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Tuesday, September 29, 1992 [2]
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Tuesday, September 29, 1992 [2]
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Originally Processed With FOIA(s):
FOIA Number:
2009-0166-S
2009-0166-S
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MARKER
This is not a textual record. This is used as an
administrative marker by the George Bush Presidential
Library Staff.
Record Group/Collection:
George H.W. Bush Presidential Records
Collection/Office of Origin:
Office of the President
Series:
Daily Files
Subseries:
OA/ID Number:
90722
Folder ID Number:
90722-009
Folder Title:
Tuesday, September 29, 1992 [2]
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G
35
2
4
o
Roger Porter
(for Action)
JABIII (FYI)
Nick Calio (FYI)
The Honorable Delbert L. Latta
516 Hillcrest Drive
Bowling Green, Ohio 43402
GEORGE BUSH
WASHINGTON
September 29, 1992
Dear Del,
It was great seeing you in Ohio. The whistle stop tour
was a big success and I loved the enthusiastic crowds.
Thanks for being at my side.
This has been a tough race with only five weeks to go, but
I remain confident. Thanks so much for your letter and
your steadfast support. I'll take a good look at the Job
Sharing program. Now, I'm back on the road - determined
to win!
Barbara joins in sending best wishes to you and Rose
Marie.
Sincerely,
Cyp
Delbert L. Latta
Member of Congress
R2
no
it
1959 - 1989
516 Hillcrest Brive
Bowling Green, Ohio 43402
September 26, 1992
N Great Have ohio seey of (419) 352-8627
President George Bush
Whitehouse
buy
Washington, D. C.
for
side"
Dear Mr. President:
I want to see you re-elected for America's future!!
I
was one of the early "birds" for Bush and was one of the twenty
one members of Congress who braved the snows of New Hampshire
and campaigned for you in that crucial primary. My credentials
are sound and I'm doing whatever I can for you in this election.
It goes without saying that peoples' confidence in the future
must be revitalized. I'm enclosing a brief of a budget-neutral,
Job Sharing program which we have discussed with the Labor Depart-
ment (Lynn Martin & Bob Jones) and various Republican Leaders in
the Congress. It's worth a HARD look so that something might be
announced during this campaign. It would work similar to crop
insurance and would give workers FULL pay when added to their un-
employment benefits. Sound attractive? It certainly would to the
worker who thinks about his or her future.
One further thought. Keep reminding the people of what they
had under Carter and the benefits we gave them in inheritance taxes,
etc.
Sincerely
Dive De Latta
JOB SHARING
It is no secret that the economy plays a leading role in any Presidential Campaign but the
economy has been made THE issue in the '92 Campaign by Clinton-Gore. It is, therefore,
critical to the outcome of this election that the President give the American working men and
women new hope and incentives for supporting him if he is to be re-elected.
People have voted their pocketbooks in Presidential elections even though they had not lost their
jobs and were still employed at election time. The mere thought that they might be adversely
affected during a period of economic downturn causes many of them to 'turn against the
administration in power in the hope that a new President could somehow invigorate the economy
and make their jobs secure. This points up the need for a NEW program which will be budget
neutral and give these workers additional protection from the much-feared pinkslip or layoff. I
believe the Job Sharing program I am proposing can do this as well as give them further proof
that this administration cares about their future.
I propose that a Job Sharing pool fund be established from relatively small
deposits by all worker participants to insure them against loss of income
during an economic downturn or elimination of their jobs. Deposits to the
fund would be the percentage difference between a stable national
unemployment base rate of 5.25% and the latest available unemployment
figure when applied to their own wages. To offset the cost of these deposits
by employed workers, they can elect to take time off of equal value at full pay
by their employer.
The Wall Street Journal published a chart in its January 13, 1992 issue which
showed that the present precipitous rise in unemployment began in July,
1990. After a period of "full" employment during which unemployment was
stable at 5.25%, the unemployment rate had climbed to 7.1% in December,
1991. Taking this period, for example, there was only a 1.85% increase in
unemployment as a result of the recession. Under my proposal, workers in
the above example pay 1.85% of their base pay into the job sharing pool fund
in order to be guaranteed FULL pay during any layoffs which might occur.
Unemployment benefits from other sources, however, would be deducted from
their Job Sharing checks. These deductions would help guarantee the
solvency of the fund. A person making $300 per week would make a deposit
of only $5.55 for such a guarantee against loss of income. Persons receiving
monthly benefits under the plan would be entitled to one-twelfth of their
earnings as shown on their 1989 W-2 forms less the 1.85% deposited back
into the pool fund.
Job openings created by the above time off would be offered to the
unemployed in multiples of 40 hours at wages paid from the fund at not less
than a person's W-2 base rate in 1989. Fund managers would strive to match
job opening rates with the person's wages in 1989. Refusal of such offer
would result in loss of benefits for the same period and loss of W-2 credit for
the current year. Openings would be filled from the employer's own seniority
list whenever possible, and then from lists of persons with similar skills
maintained by State Employment Offices.
If this job sharing program were now in being, all participants could count on receiving at least
98.15% (based on the aforementioned time period) of their average pay in 1989 into the
foreseeable future. These people would be maintaining their customary standard of living and
would be purchasing the goods and services necessary to keep our economy going.
Some may ask why a person with high seniority, and therefore high job security, should be
required to pay into the fund. Seniority was established during the Great Depression as a means
of job security against being fired at the whim of the boss. Seniority has become somewhat
sacred to those who have it, but even at General Motors some 65,000 people are being slated for
layoff. The Job Sharing Plan would give every participant income security even if their company
went out of business. Job sharing will not be fully effective unless nearly everyone participates
and then everyone would have job security regardless of seniority. Seniority would still
determine pay rates, promotions, vacations, etc.
Since persons permanently on welfare have no W-2 base, they would not qualify for the job
sharing plan. Dealing with the unemployables is a burden which must be borne by our entire
society. Other unemployment compensation and welfare grants not requiring work would not
increase a person's base. Those who fail to accept work would have a progressively lower base
and would eventually be dropped from the plan.
The use of the W-2 base of 1989 will not always be the proper reference time period due to
changing unemployment patterns. Persons entering the workforce after 1989 would need to have
a later wage base established. A "full" employment pattern would bring the percentage to zero
and the plan would go on hold. Deposits would begin again only if there were an increase in
unemployment. Reserves would not be needed as this is a self-sustaining plan. Federal and State
Labor Departments already have the offices in place to service this plan and the creation of a
huge, new bureaucracy would be unnecessary.
The wealth of our nation depends on the production and equitable sharing of useful goods and
services (including government services) created by those who are willing to work for a fair share
of what they produce. It is for the protection of the incomes of these hard working people during
economic stress that this Job Sharing Program was designed.
The basic concepts of the Job Sharing Plan are set forth above in a manner that can be grasped
quickly by the voters.
The public is skeptical as to the effectiveness of make work "jobs" created at taxpayers' expense
being proposed by both candidates. This Job Sharing Plan is a new, creative and understandable
concept which could be made effective in 90 days. It would give an immediate boost to
Job Sharing
2
September 21, 1992
consumer confidence which is badly needed.
If further information is required, please contact the following:
Harold McMaster
OR
Delbert L. Latta
Glasstech, Inc.
304 North Main Street
Ampoint Industrial Park
P.O. Box 484
995 Fourth Street
Bowling Green, Ohio 43402
Perrysburg, Ohio 43552
Phone: 419-352-8627
Phone: 419-661-9500
FAX:
419-661-9930
Job Sharing
3
September. 21, 1992
Daily
or
OW UNITED ONLINE THE UNITED
Tenneme
3111
&
STATE
Aboard Air Force One
9-29-92
Dear Charles - Dec,
Some exclorited evering !!
fund raised's touch success
thanks The to the Wylys'
enough ; but then when
was you add in the warmth sense A
the evoing - the genirm in
friendship and caring
of your lovely home -- !! well, that
was extra special
I am very gratifies
for you longtime, steadfort
1
loyal what support in the world, in
this targh sometimes nasty
would, would we even do
inthous frined, true
generin frinds. That's
when you cour in
Wennst regards from
this generaly grateful found
G Bl
I
THE WH
WASH
Mr. and Mrs. Charles J. Wyly, Jr.
5906 De Loache
Dallas, Texas 75225
PHONE CALL FROM SONNY MONTGOMERY = 9/29/92
POLL TAKEN IN THIRD DISTRICT OF MISSISSIPPI 4 days
after Labor Day --
BUSH 64% favorable
33% unfavorable
CLINTON 45% Favorable
45% unfavorable
401 people polled just got results back. DO NOT
FEEL IT NECESSARY TO CALL SONNY - he just wanted to
share this encouraging word with you.
RZ
2) Gerry Bemiss called. You've been on his mind.
Hasn't bothered you because he realizes your
schedule. However, if you needed an old pal
to stop by and cheer you up, just give him a
call.
3) Cardinal Law would like you to call him today.
(would not say what it's about, but it may be
about the A1 Smith dinner in NYC on October 15.
They have been pressing for an acceptance -- we say we can't do it vet be
4) Chief Prescott has decided to wait until November
Have not told them
to take the job at Justice.
it is the same night
as a selected debate
date)
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
(Clarksville, Tennessee)
For Immediate Release
September 29, 1992
REMARKS BY THE PRESIDENT
AT CLARKSVILLE COMMUNITY WELCOME
Austin Peay State University
Clarksville, Tennessee
4:04 P.M. CDT
THE PRESIDENT: Thank you, Naomi. And may I welcome
just a few people -- first, our Secretary of Education, a great
Tennessean, Lamar Alexander. What a job he's doing for
education. (Applause.) And Senator Howard Baker -- great
American leader. (Applause.) Congressman Sundquist, your great
Congressman, is here with us today. (Applause.) And Congressman
Duncan.
And may I salute the president, President Oscar
Page, and thank him for this hospitality; and Coach Ray Gregory.
(Applause.) Coach Gregory, congratulations on being named
Tennessee Football Coach of the Year. A great honor.
(Applause.)
And may I also salute my introducer, Naomi. I'm
very, very proud that she's been with us today. (Applause.) And
thank Ricky -- Ricky Skaggs, who you heard from, who's a
wonderful entertainer and a good friend to Barbara and me. And
my special appreciation to a great friend and a great
entertainer, the legendary, one and only Crystal Gayle. Crystal,
thank you so much. (Applause.)
Four years ago -- and Crystal's sister, Peggy sue,
is here -- and four years ago we went on a bus trip across
Illinois. And we won the state. so this is a good omen -- we
are going to win Tennessee. (Applause.)
Before I make a few campaign remarks I have a few
things to say about a topic that's been on a lot of minds
recently. And I hope you'll bear with me because I want to talk
to you and to the rest of the nation from this wonderful campus
about presidential debates. (Applause.)
Two weeks ago, I proposed to Governor Clinton that
we debate. And I proposed that we do so on the same terms and
conditions that have been used in prior presidential debates, and
that the vice presidential candidates do so as well. And
Governor Clinton has failed to respond to this proposal. But, in
fact, it is reported that he is afraid for his campaign to sit
down with out campaign to negotiate arrangements for the debate.
And I have debated in all of my prior campaigns
for President. And I continue to think that it's important that
debates be held. You see, I believe strongly that it is not up
to any self-appointed body to determine the basis on which
debates will be held, but rather up to the candidates themselves.
And this basic principle was expressly recognized by both
national political parties when the resolution establishing the
Commission on Debates was first adopted.
And because of the importance of this election, the
strength of my convictions about what is right for this country,
and my belief that a Clinton presidency would be wrong for
America -- (applause) -- I think it is important that voters have
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- 2 -
an opportunity to see and hear from the candidates themselves in
publicly-televised debates. And I also believe that the
candidates should not be afraid to accept and respond to
questions from the press during the course of presidential
debates. (Applause.)
Americans will go to the polls five weeks from
today. And I regret that Governor Clinton has not accepted the
traditional approach to presidential debates, the approach that's
been in effect for many, many years. But nevertheless, in order
to move this process forward, I hereby challenge my opponent to a
debate on every Sunday evening between October 11th and November
1st. (Applause.)
And this would mean that there would be four
televised presidential debates, more than ever held in any
presidential election. And if ROSS Perot decides to enter the
race, (Applause.) I'd be pleased to see him included in these debates.
Now, furthermore, to allow these arrangements to
move forward quickly, I would be willing to see two of the
debates proceed under the format which has been used in all these
previous presidential elections, and two proceed under this
single moderator format. In addition, I think that during the
five-week period, there should be at least two vice presidential
debates with one based on each format.
And I feel quite confident that Goveror Clinton will
accept this proposal, since his campaign chairman has indicated
in the past that Governor Clinton would debate -- and now I quote
-- "with moderators, without moderators, in a studio, out of a
studio, three questioners, one questioner." So I have no doubt
that there will be organizations willing to sponsor these"
debates. And 1f Governor Clinton is serious about debating he
will accept this challenge and he will instruct his campaign
officials to meet promptly with my campaign officials to work out
the (Applause.) details directly between the parties. Let's get it on.
And what are we going to be talking about in these
debates? What are we going to be talking about in them? Well,
this campaign, like every campaign, is about a simple question:
What kind of America do we want for the graduates of this great
school, for all the young people here today? And my opponent
will tell you that America is in decline. And I would remind him
of what anyone would tell you on the streets of Europe or Asia --
America is still the most respected, the most admired, the most
dynamic -- (applause) -- the most dynamic nation in the entire
world. And I'm tired of hearing Clinton drag down the United
States of America. (Applause.)
And I'm proud, I am proud of our leadership; proud
that we led the way in reducing nuclear weapons so that our kids
can sleep free from the nightmares of nuclear war. (Applause.)
And it's a fitting place to say this, right near Fort Campbell --
and I am proud of how we stood up to saddam Hussein, kicking him
-- (applause) -- proud of the Screaming Eagles from Fort
Campbell's 101st Airborne. (Applause.)
And in the sands of Saudi Arabia, they showed that
no other nation can match the courage of the men and women of
America. And how our challenge is to put our talents to work to
win the new global economic competition, to create a high-tech,
high-growth economy with good jobs for you and all your
classmates. And I have laid out my agenda, detailed Agenda for
American Renewal -- a specific, comprehensive, integrated agenda
to create in American the world's very first $10-trillion
economy. (Applause.)
international leadership, to open up new markets for American
And I want to use this international experience,
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- 3 -
products, because that is how we will create good jobs for
American workers.
small business will create two-thirds of the new
jobs in the new economy. And Governor Clinton promises small
business higher taxes and more red tape. And I promise relief
from taxation, regulation, and litigation. Get the regulations
off (Applause.) the back of the small businesspeople in this country.
And with Lamar's -- Lamar Alexander's leadership and
assistance, we're proud that today half the students in four-
year colleges across Tennessee receive federal grants or loans.
And no one told you what college you had to go to. You had the
freedom to choose your school. (Applause.) And now we are
fighting to reinvent America's elementary and high schools by
giving every parent the right to choose their children's schools
-- public, private or religious. (Applause.)
And we have a good plan to give government vouchers
to soldiers and others caught in the transition of the economy so
that they may learn new skills and find the dignity work.
And here's something else I want: to limit the
terms of members of the United states Congress. (Applause.)
Governor Clinton says he's the candidate of change, but he
opposed this, the most profound change offered this year.
the other end of Pennsylvania Avenue. (Applause.) so let's
Presidents serve limited terms. The same rule ought to apply to
approve term limits and give Congress back to the American
people. (Applause.)
And I might add this -- that 1f we had more
congressmen like Don Sundquist up there, everybody wouldn't be
yelling at me "clean House." (Applause.) But while we're at it,
rid of that old 38-year-old governance that has controlled
let's have that little chant: "Clean House." We've got to get
Congress for 38 years. Let's change it. You want to make real
change in America? Help me change the Congress and move this
country forward. (Applause.)
These are just some of my ideas and some of what I'm
in November. But if candidate Clinton wants to talk about the
fighting for. And I'm proud of my record, and I'll stand by it
past, (Applause.) I say okay, let's look at what's going on in Arkansas.
The people there -- and I know them; I've been there
many, many times; lived next door -- they are decent and hard-
working people. But the more you know about their Governor, the
more Clinton you know that he's wrong for America. (Applause.) Governor
under have a basic civil rights law. He says he's for high-tech, even but
says he's for civil rights. But Arkansas doesn't
school. Bill Clinton, Arkansas has been falling behind in high
first Three out of every four Arkansas graduates spend their
in year in college relearning what they were supposed to learn
(Applause.) high school. And that 1s not fair to the people of Arkansas.
