grievances.
people. It statement on this subject could be read to
it's the residue of racism," Mr. Keyes told
say that gay Americans don't deserve the guaran-
Michael Kelly of The New York Times. "It's people
tees that apply to other citizens. It opposes laws that
who when they speak of a color-blind society mean
would protect gays from discrimination. It also
that when a colored person comes into the room
opposes laws that would allow same-sex partners to
they go blind."
become parents or give foster care.
The party of Lincoln would do well to take Mr.
This convention is less lily-white than earlier
Keyes's sentiments to heart - and open its eyes to
ones. Four years ago, 90 percent of the delegates
all the citizens that make up the American family.
were white. That has dropped to 86 percent this
That might bring the party closer to the vision of
year, with 5 percent of the delegates black, 4
those moderate Republicans like former Gov.
percent Hispanic and 2 percent Asian.
Thomas Kean of New Jersey who have long called
Yet these gains have been more than offset by
for the politics of inclusion.
A Police Escort to Shop
At least once a month, police officers pick up 68-
frailty and fear can turn their homes into prisons.
year-old Pecola Jones in her apartment in Crown
That's particularly true in New York City,
Heights, Brooklyn. She loves it. And SO do the other
where 21 percent of the men and 41 percent of the
seniors from her building who sally forth for an
women over 65 live alone. Low incomes, inadequate
afternoon of safe shopping with a police escort from
transport - only about 10 percent of New Yorkers
the local precinct.
over 75 can navigate subway stairs - and fear of
Their day out is part of an imaginative citywide
crime keep thousands of them homebound. There
program that seeks to mitigate the impact of urban
they become sitting ducks; police statistics show
crime on aging Americans who prefer to spend
increasing numbers victimized in their own homes,
their autumn years at home.
mostly by strangers.
Three out of four Americans stay put after
To help, organizations like the National Sher-
retiring. A recent poll by the American Association
iffs' Association and the International Chiefs of
of Retired Persons discovered that if they had their
Police are visiting senior centers to talk about locks
druthers, 85 percent would "stay home and never
and self-protection. And just last month, all five city
move." There is even a reverse migration; once
boroughs began setting up 10-block-long "safe corri-
they hit 75, thousands of seniors flock back to the
dors" manned by extra police for elderly shoppers.
Northeast from Florida.
Escorting Pecola Jones to the local supermar-
If their health permits, most seniors aging
ket isn't going to solve the crime problem among
in place vastly superior to living in a nursing home.
the elderly. But it's good to know that the nation's
But staying put can become a dangerous luxury;
law enforcement agencies are finally on the case.
The
Loak
Times
NEW YORK, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 19, 1992
THEMES FOR FALL
On Convention's 2d Day,
Speakers Try to Show
Diversity in Party
By ANDREW ROSENTHAL
Special to The New York Times
HOUSTON, Aug. 18 - The Republi-
cans pressed their lacerating attack on
the Democratic ticket at their National
Convention today, as speaker after
speaker portrayed Gov. Bill Clinton as
a radical liberal who would coddle
criminals and break the economy with
higher taxes and more Government
spending.
At the same time, the Republicans
tried to paint themselves as the party
of diversity, bringing a parade of
speakers representing minorities, the
disabled and even abortion rights advo-
cates to the stage to praise President
Bush and hammer away at the Repub-
lican themes for the fall campaign:
Mr. Bush won the cold war, he repre-
sents "family values," he is a skilled
diplomat and he won the war against
Iraq.
After an opening night devoted to
reassuring the party's conservative
wing, today's events were an exercise
in reaching a broader audience: from
Barbara Bush's appearance at a morn-
ing meeting entitled "Black America
Salutes the First Family," to the key-
note address tonight by Senator Phil
Gramm of Texas, a proponent of Fed-
eral budget cutting, and a speech by
Housing Secretary Jack F. Kemp, the
apostle of tax cuts and populist conser-
vatism.
'Don't Be Judgmental'
Mrs. Bush, the party's symbol of
respectability, preached a message of
tolerance and warmth on national tele-
vision. "Don't be judgmental of oth-
ers," Mrs. Bush said in an interview on
CNN. "Everybody's different. Every-
body has their own problems."
But behind the scenes, Republican
strategists - driven by the conviction
that religion and cultural divides are
still powerful tools - unapologetically
proclaimed their intention to follow
Patrick J. Buchanan's declaration of a
religious and cultural war with the
Democrats.
After calling Mr. Clinton a threat to
the nation's security on Monday night,
the line of today's attack was on eco-
nomic and social issues, coordinated by
convention managers who were provid-
ing themes to speakers and reviewing
their speeches in advance.
Contenders for '96 Speak
"At the New York convention, Clin-
ton was like a used car salesman ped-
dling his vehicle for change," said Mr.
Gramm, who along with Mr. Kemp is a
leading contender for the Republican
Presidential nomination in 1996. "The
wax job was shiny, the hubcaps spar-
kled, the upholstery was spotless, the
paint was new. But when you look
under the hood, you discover he is
Continued on Page A16, Column 5
The New York Times
NEW YORK, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 19, 1992
hawking a model from the 70's, a Car-
r.mobile with the axle broken and the
frame bent to the left." [Excerpts,
page A10.)
Comparing the Democrats to the
women and the disabled. Of the 2,210
Communists in North Korea and Cuba,
delegates, the National Black Republi-
Totally Un-American'
Mr. Gramm said Mr. Clinton would
can Council says 103 are black, while
The Associated Press said 73 are His-
But members of the liberal wing of
"disarm America" and put millions of
the Republican Party quickly con-
people out of work in the military in-
panic, 24 Asian and three American
demned Mr. Buchanan. "It seems to
Indian.
dustry by cutting the Pentagon budget.
But the convention produced a far
me totally un-American," said Repre-
Mr. Kemp proclaimed, "The Demo-
sentative Bill Green of Manhattan.
more mixed set of signals than the
crats' New Covenant is not new," in a
"It's highly contrary to the wisdom of
Democrats created. Some of Mr. Clin-
the Founding Fathers, who left us the
speech notable for the absence of his
ton's advisers watched with barely
Constitution to make sure we can't
frequent calls for Mr. Bush to an-
concealed pleasure as they saw a Re-
nounce a major tax cut in his accept-
publican Party that seemed more di-
have religious wars in this country."
After months of criticism that its
ance speech on Thursday night. "It's
vided than in past elections, a problem
not change. It doesn't put people first;
that has been generally Democratic
message was not getting through. to
voters, the Bush campaign moved to
it puts government first. It doesn't em-
and not Republican.
power people; it empowers bureaucra-
While the Democrats tried to shove
reinforce its advertising and communi-
cy. It doesn't encourage investment
their most liberal groups into manage-
cations staffs today, bringing in a Vet-
eran political strategist, Mitch Daniels.
and growth; it spends, and spends and
able boxes at their convention in New
It also expanded the role of two advis-
spends."
York last month, Mr. Bush arrived
ers, Jim Lake and Roger Ailes.
After a brief appearance this morn-
here with his base still in dire shape
Mr. Daniels, an Indianapolis busi-
ing at an anti-drug rally, President
and so had to embrace the right. Un-
Bush conferred in his suite in the Hous-
certain of their ability to run on the
nessman who was White House politi-
cal director in Ronald Reagan's first
tonian Hotel with a small group of
economy, the Republicans were firing
advisers. They were trying to develop a
a scattershot of campaign themes,
term and supervised Dan Quayle's 1988
speech for Thursday night that would
some borrowed from the last Presiden-
vice presidential bid, will be charged
start the process of regaining voters'
tial contest.
with insuring that the Bush campaign's
advertising strategy reflects the cam-
confidence in him as an economic man-
Speakers tried to tar Mr. Clinton
with the American Civil Liberties
paign's overall strategy and White
ager and of re-establishing the credibil-
House policy, officials said.
ity of his promises.
Union, homosexual advocates, radical
Taking a step toward that goal, Mr.
feminists and even the pollution in Bos-
Mr. Lake, a Washington lobbyist, has
worked part-time as a communications
Bush signaled today that he would re-
ton harbor - a favorite subject for Mr.
strategist during most of the cam-
vamp his Cabinet if he were re-elected.
Bush during his 1988 race against Mi-
paign. He will assume a virtually full-
"You'll see plenty of new faces, plenty
time job coordinating much of the cam-
of changes in this Administration," he
paign's communications effort, from
said in an interview on the "MacNeil-
Behind the
press relations to the "talking points"
Lehrer News Hour."
sent regularly to top Administration
Mr. Bush also promised "a rather
scenes, G.O.P.
officials so that a unified front is pre-
booming economy" in a second term
sented on sensitive political Issues.-
and an even more aggressive stance
Mr. Alles, the caustic and aggressive
with with Congress, going on the offen-
strategists follow
architect of Mr. Bush's 1988 advertis-
sive against individual lawmakers to
ing campaign, has no formal role in the
sell his programs to the public..
Buchanan's lead.
re-election effort and has consistently
As Mr. Bush toiled, the political cli-
denied that he wants one. But cam-
mate heated up with an unusual con-
paign officials said today that he would
vention-week exchange between the
increase his current role as an infor-
two campaign organizations. In new
chael S. Dukakis. Attorney General
mal adviser on political strategy.
television advertisements, the Demo-
Dan Lungren of California stunned the
crats zeroed in on the very weakness
morning session into silence by resur-
One of the Republicans' main pur-
that occupied the White House speech
recting the Willie Horton case of 1988
poses for the day clearly lay in trying
team: Mr. Bush's "no new taxes'
and hurling it at Governor Clinton as
to undermine Mr. Clinton's efforts to
pledge of the 1988 campaign.
evidence that Democrats are. soft on
rally support of female and minority
The commercial, which Democratic
crime.
voters by presenting its own multifac-
strategists said was intended more for
eted, multicolored face to the nation.
"Willie Horton, convicted murderer
tonight's news broadcasts than for ac-
With Asian-American speakers at the
of a teen-age boy, was sentenced to life
tual paid broadcast, said, "On Nov. 5,
stage, the television cameras son-
without parole and later given a week-
1990, George Bush signed into law the
end pass from prison from which he
trolled by convention managers zerped
in on Asian faces in the audience.
didn't return," Mr. Lungren said. "In
The Rev. E. V. Hill of the Mount Zion
another state, he brutally beat a man,
Baptist Church in South-Central Los
and left him bound and gagged to listen
Portraying the
Angeles, who is black, said: "We have
as he repeatedly assaulted the victim's
fiancé."
not reached our goals. There are still
the poor, the homeless, those who suf-
election as all
Mr. Lungren added: "So you see, the
fer from racism. We are not what'we
Democratic leaders just don't get It.
ought to be; but we are not what"we
things good VS.
They were surprised that when they
used to be, and with the firm hand of
gave a weekend pass to someone who
President Bush, we will achieve our
was sentenced to life without parole, he
all things evil.
didn't come back voluntarily! How stu-
goals in the next four years."
pid!"
Don East, a delegate from Pilot
second-biggest tax increase in Ameri-
Mountain, N.C., listened with distaste.
can history."
"I don't believe in turning convicted
The Republicans quickly called a
murderers loose, but Willie Hortonyis
news conference to accuse Mr. Clinton
not the only case where that has hap-
of negative campaigning. But they
pened," he said. "I was a little sur-
were hard-pressed to explain the tax
prised it was mentioned here, and"it
increase, which has done more to un-
should not be part of the convention."
dermine Mr. Bush's standing within his
Republican managers defended Mr.
own party than any other single deci-
Buchanan's reference in his speech on
sion. Senator Pete V. Domenici
Monday night to the campaign as a
zona asserted that the Democrats had
"religious war." Torie Clarke, the
forced Mr. Bush to agree to the tax
campaign press secretary, said that
increase.
"polling shows there is definitely a big
Vice President Dan Quayle, profess-
upside" to Mr. Buchanan's kind of ora-
ing to be delighted that Mr. Clinton had
tory, which James Lake, a senior cam-
brought up the subject, said: "Bill Clin-
paign adviser, said would be especially
ton has promised to raise taxes on
helpful in solidifying the conservative
every single working American. That's
base in states like California where Mr.
one promise he'll keep."
Bush is fighting for his life.
Democrats Spy Discord
In the cavernous Astrodome, the
lineup of speakers on the second day of
the Republican convention seemed to
imitate the Democrats' presentation in
New York last month of minorities,
The New York Times
NEW YORK, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 19, 1992
Bush Is Said to Be Weighing Vow
To Have Baker Oversee Economy
By DAVID E. ROSENBAUM
Special to The New York Times
HOUSTON, Aug. 18 - To try to re-
trates a fundamental tactical puzzle
build his credibility on economic mat-
that the White House must solve by
ters, President Bush and his speech-
Thursday. It needs to come up with a
writing team have discussed a pro-
bold step or convincing promise of ac-
posal to have the President promise
tion that the President can make with-
Thursday night to-keep James A. Bak-
out reminding a national television au-
er 3d at the White House after the
dience that he is the man who broke the
election to manage economic policy,
keystone pledge of his 1988 acceptance
Administration officials said here to-
speech: "Read my lips. No new taxes."
day.
The speech writers' deliberations
Mr. Baker, whose resignation as Sec-
also underscore the importance the
retary of State and appointment as Mr.
President and his advisers place on
Bush's chief of staff and campaign
finding some means of invigorating the
coordinator becomes effective Sunday,
re-election campaign and breaking
is said to be resisting the idea as gim-
through his encrusted image as the
micky and too confining.
passive guardian of the economic sta-
But discussion of the proposal illus-
tus quo.
Bad Economic News
The need for an economic plan was
given even greater urgency today after
the Government announced that the
pace at which builders broke ground
for new homes slumped 2.8 percent in
July. Combined with downward revi-
sions for May and June, the skid meant
that the housing sector not only was no
longer pacing the lackluster recovery
but was becoming a drag. [Page D1.]