But the his law crime rate rises faster than the nation's. And on I crime.
Bill Clinton says he wants to get tough
And enforcement officers all across the country. (Applause.) support
endorse I am very proud that the police in Little Rock, Arkansas,
record (Applause.) America deserves better than that sorry Arkansas
me for President of the United States of America.
of Governor Clinton. (Applause.)
Families campaign. I know America's endured some tough economic
Look at the economy, the major issue in this
and all are hurting. But understand, we are being affected times.
competitors students know this -- by a global economic slowdown. -- Our
in Europe would trade places with us in a minute.
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- 4 -
And yet Governor Clinton offers America the European social
welfare state policies -- more government, more special interest
spending, and more taxes on the middle class. And that is not
good for America.
AUDIENCE: Booo --
THE PRESIDENT: As Governor -- I know I hate to ruin
a beautiful afternoon like this, but listen to this one -- as
Governor, Bill Clinton raised and extended the sales tax,
including a tax on baby formula, vegetables and other groceries.
He raised the gas tax. He taxed mobile homes and cable TV. And,
oh, yes, he slapped a tax on beer.
AUDIENCE: Booo --
THE PRESIDENT: Yes. I had a feeling that would not
very popular here. (Applause.) And now the Governor says he's
seen the light. In this campaign he's proposing at least $150
billion in new taxes, plus at least $220 billion in new spending.
But don't worry, he says, "I'll get it all from the rich" --
people who make it over $200,000, the top two percent.
But here's the truth and problem: To get the money
he needs for his plan, the $150 billion he's promised in new
taxes, Governor Clinton would have to get his money from every
individual with taxable income over $36,600. And that's just the
start of his tax campaign against the middle class. Governor
Clinton will need hundreds of billions of dollars more to pay for
all the programs that he's promised.
And the newspaper in his own backyard, the Pine
Bluff Commercial, says that if Congress follows Bill Clinton's
example, it would pass a tax program that would hit the middle
class the hardest. These are not people, Governor Clinton, on
"Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous.' These are your parents --
your parents, my friends. (Applause.) These are the people that
work hard and pay the bills and sweat it out at tax time. And
they deserve a break, not a new tax. (Applause.)
And let me give you one example. Let's say after
you graduate, you get your first job with about, say, $22,000 in
taxable income. Governor Clinton could have you fork over
another 430 bucks a year to the tax man. And I say you ought to
be able to use that money to pay the rent or spend a week at the
lake on vacation or send it -- not have to send it back to the
IRS in Washington, D.C. (Applause.)
And so, at this time in the great history of the
United States, I don't think we can take the risk on a tax-and-
spend candidate with no experience. And, you see, I've been in
the Oval Office, and I have faced some very tough decisions.
And, of course, I've made mistakes. And when I make a mistake I
admit it. But I believe I've been a good leader, willing to make
right for America.
the tough calls -- (applause) -- and I'm a leader whose ideas are
And I stand before you today, asking for your
support so that we can get to work with a new Congress to fix the
problems that stand in the way of this country; so that we can
reform our health care system; that we can literally reinvent our
schools; so that we can retrain workers from one generation and
and create jobs for the next; so that we can cut government spending
taxes and get this economy moving again. (Applause.)
are looking for a leader of experience, a leader of ideas,
This is the agenda that I have to offer. And if you
leader who shares your values, and a leader who understands a that
America's real strength is not in government, but in places like
November 3rd. (Applause.)
Clarksville then I know I can count on your support on
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I have only one regret today -- and that is that the
but our great First Lady is not with me. I'm very proud of
greatest First Lady this country -- well, I'd better be careful,
Barbara Bush. And I see a sign over here that's talking about
holds an AIDS baby in her arms, or when she sits and reads with
the family. I think that my wife has done an awful lot when she
kids in the lobby there at the Diplomatic Entrance to the White
House, to show what we mean as a family when we say, let's
discipline. Help them. (Applause.)
strengthen the American family. Read to the kids. Teach them
that it through some very, very tough times. And one of the
I've been privileged to be your President. We did
I'm shaped my life is that I served my country in uniform. things And
great from Fort Campbell and elsewhere who are also serving those their
here very, very proud of that. (Applause.) And I salute
country. (Applause.)
that is tearing down this country. We are the
And don't listen, don't listen to the other side
Let's strongest, fairest, freest country on the face of greatest, the Earth.
keep it that way.
a states great of America. Thank you very, very much. (Applause.) United What
May God bless you all. And may God bless the
rally -- thank you all. (Applause.)
END
4:25 P.M. CDT
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press secretary
(Alcoa, Tennessee)
For Immediate Release
September 29, 1992
REMARKS BY THE PRESIDENT
AT KNOXVILLE AIRPORT WELCOME
McGhee-Tyson Airport
Alcoa, Tennessee
12:11 P.M. EDT
THE PRESIDENT: Thank you. What a great Tennessee
welcome.
AUDIENCE: Four more years! Four more years!
THE PRESIDENT: This is fantastic. Thank you,
Knoxville. Thank you very, very much. Thank you, Knoxville,
Tennessee. This is fantastic.
And let me thank Naomi Judd for being with us. I'm
the guy who's honored. what a wonderful entertainer and a great
personality and a wonderfully strong character we have standing
here today in Naomi Judd. (Applause.)
And may I salute your former -- some of you all's
former president of the great university here -- our marvelous
Secretary of Education Lamar Alexander. (Applause.) And another
Tennessean known nationally as a true leader, a true, honest,
decent, strong leader in a Congress that was crying out for it --
and still is -- I'm talking about Howard Baker. (Applause.)
And, you know, you hear a lot of calls -- everyplace
I go, people have brooms and they're yelling, "Clean House, clean
House. Change the Congress" And if we had more congressmen like
Jimmy Duncan -- (applause) -- and more like Don Sundquist and
Jimmy Quillen with us here today, we wouldn't have to clean
House. But since we do, help us clean House and get this country
moving again.
May I salute another old friend, longtime friend for
Barbara and me -- victor Ashe, the Mayor of this city.
(Applause.) And also I understand our County Executive Dwight
Kessel is here. And that brings me also to another special
friend who's taking it out on the trail for me -- Ricky Skaggs.
I'm just delighted to be with him. (Applause.)
And standing over here, another good one, another
great one -- T.G. sheppard. Thank you very much for being with
us. (Applause.)
Now, first let me start with a word about the polls
and the talking heads. (Laughter.) Every one of them said that
Tennessee would lose to Georgia, and every one of them said that
Tennessee would lose to Florida. (Applause.) So much for the
polls, and so much for the talking heads. Enough of it. We're
going to win this election. (Applause.)
This campaign, like every campaign, is about a
simple question: What kind of America do you want for the young
people that are here today? And I'll tell you what kind of an
America I want and am working for -- an America that is not just
a military superpower, but the greatest economic superpower in
the entire world. And that means more jobs for the American
people. (Applause.)
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- 2 -
And I have laid out. a comprehensive Agenda for
American Renewal -- a specific, integrated agenda to create
first $10-trillion economy. And we can get that happening by
moving to change the Congress and moving forward with my program.
(Applause.)
The Democrats don't like my evening talking about
it, but I am very proud of our record in ending and winning the
Cold War, proud of the way the sons and daughters of Tennessee
performed in the sands of Saudi Arabia. (Applause.) It was a
proud moment, not a moment to be forgotten. (Applause.)
And the Clinton ticket feels that they ought not to
-- I ought not to talk about foreign policy. I want to use my
experience to lead the way to new markets for American products
because that is how we are going to create good American jobs --
the same leadership that changed the world. Now let's make
America better and renewed. (Applause.)
But, look, we all know that if we're going to
compete abroad and do this --- what I talking about -- with
markets, we've got to make changes at home. It's small business
that creates two-thirds of the new jobs in the new economy. And
Governor Clinton promises small business higher taxes and more
red tape --
AUDIENCE: Booo --
THE PRESIDENT: -- and I promise relief from
regulation and taxation and, yes, relief from these crazy
lawsuits that are killing us in this country. (Applause.)
And if we're going to compete in this new world, in
this new economy, we must reform our schools. And I am very
proud of our great Secretary of Education Lamar Alexander.
(Applause.) I am proud of our national America 2000 program;
proud that we're raising standards; proud that we're freeing up
the teachers -- and God bless them all -- freeing them up from
regulation and red tape; and proud that we are designing totally
new schools for a new century. And I thank our Secretary. And I
thank these communities in Tennessee that are working to rebuild
American education. (Applause.)
Lamar and I want to go further. The parents of
today's volunteers have the power to choose the best college for
their kids. And I want that same choice for elementary and high
school. And my G.I. Bill for Kids will give parents and
fundamental resources they need and the right to choose the best
schools for their kids -- whether they're public, private or
religious. (Applause.)
Now, these are some of my ideas and what we're
fighting for and what this election is about. And I'm proud of
our record, and I'll stand by it in November. But if candidate
Clinton wants to talk about the past, then I say I'm ready. And
let's take a look at what's been going on in Arkansas.
(Applause.) Sorry to ruin your day, but we've got to look at the
record. (Applause.)
There's a lot you don't know about this man, and the
more you find out, the more you know is that he's wrong for
America. (Applause.) We cannot take a risk with this great
country of ours. And take a look at the issue of education. As
long as I'm standing here with some greats on education, let me
put it this way: Governor Clinton was part of the national
summit which set our education goals. And I've given him credit
for being -- participating in that, and so has Lamar Alexander.
But in Arkansas, his rhetoric does not match his
record. He talks about a high-tech economy that Arkansas is 48th
in the percent of students that high school diplomas. And three
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out of every four Arkansas high school graduates spend his first
year in college relearning what they were supposed to learn in
high school. And I think America must do must do a lot better
than that. (Applause.)
I think of Tennessee as a. fair-play state when it
comes to race. And it's the same thing on every issue with him.
Governor Clinton says he's for civil rights. But Arkansas
doesn't even have a basic civil rights law. He says he's for a
clean environment. But the Institute of Southern Studies ranks
Arkansas 50th 50th in environmental policies. It's the only
place where mother fish teach baby fish to jog instead of to
swim. (Laughter.) It's so polluted in that river over there.
(Applause.)
Governor Clinton says he's been tough on crime. But
in the '80s Arkansas's crime increases far outstripped the
nation. And the Little Rock police say it all because they have
endorsed me for President of the United States of America.
(Applause.)
And now let's take a look at the economy. I know
America has had some tough times. I know families are concerned,
worried about the next job. Those out of work worried about how
they're going to get back to work. But understand, we are being
affected by a global economic slowdown. It isn't just the United
states. Look at Europe. Look at Canada. Look at other
countries around the world. And our competitors in Europe would
trade places with us in a minute. And, yes, Governor Clinton
offers America the European social welfare state policies --
AUDIENCE: B000 --
THE PRESIDENT: -- more government, more special
interest spending, more regulation, and more taxes on the middle
class. And we cannot let him do that to the taxpayers in this
country. (Applause.)
This is not simply campaign rhetoric. As Governor,
he raised and extended the sales tax, including a tax on baby
formula, vegetables and other groceries. He raised the gas tax.
He taxed mobile homes. And for those of you ESPN watchers, he
even taxed cable TV. And then he put a tax on beer just for an
add-on.
AUDIENCE: Booo --
THE PRESIDENT: I knew the college crowd wouldn't
like that too much. (Laughter.)
Governor Clinton now says, well, he's seen the
light. And in this campaign he's proposing at least -- and look
at the record $150 billion in new taxes, plus at least a $220
billion in new federal spending. But don't worry, he says, I'll
get it all from the rich, from the top two percent.
But the problem is -- here's the truth -- to get the
money that he needs for this plan -- everybody's that's analyzed
it says this: the $150 billion that he's promised -- billion
dollars that he's promised in new taxes, Governor Clinton would
have to get his money from every taxpayer and every individual
with taxable income over $36,000. And these are not people. that
you see out there on "The Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous."
They deserve a break, not a tax increase. (Applause.)
And the problem is, this is just for openers. He'll
need hundreds of billions of dollars more to pay for every one of
these programs that he's proposed. And there's an old saying:
When you go hunting for ducks, hunt where the ducks are. Well,
he's hunting for ways to pay for all of his promises, and he's
going to go right smack to the middle class, because that's where
the bucks are. So watch your wallets. watch your pocketbooks.
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He's coming right after you. And don't let him say anything
different. (Applause.)
And on this one -- on this one don't have to take my
word for it. Go right to his neighborhood. Go to Pine Bluff and
listen to the Pine Bluff Commercial. And here's what it says.
"If Congress followed the example that Bill Clinton set as
Governor of Arkansas, it would pass a program that hit the middle
class the hardest." And he's going to treat the middle class the
way Johnny Majors' team treated Cincinnati last saturday.
(Applause.) Exactly. The volunteers pounced on the Bearcats,
and he's going to pounce on your wallet. Look at the record. We
cannot let this happen to America. (Applause.)
I'll give you a factual example. Let's say you're a
nurse just starting out with about $22,000 a year in taxable
income. Governor Clinton would have you fork over another $430 a
year to the tax man. And I say that you ought to be able to use
that to help your kids' education, or pay the mortgage on the
house -- and not send it to the IRS in Washington, D.C.
(Applause.)
But he says, hey, forget about this, forget my
record, forget the facts, don't talk about Arkansas and my record
there. I am a different kind of Democrat. But what is different
about him? George McGovern -- Bill Clinton ran Texas for him in
1972. He learned his liberalism from George McGovern. And in
that campaign he was out there for George McGovern. Then Jimmy
Carter -- Bill Clinton wore the same moderate costume, but at
least Carter meant it, even though he brought us the highest
Misery Index in recent -- modern times.
And then Michael Dukakis -- Clinton nominated him in
an endless nomination speech, I might say. (Laughter.) And then
he praised the Massachusetts Miracle right before it went south
and the economy collapsed. America does not need this kind of
different Democrat. There are some wonderful Democrats out
there, but we don't need this kind -- this McGovern, Carter,
Dukakis Democrat. (Applause.)
Now, Governor Clinton wants you to trust that
America's economy is going to improve 1f you turn full control of
your paycheck over to the crew that already runs the United
states Congress. And he wants to tax and spend government
planners, those kind of planners to have total control over the
Executive Branch, too.
And they tried this 12 years ago. And we ended up
with double-digit inflation; we had interest rates sometimes as
high as 18 percent; and we had a Misery Index over 21 percent --
unemployment and inflation added together. And it took years to
ring inflation and high interest rates out of the American
economy. And I want to strengthen our economy and protect your
paycheck from the ravages of inflation. We cannot go the tax-
and-spend route anymore. (Applause.)
And it all boils down to this. At this time in our
history we simply cannot take the risk of Governor Clinton in the
White House. (Applause.)
You know, I've been in the oval Office and I've
faced some tough decisions. It's not easy; you cannot be on all
sides of every question when you're a President of the United
States. And I stand before you today admitting mistakes, but
saying I called them as I saw them. I hope I brought the
character and integrity to this high office that you can respect
and appreciate. (Applause.)
And so I came here to ask for your support so that
we can get to work with the new members of Congress -- Democrat
and Republican alike -- to fix the problems that stand in the way
of this country; so that we can reform our health care system and
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we can literally reinvent our schools; and so that we can retrain
the workers from one generation and create jobs for the next; so
that we can cut government spending and taxes and get this
economy moving again; and that we can pass an amendment to limit
the terms of members of the United States Congress and give the
government back to the people. (Applause.)
NOW, if you want a guy that has a statistic for
every problem, your man is the Governor of Arkansas. He's got
more statistics that there are problems -- 38 percent of this, 28
percent of that. But he's got to face up to the fact that as
President you can't have it always, you've got to make the tough
calls.
And if you're looking for a leader of experience, a
leader ideas, a leader who shares your values, and a leader who
understands that America's real strength is not in government,
but in places like Alcoa; a leader you can trust, then I know
that I can count on your support. And I need it to be President
of the United States for four more years. (Applause.)
Let me say this: I am very proud of the sons and
daughters of Tennessee that have worn the uniform of the United
states of America. You are a great and proud Volunteer state.
(Applause.)
Governor Clinton wants us to forget that we have
changed the world. And I am not going to let him forget that the
young men and women that fought in Desert storm helped us change
the world and make it much more peaceful for every young person
here today. (Applause.)
I ask for your trust. I ask for your trust, and I
will not betray it. I ask for your vote. And I hope I have
earned it.
He can talk about the United states being lower than
Germany and someplace above sri Lanka. And I'll end this way:
We are the most decent, fairest, strongest country on the face of
the Earth. (Applause.) Let's not tear it down, let's build it
up. (Applause.) We are Americans. (Applause.)
And may God bless you all. And thank you very, very
much. (Applause.) Thank you so much. (Applause.)
END
12:30 P.M. EDT
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
(Clarkesville, Tennessee)
For Immediate Release
September 29, 1992
The President today recognized the volunteers of Holy Angels of
Belmont, North Carolina, as the 907th Daily Point of Light for
the Nation. Volunteers provide companionship, encouragement, and
a sense of wall-being to children and adults with disabilities.
Founded in 1956, Holy Angels is a residential development center
for children and adults with profound mental and physical
disabilities. Holy Angels integrates educational, physical,
linguistic, and recreational therapy in a family atmosphere.
Over 85 volunteers, including teens and senior citizens,
facilitate eight different programs contributing between 5 and 30
hours per week. This year the volunteers have served over 7,500
hours, assisting the residents with feeding, bathing, lifting,
transporting, and reading. The volunteers take an active role in
the residents' lives, often establishing significant
relationships and encouraging them to achieve personal goals.
Special Volunteers are residents with mild disabilities who give
back to Holy Angels by helping with the young children in day
care, making beds, and serving food. The Special Volunteer
program teaches residents job skills which enable them to lead
productive, self-sufficient lives. Holy Angels' "Volunteen
Program" allows teens to interact on a personal basis with
residents who are disabled. Over 19 teens volunteered this
summer contributing over 600 hours.
Another program, "Partners in Education, " encourages elementary
school children to visit with Holy Angel's children. The
children interact three times a month, playing and sharing
experiences. In turn, ambulatory residents may visit with their
new friends and participate in drama or music classes. Teachers
from local schools volunteer at Holy Angels, and Holy Angels
staff reciprocate by volunteering at the elementary school. This
weekly exchange increases awareness and breaks down the barriers
between children with disabilities and elementary school
children.
The President salutes the volunteers of Holy Angels 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 or Karen Barnes
(202) 456-6266
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
(Blountsville, Tennessee)
For Immediate Release
September 29, 1992
REMARKS BY THE PRESIDENT
AT TRI-CITIES AIRPORT WELCOME
Tri-Cities Airport
Blountsville, Tennessee
10:23 A.M. EDT
:
THE PRESIDENT: Thank you, Naomi. Hey, listen --
(applause) -- thank you all very, very much. Thank you so very, very
much. You know, Naomi says this is the first time that she's
introduced a President. But look at it this way -- this it he first
time I've ever been introduced by such a wonderful person, Naomi
Judd. (Applause.) And I'm just pleased to have her with us on Air
Force One.
You know, lest you didn't know it, we have a great
Secretary of Education in Secretary Lamar Alexander, a former
Governor of this state. We're very proud to be with him. And, of
course, my old friend, Howard Baker is still beloved not only in
Tennessee, but all across this country as a great leader.
(Applause.)
And may I salute another old friend. If we had more
like these two -- these three that I'm about to introduce, everybody
would not be yelling at me "Clean House.' Because you've got three
great, in Jimmy Quillen, in Don Sundquist, and Jimmy Duncan right
here with us today. (Applause.)
Send us more like these three and let's get this country
moving again. (Applause.) And about these --
AUDIENCE: Clean the House! Clean the House!
THE PRESIDENT: That's it. We've got to clean it. And
about these three characters over here. Barbara Bush and I -- they
are friends, and we are very proud of that. They don't know how to
throw horseshoes. We had them at Camp David and they came in second,
third and fourth. (Laughter.) But in life they're coming in first,
because of their talent and because of Larry's fighting back. And
I'll tell you -- we are very proud to have the Gatlin Brothers at our
side. (Applause.)
And, of course, may I salute Sarah Sellars, our National
Committeewoman, and our great Chairman in this state, Tom Harper.
They tell me we're going to win Tennessee, and they are absolutely
right. (Applause.)
And I also want to salute the Volunteer High School
Marching Band. (Applause.) Thank you all for being with us. This
campaign, like every campaign for the presidency, is about a simple
question: What kind of America do we want for the young people here
today. And I want an America that remains a military superpower, but
is the greatest economic superpower on the Earth, and we're going to
make it even better. (Applause.)
You know, I've spelled out a specific agenda for
America's renewal. A specific, comprehensive plan, an integrated
agenda to create in America the world's first $10-trillion economy,
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and I am proud of America's leadership role in ending the Cold War,
proud of the sons and daughters who wowed the world in the sands of
Saudi Arabia. The Democrats wanted to forget it, but we are not.
(Applause.) I will continue to thank the sons and daughters of
Tennessee who served with honor in Desert storm, and we're not going
to let Bill Clinton forget that this was a proud moment in the
history of the United States. (Applause.)
AUDIENCE: Where was Bill? Where was Bill?
THE PRESIDENT: I don't know where was. I'll tell you
where he was on the war. Do you want me to answer the question? On
Desert Storm he was on both sides. He was for the people that
opposed it, but he was for those that supported me. That's a great
thing, but you can't do that as President of the United States of
America. You've got to make the tough calls. (Applause.)
But now what we've got to do is work with these great
members of Congress, using our experience to lead the way to new
markets for American products. Because that is how we're going to
create more good jobs for people all across the United States of
America. You see, small business will create two-thirds of the new
jobs in the new economy, and, Governor Clinton - well, he promises
small business higher taxes and more red tape, and I promise small
business relief from taxation, regulation and litigation.
(Applause.)
You know, we spend almost $200 billion a year on direct
cost to lawyers. Japan doesn't pay that and neither do the European
countries. And my opponent doesn't think this is a problem. He's in
cahoots with the trial lawyers. And they spend so much time in court
that their favorite song is "A Boy Named Sue." (Laughter.) Now, as
a nation but here is my view: We've got to take the pressure off
doctors who are scared to practice or Little League coaches who are
afraid to coach. (Applause.) And we've got to sue each other less
in this country and care for each other more. (Applause.)
And I am proud of my record. All the Governor of
Arkansas does is go around tearing me down, tearing our country down,
saying we're less than Germany and a little more than Sri Lanka. He
ought to open his eyes. We are the most respected country on the
face of the Earth. (Applause.) But if you'll bear with me for just
a minute -- if he wants to talk about the past, fine; but let's take
a look at what's going on in Arkansas. The people there are decent,
they are hard-working, they are sound, grassroots people. But
there's a lot they don't know about their Governor's record. And a
lot you don't know about it. And the more you find out about it, the
more you know that Governor Clinton is wrong for the President of the
United States. (Applause.) He is wrong for America.
Look at the issue of crime. We simply have got to take
back our streets from the crackheads and the criminals. And
Candidate Clinton, oh, he talks a tough game. But in Arkansas, the
average criminal serves just one-fifth of his sentence, and then he's
let back on the street. And compare that to the federal prisons for
which I am responsible. The average inmate there serves 85 percent
of his sentence. And when it comes to crime, I am not much for
letting these prisoners out of jail early. (Applause.) If you steal
a car or you beat up some elderly woman, you ought to go to jail.
And I say this: You should not be let out until you're eligible for
a birthday salute from Willard Scott. (Applause.)
Don't take it from me, though. Listen to those in
Arkansas. Ask the police over there in Little Rock. The cops who
know Bill Clinton best have endorsed me as the best candidate for
President of the United States. (Applause.)
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It's the same thing on every issue. I think of Howard
Baker and the others standing here as leaders in fair play on civil
rights matters. But Governor Clinton says he's for civil rights, but
Arkansas doesn't even have a basic civil rights law. He says he's
for a clean environment, but the Institute of Southern Studies ranked
Arkansas 50th in environmental politics. It's the only place where
fish teach the young fish to jog instead of to swim. That's how
polluted the rivers are over there. (Applause.)
I love fishing. I'm a bass fisherman. The fish in
Arkansas light up at night because of -- chickens are doing to the
river. (Applause.) Governor Clinton says he's for high tech. But,
under Clinton, Arkansas has been falling behind in high school.
Three out of every four Arkansas graduates spend their first year in
college relearning what they were supposed to learn in high school.
And that is not fair to those young people over across the way.
(Applause.)
Let's take a look at the economy. All we hear from him
is how bad things are. And I know we've been through some tough
economic times. But we are affected, of course, by the global
economic situation. And our competitors in Europe would trade places
with us in a minute. And, yet, Governor Clinton offers America that
European social welfare state politics -- more government, more
special interest spending and more taxes on the middle class, and
that is wrong for America. (Applause.)
If you can take another horror story this early in the
morning, let me tell you this: He has raised and extended the sales
tax, including a tax on baby formula, vegetables and other groceries.
He raised the gas tax, he raised mobile home tax, and for those of
you ESPN watchers, he even taxed cable TV and slapped a tax on beer.
How do you like that?
AUDIENCE: Booo!
THE PRESIDENT: Now he says he's seen the light. In
this campaign, he's proposing at least $150 billion -- direct
proposal in new taxes, plus at least $220 billion in new spending.
And, don't worry, he says, I'll get it all from the rich people who
make it -- over $200,000 a year, the top two percent. But here's the
problem, and here's the proof. To get the money that he needs for
his plan, the $150 billion that he's already promised in new
taxes, he would have to get his money not from those with over
$200,000, but from every individual with taxable income over $36,600,
and that is not good for America.
AUDIENCE: Booo!
THE PRESIDENT: These people aren't out there on the
Lifestyles of the Rich and the Famous; they work hard, and they
deserve a break. And that's just the start of his tax campaign
against the middle class. He will need hundreds of billions of
dollars more to pay for all these programs he's promised. And
there's an old saying: When you hunt ducks, you go where the ducks
are. Well, he's hunting for ways to pay for all his promises, and
he's going back to tax the middle class because that's where the
bucks are.
And, listen to the news -- don't take my word for it.
You listen to the newspaper from his own back yard, the Pine Bluff
Commercial. And here's what they say: If Congress followed the
example that Bill Clinton's set as Governor of Arkansas, it would
pass a program that hit the middle class the hardest. And I say the
middle class has been hit hard enough already. (Applause.)
The Pine Bluff paper is not bluffing. And let me give
you one example -- just an example. Say you're a third grade teacher
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with about $22,000 in taxable income. Governor Clinton could have
you fork over another $430 a year to the tax man, and I say you ought
to be able to use that money to pay for your kids' education, pay the
mortgage on the house, not send it up to the IRS in Washington, D.C.
(Applause.)
Governor Clinton will say, oh, I am on the side of the
middle class, but he says, then, well yes, I'm going to have it
both ways. Consider his principles - on both sides of the Gulf War
-- I mentioned that -- when he said, and here's an exact quote, an
exact quote: "I guess I would have voted with the majority of it was
a close vote, but I agree with the arguments the minority made. Now,
how would that be for a Commander-In-Chief when you've got to stand
up against aggression halfway around the world? (Applause.)
And, one day, Governor Clinton says, well, I'll never
run for president, and the next year he announces he's running for
president. And one day he says he's for the North American Free
Trade Agreement, and then he says, well, I haven't made up my mind
yet. And one day he's for raising fuel efficiency standards on cars,
and the next day he says, well, I'm flexible on that one. And one
day he says the middle class deserves a tax break, and the next day
he's plotting new ways to hit the middle class to pay for all his
programs.
And if he ever became the President of the United States
-- and he won't -- (applause) -- we'd have to replace the American
Eagle with a chameleon. And that is not the way it works in the Oval
Office. And you cannot come down on both sides of every issue. You
have to take your lumps and you have to take a stand. And I don't
think that we can take a risk on Governor Bill Clinton to be
President of the United States of America. (Applause.)
You know, I've made mistakes as President, and,
different than him, I've admitted when I'm wrong. But I believe I've
been a good leader, willing to make the tough calls. (Applause.)
And I'm a leader whose ideas are right for America. And I stand
before you here today asking for your support, so that we can go to
work with a new Congress to fix the problems that stand in the way of
this country, so that we can reform our health care system -- and
reinvent, as Lamar SO eloquently stated reinvent our American
schools, so we can retrain our workers from one generation and create
jobs for the next, so we cut government spending and cut taxes and
get this economy moving again. (Applause.)
And, also, so that we can limit terms for the members of
the United States Congress and give government back to the people.
(Applause.) Now, this is our agenda. And if you want one who has a
statistic for every problem, go ahead and cast your vote for the
other guy. But if you're looking for a leader of experience, a
leader of ideas, a leader who shares your values, a leader who
understands that America's real strength is not in government, but in
places like this marvelous town right here today in your great state
of Tennessee, then I know I can count on your support on November
3rd. (Applause.)
Governor Clinton says that we are a nation in decline
-- somewhere less than Germany and a little better than Sri Lanka.
And I say we are the greatest, freest country on the face of the
Earth. (Applause.) And now let's make life better for everybody at
home by using the same courage and leadership we have to change the
world.
Thank you, and may God bless the people of Tennessee and
the United States of America. Thank you all very, very much. What a
wonderful rally. (Applause.)
END
10:30 A.M. EDT
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
(Clarkesville, Tennessee)
For Immediate Release
September 29, 1992
TO THE CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES:
In accordance with the requirements of section 809 of
the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, as amended
(12 U.S.C. 1701j-2 (j)), I transmit herewith the 15th annual
report of the National Institute of Building Sciences for
fiscal year 1991.
GEORGE BUSH
THE WHITE HOUSE,
September 29, 1992.
###
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
(Chattanooga, Tennessee)
For Immediate Release
September 29, 1992
REMARKS BY THE PRESIDENT
AT CHATTANOOGA AIRPORT WELCOME
Chattanooga Airport
Chattanooga, Tennessee
2:20 P.M. EDT
THE PRESIDENT: Thank you very much.
AUDIENCE: Four more years! Four more years!
THE PRESIDENT: Four more. That's who we need! What a
great Tennessee welcome. Thank you all. Thank you so much. Thanks
for that Chattanooga welcome.
Let me thank two special guests with us today. of
course, an old friend of mine and Barbara's -- Ricky Skaggs, one of
the great entertainers -- great American. (Applause.) And also, I'm
the one that's honored to be introduced by Naomi Judd, also a great
American talent. (Applause.) And I love country music. (Applause.)
Because country music loves America. And today we get to hear it all
across Tennessee.
And may I also welcome those others here standing with
me -- Senator Howard Baker, one of the great leaders of this country.
(Applause.) All across the country we hear words of "Clean House.
Clean House." People are tired of the Democrats that have controlled
Congress for 38 years. And if we had more like Don Sundquist here,
and Jimmy Duncan we wouldn't be yelling that. But we need more.
Where's Jack? Here's a way to help clean. Get Jack up
there. (Applause.)
And may I pay my special respects to the Forrester
Sisters -- Forrester Sisters who are here. I'm told that they have a
popular song called "I'd Choose You Again." Well, I take that
personally. (Applause.)
AUDIENCE: Four more years! Four more years!
(Applause.)
THE PRESIDENT: This campaign, like every campaign, is
about a very simple question: What kind of America do we want for
the young people here today? And I'll tell you the kind of America
that I want: An America that is not just a military superpower, but
the greatest economic superpower in the world, and an export
superpower. And I have laid out a detailed Agenda for America's
Renewal -- a specific, comprehensive, integrated agenda to create in
America the world's very first $10-trillion economy. And we can do
it if you give us the support in Congress and reelect me for four
years. (Applause.)
The other side acts like foreign affairs and national
security means absolutely nothing. But I am very proud of our
leadership in winning the Cold War and proud of the way the sons and
-- (applause) -- proud of the way the sons and daughters of Tennessee
stood fast and proud in the sands of Saudi Arabia, standing up
against aggression. (Applause.)
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- 2 -
And now I want to use that leadership and that
experience in international affairs to lead the new market for
American products; because that is how we will create more good jobs
for the greatest workers on the face of the earth, the American
worker. (Applause.) And if we're going to compete in the global
economy -- and I'm confident we will -- we've got to reduce that
budget deficit and remove the burden from the backs of these kids
that are here with us today. (Applause.)
You know, Governor Clinton has gone through the entire
federal budget --
AUDIENCE: Boooo!