Mr. Bush and his advisers view the
speech Thursday night in which he will
accept his party's nomination for a
second term as a crucial opportunity to
Continued on Page A15, Column 5 ;
The New York Times
NEW YORK, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 19, 1992
convince voters that he intends to deal
decisively with the country's economic
Cable News Network, he said:
problems. But so far they have dis-
"A good deal of what the President
missed all suggestions for drastic new
has to say will involve the old plan,
because an awful lot of it makes sense
remedies for the weak economy.
and has not been enacted. But there
As the speech has gone through one
will be some new things. But ] wouldn't
draft after another, the President, offi-
want to mislead you or your viewers. !
cials said, has more or less decided
think that the speech is likely to be
against proposing the kind of specific
more thematic."
new tax cuts that have been recom-
Mr. Zoellick was still writing at a-
mended by Jack F. Kemp, the Secre-
computer in the conference room of the
tary of Housing and Urban Develop-
Houstonian Hotel, where the President
ment, and others on the Republican
is staying, at midnight Monday.
Mr. Baker is at his ranch in Wyo-
Party's conservative flank.
ming and will not arrive here until
Some of the President's advisers say
that having broken the promise he
Wednesday, but he has kept in constant
made on taxes at the last Republican
touch with the speech-drafting through
convention, Mr. Bush could open him-
Mr. Zoellick, aides said. The final draft
self to ridicule with a comparably firm
of the speech is not expected to be
completed and the decision made on
policy statement this year.
what the President will say about Mr.
"It would be a home run or a tremen-
dous disaster," one adviser said. "It's
Baker until sometime Thursday.
The principal speech writer is Rav-
just too risky."
Instead, officials said that unless
mond K. Price, who was Richard M
someone has a brainstorm, Mr. Bush
Nixon's chief speechwriter and has
intends to take a broad thematic ap-
sporadically worked for other Republi
can Presidents since then. Robert M.
proach to the economy that will place
himself and the party on the side of
Teeter, the campaign chairman, has
reducing taxes and controlling spend-
been instrumental in drafting the parts
ing without saying precisely which tax-
of the speech not involving the econ-
es and spending programs would be
omy.
involved, other than measures he has
Drawing the Distinctions
already offered that have been blocked
Officials who have followed the
in Congress.
drafting process said the speech would
'Making People Trust Him'
deal in some detail with Mr. Bush's
"The President needs to use the
foreign policy successes and would try
speech to begin the process of making
to draw distinctions between himself
people trust him again when he talks
and Republicans on the one hand and
about the economy," one official said.
Gov. Bill Clinton and Democrats on the
"That's not something you can do in
other. The President will try to drive
one night, which is one reason that the
home his criticism of the Democratic
Congress and will stress, officials said,
'big idea' approach has not gotten any-
his experience and personal values.
where." Mr. Bush's past speeches dealing
But the economic theme is by far the
with the economy have been seen as
most important one, the officials said,
duds. In his State of the Union Message
since the President and his advisers
in January, for example, he offered a
believe that is the ground on which the
laundry list of disparate proposals that
election will be decided.
seemed to many analysts to have no
Since early in his Presidency, Mr.
enthusiasm or connecting theme.
Bush has received conflicting advice
"I mean to speak of big things," he
about the economy from within his
said at the time. But then he urged
party.
Congress to "modify the passive loss
One wing, represented by Mr. Kemp
rule" and to "fund our H.O.P.E. hous-
and others instrumental in the supply-
ing proposal" - words unlikely to in-
side revolution of the Reagan years.
still confidence that better times were
holds that tax cuts are the key to
economic growth. They have pressed
ahead. The economy section of Thursday
the President repeatedly to propose
night's speech is being drafted primar-
lower taxes and to fight with Congress
ily by Richard G. Darman, the budget
to win their enactment.
director, and Robert B. Zoellick, the
Another group that includes Mr. Dar-
Under Secretary of State for Economic
man, Treasury Secretary Nicholas F.
Affairs, who is one of Mr. Baker's
Brady and Michael J. Boskin, chair-
closest associates and who will move
man of the Council of Economic Advis-
with his boss to the White House next
ers, maintains that the budget deficit
must be brought under control before
week. Mr. Baker dealt with economic is-
tax cuts can be entertained.
sues under President Ronald Reagan.
He was White House chief of staff in
Mr. Reagan's first term and Treasury
What's Sunday without The Times?
Secretary in the second. Mr. Darman
was his deputy throughout.
Mr. Darman was with the President
at Camp David, Md., last weekend and
flew here Monday with him on Air
Force One. Interviewed today on the
Washington Times
Bush can convene Cabinet in Houston
HOUSTON (AP) - No need for
"non-political" secretaries of state
ment to take over as White House
them were on the convention pro-
chief of staff and assume overall di-
gram on the second evening session.
President Bush to rush back to the
and defense.
White House to meet with his Cabi-
The Bush Cabinet has a large con-
rection of the troubled Bush re-
Mr. Kemp was getting a prime-
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 19, 1992
net. Nearly all of them are within
tingent of potential 1996 pres-
election campaign.
time slot along with Sen. Phil
idential contenders.
As a former Wyoming congress-
Gramm of Texas, the convention
shouting distance of the Astrodome.
Politics is supplanting govern-
Outgoing Secretary of State
man, Mr. Cheney is familiar with the
keynoter.
ment business as administration
James A. Baker III and Defense Sec-
ritual politics of conventions. He's
Getting less prominent spots on
decision-makers mingle with GOP
retary Dick Cheney are often men-
steering clear of the convention ex-
the program are Mr. Alexander,
tioned. Housing Secretary Jack
cept for a planned trip to the hall to
Commerce Secretary Barbara
convention delegates, deliver pep
Kemp is a favorite of conservatives,
be in the VIP section for Mr. Bush's
Franklin, Health Secretary Louis
talks and get a share of the spotlight.
The men and women responsible for
and Education Secretary Lamar
speech tomorrow night.
Sullivan and Energy Secretary
much of the business of government
The only Cabinet member miss-
James Watkins. William Reilly, who
Alexander, a former governor of
are deeply involved in the business
Tennessee, also has presidential am-
ing from the convention scene is At-
has Cabinet-level status as head of
of politics this week.
bitions.
torney General William Barr. He re-
the Environmental Protection Agen-
When the president delivers his
Of course, Mr. Baker already has
mained in Washington.
cy, also is on the program.
Mr. Baker and Mr. Cheney are
U.S. Trade Representative Carla
acceptance speech, all but one mem-
a foot in both worlds - politics and
ber of his Cabinet expects to be in
diplomacy. Right after the conven-
avoiding overt political roles. Not so
Hills spoke to the convention Mon-
the hall, including the traditionally
tion, he is leaving the State Depart-
the other Cabinet secretaries. Six of
day night.
The Washington Times
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 19, 1992
KERRY DONLEY
Scrimmage over Redskins stadium
in Alexandria, and in
W
fact the entire region,
A question of process
structure costs. Since tax dolla
will now bring down these costs, t
have recently witnessed
ultimate price tag to the developer
a dramatic turn of
reduced together with a much fast
events relating to our beloved Wash-
tomac Yard. It is reported that the
such a manner.
development time frame. This fact
ington Redskins. In perhaps the
repayment of these bonds will come
Many have suggested that the sta-
increases the return on investment
world's most political town, Bill Clin-
from tax dollars paid by all Virgin-
dium is the result of the City Coun-
and the infrastructure subsidy mi
ton's selection of Al Gore as a run-
ians. A parallel is drawn to Virginia's
cil's refusal to approve Alexandria
gates the risks to the RF&P Cor
ning mate played second banana to
attempt to W00 United Airlines, a
2020, a mammoth mixed-use devel-
making a stadium at Potomac Yarc
Jack Kent Cooke Stadium at Poto-
proposal that would have added
opment once considered for Poto-
much better deal from the develo
mac Yards. Now that the hype has
thousands of permanent jobs in-
mac Yards. What is not mentioned is
er's perspective. Again, I am cor
subsided, many of us can critically
stead of temporary and transient
that Alexandria did approve the
pelled to question the use of publ
examine this concept and its impli-
jobs associated with the stadium. I
largest single development in the
funds for the benefit of private inte
cations for the future.
seriously question this expenditure
I believe the stadium proposal
City's history. Zoning was passed for
ests.
of public funds, especially when the
mixed-use development of this site
In summary, before we consid.
raises questions that are fundamen-
Commonwealth faces myriad unmet
consisting of 2.75 million square feet
the merits of the proposed stadiur
tal to our way of government, and
needs in areas such as education,
these issues must be addressed be-
of office-commercial space, 300,000
other fundamental questions of pr
transportation, and human develop-
square feet of retail uses, 625 hotel
priety must be answered. Should tl
fore we take up the land use aspects
ment.
of a major sports facility. Everyone
rooms, and 3,500 dwelling units.
citizens of Alexandria and the Cor
Additionally, the stadium pro-
who has followed this issue knows
What has been approved may even-
monwealth of Virginia succumb
posal carries with it the condemna-
this was a backroom deal that was
tually turn out to exceed 9 million
back-room deals? Should the Ge
tion of 30 acres of private land to be
formulated over the past few
total square feet of predominately
eral Assembly support the stadiu:
used for a parking lot. It is reported
months, even while Alexandria of-
residential development in keeping
project that overtly disregards loc.
that this land would be turned over
ficials were considering the zoning
with goals established by the city.
authority and determination? In th
to Jack Kent Cooke after 10 years for
for Potomac Yard. No mention was
instance, is the condemnation of pr
private development. I for one strug-
It is my belief that the stadium
ever made of a sports complex in our
vate land for a questionable publ.
gle to find the public purpose for this
proposal would have been pursued
zoning deliberations, and the closed
purpose an overzealous exercise (
exercise of eminent domain, and in-
no matter what action the council
eminent domain? These are basi
dealings of the stadium totally have
stead see this action as a gift to a
may have taken concerning the zon-
ignored the locality that may bear
questions of government and the
billionaire. In my eyes, the Common-
ing at Potomac Yard. The key ele-
the brunt of its adverse impacts.
carry implications for the entir
wealth of Virginia would be
ment here is the Commonwealth of
With Potomac Yard presently
Commonwealth and not solely th
overstepping its bounds should it ex-
Virginia now stepping forward and
zoned for mixed-use development,
quality of life for Alexandrians fc
ercise its condemnation authority in
paying $130 million for infra-
decades to come.
the possibility exists that our local
zoning authority may be usurped in
favor of the proposed stadium. Zon-
ing authority traditionally rests with
local government under its police
power, and to circumvent Alexan-
dria's zoning-code and master plan
in order to promote a football sta-
dium is a threat not only to Alexan-
dria but to other jurisdictions in Vir-
ginia as well. Today it is a stadium in
Alexandria, but tomorrow other
projects may threaten another Vir-
ginia locality and their governmen-
tal powers. Should the Virginia Gen-
eral Assembly override
Alexandria's land use designs for Po-
tomac Yard, they would in essence
rewrite Virginia law for the sake of
a football stadium.
Gov. Douglas Wilder has pro-
posed that Virginia issue $130 mil-
lion in bonds to provide the basic
infrastructure for the stadium at Po-
Kerry J. Donley, a Democrat, is a
member of the Alexandria City
Council
MORTON KONDRACKE
ames Baker's incoming White
as opposed to free markets (as in
Bush's new agenda will be Robert
J
House "dream team" intends
Signs of
health care) and a high-taxer.
Zoellick, incoming White House
as quickly as possible to
"We can't have people thinking
deputy chief of staff, who drafted
"sharpen the differences" be-
Mr. Baker's State Department vale-
this is just a contest between two
tween George Bush and Bill Clinton,
moderates,"a White House aide said.
dictory, and Dennis Ross, incoming
but Mr. Baker's first, agenda-setting
playing
assistant for policy planning.
speech indicated just how far behind
Mr. Baker's use. of the goal of
They will replace Henson Moore,
the intellectual curve the Bush team
making America "safe and strong at
former deputy chief of staff, who's
is.
home" as well as abroad implies that
been offered a job on the White
In area after area, Mr. Baker's
catch-up
Mr. Bush will try to be tougher on
House intergovernmental relations
valedictory at the State Department
crime than Mr. Clinton, aides said.
staff, and Clayton Yeutter, who's
last Thursday closely tracked with
The word "safe," though, also im-
been asked to move to the Bush-
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 19, 1992
Mr. Clinton's speech to the Los An-
plies acknowledgment that Amer-
Quayle're-election campaign.
geles World Affairs Council on
this week in Houston - "more like a
icans feel insecure about their jobs
Outgoing White House Chief of
where America is and needs to go.
State of the Union than an accep-
and health insurance.
Staff Sam Skinner and Mr. Yeutter
Mr. Baker, Mr. Bush's new top
tance speech," one aide said.
At the Republican Convention,
reportedly understood until last
honcho, is just now getting around to
A first draft of Mr. Bush's speech,
speakers - especially Sen. Phil
Wednesday that they would remain
sounding themes that Mr. Clinton
prepared by former Nixon aide Ray
Gramm of Texas and former can-
at the White House when Baker &
has been enunciating for months -
Price, was described by White
didate Pat Buchanan are expected
Co. arrived. Baker aides said, how-
such as the need for America to be
House advisers as "too theoretical"
to excoriate Mr. Clinton's record in
ever, that the White House was al-
"strong at home" in order to be
and empty of substance. It was to be
Arkansas and his avoidance of the
ready too clogged by layers of bu-
"strong abroad" in a "new era" in
reworked, and a debate was under
Vietnam draft.
reaucracy, and that clear lines of
which power will be based on com-
way within the administration late
They will also raise questions
authority needed to be established.
petitiveness in the global economy.
last week about the possibility of in-
whether Mr. Clinton actually would
Arriving in their new jobs on
It's a good sign for the Repub-
cluding in it a new proposal on
maintain the "strong" foreign policy
Aug. 23, Mr. Baker's gang will have
licans that Mr. Baker grasps the
health insurance.
he advocates. Mr. Clinton's waffles
limited kibitzing authority during
depth of America's anxiety entering
Mr. Baker said he would be help-
on the Gulf war, his 1987 opposition
the Republican Convention. Its
the new era and means to put to-
ing Mr. Bush fashion a "conserva-
to the reflagging of Kuwaiti tankers,
members will, however, have a hand
gether a Bush agenda to "target
tive" agenda covering "lifetime
and his avoidance of comment on the
in redrafting Mr. Bush's acceptance
America," but Mr. Bush himself has
learning," job training, expanded in-
August 1991 coup in the Soviet
speech.
yet to do so. Mr. Clinton has.
vestment, research and develop-
Union all are likely to be reviewed.
Along with Budget Director
The speech that Mr. Baker gave
ment, defense industry conversion,
Aides to Mr. Baker are especially
Richard Darman and deputy, Bob
at the State Department was one that
governmental reform and social ser-
peeved that Mr. Clinton repeatedly
Grady, the Baker group - dubbed
Mr. Bush should have delivered in
vices that "empower" and reduce de-
charges that foreign countries "feel
"the dream team" by Bush cam-
his State of the Union last January.
pendency.
sorry" for the United States. The
paign spokeswoman Torie Clarke -
Campaign aides indicate it is very
Mr. Clinton has already ad-
Bush campaign can be expected to
undoubtedly will form the command
like the speech Mr. Bush will give
dressed those topics, but Baker
go into high dudgeon at the charge,
crew of a second Bush administra-
aides say the new campaign team
inasmuch as it will be run by people
tion. Mr. Baker, if he gets Bush re-
Morton Kondracke is a senior edi-
means to quickly make Mr. Clinton
who have been making foreign pol-
elected, presumably will be co-
tor for Roll Call, the newspaper of
out to be a "redistributionist," an ad-
icy for the past four years.
president for a while before he tries
Capitol Hill.
vocate of government bureaucracy
The key conceptualizers of Mr.
to win the Oval Office for himself.
The Washington Times
WEDNESDAY,
AUGUST
19,
1992
WILLIAM CLEVELAND
Open to any offer that is best for
the owner of the land.
We are currently fighting to keep
a project we think we don't want off
that land - the stadium. If we win
this battle, I can only wonder what
we will have to go to Richmond to
fight against next. Maybe it will be
A need for
a prison, maybe an incinerator,
maybe a permanent home for the
Ringling Brothers' Circus. It is well
more detail
within the power of this council to
affirmatively develop that space
within the best interests of this city.
have watched with great inter-
But that power should be utilized
I
est as the controversy has
only after we have exercised rea-
swirled about whether to build
soned judgement. If we abdicate
a stadium for the Redskins in
that responsibility, we could well be
Potomac Yard. I was the only mem-
relegated to fending off any number
ber of the Alexandria City Council
of potentially unsuitable projects
not to sign a letter of protest to the
and eventually getting saddled with
Virginia General Assembly. Under-
one that we do not want at all.
standing how the nature of an issue
Ultimately, this issue of develop-
like this forces groups and individu-
ing Potomac Yard should be one of
als into a "for us or against us" men-
thoughtful, reasoned judgement fol-
tality, I want to take this opportunity
lowed by political leadership. That
to put my position on this matter
has always been my approach and I
clearly on the record.
shall continue in this manner to ad-
My refusal to sign the letter my
vance our community's best inter-
colleagues sent to the legislature
est.
does not mean I support the stadium
project. Quite frankly I do not know
enough about the project to com-
William C. Cleveland, a Republican,
ment yet. I believe that when the citi-
is vice mayor of Alexandria.
zens of Alexandria elected me to this
office, they had a right to expect that
I would exercise careful, reasoned
judgment before making decisions
that affect all of our daily lives. To
date, I have not been given an oppor-
tunity to exercise such reasoned
judgement because we have not
been given any details about the sta-
dium proposal. By not signing the
letter, I was asking to have all the
facts and options clearly presented
to us prior to making a decision.
In addition, I refused to sign the
joint Council letter because I feel as
a legislative body we have not served
our constituents properly on the
larger issue of the development of
Potomac Yard. It is ironic that mem-
bers of the council lead the charge
in opposition to the stadium when it
was those same members that
helped put us in this current di-
lemma.
The property at Potomac Yard is
the largest undeveloped tract of land
in Alexandria. Everyone assosciated
with the history of the property
knows sometime soon that property
will be developed. It is much too
valuable to remain simply an un-
developed railroad yard. For some
time now, the Alexandria City Coun-
cil has had before it a proposal to
develop the land. We refer to that
project as the 2020 plan. The plan is
a fiscelly, environmentally, and aes-
thetically sound plan for the devel-
opment of the area. However, despite
my best efforts, the council has
taken to political posturing and has
refused to adopt the original plan,
thus leaving this most valuable land
vacant and bringing us.to where we
are today.
And where is that?
BEN WATTENBERG
I
expect to be 59 years old next
less oppression and less poverty.
week. I have been a Democrat
quite active. I have frequently
Clinton's foreign policy nudge
I believe that George Bush has
all my life, at earlier times
been a pretty good foreign policy
president, and during the Gulf war
been at odds with the loudest voices
a great one. He not only knows three
Washington Time
in my party, often over the issue of
and now a whiff of barbaric "ethnic
liberty answer, it will come from
magic vision words, he said them
foreign policy. During the last quar-
There is, in Mr.
cleansing" in the Balkans that can
America.
first: "New World Order."
ter of a century I began to believe
trigger who knows what. Too many
that I might never see the Demo-
The American grand role in re-
But Bill Clinton may do better at
cratic Party get it right.
Clinton, a robust
Americans have been killed in the
cent times - for both Republicans
executing such a new order. Mr.
titanic struggles of this era; our
and Democrats - has been to estab-
Bush might be better in the back
Perhaps my gloom was too hasty.
echo of that which
treasury has been drawn down. And
lish the global Liberty Party. In the
room cutting deals; Mr. Clinton
I believe the central issue of our
we have been the lucky ones, his-
beginning, this was principally a de-
might be better out on the showroom
time remains international. The do-
could yield the next
tory's winners.
fensive task against those who would
floor. Mr. Bush might be a better di-
mestic economy has been on hold,
but further prosperity is just around
moment of American
The end of the Cold War has low-
destroy liberty - fascists and com-
plomatist; but Mr. Clinton a better
ered the scale of potential disaster.
the corner. Our social values pose
munists. Both American parties
publicist, when the latter is becom-
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 19, 1992
greatness.
That offers hope, but not certainty,
worked at it, the Democrats better
ing more important than the former.
real problems, but we are dealing
that there is a way out.
early on, but toward the end, I am
One speech does not a swallow
As we go through this election
sad to say, the Republicans better
make, but Mr. Clinton's recent talk to
with that wisely, by yelling, at each
time, we should be asking which
than the Democrats.
the Los Angeles World Affairs Coun-
Ben Wattenberg, a senior fellow
other in an election season.
party and which candidate is more
Now we move on. The next phase
cil sets the season.
at the American Enterprise Insti-
The scourge of our century has
likely to secure us safe passage to a
may not so much concern defending
Mr. Clinton acknowledges a part
tute, is author of "The First Univer-
been warfare, aggression, oppres-
safer home.
liberty as purveying it. A world with
of Mr. Bush's success, but says Mr.
sal Nation," published by The Free
sion, repression, invasion, killing
If there is an answer for our spe-
more liberty and more democracy is
Bush has been "oddly reluctant to
Press.
fields, genocide, mass destruction,
cies, it concerns liberty. If there is a
a world with less war, less terrorism,
see WATTENBERG, page F4
create a
WATTENBERG
From page F1
commit America's prestige on the
side of people inspired by American
precepts and example." He cites the
snub of Boris Yeltsin, the sluggish
pace of aid to Russia, the plea
against "suicidal nationalism" in
Ukraine, the hanky-panky with
China after the slaughter in Tianan-
men Square, the passive drift with
"My administration," says Mr.
Clinton, "will stand up for democ-
[it will] reinforce the power-
ful movement toward democracy
We will link
Serbia.
and market economics
China's trading privileges to its hu-
will
record we create
to carry news
Democracy Corps.
man rights
a Radio Free Asia
and hope to freedom-loving people
in China and elsewhere."
Mr. Clinton closes with John Ken-
nedy's 1960 call, that there was "a
new world to be won." President
Kennedy was not a great foreign pol-
icy president because of the Cuban
Missile Crisis. Rather, he advanced
the ball because, with grace and
vigor, he was able to tell the world
that America had an answer.
There is, in Mr. Clinton, a robust
echo of that, which could yield the
next moment of American great-
ness, all this still to be tested as we
go down this election road.
racy
The Washington Times
WEDNESDAY,
AUGUST
19,
1992
KEN ADELMAN
ou know, I've never pre-
"Y
tended to be much for
words," George Bush
Lagging word power
said during his first
of history. We never heard SO much
has had a one-way conversation with
rally in Houston Monday afternoon.
ridicule from our liberal friends!
the American people," he was
"for me, eloquence is action."
We do know. That's precisely why
The only thing that got them upset
harshly criticizing his past nine
was two simple words: 'evil em-
months.
he's in such trouble.
For George Bush never under-
pire.'
Why this "one-way conversation
stood the importance or power of
Yet no two words SO ended that
with the American people" when Mr.
words. He remains among those
scourge. Mr. Reagan was right to re-
Bush had the greatest pulpit in the
politicians who - as Ronald Rea-
mind us on Monday that "the sky
world - the White House - with
gan's ex-speechwriter, Tony Dolan,
would not fall if America restored
which to communicate to us?
said - "think that what governing is
her strength and resolve," nor if "an
The presidential podium was for-
about are meetings, conferences,
American president spoke the truth,
ever relabeled by Teddy Roosevelt
phone calls, rules and decisions."
The only thing that would fall was
as the "bully pulpit" - "bully" being
That couldn't be wronger. "Ideas
the Berlin wall."
Teddy's favorite term, meaning just
are the stuff of politics," Mr. Dolan
Mr. Reagan's speech, as always,
terrific. This pulpit was thus "bully,"
said. "Ideas are the great moving
was wonderful. Mr. Bush's speech
since it furnished such terrific
force of history."
tomorrow is, as always, problematic.
access to the American people.
Take, for instance, two potent
It may - nay, must - be good.
Hence it's appropriate that the
words that constitute Mr. Dolan's
But so few of his are, since he cares
single book that George Bush should
gift to Mr. Reagan and to us all: Evil
SO little about language. "You know,
read is so named. "The Bully Pulpit:
Empire.
I've never pretended to be much for
The Presidential Leadership of Ron-
As Mr. Reagan quipped at the
words." His selection of that vile
ald Reagan," recently published by
convention Monday night, "We stood
phrase proves the point.
the Institute for Contemporary Stud-
tall and proclaimed that commu-
But the presidency is all about
ies (the think tank I work with), was
nism was destined for the ash heap
words. To "be much for words" is to
written by University of California
be a good president.
at Berkeley political science profes-
When Mr. Bush whines, as he did
sor, William Ker Muir Jr. He is, ap-
Ken Adelman is a nationally syn-
during that opening rally on Monday,
dicated columnist.
that "for nine months the other side
see ADELMAN, page F4
ADELMAN
night's speech, especially when he
said, "We were meant to be masters
From page F1
of destiny, not victims of fate."
propriately enough, a former Rea-
Providing such guidance and in-
gan speechwriter.
spiration was Mr. Reagan's histor-
Mr. Muir's book is allegedly about
ical mission, just as it was Winston
speechwriting. It's actually about
Churchill's, Franklin Delano Roose-
leadership, as the one is indistin-
velt's, and even John F. Kennedy's.
guishable from the other.
"What was distinctive about the
A true leader "must give his peo-
presidency of Ronald Reagan," Mr.
ple character," Mr. Muir quotes Rob-
Muir writes, "was the centrality of
ert Frost as saying. Or, as James
its character-shaping purposes." Mr.
MacGregor Burns explained, acts of
Reagan's agenda helped in "prepar-
leadership help "release human po-
ing Americans for the task of living
free."
tentials now locked in ungratified
needs and crushed expectations."
In less grandiose terms, an adept
T
throughout the past four years,
leader conveys ideas that connect
Mr. Bush has acted as if gov-
people with honorable objectives.
erning was involved only
This is something George Bush
"about meetings, conferences,
managed just once during his presi-
phone calls, rules and decisions." He'
dency, between the undertaking of
admitted, "For me, eloquence is ac-
Desert Shield and the unleashing of
tion."
Desert Storm. It's no coincidence
Actually eloquence only resides
that period marked his presidency's
in words. As Malcolm Muggeridge
high point.
said in his love note to language:
A leader must raise the people's
"From the very beginning of my life,
sights and prod them to pursue goals
I never doubted that words were my
larger than themselves. To, as Mr.
metier. There was nothing else I ever
Muir says, "think purposefully:" To
wanted to do except use them; no
wonder what they will do rather than
other accomplishment or achieve-
what will happen to them.
ment I ever had the slightest regard
Leadership thus transforms the
for, or desire to emulate. I have al-
listener from victim to purposeful
ways loved words, and still love
actor. Speech becomes the motiva-
them, for their own sake. For the
tor.
power and beauty of them; for the
This key point was made beau-
wonderful things that can be done
tifully by Ronald Reagan in Moday
with them."
The ashingt Times
WEDNESDAY,
AUGUST
19,
1992
PAUL GREENBERG
opening for Mr. Bush, representing
HOUSTON
ow will we know if the Re-
Three checkpoints
as it does both accomplishment and
hope. Its scope almost matches that
H
publican National Con-
of the American imagination. The
vention has been a suc-
than a more incumbent
would let Americans know that the
electorate yearns for a leader, yet the
cess?