THE PRESIDENT: -- and he has spelled out exactly one
federal program he would cut out -- and that is the $11-million
federal honeybee subsidy. Believe me -- nobody will be stung by that
courageous decision on the part of the Governor of Arkansas. And I
have put specific programs forward to eliminate 4,000 projects, 246
programs, and to control the growth of the spending that's out of
control -- the mandatory spending program, saving almost $300 billion
over the next five years.
But I want to go further. I want that line-item veto to
discipline the Congress -- (applause) -- and I want a balanced budget
amendment to the Constitution to discipline that spendthrift
Congress. And I want to give you, the taxpayer, the right to make a
check on your income tax return, earmarking up to 10 percent of your
tax return to go to reduce the federal deficit. (Applause.) And if
the Congress doesn't have the guts to take a whack at the budget
deficit, let the taxpayers have the axe and give it a try.
(Applause.)
You know, I'm proud -- this guy's fired up over here --
-- (applause) -- I am proud of my record, and I'll stand by it in
November. But if Governor Clinton, Candidate Clinton wants to talk
about the past, let's look at what's been going on over in the great
state of Arkansas -- and they're wonderful people there. But let's
look at the record. There's a lot you don't know about my opponent.
And the more you find out, the more you know that he is wrong for
America. (Applause.)
Look at health care reform. Take a look at health care
reform. We need it desperately. But he says, no more pressing
problem faces America. And, yet, after five terms in office, 40
percent of Arkansas residents don't have health insurance with their
job -- it's one of the highest rates in the entire nation. And we
can do better than that. (Applause.)
It's the same on every issue. Tennessee is a fair play
state. Governor Clinton says he's for civil rights, but Arkansas
doesn't even have a basic civil rights law. And he says he's for a
clean environment, but the Institute for Southern Studies ranked
Arkansas fifth in environmental policies.
And I'm told that there's a new aquarium in town.
(Applause.) And maybe they'll have a live fish from the polluted
White River in Arkansas. (Applause.) No, really -- that would be a
"rare species" exhibit. I love to fish. Sometimes I fish at night.
In the river over there you can fish at night because the fish light
up at night from the pollution in that river. (Applause.)
You talk about a polluted river, you talk about cheap
chicken -- I've got to be careful -- chicken fecal chloroform*
bacteria -- that's what dumps into the river, and it's the only place
where the mother fish don't teach their fish to swim, they teach them
MORE
- 3 -
to jog -- it is so polluted in that Arkansas river. A lousy record.
We don't need that for the United States.
You know, Bill Clinton says -- here's another issue --
one of real concern. Because when I see the police officers here,
members from the Sheriff's Department, I think of our bill hung up in
the Congress to back these law enforcement officers, to support them.
Because they're supporting our families. But Bill Clinton says he's
tough on crime? Listen to this: Arkansas prisoners get let out of
jail after serving one-fifth of their sentence. And his hometown
police force endorsed me for President of the United States of
America. (Applause.)
And I am proud --
AUDIENCE: Four more years! Four more years! Four more
years!
THE PRESIDENT: And I am -- you guys are too much.
AUDIENCE: Four more years! Four more years!
THE PRESIDENT: And I will continue to battle in the
Congress --
AUDIENCE: Kick 'em again. Kick 'em again. Harder!
Harder!
THE PRESIDENT: And I will continue to battle in the
Congress with the help of these congressmen to get a crime bill that
gives a little more sensitivity and support for the victims of crime
and a little less for the criminals themselves. (Applause.)
You know, I know that many families are worried, and I
know we've had some really tough economic times. But understand --
we are being affected not just by what's at home, but by a global
economic slowdown. And our competitors in Europe would trade places
with us in a minute. And, yet, Governor Clinton offers America the
European social welfare state policies -- more government, more
regulation, more special interest spending, and spending more tax
bills or putting more taxes on the middle class, and we simply cannot
let that happen to our great country. (Applause.)
He's been going after me for 11 months, but how about
this one: Governor Clinton raised and extended the sales tax,
including: A tax on baby formula, vegetables and other groceries.
He raised the gas tax, he raised the tax on mobile homes, and for
those of you ESPN watchers, he even taxed cable TV, and then for good
measure he put a tax on beer. Try that one on.
AUDIENCE: Boooo!
THE PRESIDENT: But now, here's good tidings of great
joy. Governor Clinton says he's seen the light. And in this
campaign he is proposing at least $150 billion in new taxes, plus at
least -- that's not the worst of the news -- a $220-billion new
spending bill. And don't worry he's going to take it all out of
the very rich, those that make -- the top two percent.
But here is the problem, and here is the truth: To get
the money, he needs for this plan of his -- the $150 billion he's
promised in new taxes -- he would have to get his money from every
individual with a tax income of over $36,000. That is not the
Lifestyles of the Rich and the Famous, that is going after your
pocketbook.
AUDIENCE: Boooo!
MORE
- 4 -
THE PRESIDENT: We're going after him, don't you worry
about it. Just the start of his tax campaign -- wait a minute, you
haven't heard the worst of it. I'm sorry. That's just the start of
his tax campaign against the middle class. He will need hundreds of
billions of dollars more to pay for all the spending programs he's
promised. And he's going after the nurses, the teachers, the
hardware store owners. And I say you can spend your money better
yourself on your home or educating your kids. (Applause.)
And you ask him about it, and he'll take both sides.
He'll say on the one hand I'm for you, and on the other I'm for you
over here. And when you're President of the United States, you've
got to make the tough decisions. You can't waffle. You can't go
around like a chameleon all the time. You've got to say what you're
for and vote that way. (Applause.)
I'll give you an example. I think of the sons and
daughters of Tennessee that served in Desert Storm as among the most
patriotic people in the entire world. (Applause.) And consider
Governor Clinton's principled stand on both sides of the Gulf War
when he said -- and here is an exact quotation -- remember now, this
man wants to be Commander-in-Chief. And here is the exact quotation
-- remember now, this man wants to be commander-in-chief. And here
is the exact quotation. I quote: "I guess I would have voted with
the majority if it was a close vote, but I agree with the arguments
the minority made." What kind of leadership position is that?
AUDIENCE. Booooo!
THE PRESIDENT: He's like that on a lot of issues. He
turns up in more places than Elvis Presley. (Applause.) You know, I
saw a tape on this the other day, looking right into the camera
saying I will not run for President. I will finish my four years if
the people of Arkansas elect me. And the very next year he says I'm
running for President. And one day he says he's for the North
American Free Trade Agreement, and then he says "Well, I've got to
study it. I haven't made up my mind yet."
And one day he says the middle class deserves a tax
break, and the next day he's finding new ways to hit the middle class
for all his programs. One day he's for an automobile fuel efficiency
standard, CAFE standard of 45 miles per gallon -- and that would
throw a lot of Tennessee auto workers out of their jobs -- and the
next day he says, well, I'm studying it. When you're President of
the United States, privileged to sit in that Oval Office, you've got
to make a decision. You cannot sit there being all things to all
people. (Applause.)
We do not expect the man to win, but don't expect him to
level with the American people. And if he ever got to be President
we'd have to turn the take off the American Eagle as our symbol
and put on a chameleon. And we don't need that for the head of the
United States of America.
So it boils down to this -- I'm having fun, because for
11 months I've wanted to go after this guy and his record, and now
we're doing it. (Applause.) It is great. It simply boils down to
this: We cannot take a risk on Governor Clinton to become President
Clinton. (Applause.)
You know, I've been in that Oval Office and I've faced
some tough decisions, made some mistakes, hopefully called a lot of
them right. But, believe me, I've tried hard to be a good and
principled leader, willing to make the tough calls. And I am a
leader whose ideas are right for the United States of America.
(Applause.)
And so I came here to this great part of Tennessee today
asking for your support SO you can get -- so I can go to work with a
new Congress to fix the problems that stand in our way. We've got to
- 5 -
reform our health care system, reinvent our public schools. And let
me salute Lamar Alexander, our great Secretary of Education.
(Applause.) What a job he has done.
For Lamar and for me, it's not enough to change things,
we want to reinvent them and back up our teachers and the people --
the local people that know what's best for Tennessee education.
(Applause.) We're going to reform or reinvent the schools, and then
we want to retain the workers from one generation and create jobs for
the next, so that we can cut government spending, cut these taxes to
get this economy moving again. And pass term limits for Members of
Congress and give the government back to the people. (Applause.)
Let me tell you something: I am very proud that I
served our country in the uniform of the United States of America.
(Applause.) And that helped me make a tough decision when Saddam
Hussein moved out and tried to take over another country. And,
again, I salute every person in the United States that was willing to
stand up and fight against aggression and for the United States of
America and for freedom. And as a result of what happened, you have
ancient enemies talking to each other in the Middle East, you have
democracy on the move in Russia. Who would have thought that
possible? You have far less fear of nuclear war today than when I
became President of the United States. (Applause.)
And now what we've got to do - and what I can do with
your help -- is to take that same principle leadership and lift up.
and renew America. I ask for your support for four more years as
President of the United States. (Applause.) And may God bless our
great country. May God bless the United States of America.
AUDIENCE: Four more years! Four more years!
THE PRESIDENT: Thank you very much. (Applause.) Thank
you all.
END
2:40 P.M. EDT
daily
9/29
From the desk of
9-29-92
George Bush Doro
Robert sends
his love to
causin Bobby,
Not ! He y'all! ashed about
FROM
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON. D.C.
Mrs. Dorothy Koch
10 Bay Tree Lane
Bethesda, Maryland 20816
IFYOUWOULD LIKE TO TALKWITH YOUR
VOTE FOR THE
CANDIDATE, PLEASE CALL MY HOME
AND LEAVE A MESSAGE, YOUR NAME
VOTE FOR
MAN WHO
AND PHONE NUMBER (if I am not at home)
AND I'LL RETURN YOUR CALL
THE CANDIDATE
WILL VOTE
647-7160
YOUR DESIRES
WHO WILL MAKE
Do you want to be represented on a full time
THE CHANGE.
basis, in Nashville? If your answer is YES
then I am your person. Mr. Head has a full
time contracting business to operate during
the year while trying to be a Legislator. Even
EN
though I am working, at the present time, I
have already given notice that I will leave my
employment upon awinning the election, to
become a FULL TIME REPRESENTATIVE
IN REPRESENTING THE CITIZENS
OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, I WILL
NOT ACCEPT ANY MONIES FOR MY
VOTE OR PRODUCE LEGISLATION
RELATED TO POLITICAL
CONTRIBUTIONS
I AM ASKING
FOR YOUR VOTE
ROBERT
ON NOVEMBER 3RD
KOCH
PLEASE VOTE!
"Representative of the Tax Payers for
(PRONOUNCED COOK)
Responsible Legislation"
68ᵀᴴ DISTRICT
STATE REPRESENTATIVE
PAY AND RETIREMENT RAISES FOR
Issues which are expected during the next
LEGISLATORS - I'll vote against all pay raises
Legislative session and how I'll vote related
BACKGROUND AND
for Legislators.
to the choice of Montgomery County
EXPERIENCE:
Citizens. Included is Mr. Head's Legislative
Mr. Head has been in favor of pay and retirement
Vote or how he stands on the issues,
benefits for Legislators.
which were not in the best interest of
employed by Clarksville Memorial Hospital
Montgomery County Citizens.
as the Lead Security Officer. Prior to this time I was
SALES TAX INCREASES - I'll vote against
employed by the federal government as Data
all Sales Tax Increases or the extension of the
Processing Manager, Transportation Manager, and
half percent which was added on this year.
Facilities Engineering Manager. Before my
ELECTRONIC POKER MACHINES- I'll
retirement I was responsible for the facilities at the
vote against any legalization of electronic
Mr. Head submitted HB 5032 which would repeal
Long Beach Naval Shipyard, Long Beach Naval
gambling machines.
Station and the Long Beach Naval Hospital. I took
local sales taxes and increase the rate of the
an early retirement in 1988 and moved to Clarksville
State Sales Tax from 5 1/2 percent to 7 3/4
Mr. Head has supported and voted for all bills
and have been active in community affairs.
percent. This reduction in the local sales tax
to legalize electronic gambling machines.
would increase our property taxes $2.00 per
In 1973, I was given the "Man of the Year"
$100 assessment or cause other local taxes to
Award from the Salvation Army in Washington,
D.C. for my disaster work in Mann, W. Va. and
TAX REFORM - REDUCED SPENDING -
be passed to make up the shortage.
Fairfax, Va. I was also a former sergeant major of the
BALANCED BUDGET. I'll vote against any
added on State Income Tax. I'll vote for tax
ABORTION - I'll vote against any abortion bill
Salvation Army.
reform which doesn't increase taxes above
except that which would save a Mother's life or
lattended University of Pennsylvania Wharton
the present status. I'll vote for a Balanced
in cases of Rape or Incest.
School for a BS degree in accounting. A graduate
Budget with Line Item Veto power. I'll vote
of the Department of Defense Computer Institute,
against any spending which requires use of
Mr. head doesn't want to change the present
the Civil Commission Equal Employment
Reserve Funds while voting for Spending
state laws.
Opportunity School, the Naval School for Civil
Reform.
Engineering Corps Officers, the Industrial College
of the Armed Forces, the Naval Investigative Service
School and other government schools.
While Mr. Head has stated that he is in favor
PROVIDE A CHANNEL TO TALK WITH
of tax reform, he has voted for increased
YOUR REPRESENTATIVE - I'll set up a phone
I am a member and Sunday School teacher at
spending and appropriation bills, even when
line for all Montgomery County Citizens to talk
Antioch United Methodist Church. A member of
passage means the use of Reserve Funds.
with their Representative.
the Free and Accepted Masons of Palmyra Chapter
He has shown by his vote that he isn't
No. 747, the order of Eastern Star Palmyra Chapter
concerned with the budget.
Mr. Head has shown that he isn't concerned with
No. 473, Scottish Rite Bodies of Freemasonry
your comments and doesn't find time to return
Nashville, the Al Menah Temple Nashville, Loyal
calls. His voting record shows how he feels
Order of Moose Clarksville No. 1027 and the Society
STATE LOTTERY - I will vote for legislation
about the concerns of the citizens which he
of American Military Engineers.
which would allow the citizens of Tennessee
represents.
to decide on a State Lottery with the proceeds
I live at 1213 Debra Drive, Clarksville with my
wife Debra and our 9 year old son Donald. We have
going to our school systems.
FAIR AND EQUABLE HEALTH REFORM -
six grown children living in Maryland, Delaware,
The incumbent has proposed a State Lottery
I'll vote for any bill and support legislation which
and California, and have 11 grandchildren.
as a means of Finance. But, he hasn't ear
will provide fair and equable programs for all
marked the funds for schools.
citizens.
Daily 9/29
UNITED OF THE UNITED BILL
d
STALION
8
SEAL
STATES
Aboard Sir Force One
9-29-92
Tenn to D.C
Dear Ray.
really great. May thanks truly
That editorial was
my frend. I are
grateful. we are going to win.
are moving. The and
Thugs is extra ugly believe
press Clinton; but I
pro wint it on Trust -
I'll character and on havis
a better economic plan.
WASHINGTON, D.C.
Mr. Ray Scott, Jr.
Bass Publications
5845 Carmichael
Montgomery, Alabama 36117
From the desk of
George Bush
RZ
sevel editorial
to Martin, to
send caupaign his Her" to
proper preson. GB
Document Originally
Attached to
Following Page
BUSH LIBRARY PHOTOCOPY - GEORGE BUSH HANDWRITING
I " pass along your great
other to help to the caepaign
You're a good fried and I
sure appreciate that.
Was Requds,
G
9/30 Phil:
Per the President, please
do the following:
- Send CC of the editorial
From the desk of
George Bush
RZ
to Marlin and to Campaign.
- Send Ray Scott's "offer"
to the proper person
sevel editoral
for handling.
(You may want to CC Baker.
to Marlin, to
The President will want to
be kept informed of its
status.)
Rose
send coupaign his Her" to
proper puson: GB
RAY SCOTT
September 22, 1992
PERSONAL
President George Bush
The White House
Washington, DC-20500
Dear George,
Enclosed is an outline of the way we could get the bass
fishermen involved with your "stops." My earlier idea of a
"B.A.S.S. Boys for Bush Seminar Trail" didn't work out.
I can't offer any advice that you aren't sick of hearing.