Americans look down on.
chief magistrate of the republic is
presidency hasn't been used as a
By three tests.
It is no secret that the electorate
not completely out of touch with re-
"bully pulpit" for some time. A deci-
Test One: Can George Bush re-
is unhappy with politicians in gen-
ality, and is even capable of affecting
sive defense of free trade would also
establish his relationship with a de-
eral. They seem to occupy a place in
it. A few more speeches that sound
spotlight Bill Clinton's great weak-
moralized party and a disappointed
American affections somewhere
as if they had been ghosted by Polly-
ness. (Watch him waffle on the free
people?
down there between the media and
anna and all is lost.
trade issue when he isn't ignoring it.)
At this point, the president is not
so much a presence in American life
the lawyers. But while Americans
A measure of somber candor
are quick to chastise, we are also
about the state of this uneasy Union
Test Two: Can George Bush re-
as an absence. He seems removed
would provide a perfect opening for
vive the conservative movement
from the country's concerns and un-
quick to forgive - if asked. It's the
able to articulate its hopes - the
politician who doesn't know enough
some hopeful words about the fu-
that has been the driving force be
to ask forgiveness, or who has too
ture. We are a Westering people, and
hind the Republican resurgence of
most malaise-struck president since
not much given to dwelling on past
the past decade? Does he want to? Or
Jimmy Carter. Mr. Bush seems less
much false pride to admit ever mak-
mistakes. Which explains both our
will this convention make the grave
a leader in these dog days of August
ing a mistake, who's in trouble this
restless year.
saving optimism and our dangerous
mistake of neglecting its center ir.
One of the president's jobs at this
neglect of history. Most Americans
order to attract those on the periph-
convention will be to acknowledge
want to resolve the past, and move
ery? Republicans who believe they
Paul Greenberg is editorial page
that some things have gone wrong,
on. The president must do both if he
can broaden the party's appeal may
editor of the Arkansas Democrat Ga-
seriously wrong, on his watch. How-
hopes to begin his comeback here.
find that they have only diluted it. If
zette in Little Rock and a nationally
ever phrased - and it must not be
The new North American free
syndicated columnist.
put defensively - such a confession
trade zone would make a perfect
see GREENBERG, page F4
GREENBERG
left-wing liberal. That tact won't
work because it isn't convincing.
From page F1
George Bush may think this is 1988
all over again, but it isn't. Bill Clinton
Republicans can't be sold on Repub-
isn't Michael Dukakis. He's a lot
licanism, who can be?
smarter and smoother. He doesn't
A national nominating conven-
have enough character to be a wild-
tion is a great quadrennial ritual,
eyed, left-wing liberal. He's so mod-
powwow and revival meeting. It de-
erate he has no clear convictions at
rives its attraction not from the
all - unless you count a deep and
vaguely interested or actually an-
continuing devotion to his own "po-
tagonistic who are only wandering
litical viability," a telltale phrase he
around the edge of the big tent, but
himself used decades ago in a re-
from the preacher at the very center,
vealing letter.
backed up by the choir and echoed
George Bush is up against the
by the amen corner. Stop stoking the
original Designing Man, yet he has
fire at the center, and there will be
scarcely alluded to that major weak-
no source of heat or light. And the
ness in his rival. Instead, the Repub-
crowd will melt away, rather than
licans have tried to paint Bill Clinton
come see what all the excitement is
as some kind of undercover radical.
about. The Republican Party's for-
That way lies irrelevance - and de-
tunes have depended on wedding
feat.
ideas to interests since Mr. Lincoln
set the pattern. To moderate its mes-
The Republicans can get serious
sage in hopes of attracting those
and regain the old Reaganesque
who wish it ill would be folly. And it
mastery of common memory and
would ensure defeat.
hope, striking a responsive chord in
Test Three: Can this convention
an unsettled people. Or they can spin
draw a bead on Bill Clinton? The
their wheels - and attempt to match
GOP hasn't so far. The scattershot
all the vague, superficial appeals of
attempts to criticize everything
the Clinton Democrats with their
about him aren't working. And it
own.
won't. The first report of a planned
As the underdog in this, cam-
September Storm of attack ads is not
paign, George Bush can follow
encouraging. The Republican strat-
Harry Truman's clear, fighting and
egy apparently is to depict the
successful example from the 1948
Democratic Party's moderate new
campaign - or Thomas E. Dewey's.
leader as a kind of secret, wild-eyed,
We shall see.
The Mechington Times
WEDNESDAY,
AUGUST
19,
1992
WALTER MEARS
MEARS
From page F1
anxious to get out and take the cam-
paign trail for Mr. Bush. That's oblig-
atory for a Republican planning to
bid for the 1996 nomination, as Mr.
Buchanan almost surely will.
Calling on
early protest votes but losing every
one, told his supporters "The right
Mr. Reagan did more cam-
place for us to be now, in this pres-
paigning for Mr. Bush in 1988 than
idential campaign, is right beside
other presidents had done when
the champ
George Bush.
their vice presidents ran to succeed
"This party is my home, this
them. He campaigned in 15 states
party is our home, and we've got to
for Mr. Bush and other Republicans,
come home to it," Mr. Buchanan said.
saying he wanted a successor who
HOUSTON
would carry on his policies.
onald Reagan's reprise
Mr. Bush's support also has fallen
R
for President Bush,
sharply among the relatively conser-
There were some hitches earlier
with more curtain call
vative Democrats who became part
in this campaign - an awkward
campaigning due in
of Mr. Reagan's 1980 and 1984 coali-
Bush visit last winter, a report, later
the fall, is an attempt
tions. They never rallied to Mr. Bush
denied, that Mr. Reagan had told
to reclaim the stray-
as to Mr. Reagan, but the president
friends Mr. Bush was having cam-
ing Republicans and disenchanted
did get nearly half that bloc of voters
paign trouble because he didn't
conservatives for the GOP ticket.
in 1988.
seem to stand for anything.
With Mr. Reagan's "we need
Not now.
Continuity, including the succes-
George Bush." and the fiery en-
dorsement speech of sometime chal-
"Right now, most of them are
sion of major Reagan policies and
parked temporarily with Bill Clinton
programs, were central promises of
lenger Patrick Buchanan, the pres-
or undecided," said Charles Black,
the 1988 Bush campaign. But that
ident's embattled campaign got the
senior advisor to the Bush cam-
was in the days of peace and pros-
double-barreled sendoff his
strategists sought on opening night
paign. He said the so-called Reagan
perity, before the slump that lopped
at the Republican National Conven-
Democrats can be recaptured with
off the second half of that slogan and
emphasis on the Republican mes-
sent Mr. Bush's job approval ratings
tion.
They know a comeback will have
sage on issues like family values,
sliding from record highs to record
lows.
to begin by cementing the Repub-
crime and drug control. Republican
Mr. Bush has his own record to
lican base, which has been eroding,
opposition to abortion plays well
according to the polls SO far. At this
with that constituency, too.
defend now. Reminiscences won't
suffice. The campaign is about an-
point, the pollsters report, Mr. Bush
But the economic slump has ren-
swers for the next four years, not
could count on just under 70 percent
dered those issues less compelling
celebrations of the past 12.
of the voters who identify them-
than in the past three elections. Con-
selves as Republicans; when he won
servative on social issues, the blue
With the voters in a mood for
his first term, he got more than 90
collar voters who once rallied to Mr.
change, looking back won't help.
percent of them.
Reagan are concerned now with
Then, too, Mr. Reagan's pop-
their jobs and the economic future.
ularity has slumped since the White
So Mr. Reagan told the convention
and the party at large Monday night
"They are our people," Mr. Bu-
House years; polls show Jimmy
that he'd come to wholeheartedly
chanan said. "We need to let them
Carter, the Democrat he defeated,
support the re-election of Mr. Bush,
know we know they hurting. They
gets higher approval ratings now.
"a trustworthy and level-headed
don't expect miracles, but they need
A new Los Angeles Times poll
leader a steady hand on the tiller."
to know we care."
says 88 percent of the people don't
And Mr. Buchanan, the conserva-
Mr. Black said both Mr. Reagan
think Mr. Reagan's endorsement of
tive who tackled Mr. Bush in the
and Mr. Buchanan have agreed to
Mr. Bush will have much effect on
presidential primaries, reaping
campaign for the Bush ticket this
the election.'
fall. He said there's a general com-
Endorsements and celebrity
mitment from Mr. Reagan, with de-
stand-in campaigners seldom do.
Walter R. Mears is a vice pres-
tails to be worked out later, and that
Still, the active backing of conserva-
ident and columnist for the Associ-
while the former president won't be
tives like former boss Ronald Rea-
ated Press.
campaigning intensively, he will ap-
gan and former rival Pat Buchanan
pear for Mr. Bush in key states
should help Mr. Bush on the right,
across the nation, not only at home
where he's always been suspect, par-
in California.
ticularly since he reneged on his
Mr. Buchanan, Mr. Black said, is
1988 promise to tolerate no new
taxes.
see MEARS, page F4
That's a special mission; more
generally, celebrity campaigners
can be most effective as fund-raising
attractions and to turn out crowds.
Persuading voters is another matter.
Candidates have to do that them-
selves.
The Washington Times
WEDNESDAY,
AUGUST
19,
1992
TERRY
EASTLAND
EASTLAND
From page F1
do when a child or grandchild has
Abortion
committed any wrong, whether le-
gally defined as such or not - they
would love that individual. After all,
refocused
to love is not necessarily to affirm
the behavior at issue.
Still, from a perspective that
seeks to enlarge the public debate,
pro-abortion rights press has
A
the answers Mr. Quayle and Mr.
but one way to frame a
Bush gave to the abortion hypo-
question about abortion to
thetical could have been better, and
Vice President Dan
there is little doubt that the question
Quayle (who was asked first) and to
will be asked again, by members of
President Bush, both of whom are
the press if not also by Bill Clinton
declared pro-life Republicans. The
and Al Gore.
question, thoughtfully adjusted for
each man's age, is this: What would
The better answer is one that re-
you do if your granddaughter or
frames the question and thus
daughter came to you and said she
refocuses the debate. The King-
wanted to have an abortion? And
Phillips question assumes that the
what would you do if she decided to
key issue in abortion politics is
have one?
"choice." While polls do show major-
The basically similar answers to
ities in favor of choice, they also
those questions, asked first of Mr.
show even larger majorities in favor
Quayle by CNN's Larry King and
of abortion regulations designed to
then of Mr. Bush by Stone Phillips of
reduce the number of abortions,
"Dateline NBC," are now at least as
there now being 29 performed for
well known as the abortion plank in
every 100 live births.
the GOP platform, which calls for a
Thus, the better answer to the
constitutional amendment declaring
abortion hypothetical is one that,
the unborn child has a "fundamental
while duly indicating the enduring
individual right to life."
love a parent or grandparent would
Mr. Quayle said he would "coun-
have for a family member who
sel" his daughter and "support her
chooses abortion, emphasizes the
on whatever decision she made." Mr.
need to change the legal culture so
Bush said he'd encourage his grand-
as to discourage abortion.
daughter "not to do that but of
course I'd stand by my child" and
This answer invites the further
"love her." Asked whether "in the
question: Just how should the legal
end, the decision would be hers," he
culture be changed? It has long been
responded: "Well, who else's could it
the strategy of those supporting
be?"
abortion rights to paint those in the
Abortion rights activists have de-
pro-life camp as favoring criminal
clared that by their answers the vice
penalties for women (although none
president and the president have re-
of its leaders do.) And more than one
vealed themselves as really pro-
pro-life politician (George Bush in
choice, and therefore hypocritically
1988) has apparently thought that to
seeking to take choice away from all
favor life in utero is to support law
women save their own. In fact, their
that would send women to prison.
answers are more reasonably under-
But the pro-life position does not
stood not as statements of public pol-
demand that. And while criminal
icy but as indications of what any
penalties usefully might be applied
good parent or grandparent would
to doctors who perform, especially,
third-trimester abortions (except to
see EASTLAND, page F4
save the life of the mother), criminal
law is not the only kind of law there
Terry Eastland is a resident fellow
is. Civil law also is available, and it
at the Ethics and Public Policy Cen-
could require the communication of
literally vital information: about fe-
ter.
tal development and alternatives to
abortion, for example. And, like the
Pennsylvania law upheld this sum-
mer in Planned Parenthood VS.
Casey, civil law could mandate a
waiting period before an abortion
can be performed. All of this law
would be designed to achieve more
births and fewer abortions.
If this discussion is skillfully ini-
tiated and maintained, Bill Clinton
would be forced to explain to rec-
oncile his absolute commitment to
"choice" - and thus to abortion on
demand - with his statement that
he is not for abortion. How the nation
can reduce its tragically high num-
ber of abortions ought to be the cen-
tral issue so far as abortion goes -
in this or any other campaign.
The Washington Times
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 19, 1992
RALPH KINNEY BENNETT
ndrews Air Force Base is just
Congress might somehow be taught
A
a short limousine ride
Of Hill arrogance
to hold the line on national spending
from Capitol Hill but
at what Congress spends on itself.
far enough away that the
In fiscal 1992, congressional spend-
nation's legislators can be well-
ing on itself will jump 17.5 percent
shielded from the prying eyes of the
spirit continues to sweep the Hill, it's
and acquisitions
to more than $3 billion. This reflects
general public. While a "reform"
not only the pay increases for the
legislators themselves, but many
useful to recall something that hap-
other costs. There are now 20 com-
pened at Andrews last fall: the Con-
by patronage employees, was allow-
mittees and 87 subcommittees in the
they wanted. Suddenly, elbowing
gressional Golf Tournament.
each other aside, the men began
ing overdrafts to "float" for months
Senate, 27 committees and 155 sub-
There, well-tanned senators and
stuffing their $400 leather golf bags
and even years? Officials insisted
committees in the House, and 37,000
congressmen dressed in gaudy golf
(also courtesy of some lobbyist) in
that these overdrafts were paid out
employees on Capitol Hill - five
clothes gathered at the base officer's
what a participant described later to
of members' bank balances - and
times the level from 1970.
club. As they indulged in food, drink
the Wall Street Journal as a "feeding
that therefore no "public funds"
Congress has become a
and camaraderie, they were able to
frenzy."
were ever used. It never occurred to
priesthood of legislators, staff and
contemplate a veritable tumulus of
Such sordid scenes remain large-
them that every dollar of the House
lobbyists. It is a priesthood of Byz-
consumer goods piled before them:
bank overhead and every dollar of
antine complexities, temples within
VCRs, crystal, electronic gadgets,
ly hidden from public knowledge be-
staff salary is the taxpayers' money.
temples, rites within rites. And it em-
clothing, liquor, magnums of cham-
cause Congress truly does live in a
Watch lawmakers on the Hill and
ploys a variety of obscure proce-
pagne. This vast pile, provided by
world apart. It's not just the perks
and salaries; it's much more. Con-
you will see a separate race of public
dures designed to create an illusion
lobbyists, was to be handed out as
gress, by and large, sees itself not
figures. While burdening the people
of openness.
prizes for various feats on the golf
working for the people as public ser-
with massive regulations, they have
My favorite device of all is the
course that day.
exempted themselves routinely
concept that the more important and
But somehow or other it was de-
vants, but governing them. It does
cided that everyone could take what
what it wants and it takes what it
from all of them - such strictures
vital the hearing, the smaller the
as the Equal Employment Opportu-
hearing room. Committees do not
wants.
nity Act, the Freedom of Informa-
want you to know what goes on when
Ralph Kinney Bennett is senior
The House check-kiting scandal
tion Act, the Americans with Dis-
they get together with lobbyists to
staff editor at Reader's Digest. This
is an obvious example. Remember
abilities Act, and all of the Civil
thrash out legislation. So what is not
essay was adapted from a lecture at
the early days when it was first re-
Rights Acts.
settled over the telephone or in an
Look, too - if you believe that
informal session beforehand is dis-
the Heritage Foundation.
vealed that the House Bank, staffed
cussed in tiny hearing rooms where
access is extremely limited.
Robert Potts, former chief of
staff of the Senate Republican Policy
Committee, once told me a story that
I think best illustrates the aloofness
of the congressional priesthood:
One morning Mr. Potts attended
a hearing in which the secretary of
the Treasury was testifying. It was
just a small room and there weren't
many people there. While the secre-
tary was testifying, a man and his
family tourists - came into the
room, and were thrilled to be seeing
democracy at work close-up.
At one point, the secretary had to
leave the room, and there was a
break. This man got up and raised
his hand and said, "Mr. Chairman,
Mr. Chairman," very quietly and po-
litely. He said he knew something
about the point being discussed and
he had something helpful he would
like to say. He was ignored by all
present.
"Why didn't we just let this guy
say what he had to say?" Mr. Potts
now wonders. "It wouldn't have hurt
anything. But no, we were the Senate
and he was just a citizen."
The
Washington Time
WEDNESDAY,
AUGUST
19,
1992
HANS BINNENDIJK
The key question is which state
will be the legal successor to
Snags in
Czechoslovakia, and here the United
States has some leverage. Prague
wants to inherit the estimated 2,800
bilateral and multilateral treaties
the velvet
ratified by Czechoslovakia, and it is
willing to assume the entire
The United States can act to-
Czechoslovak international debt to
gether with its European allies to
make it happen. Prague is also try-
divorce
dampen these tensions. Bratislava
ing to force Slovakia to secede, legiti-
must recognize that minority rights
mizing the Czech lands as the sole
should not be reversed or economic
successor state. These maneuvers
penalties will be imposed by the
threaten the velvet divorce and
West. At the same time, Hungary
ivorce appears inevitable in
should be countered by the West.
D
must be warned that encouraging
what one wag has called
Since the blame for the separation is
secession in a neighboring state will
the state of "Czech-
shared equally, both states should in-
also carry penalties. If the West acts
NoSlovakia." The Czech
herit equal privileges from the inter-
quickly, this ethnic problem might
lands are scrambling westward
national community.
be dealt with before it explodes. The
while Slovakia risks being ensnared
After separation, the new Czech
Conference on Security and Cooper-
in Balkan-style conflicts, deepening
state will be even more vulnerable to
ation in Europe's newly created high
new fissures in Europe. The United
commissioner for minorities might
States should develop policies de-
take on these problems as a first as-
signed to limit further polarization
signment.
in Europe.
It is too ate for the United States
Unfortunately. a predominate
to try to reverse the division of
trend in Europe today is the search
Czechoslovakia. Earlier Western ef-
for a purer form of nation-state in
German political influence than it
forts might have moderated the posi-
which ethnic and political borders
already is, and this worries many in
tions of Messrs. Meciar and Klaus.
are coterminous. In Germany, the
in Prague. The Czech lands were
The best that can be done now is to
process resulted in political union,
absorbed by Germany just prior to
limit the damage.
as it might for Romania and western
World War II, and Czech memories
Moldova. In such multi-ethnic states
are long. Nearly three-quarters of
as Yugolslavia, the Soviet Union, and
all the foreign investment now flow-
now, Czechoslovakia, the process
ing into Czechoslovakia is German.
has indeed led to destruction of an
If separation disrupts commercial
existing state.
links with Slovakia and trade links
In the Czech and Slovak case, di-
with the East, the Czech dependence
vorce was not always inevitable.
on Germany will soar. That would
Hans Binnendijk is director of
There is no dark history of ethnic
not be all bad because Germany
Georgetown University's Institute for
violence between these groups. The
could accelerate Czech admission to
the Study of Diplomacy.
June parliamentary elections cre-
the European Community. But to
ated no mandate for divorce. But
keep some diplomatic balance in
they did undercut bungling centrist
Prague, the United States should
parties and yielded pluralities for
seek to encourage greater American
the right in the Czech Lands and for
investment in the Czech lands and to
the left in Slovakia. A July opinion
use its influence to discourage a
poll shows that 75 percent in the
trade war between the republics.
Czech lands and 49 percent in Slova-
Perhaps the most serious impact
kia still want some form of federal
of divorce could be heightened ten-
state. Others in Slovakia wanted a
sion over 580,000 Hungarians living
looser confederation, but few
wanted immediate independence.
More than 80 percent in both repub-
lics want the issue decided by refer-
in Slovakia. In the euphoria of
endum.
nationhood, Slovakian will become
the national language, and the Hun-
But leaders of both pluralities
garian minority stands to lose many
of its language rights. The Hungar-
perceived an interest in tearing
ian Parliament is already champion-
apart the existing state, and respon-
sibility for the division must be
ing autonomy for many Slovak areas
that historically have belonged to
borne equally by both sides. Slovak
leader Vladimir Meciar opened with
Hungary. But Slovak officials claim
that only two of Slovakia's 34 dis-
demands for confederation to rec-
tricts have a Hungarian majority
tify years of second-class citizen-
ship and the unequal impact of
and they reject any thought of auton-
Prague's shock therapy economic
omy for Hungarians.
Ethnic tensions are exacerbated
policies. He reached too far, calling
for separate Slovak economic, de-
by a dispute over the Gabcikovo Dam
that Slovakia hopes to have partially'
fense and foreign policies.
On the Czech side, Civic Demo-
operational by October. The dam,
which would divert and control the
cratic Party leader Vaclav Klaus
flow of the Danube, was built with
called Mr. Meciar's bluff, surprising
him with an all or nothing response.
Hungary's active support. Now Bu-
His bold move is based on the clec-
dapest charges it will produce an
toral map that gives the political
ecological disaster, but the invest-
ment has been made and Slovakia
right control in the Czech lands but
not in the nation as a whole. Mr.
plans to proceed.
Klaus' choice was to continue eco-
The referendum, favored by for-
nomic reforms in half a nation or
mer President Vaclav Havel as a way
face deadlock in the whole nation.
to save the nation, is unlikely to take
Mr. Klaus prefers amputation.
place despite its popularity, because
The United States has several ob-
neither leader wants to risk a policy
jectives to pursue now that divorce
reversal.
is a near certainty. It must help en-
sure that the divorce is indeed soft
as velvet. It must also try to offset
German economic dominance in the
Czech lands. And it must seek to
avoid clashes between Slovakia and
Hungary over the Hungarian minor-
ity in southern Slovakia.
JONATHAN ADLER
First of two parts.
(ome have called it "Eco-Kid
S
Power," while to others it is
The little green schoolhouse
the "Newest Parental Night-
mare." The latest craze
sweeping this nation's youth is envi-
most prominent axioms in environ-
sources for the Future has demon-
shortfalls, the vast majority of non-
strated, all of the solid waste
renewable resources - from alumi-
ronmental consciousness, due in no
mental education: Recycling is al-
small part to the spread of ecological
ways good. In one guide for parents
produced in America in the next
num to zinc - have declined in price
issues into the classroom. This
and educators - "This Planet Is
1,000 years could easily fit in a single
over the past century, indicating an
movement has reached almost every
Mine" - Mary Metzger and Cynthia
landfill accounting for less than one-
increase in their availability. Even if
school district in the nation, as chil-
Whittaker claim recycling is "by far
tenth of 1 percent of the United
a given resource were to become
dren are increasingly taught the im-
the most common-sensible and
States. While such a landfill will cer-
scarce, its price would rise, and the
portance of being green. For exam-
energy-saving waste reduction tech-
tainly never be built, this fact dem-
economy would promote increased
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 19, 1992
ple, more Pennsylvania high school
nique." This sentiment is echoed in
onstrates that there is ample space
efficiency and the development of
students are taking environmental
the Environmental Protection Agen-
in which to dispose of America's gar-
alternatives. This is a pattern that
education classes than physics.
cy's "Let's Reduce and Recycle: Cur-
bage through landfilling, should
has repeated itself throughout his-
While it is entirely appropriate
riculum for Solid Waste Awareness,"
such an approach be desired. If
tory.
for children to learn about the envi-
where children in grades K-6 are
there is more than enough space to
What children must also learn is
ronment - particularly discussions
told that recycling reduces pollution
dispose of America's garbage, can
that there are tradeoffs inherent in
of scientific subjects such as the
and saves natural resources, energy,
we really say that there is too much
any serious attempt to reduce the
food chain, the life cycles of various
money and landfill space.
trash?
use of energy. While "conservation"
species and the fundamentals of me-
implies using less, the proper goal
What children are rarely told is
Increasingly prevalent in envi-
teorology - much of what is taught
should be "efficiency" - using less
that while recycling is often a sensi-
ronmental messages aimed at chil-
to children is simple-minded and in-
to accomplish more. Otherwise, re-
ble means of disposing of solid
dren is the need to use less and "con-
accurate. To read most classroom
ducing energy consumption would
waste, it is not so clear that recycling
serve" energy, water and other
materials, for example on acid rain,
require sacrificing personal mobil-
is always of benefit to the planet. The
resources, for one day we might run
is to be told that acid rain is decimat-
ity, autonomy and even higher living
bleaching of recycled paper, for in-
out. This pressure results in part
ing the trees of North America. That
standards. Driving to and from
stance, causes more water pollution
from school materials, such as the
the most comprehensive scientific
school or the office may burn fuel,
than bleaching paper from virgin
EPA children's activity books on
studies of this phenomenon con-
but it often saves time that can then
cluded otherwise seems immaterial.
pulp. Similarly, the reuse of certain
water conservation, which pro-
claim, "We need to save water! This
be devoted to other important activ-
consumer goods, such as cloth dia-
Amidst the growing environmen-
ities.
pers, requires greater energy use
is also called 'conserving' water -
tal disinformation spread through
Because children are so often
than their disposable counterparts.
not wasting it, we'll have enough for
the classroom are various myths and
In a similar vein, the popular chil-
the future!" Children are also taught
taught these common mispercep-
half-truths that help to give children
tions about environmental issues, it
dren's book "50 Simple Things Kids
to monitor the "wasteful" activities
an incomplete understanding of en-
Can Do to Save the Earth" declares
of their parents and classmates.
should be no surprise that they pes-
vironmental issues.
that "we are making so much gar-
Even Muppets Kermit the Frog and
ter their parents about saving the
Take, for example, one of the
Miss Piggy were enlisted to promote
Earth. However, these days environ-
bage that in many places, there is not
mental education involves much
enough room to bury it all." A hand-
the "conservation" message, ap-
book produced by the Council for
pearing is a public service an-
more than mere misrepresentation
Jonathan H. Adler is an environ-
Solid Waste Solutions instructs chil-
nouncement for the National Wild-
of the facts. Increasingly, children
mental policy analyst at the Com-
life Federation.
are exposed to political activism and
petitive Enterprise Institute. This ar-
dren on how to establish school re-
what amounts to environmental in-
ticle is adapted from the summer
cycling programs because "over-
Unfortunately, this effort to
doctrination in the classroom.
1992 Policy Review, the quarterly
flowing landfills are threatening
watchdog use patterns reflects a
publication of the Heritage Founda-
Mother Earth." However, as the re-
simplistic view of natural resources.
Tomorrow: Eco-children's cru-
tion.
search of A. Clark Wiseman of Re-
While children are told of impending
sade.