We are going to win this election, but it's gonna be tough as
hell. He's ahead, even by our most favorable polls. The
debates can be helpful.
Please have someone let me hear if my idea sounds okay.
Enclosed is a copy of my editorial in BASSMASTER.
If there is anything else I can do for you, please let me
hear from you. When this thing is over, we'll go on one heck
of a fishing trip.
Susan and I send our love to you and Barbara.
With warmest regards,
Pay Ray Scott
Appearing in BASSMASTER,
November 1992
SCOTT ON THE LINE
To reach members about 10/15
George Bush: Still The Best For The Job
To me the choice of who will best serve our
I had the good formune of first meeting and getting to know
nation as president is so very clear. When
George Bush in 1979, before be was a candidate for president.
Pick-up
George Bush first ran for president in 1979
The thing I remember about our first meeting was that I did most
photo.
he was even then the most qualified candi-
of the talking.
from
date. He offered himself with a pedigree of
I was knee-deep at the time in a frustrated effort to get
experience that had never been equaled by
Congress to pass some very important legislation to benefit
LAST
any presidential candidate. His was a record
America's fisheries. B.A.S.S. and several other fisbing groups
ISSUE
of dedicated service to our nation that
WCTC struggling to get more money for the states' suffering fishery
remains unparalleled.
programs. We had worked bard for some time, but to no avail.
He served two terms as a member of the
Jimmy Carter was president then. Cougress and the country
U.S. House of Representatives. The youngest congressman to be
were in a glorified mess. Inflation was at 15.8 percent that year,
appointed to the powerful Ways and Means Committee. George
and interest rates were bumping 20 percent. And we were getting
Bush was later to serve as the very first envoy to Communist
nowhere with our efforts to get an increase in a self-imposed
China_ He provided exemplary leadership as director of the Cen-
excise tax on fishing tackle and marine products.
tral Intelligence Agency. then served a tour as the
George Bush promised me that day that he
United States' Ambassador to the United Nations
The only thing
would support such a tax since it was a "user-pays
- at a time when the Cold War was at its peak.
tax." Our battle for passage of the Wallop-Breaux
Qualifications and experience are almost every-
worse than not
amendment to the Sport Fish Restoration Act con-
thing when it comes to applying for a job. George
tinued as we had to fight our way through the maze
Bush had those qualifications in 1979:
voting for
of Congress. After be was elected vice president,
He was a partriot as well. In 1942 he walked in
George Bush lived up to his word. As legislative
and volunteered to serve in World War IL He served
George Bush
roadblocks would appear and our campaign became
honorably and with distinction. George Bush was
dead in the water. I could call on him. Not once did
commissioned as the youngest-ever U.S. Navy pilot.
for president
he fail to take my call, and every time, the stum-
He was decorated for valor He wasn't just shot at;
bling blocks disappeared
he was shot down while on a dive-bombing mission
is not voting.
In August 1984. the legislation passed the House
over a Japanese island.
and Scnate, and President Reagan signed it into law.
When it came to serving his country, there were
Since then. an additional S1 billion has flowed
00 second thoughts. He could have chosen to dodge the draft by
directly into the 50 states to help improve fishing for everyone.
staying in college or by other means, but he felt it was his duty to
I can tell you one thing for certain: Without George Bush's
offer himself for service. That's just the way he is.
faithful support, it would not be law today, and fishing quality
Add to that list of credentials two terms as the most active vice
would not be nearly as good
president in our nation's history and four years as our president.
By the way, those gosh-awful inflation and interest rates of 13
What is more, be was president of these United States during a
years ago - they are lower now than they've been in most of our
time that bas seen the world honestly become a much safer place
lifetimes.
to live. That awful cold, stone wall that for so long separated the
Four years ago, George Bush was campaigning for his first
free people of Berlin from the enslaved folks on the communist
term as president. In an interview with The New York Times. he
side of that wall is no more. They are breathing the same free air
was asked about his reading habits and such The last question
you and I have always taken for granted The world is a safer
was, "Mr. Bush, what is your favorite magazine?" Without a
place for you. me and our loved ones.
blink. George Bush said, "BASSMASTER." That word. "BASS-
Let's remember that the freedoms we enjoy are bought. There
MASTER." ended the interview.
is a price paid for freedom that includes the supreme price for
It is important, yes it's imperative, that you and I vote on Tues-
many - the sacrifice of life by IICO who willingly and faithfully
day, Nov. 3. 1 hope you'll-vote for George Bush. You and I can't
Served- that we might be free.
take a chance.
If you're just about to suspect that Fm endorsing the re-elec-
Choosing a president is a lot like picking a fishing lure. You pick
tion of George Bush, you are correct
the lure that has proved to you that it has worked well in the past.
Just as you and I aren't perfect, George Bush isn't, either. But I
Let's use the same good judgment when we cast our vote on Nov. 3.
guarantee you he's had more practice trying to become per-
fect than Bill Clinton or anyone else who might seek the office.
Sincerely.
George Bush is a fisherman. Like most of us Bassmasters.
fishing offers him those moments for the brain to relax and
PayScott
cleanse itself of the "muddle" it collects. George Bush told me
once that bass fishing "sort of freshens my mind." You and I
Ray Scott, President
know what be is talking about
Bass Anglers Sportsman Society
8
BASSMASTER MAGAZINE
RAY SCOTT
FACSIMILE COMMUNICATION TO GEORGE BUSH, JR.
September 22, 1992
Mr. George Bush, Jr.
6029 Northwood Road
Dallas, Texas 75225
Dear George,
How about this suggestion?
I have about 550,000 members of B.A.S.S. nationwide in my
computer.
When recently your dad was through Birmingham for a
shopping mall speech, the chairman of the event, Emory Folmar,
asked if I would try to drum up some folks to attend the
rally.
We pushed the computer button and out it spat 4,249
personal letters from Ray Scott to those B.A.S.S. members who
lived in Jefferson County (Birmingham) and each of the four
surrounding counties.
I was there with Emory to keep the fans from leaving. We
had the usual high school bands, state GOP politicos, etc.
The crowd was estimated at 20,000. I'd guess a few less, but
a darn packed parking lot! I asked for a show of hands of
those who were B.A.S.S. members. I'd estimate 250 to 300
hands went up. That show of hands did not include any friends
or family who might have traveled with the member.
My proposal is as follows:
I would like to offer to attend any whirlwind schedules
with your dad (put me in the baggage compartment!) With as
little as one week notice, I can have our members who live
within one or two counties of the target rally town to receive
"a personal letter from Ray Scott." We can make the letter
similar to the one enclosed or change it in any way the
experts wish.
My personal letter would serve three purposes:
1. It personally says, "Let's vote for George Bush for the
following reasons 1,2,3, etc."
2. It specifically and personally invites him and his family
to join me at the rally and welcome the President.
3. It again reminds him to "go vote on Tuesday."
George, I think it would be imperative that I attend the
event just in advance of your dad showing up. I could show
up about the time the Lee Greenwoods, or whomever, is singing
or dancing. I could welcome the outdoorsmen, help rev up the
crowd at the podium, especially the B.A.S.S. boys and their
buddies.
The net-net minimum cost would be whatever the law requires
for the mailing.
I'm sorry the other idea of my "Traveling Fishing Seminar"
didn't work, but I can do this if the experts think it will
help.
I'm enclosing a copy of my editorial "Scott on the Line"
which will appear in your November 1992 BASSMASTER Magazine.
That issue will reach the mailboxes of our 550,000 members on
or about October 15.
I will be available to travel the weeks of October 4-10 and
October 19 - November 2.
This is a small offering when we look at the giant job we
must do. Let me hear.
Sincerely,
Roy Ray Scott
P.S.
Try not to get me dropped off into the hands of some "busy
body."
C.C. President Bush w/ personal note
Letter B.S.S.S. mailed to 42 49 members
RAY SCOTT
August 18, 1992
Mr. James Doe
1825 Heathermore Est. #96
Moody, AL 35004-2913
Dear James,
This is a personal invitation for you to join me in a special greeting to
President and Mrs. George Bush this coming SATURDAY, AUGUST 22, at
1:30 PM. I want this to be a very special rally that will demonstrate a true
Southern welcome from all the B.A.S.S. fishermen and outdoorsmen of
Alabama.
I'd like to see the kind of welcome B.A.S.S. received several weeks ago in
Birmingham at our BASS Masters Classic. The response was incredible. I
think it was our most exciting and well-attended Classic ever held.
Fishermen, sponsors and guests said they were overwhelmed with the
hospitality from Alabama and especially Birmingham. Let's show the
President and his wonderful wife the same kind of hospitality!
The President and Mrs. Bush will join us in the parking lot of the Galleria
Shopping Center which is just off I-459 in South Birmingham. When you get
to the Galleria Shopping Center, just drive around to the side where you
hear the music and see the bandstand.
James, I know this is Saturday and you may be thinking of doing other
things. But I'm asking you to share that time with me and other B.A.S.S.
folks in showing our support and our thanks for George Bush's devotion to
fishermens' interests during the last 12 years. He has truly been our friend.
George Bush is a life member of B.A.S.S., has attended two BASS
Masters Classics and has joined me on three occasions to fish at my lake in
Pintlala. He loves bass fishing and he loves the people of Alabama!
Bring your family, fishing buddies, and friends
they are all invited. It
will be fun and a memorable experience. Refreshments will be available.
Please join me as we give President and Mrs. Bush a real ALABAMA
WELCOME!
Bass wishes
RayScott
Ray Scott
POOL REPORT # 4
Austin Peay State University to
Opryland USA Nashville
bs
September 29, 1992
After President Bush completed the speech at Austin Peay, Marlin
Fitzwater answered several questions pertaining to both the
debate proposal and his chances Tennessee:
Q: "How do you assess the President's chances in Tennessee?"
Marlin: "We're only a few points behind. We've always had good
strong support in Tennessee As this audience shows there S a lot
of very enthusiastic and super support here so I think we have
a
very good chance of winning Al Gore's home state.
Q: "Why debates? What was the decision to go for four?'
Marlin: "The president wanted a bold proposal that made it very
clear to the American people that he wants to debate, that he
believes in them, and that he's felt that way from the very
beginning. And this is the most extensive debate proposal ever
made by a president, or any candidate for president. I think
it'll be clear now to everyone that George Bush wants to debate,
that he's eager to the challenge, eager to take him on, and we're
going to see some pretty healthy discussions of the issues."
Q: "Why wait until now? Why wait this long?"
Marlin: "We thought Mr. Clinton would accept our earlier
proposals. And frankly we were baffled that he was not willing to
sit down with us, not willing to even talk about debates. So we
wanted to give him enough time to make sure that everybody
understood his position. And it's clear now that he simply didn't
want to debate. But I think now he'll want to get involved here
because the American people deserve to hear from their
presidential candidates."
Q: "Does he (Clinton) have any choice but to accept this offer?"
Marlin: "Well, you'll have to ask him that. I thought he would've
accepted our last proposal but he didn't, so we'll have to wait
and see."
Q: "Why the change of heart, now you're going to the single
moderator?"
Marlin: "Well, as I said, we had our proposal on the table
before. It was a good one. We thought it would be accepted. And
so now we want to make it very clear that the president wants to
debate and we'll do it under these formats. We'll take 2 of ours
and 2 of his, and 2 more for the vice-presidential for a six
debate package. And the American people will get to see their
candidates in these various forms. They're gonna hear press
questions--you'll ask questions on a variety of subjects. I never
was clear on why Mr. Clinton was afraid to answer press
questions. But in any case I think these debates will go very
well."
Q: "Did the president need this also to shake this campaign up?"
Marlin: "Well, our campaign is going very well. We had a poll
this morning show we picked up 12 points last week. So that's a
very encouraging development and we think we're doing very well."
Q: "Was that one point among 12 polls?"
(Laughter)
Marlin: "On to Nashville! Let's Go!"
After arriving at the airport in Nashville, President Bush was
asked if he thought Clinton would take him up on his challenge.
Bush answered, "I don't know, it's a. good offer, though, isn't
it?
(You've?) been yelling at me about debate for months. "
Mary Matalin also had a few comments on Bush's proposal. She said
"We always wanted to debate This was the only way to get those
chickens to the table And later, "They re too chicken to come
talk with us Also "Let! see them put their mouth where their
macho is."
Finally, another campaign spokesperson said, on background, that
the debate proposal had been under consideration for several
days, but the decision to make the announcement today was not
made until this afternoon As to why the announcement was made at
Austin Peay the spokesperson said simply "We just decided it
was a good time.
David Bowermaster
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U.S. News and World Report
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FROM
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON. D.C.
Master Aaron Jay Olson
6644 Elliot Avenue South
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55423
THE PRESIDENT
September 29, 1992
Dear Aaron,
Thanks for your vote. It makes me very happy to
know you are on my side. I'm glad to see that your
class is learning about the election.
Hope you enjoy being in the third grade. Good luck!
Say hello to your Mom.
Sincerely,
GaBl
CC: (in & out)
Rose Zamaria (1 cc)
HOUSE
D.C.
Master Aaron Jay Olson
6644 Elliot Avenue South
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55423
The President
wishes, G Bul
To Aaron Olson
With best
Please sign
photo too
September 25, 1770
Dear President Bush
that I had been asked to attend a meeting
Last evening l told my family
in Chicago where the President
that in his 3rd grade closs that day
Carm, 8 yrs old explained to us
w oned be splaking. My oldest son
that he U oted for you. He was
they oted for the reqet President, &
to see the President the next day-
very excited that his mom was going
d have enclosed his U ote ontle
Scholastic News so that you could
have one yring boys vote of confidence
in your hands.
From the desk of
Sircerely,
George Bush
niceplear reply
Praft
Mancy Drazinio Olser
mom of Aaron Jay Olson
6644 Elliot Ave S.
Minneapolis, MW
1
55423
'A Supporter'
Aaranolson Aarone
NEWS AND VOCABULARY REVIEW
BRAIN TEASER
Write the number of the beginning of each sentence next to
the ending that goes with it.
How sharp are your eyes?
Look at the 16 socks below.
1. Bosnia-Herzegovina
2 medicine to help
Although there are enough to
used to be part of
people in Bosnia-
make 8 pairs, only two socks
Herzegovina.
match exactly. See if you can
2. Many countries are sending
find the real pair in the group.
food and
solve important
problems.
3. Yugoslavia used to be
the country of
4. Today, only the republics
Yugoslavia.
C
of Serbia
all Americans pay their
5. Many relief workers
medical bills.
51
6. A caucus is a group of
are helping the
people who talk about
1
K
refugees.
G
how leaders should
and Montenegro make
7. Kids Caucus members
up Yugoslavia.
M
3
L
said the U.S. government
one country with six
should help
republics
Art: Dixon Scott
P
PICK THE NEXT PRESIDENT
Put an X next to the person you want to be President Give your vote to
your teacher. Your teacher will tell Scholastic News who you picked.
George Bush
Bill Clinton
Note to teacher: Send: in your class fally by October 1, 1992
4
SEPTEMBER 25, 1992
SCHOLASTIC NEWS
ED. 3
HABAY
THUNDERBIRD AVIATION Inc.
YOUR FULL SERVICE AVIATION CENTER
Nancy Grazzini-Olson
Vice President
Airport Facility
Corporate Office
14091 Pioneer Trail
5100 Eden Ave.
Flying Cloud Airport
Minneapolis, MN 55436
Eden Prairie, MN 55347
612-926-1671
612-941-1212
CHICAGO HILTON
AND Towers
President Bush
fromar 8 year
old boy
720 South Michigan Avenue
Chicago, Illinois 60605
312/922-4400
PAT RYAN
- SHIRLEY
Bob Ste Stewart arent
/Babar
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
(Clarkesville, Tennessee)
For Immediate Release
September 29, 1992
TO THE CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES:
It is my pleasure to submit my third annual report on the
state of small business. America's small business owners are
individuals with countless new ideas, employers and workers who
produce a vast array of goods and services, taxpayers who pay
many of the bills, and economic pioneers who help decide the
future direction of our economy. In their endless variety,
marketplace. small firms help create a flexible, diverse, and lively
For generations, entrepreneurial business owners have
been in the forefront of the dynamic economic changes that
continually revitalize our democracy. In the early days of our
Republic, small business innovators led the way in developing
more productive farming technologies. Greater agricultural
productivity eventually freed other entrepreneurs to develop and
commercialize new manufacturing processes. These processes and
manufactured products set a new standard for America -- and for
the world. But America's small business innovators did not stop
there. They started another revolution by anticipating and
responding quickly to the demands that grew out of the new,
higher standard of living -- demands for services and
sophisticated new information technologies.