Times
ABRAHAM FOXMAN / BOLAND
Congress considers the De-
dent. One member tried to remove
Call. In those posts, Mr. Muhammed
South Side of Chicago for nearly a
tinged group is perhaps shown by
A
partment of Housing and
Urban Development ap-
Fruit of
the tape from the news camera.
performed security and disciplinary
generation with murders, drug traf-
analogy. In the last two years, var-
Seeking to extricate the media from
functions and led the Fruit of Islam,
ficking, and protection rackets.
ious Ku Klux Klans have mounted
propriations bill in the
the resulting flap, the reporter and
the Nation's security arm in patrols
Rukns have been recruited into the
"anti-drug patrols." If these have a
next few weeks, one of the issues it
Islam on
the cameraman did not press
of housing projects. Despite his
Fruit of Islam, Mr. Farrakhan's secu-
demonstra ble impact, should the
might consider is whether HUD
charges.
brush with the law, Mr. Muhammed
rity force, and have been honored
Klan be hired as a security force?
rules should permit a HUD contrac-
At the University of the District
remains a senior official.
guests at the Nation of Islam's Sav-
Some Klans use neo-Nazi skinheads
tor to spend $644,000 to hire Louis
of Columbia in March 1988, two stu-
The Nation of Islam has obtained
ior's Day conventions. In 1987, the El
and outlaw bikers for security. Will
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 19, 1992
Farrakhan's Nation of Islam to pro-
U.S. tab?
dents protesting Mr. Farrakhan's ap-
substantial funds from Libya - no-
Rukn chief and top aides were con-
the Hell's Angelsnext be imposed on
vide security for a federally subsi-
pearance at the school were alleg-
tably a $5 million loan and itslead-
victed of offering to commit bomb-
housing project residents?
dized housing project in Los An-
edly assaulted by several Nation of
ers have traveled to Tripoli for meet-
ings and assasinations on U.S. soil
Residents of crime-ridden areas
geles, and whether there should be
Islam security people. The students
ings with Moammar Gadhafi in 1987
for Libyan payment.
need help. But some way of beefing
similar arrangements elsewhere.
murder in the second degree and
said the guards hit and kicked them
and 1989 marking the anniversary of
up police patrols or using legitimate
While the Nation of Islam has re-
shooting into an occupied car, after
and tore up their signs. One received
the U.S. air raid. According to a
cently been acclaimed by some for
they shot and killed a patron at a club
hospital treatment for a concussion.
Canadian parliamentary investiga-
W
hile some hope the Nation
security firms without the racist or
of Islam will curb gang vio-
violent baggage the Nation of Islam
its anti-drug work, the group has an
in Inglewood, Calif., where they
In 1987, a federal court in At-
tion, Libya also channeled funds via
lence as well as drug deal-
carries must be found. Indeed, its
uglier face that includes racism,
were serving as security guards in
lanta convicted Khalid Abdul Mu-
BCCI (Canada) to a Libyan intelli-
ing, the group's actions in the wake
record of confrontation with the po-
anti-Semitism, sporadic confronta-
March 1990. The patron had re-
hammed, a senior Nation of Islam
gence front to finance trips to Triploi
of the Los Angeles riots suggest oth-
lice and others suggests the Nation
ferred to the women in the club as
with the police, and threats of
official, of the fraudulent use of a
by the Nation of Islam and others.
erwise. In May, the group announced
of Islam may endanger the very peo-
"bitches." Witnesses in the case were
violence.
false Social Security number to ob-
The gathering in Libya included
a defense fund for the four gang
ple it is supposed to protect.
For anyone interested in the qual-
threatened. One of the guards had
tain a loan. Testimony at the trial and
other American radical groups and
members charged in the assault of
prior felony convictions for robbery
sentencing hearing revealed Mr.
international terrorist outfits.
HUD Secretary Jack Kemp's
ifications of Louis Farrakhan's pri-
truck driver Reginald Denny, and a
and resisting arrest.
Mr. Farrakhan himself visited
worthy idea of neighborhood em-
vate army, the Fruit of Islam, and its
Muhammed had attempted to sub-
spokesman compared them to he-
Nation of Islam colleagues, here are
At a Pittsburgh housing project
orn a follower to give perjured testi-
Libya in 1986. On his return, Nation
powerment should not be distorted
roes of the American Revolution.
some of its accomplishments:
in July 1991, a Nation of Islam secu-
mony about the scheme. According
spokesman Khalid Abdul Muham-
by turning these neighborhoods
According to the Los Angeles Times,
In November 1991, two Fruit of
rity supervisor was arrested and
to an FBI agent's account of conver-
mad told a press conference that if
over to their most violent elements,
Khalid Muhammad, identified as na-
charged with firebombing an apart-
the government tried to jail Mr. Far-
who've shown no great regard for
Islam guards were sentenced to 20
sations with Mr. Muhammed's fol-
tional assistant to Minister Louis
ment in retaliation for the beating of
and 25 years to life without parole for
lowers, Mr. Muhammed said after
rakhan or harmed him, Nation mem-
the rights of others, the safety of
Farrakhan, said, "When white peo-
a Nation of Islam security guard at
bers would "walk up to the car where
their fellow citizens, or civil order.
his arrest that FBI agents should be
ple did the same thing
it was
the project. The case is pending.
dismembered and informants be-
your police officers are taking a
Its racism and anti-Semitism aside,
called the Boston Tea Party. All of
Abraham H. Foxman is national
At the Mayfair Mansions proj-
headed. Mr. Muhammed, whose real
break and blow their damn brains
the Nation of Islam's propsensity for
you are invited to the Los Angeles tea
director of the Anti-Defamation
ect in the District in April 1988, Na-
name is Harold Moore Vann, was
out."
violence renders it unsuitable to
party."
League of B'nai B'rith. Mira L.
tion of Islam security guards beat an
"Minister of Defense" and "Su-
The Nation of Islam has also en-
carry out security functions. Using
Boland is the ADL's fact-finding di-
alleged drug dealer, and attacked a
preme Captain,' according to the Na-
joyed a close relationship with the El
The perversity of using public
taxpayer's money adds insult to in-
rector in Washington.
news cameraman filming the inci-
tion of Islam newspaper, the Final
Rukn gang, which terrorized the
money to employ a bigoted, violence-
jury.
The
Washington Times
WEDNESDAY,
AUGUST
19,
1992
The Beltway comes to Houston
ouston is getting an-unexpectedly close look
Feminists want people at the Department of Labor to
H
at life inside the Beltway. It can't be a pretty
get them compensation they think the private sector
owes them.
sight. While Ronald Reagan and Pat Buchanan
Somewhere in all this week's bonfires and marches,
were speaking inside to excited conventioneers the
there was undoubtedly the occasional good intention.
other night, AIDS activists and homosexuals were do-
If so, it has backfired, not just because it was not the
ing their bit outside. The latter busied themselves
best way to approach Houstonians for their support,
burning U.S. flags and effigies of President Bush. They
but bècause it encourages those at risk of AIDS to
mixed it up with mounted police in events staged for
suppose that distant federal officials are better able to
the media. The folks behind the TV cameras obligingly
eliminate that risk than they are, because women who
beamed the action into local homes and around the
count on those same officials to extort business for
their favors may find it makes them less attractive to
world. The day before, some 1,000 like-minded souls gay
potential employers. Government officials who
activists, feminists, communists, anarchists and other
heighten such expectations can expect more marches.
left-wing groups - crashed a party outside the home
This is the business to which so much of Washington
of Houston Mayor Bob Lanier. Neighbors who dared to
has been reduced, much to the personal dismay of
venture out to see what all the noise was about were
Houstonians. To their credit, Republican convention-
treated to spiked hairdos, drums and assorted invec-
eers inside understand the risk of goverment depen-
tive, not all of it particularly original. "Get the [un-
dence. They sum up platform differences with their
Democratic counterparts as "Faith in individuals ver-
printable] out of the way," said one. Another more
creative type got the crowd going with: "Eat the rich!"
sus faith in government,"a distinction that colors many
An equally popular chant was: "We're here! We're
of the GOP's planks. Where Republicans favor
vouchers to put more health-care decisions in the
queer! We can spell potato!"
Onlookers didn't seem to appreciate that kind of
hands of consumers, for example, Democrats argue
expertise. "I don't know what the hell they're getting
for a federal commission to make health-care decisions
on about," one onlooker told the Houston Chronicle.
for them.
"They seem to be hollering about two or three different
The founder of the Young Republicans at
Morehouse College, Said Sewell, may have put party
things." What they are hollering about, of course, is Wash-
differences best when he told a Congressional Quar-
ington. These are Washington's dependents, people
terly publication, "A lot of blacks were brainwashed
who gave up trying to help themselves in hopes that
into thinking what John F. Kennedy and Lyndon John-
well-meaning people inside the Beltway would take on
son did was good. But it created a debt of loyalty, we
the job. AIDS activists want government to take a little
owed them and it made us less independent."
more money from folks like the ones they passed in
People who passed their time at the convention
Houston so somebody somewhere over at the Depart-
burning flags probably won't get his message. But it's
ment of Health and Human Services or the Centers for
one that folks who haven't seen the Beltway in action
Disease Control can cure them of a deadly disease.
up close need to hear.
August in Moscow: One year later
t seems like forever, but it was just one year ago
closes in. It has even been mooted that perhaps a coup
I
today that citizens of the Soviet Union woke up to
of sorts has already taken place, given the fact that Mr.
the news that Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev
Yeltsin was forced in April to compromise with the
had been taken ill the day before in his dacha in
Russian parliament on his reform program, accepting
the Crimea and that a state of emergency had been
into his government three so-called "red industrialists"
declared. A eight-man team led by security chief Vla-
to counterbalance his beleaguered reformers. He also
dimir Kryuchkov would be in charge of the safety of
agreed to sustain unprofitable state enterprises and
the people. Suddenly, the past, which had only recently
hold off on privatization and fuel price hikes.
been left behind during the years of glasnost, seemed
No doubt about it, the next year will be no easier for
to have caught up with the Soviet Union again. It was
Mr. Yeltsin than the past one. The challenges he faces
bone-chilling news not just for the Soviets, but for the
are formidable. The political conditions for the con-
rest of the world as well. We watched transfixed for
tinuation of reform must be created if the Russian
three days as the forces of progress led by Boris Yel-
economy is not to continue its decline. Figures released
tsin in the Russian parliament defeated the forces of
this week by the Russian news agency Itar-Tass show
reaction. The proud citizens of Moscow gave the lie to
a 27 percent decline in exports for the first six months
the oft-repeated truism that Russians were too lazy, too
of this year compared to last year. Mr. Yeltsin will face
apathetic, too accustomed to authoritarian rule to
another confrontation with the Congress of People's
throw off the yoke of the red czars.
Deputies and possibly a constitutional referendum on
In effect, those days in August also marked the end
that institution.
of the Soviet empire. That was apparent to most peo-
Equally important is managing the relationship
ple, except Mr. Gorbachev, who was dusted off and
with the republics, particularly the potentially explo-
brought out to opine on the coup in a news conference
sive Baltics. As long as the Red Army can argue that
this week. He still quite hasn't gotten that fact. Mr.
the civil rights or Russians residing in Estonia, Latvia
Gorbachev is still pushing the idea of "a union of states,
and Lithuania are being violated, there is a latent pre-
which would be capable of uniting efforts of peoples
text for military action, as happened in Moldavia. Per-
under new conditions with a view to resolve issues of
suading the army to implement the troop withdrawal
common interest." For good measure, Mr. Gorbachev
he has promised the West will be another major chal-
accused Mr. Yeltsin of neo-Bolshevism in forcing his
lenge for Mr. Yeltsin.
reforms through. Well, the last head of the Communist
On the whole, it seems unlikely that the past will
Party of the Soviet Union certainly ought to know
repeat itself as far as the August coup is concerned.
something about that.
Most Russians, even the generals, know that the clock
The big question this August is, of course, whether
cannot be turned back and that Mr. Yeltsin is the only
there will be another coup. Rumors have been rum-
thing that stands between Russia and chaos as the
bling through Moscow all summer. Many predict some
country lurches in fits and starts toward the future.
kind of crisis this fall as another winter of shortages
Even Mr. Gorbachev ought to have realized that by now.
The Washington Times
WEDNESDAY,
AUGUST
19,
1992
The mayor's finances
he D.C. Office of Campaign Finance continues
cepted it. That both Mrs. Carstarphen and Mrs. Kelly
T
to turn up troubling irregularities in Mayor
are having trouble with the concept of separation of
Sharon Pratt Kelly's handling of her finances.
public and private money, favoritism and the conflicts
Several weeks ago the OCF flagged $2,878 in
therein is unsettling.
honorariums and hotel costs paid on Mrs. Kelly's be-
Mrs. Carstarphen since has reimbursed DCHFA. So
half by a company that subsequently won about $6
did Mrs. Kelly, making for a double repayment. It is
million in city business with no competition. Ac-
"one of the things we have to resolve," said Vada Man-
knowledging no wrong on her part, Mrs. Kelly re-
ager, a spokesman for the administration. Resolutions
turned the money, but only after the conflict of interest
go far deeper than that, but that point has escaped Mr.
Manager, at least judging by this observation on the
became public.
Apparently hampered by her own conflicts, OCF
issue: "It appears the government has been reim-
Director Marianne Coleman Niles, whose re-
bursed and everyone is fine." That is not at all the case.
appointment by the mayor is pending, was unable to
At the heart of the problem is how the mayor sees
bring herself to speak clearly in that instance. She
her own actions. She seems to operate under the theory
issued a finding that basically slapped Mrs. Kelly on
that reimbursing the government sets everything
the wrist for bad judgment in what was to most every-
straight. Yet paying back the money is the least that
one else an obvious violation of the city's weak, though
would be required if this were a plea bargain in a
criminal case.
extant, ethics law.
As OCF officials have continued to page through
Still unaddressed is the administration's failure to
Mrs. Kelly's financial reports, more ethical impropri-
understand what constitutes unethical behavior. Reim-
eties have surfaced. They reveal a pattern of either
bursement may set the books straight, but that's all it
outright boldness or glaring naivete. Within the reports
does. There appears to be no recognition of ethical
the OCF discovered a $2,000 contribution to the Sharon
lines of demarcation for accepting money - whether
Pratt Kelly (SPK) Committee, the mayor's 1994 re-
those donations are called campaign contributions,
election political action committee, from, of all places,
honorariums, speaking fees or reimbursement of hotel
the D.C. Housing Finance Agency. The money was
costs. And what makes the overall picture even murk-
earmarked for tickets to Mrs. Kelly's birthday gala in
ier is that money handling seems to be a restricted
February, which ostensibly served as a fund-raiser to
affair. Husband James R. Kelly III serves as treasurer
pay off campaign debts and establish a second-term
of the SPK Committee and her aunt, Aimee Pratt, vice
chairman. That in itself would be of little note except
re-election effort.
But it happens that the DCHFA is not a private
for the very bad pattern that appears to be forming.
group. It is a public entity established by the D.C.
When she was running for office, Mrs. Kelly con-
Council in 1985 and funded by public dollars from the
demned the business-as-usual old-guard politicians
federal government and District taxpayers to finance
who abused the public trust and public money. She
the development of low- and moderate-income hous-
promised to sweep government clean of that behavior.
ing. It also provides loans for low-income residents to
As mayor, when she established her political action
committee not too long ago, Mrs. Kelly noted, "One of
buy homes in targeted areas.
District law very clearly prohibits government
the mistakes people have made in this city is to finance
agencies from contributing public funds to any politi-
political activities through the government at taxpay-
cal campaign or campaign organization. Yet, the
ers' expense." Today, with the gulf between what she is
agency's executive director, M.L. Carstarphen, doesn't
practicing and what she has preached, those words
seem to know that, since she approved the check. And
have an especially hollow ring. Her behavior is leaving
neither does Mrs. Kelly seem to know, since she ac-
some who want to continue to believe in her at a loss.
GOP points finger Congress
National Convention and millions of television
By Major Garrett
THE WASHINGTON TIMES
" They alone with their 101-
viewers.
Mr. Gramm, a former economics professor
HOUSTON - Republicans warned yester-
day that Congress will team up with Democrat
member majority are responsible for
at Texas A&M University, will likely lead the
Republican charge against Mr. Clinton's eco-
nomic proposals. Republicans say those plans
Bill Clinton to block President Bush's economic
agenda and impose new taxes, more reg-
the unholy mess Congress is in -
will result in the largest tax increase in Amer-
ican history and cost almost 2 million jobs.
ulations, and a costly and compulsory health
care system.
and they ought to be held ac-
The Clinton campaign counters that its com-
bination of tax increases for the wealthy, tax
The resulting "change," they said, would be
countable for it. "
breaks for the middle class and unspecified
a deeper recession than the nation has endured
government spending cuts would create jobs
in Mr. Bush's first term. They said only a Re-
- House Minority Leader Robert Michel
and bring down the deficit.
publican Congress could repair the damage
The two Republicans' efforts last night were
wrought by decades of Democratic ob-
part of a unified GOP theme to rekindle voter
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 19, 1992
struction on Capitol Hill.
Delivering his party's keynote address,
under the hood, you discover he is hawking a
America would be a safer, more prosperous
antagonism against Congress, possibly the
Texas Sen. Phil Gramm likened Mr. Clinton to
and less troubled nation if Congress would stop
only public institution held in lower esteem
model from the '70s: a Carter-mobile with the
"a used-car salesman peddling his vehicle for
axle broken and the frame bent to the left. It
blocking Mr. Bush's programs.
these days than the Bush administration.
change."
was a lemon for the nation in the '70s
and
it
It is a familiar argument, but those two Re-
"What nerve they have, these Democrats,"
is still a lemon today."
publicans, positioning themselves for a run at
Mr. Kemp said. "As the unemployment lines
"The wax job was shiny, the hubcaps spar-
kled, the upholstery was spotless, the paint was
Mr. Gramm and Jack Kemp, secretary of
the White House in 1996, tried to give it a new
new," Mr. Gramm said. "But when you look
housing and urban development, argued that
look before delegates at the 35th Republican
see GOP, page A10
GOP
change that, Republicans appeared
James Watkins and Mr. Kemp.
Republicans countered with three
willing on the second night of their
The president promised "a lot of
spots depicting Democrats in Con-
convention to sacrifice their own in-
changes in people" in an interview
gress variously as pigs gorging at
From page Al
cumbents to save the president.
on PBS' "McNeil-Lehrer News-
the public trough and obstruction-
"Given a chance to present a vi-
Hour," in one of seven television in-
ists bent on grounding the U.S. econ-
lengthen to 11 million, they
sion for the future, Gramm trans-
terviews the president granted.
omy. The GOP said it might spend as
stonewall our pleas for action and
formed the Houston Astrodome into
Asked if he would sweep out all
much as $4 million if it used the spot
then blame our president and our
the Republican Hall of Blame," said
Cabinet members, Mr. Bush said: "I
in a national campaign.
party for the economic decline."
a statement issued by Clinton com-
wouldn't say every single person."
The Republican finger-pointing
Mr. Gramm also sought to remind
munications director George Steph-
Mr. Watkins and Dr. Louis Sulli-
on the economy contrasted sharply
voters of the secondary role con-
anopoulos. "He offered a colossal
van, health and human services
with its exclusive claim to winning
gressional leaders played at the
alibi: 'Don't blame us. We were only
secretary, heartily endorsed the
the Cold War. While Democrats who
Democratic convention in New York.
in charge.'
president in convention speeches
would not yield to Mr. Bush's eco-
"[House] Speaker Tom Folcy and
While the president's surrogates
yesterday evening. The fate of Dr.
nomic proposals were responsible
[Senate] Majority Leader George
were pointing to changes this No-
Sullivan and Labor Secretary Lynn
for the recession, the argument
Mitchell were so far back in the
vember, reports surfaced that Mr.
Martin, who will place the presi-
went, Democratic votes for the de-
crowd you had to press you nose
Bush was considering a massive
dent's name in nomination tonight,
fense buildup in the 1980s was un-
right up to the TV screeen and use a
staff shake-up should he win re-
was unknown.
worthy of recognition.
magnifying glass to spot them," Mr.
election.
Meanwhile, both presidential
"America stands today in triumph
Gramm said.
Although nothing was announced,
campaigns announced new televi-
with economic and military power
"It is clear Governor Clinton
rumors underscored the idea that a
sion ads.
unrivaled in the history of the
wants people to forget that Demo-
second Bush term would bring a new
The Democrats released a mea-
world," Mr. Gramm said. "None of
crats run Congress so he can blame
brand of domestic policy.
ger $50,000 media buy in Houston
these changes happened by acci-
every problem on George Bush."
CNN reported that the president
and Washington featuring a 15-
dent. Two men more than any other
Voter hostility toward Congress
would dismiss Treasury Secretary
second spot challenging GOP
people on the planet have been the
has ebbed in recent months, and the
Nicholas Brady. Budget Director
charges that Mr. Clinton repeatedly
catalyst for these changes, and their
momentum for change has been fo-
Richard Darman, Interior Secretary
has raised taxes as governor of Ar-
names are Ronald Reagan and
cused largely on the White House. To
Manuel Lujan, Energy Secretary
kansas.
George Bush."
The Washington Times
WEDNESDAY,
AUGUST
19,
1992
RIGHT
either conservative or libertarian
will support Bush when it comes
Big tent
down to it - but without the kind of
From page AI
enthusiasm they demonstrated for
Ronald Reagan."
New Hampshire, a conservative
William Bennett, Mr. Bush's for-
daily newspaper that previously
fills up
mer drug policy czar who turned
urged Mr. Bush to step aside so Re-
down an offer to be co-chairman of
publicans could nominate a more
the president's re-election cam-
winnable ticket, urges its readers to
paign, will nominate Mr. Quayle for
support the president in an editorial
vice president, said Peter Wehner, a
on right
in today's editions.
research fellow and aide to Mr. Ben-
"It is time for conservatives to
nett at the conservative Hudson In-
play the hand they've been dealt
stitute.
to unite and rally behind the pres-
Mr. Wehner described Mr. Ben-
Conservatives
ident for the common good," the
nett as a "loving critic" of the presi-
newspaper said.
dent who has concerns that Mr. Bush
The National Center for Public
returning to fold
has not "laid out clearly what he
Policy Research, a conservative ac-
wants to do in his second term." Nev-
tion group whose chairman, Burton
ertheless, he said, Mr. Bennett con-
Yale Pines, recommended alterna-
siders Mr. Bush "eminently prefer-
By Joyce Price
tives to the Bush-Quayle ticket, now
able" to Mr. Clinton.
THE WASHINGTON TIMES
is in the Bush camp.
Another Bush critic, L. Brent
Two days into the Republican Na-
"From a conservative standpoint,
Bozell, executive director of the
[Mr. Bush] is still not perfect," said
tional Convention, many conserva-
Conservative Victory Committee,
tives who previously were lukewarm
the group's president, Amy Moritz.
said yesterday that he, too, he would
"But we realize it's either Bill Clin-
or even hostile to President Bush's
endorse the president's re-election
1992 re-election campaign were re-
ton or George Bush, and in such a
bid.
turning to the Bush-Quayle fold.
contest there's no question" Mr.
"Last night, the [convention] rhet-
Bush should be the choice.
Buoyed by endorsements from
oric was excellent," Mr. Bozell said
former GOP challenger Patrick Bu-
Ms. Moritz said her group made
in a telephone interview from Hous-
chanan and other conservative lead-
its decision to back Mr. Bush in the
ton. "It emphasized why conserva-
ers, the Bush campaign headed to a
past few days. "The concern we had
tives should bite the bullet and vote
certain nomination tonight in Hous-
was that he did not seem to be taking
for George Bush."
ton with a renewed passel of sup-
the challenge of his re-election seri-
But he said he doesn't know
ously, but he now seems to be infused
porters.
whether the rhetoric is "enough to
"This campaign is about philos-
with a new spirit that we hope" re-
sway a population of disheartened
ophy and it is about character, and
mains in effect "not only throughout
Middle Americans" to vote for Mr.
George Bush wins on both counts
the campaign, but the next four
Bush in November.
going away," Mr. Buchanan said. "It
years," she said.
Paul Weyrich, chairman of the
is time all of us came home and stood
In his convention speech Monday
conservative Coalitions for Amer-
night, Mr. Buchanan, the columnist
beside him."
ica, said yesterday he's "not against"
The Manchester Union Leader in
and commentator who ran an unsuc-
the president but "won't be doing
cessful primary challenge against
any work" for his re-election.
see RIGHT, page A10
Mr. Bush, urged other disenchanted
"The [anti-Bush] feeling [among
conservatives to join him in support-
conservatives] is so strong, there's
ing the president.
little I can do to help," he said. "They
"I do believe, deep in my heart,
feel the White House hasn't led dur-
that the right place for us to be now
ing a period of difficulty in this coun-
- in this presidential campaign- is
try."
right beside George Bush." he said.
He said that is why "they were
"This party is our home, this party
willing to jump to [Ross] Perot," even
is where we belong. And don't let
though they disagreed with Mr.
anyone tell you any different."
Perot's positions on some key issues.
Edwin J. Feulner Jr., president of
"I certainly don't want Bill Clinton
the Heritage Foundation, a conser-
to win," Mr. Weyrich said. But he pre-
vative think tank, said Mr. Bush's en-
dicted Mr. Clinton will "have to self-
dorsement Monday night by former
destruct" for Mr. Bush to be victori-
President Reagan - "whom most of
ous.
us view as an idol and a hero" -
Richard Viguerie, a conservative
made it possible for "conservatives
who heads United Seniors Associ-
to swallow some of their disappoint-
ation, a senior citizens group, said:
ment" and see that "there really is a
"I'd love to be very supportive of this
difference and a choice."
president. I understand the danger
The American Conservative
of a first Clinton term. I'd love to do
Union, a 100,000-member organi-
what Pat [Buchanan] and President
zation whose board endorsed Mr.
Reagan did" when they endorsed Mr.
Buchanan for president by a vote of
Bush.
16-2 in February, now expects to en-
dorse Mr. Bush.
But Mr. Viguerie, who earlier this
"We endorsed Pat Buchanan, and
year called for Mr. Bush to abandon
now that Pat Buchanan has endorsed
his re-election bid, said he's not
George Bush, I don't see why we
ready to do that and won't be until
shouldn't close ranks and support
the president "tells [the American
Bush and Quayle," said Bob Billings,
public] what he's going to do differ-
executive director of the organi-
ently in his second term."
zation, the nation's oldest conserva-
Others not ready to climb into the
tive lobbying group.
Bush camp include the Orange
Nobel Prize-winning economist
County Register in Santa Ana, Calif.,
Milton Friedman, who described the
and Howard Phillips, chairman of
Bush presidency as being "very
the Conservative Caucus Founda-
close to a disaster" in a recent article
tion, who is on the ballot in 25 states
in Forbes magazine, nevertheless
as a presidential candidate for the
views the president as the lesser of
U.S. Taxpayers Party.
two evils.
Mr. Phillips said he wasn't moved
"The policies the past four years
by Mr. Buchanan's plea Monday
have been bad," Mr. Friedman said in
night. "I liked what Pat Buchanan
a; telephone interview yesterday.
said about Bill Clinton last night and
"But Clinton frightens me even more
what he said about George Bush in
than Bush. And, on the whole, I ex-
February," Mr. Phillips said yester-
pect the great bulk of people who are
day.
Clinton plan: Is that the change we want?'