Small businesses have made important contributions to the
economy, not only by introducing new products and processes and
creating jobs, but also by making the economy more adaptive and
flexible -- by retaining workers longer during recessions and
hiring workers earlier as expansions begin.
There is no doubt that 1991 was not an easy year for the
American economy or for small business. The recession that
began in the third quarter of 1990 carried over into 1991.
Business formation rates were down, and business closings were
more cautious about business expansions.
up. The flow of financing slowed as banks and businesses grew
Yet in this recession, as in other economic downturns,
small businesses continued to function as a source of jobs,
off workers, many small firms tightened their belts in other
creating many of the new jobs in the economy. Rather than lay
and contribute to their communities.
areas. And they continued to innovate, introduce new products,
Our economy has begun to grow again. still, small firms
face difficult challenges in the months and years ahead. The
truth is that health care costs are too high and the unmet need
for health coverage is great in small businesses. And of all
employers, small businesses are least able to afford the
expensive mandates that have been advocated by some. The
proposal I presented to the Congress would not resort to
mandates, but would build on the strengths of our private health
workers and their families,
care system to make health insurance affordable for America's
more
(OVER)
2
Adjustments occurring in our financial institutions
have made it difficult for many worthy small businesses to
find the capital they need to start up or expand. Therefore,
my Administration is taking steps to encourage investment in
business ventures in a number of ways. I have proposed that the
Congress cut the capital gains tax so that investors will have
an incentive to buy into new ventures. Another proposal I have
made is to create an investment tax allowance that would assist
in starting new firms.
And we can encourage some new investment by adapting
programs that are already underway. For example, the Small
Business Administration is working with banks to implement
innovative loan programs that are channeling funds to smaller
firms in some of the most economically depressed areas.
Another obstacle that can stand in the way of small firm
growth is too much regulation. My Administration this year
instituted a moratorium on new Federal regulations to give
Federal agencies a chance to review and revise their rules. And
we are looking at ways to improve our regulatory process over
the long term so that regulations will accomplish their original
purpose without unduly hindering economic growth.
We also need to encourage innovation -- such as that
exhibited by thousands of small high technology firms -- by
making the research and experimentation tax credit permanent.
My Administration is committed to exploring the promise of new
technologies.
This report documents the increasing, healthy diversity of
our small business community, as minority- and women-owned
businesses enter the marketplace in record numbers. I want to
keep encouraging that diversity through our Federal procurement
programs.
I also want to see more of the Nation's economically
depressed communities reap the benefits of business growth. To
that end, I have asked the Congress to pass my enterprise zone
legislation, which will provide incentives to businesses that
start up in specially designated areas, particularly in inner
cities.
Looking to the future, it is clear that we need to improve
our educational system so that America's workers, particularly
in small firms, will be in a better position to compete in a
more and more sophisticated global marketplace. My America 2000
education strategy is designed to give parents, teachers, and
communities more freedom and flexibility in designing education
programs to meet their needs -- and to make America the world's
leader in education.
Many of these proposals for economic recovery and
growth are being enacted now; others will require action by
the Congress. I am committed to working with the Members of
Congress to develop and enact a broad economic plan we can all
live with. These combined actions will help small business to
move ahead to create the economic revolutions that will lead us
into the 21st century.
GEORGE BUSH
THE WHITE HOUSE,
September 29, 1992.
# #
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
(Clarksville, Tennessee)
For Immediate Release
September 29, 1992
REMARKS BY THE PRESIDENT
AT CLARKSVILLE COMMUNITY WELCOME
Austin Peay State University
Clarksville, Tennessee
4:04 P.M. CDT
THE PRESIDENT: Thank you, Naomi. And may I welcome
just a few people -- first, our Secretary of Education, a great
Tennessean, Lamar Alexander. What a job he's doing for
education. (Applause.) And Senator Howard Baker -- great
American leader. (Applause.) Congressman Sundquist, your great
Congressman, is here with us today. (Applause.) And Congressman
Duncan.
And may I salute the president, President Oscar
Page, and thank him for this hospitality; and Coach Ray Gregory.
(Applause.) Coach Gregory, congratulations on being named
Tennessee Football Coach of the Year. A great honor.
(Applause.)
And may I also salute my introducer, Naomi. I'm
very, very proud that she's been with us today. (Applause.) And
thank Ricky -- Ricky Skaggs, who you heard from, who's a
wonderful entertainer and a good friend to Barbara and me. And
my special appreciation to a great friend and a great
entertainer, the legendary, one and only Crystal Gayle. Crystal,
thank you so much. (Applause.)
Four years ago -- and Crystal's sister, Peggy Sue,
is here -- and four years ago we went on a bus trip across
Illinois. And we won the state. So this is a good omen -- we
are going to win Tennessee. (Applause.)
Before I make a few campaign remarks I have a few
things to say about a topic that's been on a lot of minds
recently. And I hope you'll bear with me because I want to talk
to you and to the rest of the nation from this wonderful campus
about presidential debates. (Applause.)
Two weeks ago, I proposed to Governor Clinton that
we debate. And I proposed that we do so on the same terms and
conditions that have been used in prior presidential debates, and
that the vice presidential candidates do so as well. And
Governor Clinton has failed to respond to this proposal. But, in
fact, it is reported that he is afraid for his campaign to sit
down with out campaign to negotiate arrangements for the debate.
for President. And I continue to think that it's important that
And I have debated in all of my prior campaigns
debates be held. You see, I believe strongly that it is not up
to any self-appointed body to determine the basis on which
debates will be held, but rather up to the candidates themselves.
And this basic principle was expressly recognized by both
national political parties when the resolution establishing the
Commission on Debates was first adopted.
and strength of my convictions about what is right for this country,
And because of the importance of this election, the
America -- (applause) -- I think it is important that voters have
my belief that a Clinton presidency would be wrong for
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an opportunity to see and hear from the candidates themselves in
publicly-televised debates. And I also believe that the
candidates should not be afraid to accept and respond to
questions from the press during the course of presidential
debates. (Applause.)
Americans will go to the polls five weeks from
today. And I regret that Governor Clinton has not accepted the
traditional approach to presidential debates, the approach that's
been in effect for many, many years. But nevertheless, in order
to move this process forward, I hereby challenge my opponent to a
debate on every Sunday evening between October 11th and November
1st. (Applause.)
And this would mean that there would be four
televised presidential debates, more than ever held in any
presidential election. And if ROSS Perot decides to enter the
race, (Applause.) I'd be pleased to see him included in these debates.
Now, furthermore, to allow these arrangements to
move forward quickly, I would be willing to see two of the
debates proceed under the format which has been used in all these
previous presidential elections, and two proceed under this
single moderator format. In addition, I think that during the
five-week period, there should be at least two vice presidential
debates with one based on each format.
And I feel quite confident that Goveror Clinton will
accept this proposal, since his campaign chairman has indicated
in the past that Governor Clinton would debate -- and now I quote
-- "with moderators, without moderators, in a studio, out of a
studio, three questioners, one questioner." so I have no doubt
that there will be organizations willing to sponsor these
debates. And if Governor Clinton is serious about debating he
will accept this challenge and he will instruct his campaign
officials to meet promptly with my campaign officials to work out
the (Applause.) details directly between the parties. Let's get it on.
And what are we going to be talking about in these
debates? What are we going to be talking about in them? Well,
this campaign, like every campaign, is about a simple question:
What kind of America do we want for the graduates of this great
school, for all the young people here today? And my opponent
will tell you that America is in decline. And I would remind him
of what anyone would tell you on the streets of Europe or Asia --
America is still the most respected, the most admired, the most
dynamic -- (applause) -- the most dynamic nation in the entire
world. And I'm tired of hearing Clinton drag down the United
States of America. (Applause.)
that we led the way in reducing nuclear weapons so that our kids
And I'm proud, I am proud of our leadership; proud
And can sleep free from the nightmares of nuclear war. (Applause.)
and it's a fitting place to say this, right near Fort Campbell --
-- I am proud of how we stood up to saddam Hussein, kicking him
(applause) -- proud of the Screaming Eagles from Fort
Campbell's 101st Airborne. (Applause.)
no other nation can match the courage of the men and of
And in the sands of Saudi Arabia, they showed that
America. And now our challenge is to put our talents women to work to
high-growth economy with good jobs for you and all your
win the new global economic competition, to create a high-tech,
American classmates. And I have laid out my agenda, detailed Agenda for
to Renewal -- a specific, comprehensive, integrated agende
economy. (Applause.)
create in American the world's very first $10-trillion
international leadership, to open up new markets for experience, American
And I want to use this international
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products, because that is how we will create good jobs for
American workers.
Small business will create two-thirds of the new
jobs in the new economy. And Governor Clinton promises small
business higher taxes and more red tape. And I promise relief
from taxation, regulation, and litigation. Get the regulations
off (Applause.) the back of the small businesspeople in this country.
And with Lamar's -- Lamar Alexander's leadership and
assistance, we're proud that today half the students in four-
year colleges across Tennessee receive federal grants or loans.
And no one told you what college you had to go to. You had the
freedom to choose your school. (Applause.) And now we are
fighting to reinvent America's elementary and high schools by
giving every parent the right to choose their children's schools
-- public, private or religious. (Applause.)
And we have a good plan to give government vouchers
to soldiers and others caught in the transition of the economy so
that they may learn new skills and find the dignity work.
And here's something else I want: to limit the
terms of members of the United states Congress. (Applause.)
Governor Clinton says he's the candidate of change, but he
opposed this, the most profound change offered this year.
the other end of Pennsylvania Avenue. (Applause.) so let's
Presidents serve limited terms. The same rule ought to apply to
people. (Applause.)
approve term limits and give Congress back to the American
And I might add this -- that if we had more
congressmen like Don Sundquist up there, everybody wouldn't be
yelling let's at me "clean House." (Applause.) But while we're at it,
rid of that old 38-year-old governance that has controlled
have that little chant: "Clean House." We've got to get
change in America? Help me change the Congress and move this
Congress for 38 years. Let's change it. You want to make real
country forward. (Applause.)
in November. But if candidate Clinton wants to talk about the
fighting for. And I'm proud of my record, and I'll stand by it
These are just some of my ideas and some of what I'm
past, (Applause.) I say okay, let's look at what's going on in Arkansas.
The people there -- and I know them; I've been there
many, many times; lived next door -- they are decent and hard-
more working people. But the more you know about their Governor, the
Clinton you know that he's wrong for America. (Applause.) Governor
have says he's for civil rights. But Arkansas doesn't
under a basic civil rights law. He says he's for high-tech, even but
first Three out of every four Arkansas graduates spend high their
school. Bill Clinton, Arkansas has been falling behind in
in year in college relearning what they were supposed to learn
(Applause.) high school. And that is not fair to the people of Arkansas.
But the his law crime rate rises faster than the nation's. And on crime.
Bill Clinton says he wants to get tough
And I enforcement officers all across the country. (Applause.) I support
endorse am very proud that the police in Little Rock, Arkansas,
record (Applause.) of America deserves better than that sorry Arkansas
me for President of the United States of America.
Governor Clinton. (Applause.)
Families campaign. I know America's endured some tough economic this
Look at the economy, the major issue in
competitors students know this -- by a global economic slowdown. affected -- Our
and all are hurting. But understand, we are being times.
in Europe would trade places with us in a minute.
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And yet Governor Clinton offers America the European social
welfare state policies -- more government, more special interest
spending, and more taxes on the middle class. And that is not
good for America.
AUDIENCE: Booo --
THE PRESIDENT: As Governor -- I know I hate to ruin
a beautiful afternoon like this, but listen to this one -- as
Governor, Bill Clinton raised and extended the sales tax,
including a tax on baby formula, vegetables and other groceries.
He raised the gas tax. He taxed mobile homes and cable TV. And,
oh, yes, he slapped a tax on beer.
AUDIENCE: Booo --
THE PRESIDENT: Yes. I had a feeling that would not
very popular here. (Applause.) And now the Governor says he's
seen the light. In this campaign he's proposing at least $150
billion in new taxes, plus at least $220 billion in new spending.
But don't worry, he says, "I'll get it all from the rich" --
people who make it over $200,000, the top two percent.
But here's the truth and problem: To get the money
he needs for his plan, the $150 billion he's promised in new
taxes, Governor Clinton would have to get his money from every
individual with taxable income over $36,600. And that's Just the
start of his tax campaign against the middle class. Governor
Clinton will need hundreds of billions of dollars more to pay for
all the programs that he's promised.
And the newspaper in his own backyard, the Pine
Bluff Commercial, says that if Congress follows Bill Clinton's
example, it would pass a tax program that would hit the middle
class the hardest. These are not people, Governor Clinton, on
"Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous." These are your parents --
your parents, my friends. (Applause.) These are the people that
work hard and pay the bills and sweat it out at tax time. And
they deserve a break, not a new tax. (Applause.)
And let me give you one example. Let's say after
you graduate, you get your first job with about, say, $22,000 in
taxable income. Governor Clinton could have you fork over
be able to use that money to pay the rent or spend a week at the
another 430 bucks a year to the tax man. And I say you ought to
lake on vacation or send it -- not have to send it back to the
IRS in Washington, D.C. (Applause.)
United States, I don't think we can take the risk on a tax-and-
And so, at this time in the great history of the
the spend candidate with no experience. And, you see, I've been in
Oval Office, and I have faced some very tough decisions.
And, of course, I've made mistakes. And when I make a mistake
the tough calls -- (applause) -- and I'm a leader whose ideas are
admit it. But I believe I've been a good leader, willing to make I
right for America.
And I stand before you today, asking for your
problems that stand in the way of this country; so that we
support so that we can get to work with a new Congress to fix the
schools; so that we can retrain workers from one generation and
reform our health care system; that we can literally reinvent can our
and create taxes jobs for the next; so that we can cut government spending
and get this economy moving again. (Applause.)
leader are looking for a leader of experience, a leader of ideas,
This is the agenda that I have to offer. And if you
who shares your values, and a leader who understands a that
America's real strength is not in government, but in places like
November 3rd. (Applause.)
Clarksville -- then I know I can count on your support on
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I have only one regret today -- and that is that the
greatest First Lady this country -- well, I'd better be careful,
but our great First Lady is not with me. I'm very proud of
Barbara Bush. And I see a sign over here that's talking about
the family. I think that my wife has done an awful lot when she
holds an AIDS baby in her arms, or when she sits and reads with
kids in the lobby there at the Diplomatic Entrance to the White
House, to show what we mean as a family when we say, let's
strengthen the American family. Read to the kids. Teach them
discipline. Help them. (Applause.)
I've been privileged to be your President. We did
it through some very, very tough times. And one of the things
that shaped my life is that I served my country in uniform. And
I'm very, very proud of that. (Applause.) And I salute those
here from Fort Campbell and elsewhere who are also serving their
great country. (Applause.)
And don't listen, don't listen to the other side
that is tearing down this country. We are the greatest,
strongest, fairest, freest country on the face of the Earth.
Let's keep it that way.
May God bless you all. And may God bless the United
States of America. Thank you very, very much. (Applause.) What
a great rally -- thank you all. (Applause.)
END
4:25 P.M. CDT
FROM
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON. D.C.
Trey Miller
3636 Greenbrier
Dallas, Texas 75225
THE PRESIDENT
9-29-92
Dear Trey,
Now I ive read your
computer letter. Thanks for
"rootin" for me- I loved
meeting you. Good Luch
as Burl
LCC: (in & out)
Rose Zamaria (1cc)
the miller kids.
At the dallas dinner
Trey Millen
We missed ya!!!
3636
Gree n brier
Dallas TX.
TRY
75225
miller
133333
hauring
the
Carla
Trey
shihm Chings and am)
rootin' for ya'!!!
and
the Miller Kids
Good luck
Mr. President
9/29/92
file
Mr. President:
Presidential Personnel passed on the
word that Chief Prescott of KBP is
going to wait until November to see
about taking the job at JUSTICE.
what RZ does this wear ?
election ? but uly
not do it won
Mr. President:
BUSH LIBRARY PHOTOCOPY GEORGE BUSH HANDWRITING
This means that the Chief did not want
to move down here until he was sure
his appointment would go beyond January.
He now is saying that he will work with
law enforcement people in Maine during
the campaign.