FROM COMBINED DISPATCHES
plan which Gov. Clinton had pre-
speech by Massachusetts Gov. Wil-
Excerpts from the prepared text of
Excerpts from the keynote speech
viously touted before every special
liam Weld:
the speech by House Minority
prepared for delivery to the Republi-
interest group in America. And the
Coming from a state dominated in
Leader Bob Michel:
can National Convention yesterday
reason is obvious. The change Clin-
the past by big-spending Democrats
It was no coincidence that Bill
by Texas Sen. Phil Gramm:
ton has promised the special inter-
like Ted Kennedy, "Tip" O'Neill and
Clinton kept the Democratic leaders
America's problem today is not
ests is not the change America
Mike Dukakis, I've had the opportu-
of the Congress in hiding at the
that the president's plan to energize
wants. It is a plan that only lobbyists,
nity to see, up close and personal,
Democratic convention. Bill Clin-
the economy has failed. Our prob-
lawyers, labor bosses and big city
what unbridled Democrat power can
ton's acceptance speech of almost
lem is that it has not been tried. It is
machines could love.
do to a budget, to an economy, to com-
one hour did not once mention the
not that the president did not ask for
The Clinton plan calls for a new
munities, and to a state. It's a disas-
central political fact of Washington
change, but that the Democrats who
domestic spending sprec totaling
trous prescription for higher taxes,
today:
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 19, 1992
run Congress killed those changes.
over $100 billion a year the largest
bigger government and soft-minded,
The Democrats chair and control
increase in American history.
coddling approaches to crime.
every committee and every subcom-
Democrats and Republicans
My platform in 1990 was "tough
mittee of the House.
The Clinton plan doubles payroll
agree on one thing: We both want
on taxes, tough on crime." Ladies and
They control the schedule, all the
taxes and increases taxes on small
change. The debate is not about who
gentlemen, Republicans are both,
administrative functions and every
business and family farms. It is, in
is for change; it's about the direction
and the Democrats are neither. The
rule under which we debate. They
fact, the largest tax increase in the
of the change.
Democrats' taxing and spending
alone, with their 101-member ma-
The change Republicans want to-
nation's history.
habits remind me of that old defini-
jority, are responsible for the unholy
day is to stop the growth of govern-
The Clinton plan through new
tion of a baby: a huge appetite on one
mess Congress is in - and they
taxes and mandated costs, will eat
Photo by Glen Stubbe/The Washington Times
ment, to control spending, to balance
end and no sense of responsibility on
ought to be held accountable for it.
Massachusetts Gov. William Weld
the budget and to cut taxes again.
up one-half of all business profits.
the other.
What are you ashamed of, Mr.
Private investment would collapse
slams tax-and-spend Democrats.
The change Democrats want is to go
Since the Republicans returned to
Clinton?
back to the tax-and-spend policies
and millions of Americans would
power in Massachusetts, we have cut
Are you ashamed because the
they gave us in the '70s, the last time
loose their jobs.
the wax job was shiny, the hubcaps
taxes, spending and the state pay-
American people are dismayed, dis-
there was a Democrat in the White
roll. But we are still digging our-
illusioned and disgusted at what 38
The Clinton plan repeals congres-
sparkled, the upholstery was spot-
House.
sional spending limits, kills the bal-
less, the paint was new. But when
selves out from the economic dam-
years of Democratic misrule have
Did you notice that at their con-
you look under the hood, you dis-
age that the Democrats inflicted on
done to a great institution?
anced budget amendment and sends
vention in New York, the Democrats
cover he is hawking a model from
our state.
Are you ashamed that the
the deficit up by $100 billion
hid their congressional leaders?
The Democrats and Gov. Clinton
Democratic-controlled House bank
the '70s - a Carter mobile with the
It is clear Gov. Clinton wants people
The Clinton plan: Add up the
also lack discipline and toughness
was forced to close and the Dem-
axle broken and the frame bent to
to forget th at Democrats run Con-
spending, add up the taxes, add up
when it comes to crime. In Arkansas,
ocratic-controlled House Post Of-
the left. It was a lemon for the nation
gress SO he can blame every problem
the regulations, add up the deficit.
in the '70s when it sent inflation
the average convict serves only 17
fice scandals led to grand jury inves-
on George Bush.
Is that the change we want?
through the roof and income
percent of his sentence. In Arkan-
tigations?
But if you needed a magnifying
through the floor, and it is still a
sas, the average convict is released
How dare you Democrats tell us
glass to see the Democrat leaders of
At the New York convention, Clin-
lemon today.
after serving only 16 months in
you can run the government.
Congress, you needed a microscope
ton was like a used-car salesman
prison, but the average sentence
You can't even run a branch post
to see the details of the economic
peddling his vehicle for change -
Excerpts from the text of yesterday's
there is almost 8 years long.
office.
The Washington Times
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 19, 1992 *
Fight
Asked if the public would see a
fundamentally different second-
term administration, the president
training
replied: "I hope they'r going to see
a major commitment to making
things better at home
1 know I've
tried very hard, but I've got to get
that more clarified and part of that
for Bush
is getting - getting control of
the
Congress."
Mr. Bush looked confident yester-
Boasts of tactic
day: He popped his double thumbs-
up sign at anybody who smiled and
couldn't resist getting out of his ho-
to curb Congress
tel to create two colossal traffic
jams.
Even in low-profile mode, the
By Frank J. Murray
president kept busy:
THE WASHINGTON TIMES
Giving interviews to six televi-
sion stations from around the coun-
HOUSTON - George Bush
try as well as the MacNeil-Lehrer
played Karate Kid yesterday - hon-
show.
orary black belt, no less - as he
Reworking yet again tomorrow's
spent the day confidently honing
acceptance speech. on which one of-
weapons for the coming battle with
ficial said six persons are laboring
Bill Clinton.
full-time under the guidance of chief
A particularly vicious flying side-
speechwriter Steve Provost, who is
kick wielded by a yellow-belt stu-
credited with Monday's stemwinder.
dent intrigued the president. He
playfully flashed an "A-OK" sign
Keeping tabs on the crisis build-
with thumb and forefinger when
ing in Iraq.
asked if he will use it on Mr. Clinton.
Mr. Bush learned there is such a
But there was no joking as he
thing as a free lunch at his beloved
talked with awe about the "great
Otto's Barbecue, $6.82 worth of bris-
start" got from Monday's smash-
ket, sausage, slaw and iced tea. Cash-
ing grand entrance to the conven-
ier Lydia Moreno said "No, no,
NOPE" as she wrestled to tuck his
tion.
"You get here and you feel some-
$50 bill back into his shirt pocket.
thing happening, you feel something
Last night he and Barbara Bush
positive," Mr. Bush told children in
went to the 1900-vintage Fine Arts
an anti-drug martial arts program
Museum for a closed-door, private,
run by former karate world champ
absolutely no coverage party with
300 of their closest Houston friends
Chuck Norris.
He even felt brave enough to
- a real break with real friends who
threaten a new tactic to keep Con-
had invites to die for in a town where
gress in line and to promise "a lot of
$1,000 got you cold dinner in the
changes in people" in a second term,
back row.
including much of his Cabinet.
"I wouldn't say every single per-
son," Mr. Bush said in an interview
with Jim Lehrer of PBS' "MacNeil-
Lehrer NewsHour."
He said he would adopt Congress-
taming tactics of Democratic prede-
cessors Franklin Roosevelt and
Lyndon Johnson and "expose indi-
vidual members" who say one thing
at home and vote differently.
"You know, it is a different ap-
proach, but I've got to try something
different because I want to move this
country forward. And we've done it
in world affairs," he said.
The Washington Times
WEDNESDAY,
AUGUST
19,
1992
Rival TV ads
target Congress,
Bush tax pledge
By Hugh Aynesworth
yesterday in only two markets -
THE WASHINGTON TIMES
Houston and Washington.
The Democrats' ads were de-
HOUSTON - Republicans yes-
signed to remind voters of Mr.
terday counterpunched Democratic
Bush's most mentioned promise of
leaders' efforts to grab a piece of the
the 1988 campaign - the one he
action during the Republican Na-
could not keep: "Read my lips - no
tional Convention - where Bill Clin-
new taxes."
ton was taking a verbal shellacking.
"And now a short break for the
Democrats yesterday unleashed
facts," one ad begins, adding, "On
two television ads designed to con-
November 5, 1990, George Bush
vince voters that much of what was
signed into law the second-biggest
said about their Democratic nomi-
tax increase in American history.
nee here Monday was a pack of lies,
"Under Clinton," it goes on, "Ar-
reminding voters of President
kansas has the second-lowest tax
Bush's broken pledge on taxes.
burden in the country.
Hours after the Democrats un-
"Those are the facts.
Back to
veiled their ads, Republicans came
the show:"
back to rebut what the Democrats
The second Democratic ad -
charged. And they introduced three
"more facts" - is similar. It begins
rough-cut television spots of their
with the announcer saying, "Amer-
own that they said were "in serious
ica has had no growth in private-
developmental stage."
sector jobs and wages have fallen
Vice President Dan Quayle ridi-
(screen shows Labor Department
culed the Clinton ads, telling Mich-
igan delegates, "Guess what issue he
statistics)." Then a graphic, with the
announcer saying: "This year under
picked? He picked the issue of taxes.
Clinton, Arkansas leads the nation in
"Thank you, Bill Clinton." He
charged that Mr. Clinton wants to
job growth, and incomes have grown
at twice the national rate."
"raise taxes for every single worker
in America."
While the Democrats sought to
Two other Republicans - Gov.
compare Mr. Bush's economic rec-
Carroll Campbell of South Carolina
ord with that of Mr. Clinton in 11
and Sen. Pete V. Domenici of New
years as governor of Arkansas, the
Mexico - disputed the Clinton cam-
Republicans' thrust was heavy
paign ads. Mr. Campbell called them
against the Democratic-controlled
"a quick break from the truth."
Congress.
"If they had any credibility we
The first Republican ad shown to
would worry about them," he said at
the media yesterday was called
the end of a 20-minute rebuttal news
"Change," and rather than attack Mr.
conference. "But since they're so
Clinton, who is not even mentioned,
easy to shoot down, maybe they
it makes a pitch for Republicans re-
ought to do some more."
gaining control of Congress.
Asked if the GOP ad preview -
admittedly weeks away from imple-
"Since 1954, a lot has happened.
mentation - was simply to counter
When America wanted change, we
the Democrats' new ads, Mr.
changed presidents. But for 38 years
Domenici said it was not.
one thing hasn't changed: the
DemocratCongress," the announcer
"We had this scheduled for quite
intones.
some time," said Mr. Domenici.
Betsey Wright, senior Clinton
"For nearly 40 years the Demo-
campaign aide, appeared with
crats in Congress have made all the
Democratic National Chairman Ron
decisions - raising our taxes,
Brown at a news conference near the
spending our money and regulating
convention site to respond to the
our lives.
attacks on Mr. Clinton and announce
"To change America, change the
the new ads.
Democrat Congress."
"There were 41 pure lies," Mrs.
A second, called "Greed," was de-
Wright said in response to a hard-
scribed as "a generic" concept. It
hitting GOP attack that painted the
was geared to use by GOP congres-
Arkansas governor as "the enemy"
sional candidates trying to upend
and said his Arkansas record shows
long-entrenched Democrats by spot-
he would cost the nation jobs and
lighting specific areas of waste and
more taxes if elected president.
malfeasance against the opponent.
The Democrats' presentation to
A third ad, which Mr. Domenici
about 40 reporters was harassed by
a group of 80 young Republicans out-
said was "more for your entertain-
side the news conference site, a res-
ment" than for public consumption,
taurant just south of the Astrodome
was called "Pigs" and showed how
where the GOP convention is being
congressmen - mostly Democrats,
held.
of course - wasted billions on free.
The 15-second spots began airing
trips, perks, banking privileges and
a $31,500 salary increase.
The Washing.or Times
WEDNESDAY,
AUGUST
19,
1992
Ailes, Daniels agree
to advise Bush push
HOUSTON (AP) - The Bush campaign
said yesterday two veterans from past elec-
tion victories - former White House aide
Mitch Daniels and ad-maker Roger Ailes -
will be giving advice as it gears up for the fall
election.
Mr. Daniels will hold a formal role advising
the campaign advertisers. Mr. Ailes said he
will hold no formal position in the campaign
but would be "helping on an ad hoc basis."
"I'm not officially participating, but if I'm
asked a question, obviously I will help. If I had
a day off, I'd do it," said Mr. Ailes. He pre-
dicted he would talk to Mr. Bush about once a
week during the fall stretch.
Tony Mitchell, the Bush campaign's deputy
press secretary, said Mr. Daniels would be
working as an adviser to the ad team. "He'll
be primarily working with the ad group and
helping them with their campaign themes and
messages," Mr. Mitchell said.
Mr. Ailes dismissed the speculation his in-
fluence would expand and insisted he would
not play any formal role except to "tell them
what I think when they call me."
Mr. Ailes, a close friend of both Mr. Bush
and Mr. Baker's, has worked for Republican
presidential campaigns dating back to Rich-
ard Nixon in 1972.
Roger Ailes
Four years ago, his most notable Bush ads
included photos of then-Democratic nominee
Michael Dukakis sitting awkwardly in a tank
ington to run the Hudson Institute, a conser-
and pictures of prisoners walking through
vative think tank in Indianapolis. He returned
revolving doors. The ads sought to portray the
to help manage Dan Quayle's troubled cam-
Massachusetts governor as weak on defense
paign in 1988. Afterwards, he became an ex-
issues and soft on crime.
ecutive of a drug company.
Mr. Daniels is expected to have a "big role"
Since retiring, Mr. Ailes has insisted he was
focusing on commercial opportunities with
overseeing the campaign's communications
his New York ad firm and had no intention of
operation, the adviser said, calling it the more
significant move of the shake-up.
returning to politics.
He said the move occurred because the
Mr. Daniels, who was White House political
campaign was not entirely satisfied with cur-
director for Ronald Reagan in 1984, left Wash-
rent communications director Will Feltus.
watching Mrs
Bush on TV
in Houston
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FROM
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON, D.C.
Mr. and Mrs. Doug Sanders
Suite 115
8100 Washington Avenue
Houston, Texas 77007
THE president
August 19, 1992
(Houston, Texas)
Dear Scotty and Doug,
Thanks for the great golf glove. The convention
is off to a great start and I'm all fired up. We
will win!
Hastily off to the next event,
Warm regards,
any