THE WHITE HOUSE
File of
WASHINGTON
DATE: 9/29/92
TO:
Barhara Bush
FROM:
ROSE ZAMARIA
Deputy Assistant to the President
FYI
Rose
POP - & wrote them
a loving letter BUT
this was a bitte release.
BUSH LIBRARY PHOTOCOPY - GEORGE BUSH HANDWRITING
LAGOMARSINO
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 28, 1992
LAGOMARSINO TO FOREGO WRITE-IN CAMPAIGN AT THIS TIME
SHELL BEACH, CA--Congressman Bob Lagomarsino said today (Monday)
that under the present circumstances, he will not file as a write-in
candidate for the 22nd Congressional district. The Congressman's
statement follows:
"Having met with my supporters, many of whom have been urging me to
run, and considered all the relevant factors, I believe that if I ran I
would have a good chance of winning. While it would be a very
competitive race, I am encouraged that the basic public support
necessary for a credible chance at victory is there. However, in
weighing all the factors associated with the unconventional nature of a
write-in campaign, I have decided to forego this option under the
present circumstances.
"There are strong indicators that I should run. Compared to
Huffington and Ochoa, I have the highest 'favorability' rating. It
amazes me that despite his spending an all-time record $3.5 million, the
voter's perception of Huffington is not better than it is. Ochoa does
not fare well either. As in the past, my support comes from all
sectors--Republicans, Democrats and Independents, many of whom could not
vote in the primary--significantly minimizing the claim that my
candidacy would throw the election to Ochoa or any other candidate on
the ballot.
"While these factors are very encouraging, they do not offset the
inherent obstacles of conducting a successful write-in campaign; namely
money and write-in ballot technicalities."
"I have always relied on contributions from local individuals.
During these tight economic times along the Central Coast, I cannot
realistically envision raising in the next few weeks before the election
the amount of money needed for voter education and waging a successful
campaign."
"Mr. Huffington pledged he would spend whatever it takes to buy a
seat in Congress. His outrageous primary spending and rejection of all
reasonable voluntary spending limits then and now prove he means it. I
fully expect Huffington to again spend millions in another negative
campaign. The public, the Republican Party and my family do not need or
deserve this. I cannot win a battle of campaign bank accounts and
cannot ask my supporters to bear the burden of this daunting financial
challenge."
"Realistically, the technicalities of actually voting for a
write-in candidate are biased against such an alternative. The
mechanics of how to vote for a write-in differ in each County making
voter education very expensive and difficult. These complications also
increase the chances of write-in ballots being improperly cast and
thereby being judged invalid.'
"While these factors have shaped my decision not to run at this
time, the increasing public concern about the suitability for office of
the two principal congressional candidates precludes me from ruling out
standing as a write-in candidate under any and all circumstances.
"I am proud of the thousands of encouraging letters and calls I've
received over the past few months urging me to run. Norma and I thank
all our supporters for their faith, friendship, loyalty and commitment
to us and quality government. Over the past 31 years, we have been a
very successful team accomplishing much for the Central Coast and the
nation. One regret is that I will be unable to complete all the
projects I've undertaken for my constituents. Serving the public as
their U.S. Representative has fulfilled a dream of a lifetime. I thank
God for giving me this memorable opportunity to repay my country for the
many blessings we have all received.'
"My decision has not been easy, but under the present
circumstances, I believe it is the correct one. Of course, regardless
of my decision, local citizens have the constitutional right to vote for
whomever they choose.
"Between now and November 3rd, I intend to make the re-election of
President Bush my top priority. I am very worried that others have
focused too long and narrowly on the 'tree' of the 22nd district at the
great expense of the 'forest' of other more significant and needy races
like those for President and California's two senators. In reality, who
wins the 22nd district congressional race is much less consequential. If
President Bush is not re-elected, we all lose.'
-END-
File Daly
abr
Proposed
Greeting List for President George Bush
September 29, 1992
1. Charles E. Peavyhouse: Regional Director
2. Lill Coker, 3rd District Co-Chairman
Harold Coker, County Commissioner
3. Valerie Copeland Rutledge, 3rd District Co-Chairman
David Copeland, State Representative 30th District
4. Harry Ray, Hamilton Co. Chairman, Bush-Quayle Campaign
5. Mayor Gene Roberts, State Co-Chairman
6. Zack Wamp
7. O.D. McKee
8. Dorothy Pattee
9. Jack McDonald
10. Scottie Probasco
11. Rody Davenport
12. Bob Corker
13. George Pettway
14. Todd Gardenhire
COKER
Harold
P.O. BOX 23671
CHATTANOOGA, TENNESSEE 37422
(615) 892-4004
10
Paid for by Friends for Coker
The Washington Post
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 1992
AT ISSUE IN '92: FOREIGN POLICY
On Global Matters, Two Candidates'
Positions Are Mostly in Sync
By Don Oberdorfer
to maturity during the trauma of
The key to U.S. diplomatic and
Washington Post Staff Writer
the Vietnam War and thereafter.
malitary engagement in the 1990s,
Even so, their positions on many
The United States is likely to
Canton has declared repeatedly, is
current issues are surprisingly sim-
oursue an activist U.S. foreign pol-
treigthening the domestic econ-
ilar.
cy in keeping with the alliances and
campaign theme that reso-
global responsibilities of recent dec-
In a number of areas, including
'well in a time of economic
ides whether President Bush or
aid to the former Soviet Union, the
trainma. Instead of giving this point
Gov. Bill Clinton is elected in No-
"no-fly zone" in southern Iraq, the
vember. But Clinton, as the outsid-
continuing Middle East peace pro-
an "America first" or isolationist
er, promises a number of mid-
cess and recent warplane sales to
tinge, Clinton has wrapped it in in-
course corrections to deal with
Taiwan and Saudi Arabia, Clinton
ternationalism, saying that "Amer-
problems of post-Cold War world.
has announced positions nearly
ica must regain its economic
Foreign policy has played a rel-
identical to Bush's, sometimes
strength to play a proper role as.
atively minor role in a campaign
ahead of administration announce-
leader of the world. And we must
dominated by economic and social
ments.
have a president who attends to
issues. has said little about it
This has given protective cover
prosperity at home if our people are
inihis campaign speeches except to
for the administration, while
to sustain their support for engage-
claim credit for Operation Desert
projecting an image of bipartisan-
ment at abroad."
Stormand for ending the threat of
ship for Clinton and shielding him
Clinton has promised to give
nuclear war, and to contrast his ex-
from charges of interfering with
greater emphasis to economic as-
perience as commander in chief
U.S. initiatives. It also suggests a
great degree of continuity in at
pects of foreign affairs by creating
with Clinton's experience as "leader
an Economic Security Council in the
the Arkansas National Guard."
least the early phases of a Clinton
White House similar to the National
Clinton, while also saying little in
administration.
his campaign appearances, has
:At the same time, Clinton has
Security Council. While promising
to champion open markets and de-
sought to establish his foreign pol-
echoed congressional Democrats in
fend U.S. interests, he has avoided
icy credentials by making three ma-
sharply criticizing Bush for "coddl-
ing" China and other human rights
protectionist rhetoric. On the po-
jor speeches on the subject and is-
litically sensitive issue of the admin-
suing more than 20 statements on a
violators, for initially withholding
variety of overseas questions since
housing loan guarantees from Israel
istration's North American Free
Trade Agreement with Mexico and
June.
as a pressure tactic in an earlier
stage of Mideast maneuvering and
Canada, Clinton has expressed sup-
To prepare himself for potential
for stopping the war against Iraq be-
port of the general principle but so
debates with Bush as well as to pre-
fore destroying more of President
far withheld approval of the recent-
pare for the presidency, Clinton has
participated recently in at least a
Saddam Hussein's military forces.
ly concluded pact on grounds it re-
dozen unpublicized briefings by ex-
Clinton's central criticism of
quires detailed study.
perts. He also is given daily sum-
Bush's foreign policy is that it has
Bush, since being jolted by polls
failed to adjust to a world that has
showing the public thinks he has
maries of foreign policy news and
regular updates by campaign aides
changed with astonishing speed as
neglected the economy, also has
the Cold War ended and new prob-
placed heavy emphasis on econom-
and experts on overseas topics.
Early this month, Clinton received a
lems arose. Rather than define a
ics, frequently describing his over-
foreign policy briefing from CIA
new role for the United States,
seas activities as a drive to expand
Director Robert M. Gates.
Clinton charged last month, Bush's
or protect American jobs.
The replacement of Bush by Clin-
policy has been "rudderless, reac-
In his latest economic program,
ton would bring a generational
tireaud erratic."
outlined in Detroit earlier this
change in the presidency, from a
month, Bush emphasized competi-
leader-whose view of the world was
tion abroad as "the defining chal-
shaped in World War II and its im-
lenge of the 1990s" and said he
mediate aftermath to one who came
would seek "to turn our strength as
a world power to our advantage as
an economic power."
The Washington Post
in the same address he an-
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 1992
nounced as a future goal the estab-
Bush and Clinton have recently
lishment of additional free trade
endorsed the idea of providing small
agreements binding the U.S. mar-
numbers of troops that could be
Europe and one to the Soviet
ket to the countries of Latin Amer-
called upon on short notice as part
Union, mostly to solicit internation-
ica, Eastern Europe and Asia.
of a multinational effort by the Unit-
al business for Arkansas. While out
Aided by the collapse of commu-
ed Nations in emergency situations.
of office in 1981, he traveled to Is-
nism in the Soviet Union, Clinton
In several speeches, Clinton has
rael.
has wooed back many of the Dem-
grappled with the question of how
Since last spring, Clinton has par-
ocratic "neo-conservative" foreign
and when to engage U.S. diplomacy
ticipated in a series of private brief-
policy thinkers who had failed to
and military power abroad in the
ings, typically several hours each
support earlier Democratic nomi-
post-Cold War era. Contrasting his
with three or four experts selected
nees or joined Republican admin-
views with the expansive vista of
by his foreign policy aides. These
istrations since the Vietnam War.
President John F. Kennedy's Inau-
The reestablishment of Democratic
included two briefings on the situ-
gural Address in 1961, Clinton said
unity on foreign policy may have
in April that "America's challenge in
ation in the former Soviet Union,
significant future impact, whether
one before Clinton's active advoca-
this era is not to bear every burden,
Clinton wins or loses.
but to tip the balance" in global af-
cy of a major U.S. aid program in
April and another before meeting
fairs. This suggests a selective and
Russian President Boris Yeltsin in
Clinton appears comfortable with
strategic use of U.S. influence in
June; a briefing on South Africa pri-
the use of U.S. force abroad. He
close relationship to that of other
or to meeting African National Con-
supported Operation Desert Storm
nations.
gress leader Nelson Mandela in Ju-
to drive Iraq from Kuwait, although
Clinton has said repeatedly that,
ly; briefings on Yugoslavia and Iraq
his statements were tepid and ten-
despite all difficulties, only the
in late July in New Orleans; on mil-
tative at first, when many Demo-
United States retains the ability to
itary issues in Philadelphia and New
crats in Congress opposed military
lead other nations on many key is-
York in early August; on Middle
action, and became increasingly
sues. Criticizing Bush for failures of
East issues in mid-August in Miami
emphatic later.
leadership, Clinton has said he
prior to meeting Israeli Prime Min-
In one of the few nondomestic
would give higher priority to ad-
ister Yitzhak Rabin; on Europe and
statements in his acceptance
vancement of democracy and hu-
arms control issues in Little Rock in
speech at the Democratic National
man rights abroad, improvement in
late August; and on China and Japan
Convention in July, Clinton extolled
the global environment and the
in Washington earlier this month.
an America "with the world's
checking of weapons proliferation.
Former U.S. ambassador to Is-
strongest defense, ready and willing
Bush is far ahead of Clinton in
to use force, when necessary."
rael Samuel W. Lewis, who partic-
In a series of statements this
terms of foreign policy experience.
ipated in the Mideast briefing and
summer on Yugoslavia, Clinton took
Even before becoming president,
who, like a number of the other ex-
positions slightly ahead of admin-
Bush had been to 72 countries in ev-
perts, is taking no position in the
istration policy regarding the use of
ery part of the world and amassed a
presidential race, said Clinton dis-
force, including U.N.-authorized air
lengthy diplomatic résumé. He is on
played "a general knowledge of the
strikes, to open the Sarajevo airport
personal terms with the leaders of
Middle East picture" and seemed to
to relief supplies, to enforce the
most major nations.
be "an excellent listener who asked
U.N. embargo against Serbia and to
Clinton studied international af-
some good questions."
end atrocities in Serbian detention
fairs at Georgetown University's
Former Joint Chiefs of Staff
camps. After attacking an early
statement as "reckless," the White
School of Foreign Service as an un-
chairman Adm. William J. Crowe
House abruptly ended its criticism
dergraduate, and obtained a further
Jr., who briefed Clinton on military
because Clinton's statements were
introduction to the subject as a
issues in Philadelphia and subse-
Rhodes scholar in Britain in the
quently endorsed him, said he was
very close to the administration's
evolving policies.
1968-70. As governor he made
impressed with Clinton's interest in
Like the administration, Clinton
three trips to Japan and other East
decisions he would face as president
advocated the use of U.S. force in
Asian countries, two to Western
and his lack of interest in the polit-
Bosnia only as part of a multilateral
ical vulnerabilities of Bush's posi-
effort worked out through the Unit-
tions.
ed Nations. "I think under almost all
Crowe, who earlier had briefed
conceivable circumstances, not all
Ross Perot, found Clinton's atten-
but almost all, we ought to be work-
tion span and capacity for engage-
ing with and through the United
ment to his liking. "Perot does not
Nations and with other nations"
listen," he said.
when considering the use of U.S.
military forces overseas, Clinton
said in July.
Washington
Who's Who in Clinton's Foreign Policy Contingent
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 1992
A Bill Clinton administration would bring to
are at Little Rock headquarters coordinating
ocratic Leadership Council and is director of
office new faces-and many familiar faces-in
information for Clinton and Gore. They are:
the council's Progressive Policy Institute; and
the operation of U.S. foreign policy, according
Nancy Soderberg, who was foreign policy aide
Richard Schifter, assistant secretary of state
to officials close to the Clinton campaign.
to Sen. Edward M. Kennedy (D-Mass.); Mi-
for human rights and humanitarian affairs in
Despite much speculation, there is no solid
chael E. Chapman, who was foreign policy aide
the Reagan and Bush administrations.
information about the probable identity of
to Rep. Dave McCurdy (D-Okla.), chairman of
Also listed by campaign aides as very active
such top officials as secretary of state, secre-
the House intelligence committee; and Daniel
are David Aaron, deputy national security ad-
tary of defense and national security adviser in
G. Sakura, who was on the staff of the Senate
viser in the Carter administration; Richard
a Clinton government. A half-dozen people
Armed Services Committee.
Gardner, formerly U.S. ambassador to Italy
who have worked closely with Clinton on for-
According to Berger, the campaign decided
and now a New York investment banker; Rich-
eign policy said they had never heard Clinton
early not to organize formal advisory groups
ard C. Holbrooke, assistant secretary of state
discuss his possible personnel selections, and
or task forces SO as not to exclude people or
for East Asian and Pacific affairs in the Carter
several said they doubt he has done any seri-
ideas. Instead, campaign officials have sought
administration and now a New York invest-
ous thinking on the subject.
to tap informally the advice of a large number
ment banker; Robert E. Hunter, a National
The foreign policy formulation side of the
of experts. More than 100 people have been
Security Council staff member in the Carter
engaged in supplying foreign policy ideas, ad-
campaign has been managed by: Anthony
administration and now at the Center for Stra-
vice or briefings, according to Lake.
Lake, who was State Department director of
tegic and International Studies; and Penn
Some of the most active contributors, ac-
policy planning and a close aide to Secretary of
Kemble, a senior associate at Freedom House,
cording to campaign aides, have been: Mad-
State Cyrus R. Vance in the Carter adminis-
a human rights organization.
eleine Albright, foreign policy assistant to
tration, and Samuel R. Berger, who was
Clinton also has turned to senior Democrats
Vice President Walter F. Mondale and now a
Lake's deputy. Lake is a professor at Mount
professor at Georgetown University; John
in Congress for policy advice. Among the most
Holyoke College, and Berger, a Washington
Holum, a Washington lawyer who met Clinton
often consulted, according to campaign aides,
lawyer who is on leave from his firm.
in the 1972 McGovern presidential campaign
have been McCurdy, Senate Armed Services
Working closely with them since the Dem-
and subsequently served on the State Depart-
Committee Chairman Sam Nunn (Ga.), House
ocratic National Convention has been Leon
ment policy planning staff under Lake; Mi-
Armed Services Committee Chairman Les
Fuerth, foreign policy assistant to vice pres-
chael Mandelbaum, a Russian studies expert
Aspin (Wis.), Rep. Lee H. Hamilton (Ind.),
idential nominee Sen. Albert Gore Jr. Lake,
at the Council on Foreign Relations and the
ranking Democratic member of the Foreign
Berger and Fuerth confer by conference call
Johns Hopkins School of Advanced Interna-
Affairs Committee, and Rep. Stephen J. Solarz
each morning with campaign officials in Little
tional Studies who met Clinton during studies
(N.Y.), chairman of the Foreign Affairs sub-
Rock.
in England in the late 1960s; Will Marshall,
committee on Asian and Pacific affairs.
Three campaign-paid foreign policy officials
who worked closely with Clinton on the Dem-
-Don Oberdorfer
The Washington Post
TUESDAY. SEPTEMBER 29, 1992
Nickles, 3 GOP Senate Nominees Caught
in Middle of Clinton Draft Controversy
By Helen Dewar
paigns have exploited the issue gingerly, if
1-Y classification by the Nashua, N.H., draft
Washington Post Staff Writer
at all.
board, which would have disqualified him
President . Bush and Vice President
Republican criticism of Democrat Bill
from combat. Before that, he received four
Quayle have criticized the nature of Clin-
Clinton's draft record has had unintended
student deferments.
ton's response to questions about his efforts
consequences for at least one GOP senator
His father, former governor Hugh Gregg,
to avoid being drafted during the Vietnam
and three senatorial nominees, who now
denied a report that he had pulled political
War. Questions of candor also have arisen in
find themselves defending their military
the senatorial campaigns, according to ac-
strings to keep his son out of the military,
service records.
counts in local newspapers and a report yes-
but he was reported by local newspapers as
Prompted by the controversy over Clin-
terday in Roll Call, an independent news-
saying it was possible that his son and the
ton's draft record, journalists and Demo-
paper on Capitol Hill.
family's doctor might have "exaggerated"
cratic officials have raised questions about
The draft issue has proven most conten-
any physical problems.
the service resumes of Sen. Don Nickles
tious in New Hampshire, where Democrat
Judd Gregg said his father was mis-
(R-Okla.) and GOP nominees Terry Con-
John Rauh is calling on Gregg, the state's
quoted.
sidine (Colo.), Judd Gregg (N.H.) and Tom
outgoing governor, to explain more fully the
Calling attention to his own four-year
Hartnett (S.C.).
circumstances surrounding his Vietnam-era
Army record in the late 1950s, Rauh said
But aides to some of their Democratic
deferments and ultimate exclusion from
the "experiences that each of us bring to the
opponents said the Clinton campaign is not
military service.
U.S. Senate are
pertinent to this cam-
enthusiastic about highlighting military
In response to press reports, Gregg said
paign."
service controversies, and, as a result,
last week he suffered from bad knees,
In Colorado, the Rocky Mountain News
most of the Democratic senatorial cam-
sleepwalking and severe acne, resulting in a
reported that Considine, who has long said
he wanted to fight in Vietnam but was re-
unit that had just returned from Vietnam;
jected by the military because of a bad back,
he has denied receiving any preferential
sought a student deferment 3½ years be-
treatment.
fore he was rejected for medical reasons.
Nickles has a solid lead over Democrat
Considine has "downplayed or ignored" the
Steve Lewis in his bid for a third term.
deferment in accounts of his past, the news-
In South Carolina, the issue was not Viet-
paper said.
nam but Hartnett's acknowledged use of his
The controversy arose just as Considine's
official position as a member of the House
father-in-law, former secretary of the Army
and its Armed Services Committee to enter
Howard H. "Bo" Callaway, was attacking
the Air National Guard as an officer in
Clinton and his draft record.
Considine is in an uphill race for an open
1983.
Senate seat against Rep. Ben Nighthorse
Harnett is trailing in his challenge to Sen.
Campbell (D-Colo.), a veteran of Korean
Ernest F. Hollings (D-S.C.), a decorated
War combat.
World War II veteran.
In Oklahoma, Mike Turpen, state Dem-
Hollings has not made an issue of Hart-
ocratic chairman, accused Nickles of hy-
nett's efforts to get into the National Guard
pocrisy in attacking Clinton on the draft
as a member of Congress, but former lieu-
issue when Nickles himself did "everything
tenant governor Mike Daniel (D), a majorin
possible" to keep from going to Vietnam.
the South Carolina National Guard,wsaid
Nickles joined a Kansas National Guard
Hartnett should apologize.
114mm
knoir
The Washington Post
Bush Rhetoric Subdued
TUESDAY. SEPTEMBER 29, 1992
On Arkansas Crime
The Tennessee senator trav-
eled to Morganton, N.C., site of
a bitter fight over a cable TV
Gore Slams President on Cable TV Bill
franchise, to depict Bush as
anti-consumer because of his
if a death occurs. The White
opposition to a cable re-regu-
By Ann Devroy
House fact sheet distributed
lation bill passed this month by
Washington Post Staff Writer
here said he would go beyond
Congress.
ST. LOUIS, Sept. 28-Pres-
that to support the death pen-
"It's up to President Bush
ident Bush returned to what
alty for carjackers whose crime
whether he's going to side with
results in a death and life im-
the people or side with the
had been one of his most potent
issues in 1988: crime. But
prisonment if the carjacking in-
wealthy and powerful monopoly,
Bush's rhetoric today was no-
volves serious injury to victims:
that is trying to rip off the peo-
tably subdued for a Republican
"I want thugs who take cars
ple of this country," Gore told
in an election year.
at gunpoint to stay in a cell so
200 supporters jamming the
Unlike 1988, when Bush re-
long that when they get out,
155-year-old Burke County
peatedly attacked Democrat Mi-
they're too old to drive," Bush
Courthouse.
chael S. Dukakis as soft on
said.
The House and Senate passed
crime and a threat to the coun-
Outside the hall, protesters
the cable bill, which would allow.
try, today the president men-
holding Clinton-Gore signs held
federal agencies to regulate:
tioned Gov. Bill Clinton only to
one of their noisiest demonstra-
price increases in many cable
reel off crime statistics in Ar-
tions, shouting, "No More
operations, by margins suffi
kansas, saying that crime has
Years" and playing on a loud-
cient to override a veto, and'
been increasing there and that
speaker over and over Bush's
Gore predicted that lawmakers
state inmates serve less than a
"read my lips" pledge, from the
would hand Bush his first over-
fifth of their sentences, com-
1988 GOP convention, against
ride if the president carries out
pared to federal inmates who
tax increases.
his veto threat. Even Republi-
serve on average 85 percent of
In addition to the carjacking
cans will resist siding with Bush
their sentences.
legislation, Bush called for in-
against a bill that is popular with
"This kind of record is not
creased penalties for fathers
consumers, Gore said.
right for Arkansas and it is not
who fail to support their chil-
"The winds of change, blow.
right for America," Bush said.
dren, strengthening legal pro-
ing through this country, are
He added that the Little Rock
cedures to thwart domestic and
blowing through that Capitol
Fraternal Order of Police was
sexual violence and laws to deal
building also," he said. "They're
supporting him, not Clinton.
with gang violence. He also
not quite as worried about Pres-
"They know Governor Clinton's
called for stronger efforts to
ident Bush being upset with
record best and they are en-
them as they are about the
stop crime against the elderly
dorsing me," Bush said.
and repeated his call for over-
American people being upset
In terms of policy, the pres-
with them."
haul of court procedures that
ident's address offered little
Meanwhile, Vice President
protect defendants but which he
that was new beyond calling for
Quayle traveled to what have
said drag out the legal process
increased penalties against car-
been GOP strongholds, criticiz-
Much of this is part of the
jackers. Using the Sept. 8 car-
ing Clinton's health care plan in
anti-crime agenda Bush has
jacking death of Savage, Md.,
Colorado Springs, saying it,
pushed since taking office. As
woman Pam Basu, 34, as an ex-
would lead to "rationing" and
usual, he blamed Democrats immo
ample of "animal behavior" that
"micromanagement" by bureau
Congress for stalling on his procele
must cease, Bush said, "These
crats. And in Clovis, N.M., he
people have no place in a decent
gram.
told high school students that
But Democratic vice presi-
society. And as far as this pres-
while times are "difficult," they
dential nominee Albert Gore Jr.
ident is concerned, they can go
are "not as bad as we're being
said today that it is Bush who is
to jail; and they can stay in jail
told."
the obstacle, not Congress, at
and they can rot in jail.'
Surrounding Curry County
least in the case of the cable
The Bush administration
voted 2 to 1 for Bush in 1988
backs a move in the Senate to
television re-regulation bill.
but a recent statewide poll had
make carjacking a federal crime
Bush trailing Clinton, 44 per
punishable by up to life in prison
cent to 33 percent.
The Washington Post
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 1992
Clinton Slide in Survey
Shows Perils of Polling
By Richard Morin
ersampled groups-is a problem
Washington Post Staff Writer
poll-takers constantly confront.
In the recent Post-ABC News
Poll-watchers might be forgiven
horse-race polls, the sample size is
if they felt whiplashed after reading
616 likely voters, with a sampling
the results of the latest two Wash-
error of plus or minus 4 percentage
ington Post-ABC News presidential
points.
preference polls.
The latest poll found Clinton
Last week, the poll was the toast
leading Bush by a 51 percent to 42
of Little Rock after it found Dem-
percent margin.
ocrat Bill Clinton with a 21-percent-
Those numbers are the mathe-
age point lead over President Bush.
matical "best guess" of each candi-
The latest survey might bring
date's share of the vote if the elec-
cheers at the White House, as it
tion were held during the polling
found the Arkansas governor with a
period. Statistically, the chances of
nine-point advantage.
the results being exactly right
A Clinton collapse? A Bush surge?
would be quite small, though it can
Screwups by poll-takers? Perhaps,
be said with reasonable confidence
but probably not. Any short list of
they probably would be close.
explanations would include the con-
For a more reliable-but usually
tinuing volatility in the electorate—
less satisfying-picture of the race,
voting preferences remain lightly
the margin of sampling error should
held and easily changed for about a
be added and subtracted from each
third of all voters-sampling error,
of those numbers. When that is
and the tendency to overemphasize
done, it can be said with great con-
fidence that each candidate's share
the size of Clinton's lead rather
of the vote lies somewhere in that
than each candidate's relative share
of the vote.
range-and that the overwhleming
Sampling error is the statistical
majority of polls done at the same
time using identical methodology
"penalty" that is paid for interview-
would, in fact, produce results that
ing a carefully selected random
are within those ranges.
sample of the population, rather
Unhappily for those who expect
than everyone.
simple answers from polling, those
It is a mathematical fact of life
ranges are quite large. With Clinton
that remarkably small random sam-
at 51 percent, this survey suggests
plings of a population can produce
that his share of the vote could be
accurate survey results. The sam-
as great as 55 percent or as small
pling error on a survey of 1,000
as 47 percent-and Bush's could be
randomly selected people is plus or
as great as 46 percent or as small
minus 3 percentage points; the
as 38 percent.
smaller the sample, the greater the
Given the survey's margin of
margin of sampling error. The key,
sampling error, there is a small
however, is obtaining a true random
chance that the margin could be as
sample of the population, and get-
large as 17 percentage points-the
ting too many or too few of some
difference between 55 percent and
kinds of people-blacks and young-
38 percent-or as small as 1 per-
er people are two frequently und-
centage point.
The Washington Post
TUESDAY. SEPTEMBER 29, 1992
THE HORSE RACE
Q.
The candidates in November's presidential election are George
Bush and Dan Quayle, the Republicans, and Bill Clinton and AI
Gore, the Democrats. Suppose the election were being held today.
For whom would you vote?
(Asked of likely voters.)
Ross Perot drops out
Clinton
70%
51%
60
50
40
30
Bush
20
42%
Democratic
Republican
Convention
Convention
10
0
JUNE
JULY
AUG.
SEPT.
1992
Q-
I'm going to read you a list of names, for each please tell me
If you have a favorable or unfavorable Impression of that
person, or perhaps you don't know enough to say? (Registered voters)
George Bush
July 19
Ang. 23
Sept. 27
Favorable
41%
53%
50%
Unfavorable
53
42
44
Don't know
6
5
6
Bill Clinton
Favorable
58
54
54
Unfavorable
23
36
35
Don't know
19
10
11
Ross Perot
Favorable
40
-
24
Unfavorable
33
-
48
Don't know
27
-
28
Dan Quayle
Favorable
26
40
36
Unfavorable
63
50
52
Don't know
11
10
12
AI Gora
Favorable
55
49
48
Unfavorable
12
21
21
Don't know
33
30
31
Most recent figures are from a Washington Post-ABC News national telephone poll of 732 registered
and 616 likely voters (registered voters who say they are absolutely certain to vote) conducted Sept.
23-27, by ICR Survey Research of Media, Pa. Other data show registered voter samples of
comparable size. Margin of sampling error is plus or minus 4 percentage points for all data. Sampling
error is, however, only one of many potential sources of error in this or any public opinion poll.
Compiled by Sharon Warden
THE WASHINGTON POST
Washington Post
Debate Panel Seeks End to Impasse
ON TV
SEN. ALBERT GORE JR.
Candidates May Be Pushed Toward Direct Negotiations if Necessary
PBS, 7 p.m.
"MacNeil/Lehrer NewsHour"
Live interview.
By Dan Balz
Clinton has accepted all, commis-
bates-and one vice presidential
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 1992
Washington Post Staff Writer
sion proposals for timing and for-
debate. The last debate is sched-
mat, but has resisted direct nego-
uled for Oct. 15.
Hoping to break the impasse over
tiations with the president's cam-
If Sunday's debate is canceled,
debates between President Bush
paign.
the commission could recommend
and Bill Clinton, the bipartisan
Commission on Presidential De-
So far Clinton has been winning
other dates to keep alive the debate
the debate over debates, but the
bates is expected to call on the two
option, but aides from both cam-
commission's new recommenda-
candidates to resolve their differ-
paigns say they believe there is a
ences over the format, with direct
tion could increase pressure on the
growing possibility that there will
negotiations if necessary.
Democrat's campaign to deal di-
be only one debate, or perhaps no
THE WASHINGTON POST
Facing the possibility of having to
rectly with Bush's campaign.
debates for the first time since they
cancel Sunday's debate in San
"We're going to make every effort
were revived in 1976.
He said that after four presidential
Diego, the third of four proposed
to see if we can come to an
"There are all the elements of
campaigns with debates featuring
encounters, the commission is ex-
agreement over the format im-
an impasse," said Bob Neuman,
panels of reporters, he was not go-
pected to urge the two campaigns
passe," one commission official
spokesman for the debates
ing to "be the guy to change the
to reach an agreement on format,
said.
commission. He added, "We're
formula."
with or without the commission's
To the extent that the commis-
trying to buy as much time as pos-
The commission came up with
involvement in the talks, by some-
sion has become an obstacle to an
sible."
the proposal for a single moderator
time on Wednesday, sources said
agreement between the two cam-
The possible reentry into the
after wide consultation with politi-
last night.
paigns, the official said, "We'd like
race by Ross Perot adds a new
cians, academics and journalists fol-
The commission also is prepared
to remove ourselves."
wrinkle to the controversy. Under
lowing the 1988 campaign.
to shift the debate from San Diego.
NBC News reported last night
commission rules, Perot likely
Clinton, on NBC's "Today Show,"
to another city if necessary to as-
that the new offer will come in a
would qualify for the debates. Clin-
accepted no blame for the impasse.
sure that it does not have to cancel
letter from the commission to the
ton advisers said yesterday they
"I have accepted the debate com-
the scheduled debate.
campaigns.
were not certain they would agree
mission [proposal]," Clinton said. "I
Bush said in an interview with
With neither side budging from
to a two-person, commission-spon-
have played by the rules. This is not
USA Today that he would not
its adopted strategy, the prospects
sored debate with Perot if Bush
both parties' faults. This is his
budge from his opposition to the
for two presidential debates and
refuses to participate.
[Bush's] fault."
commission's proposal for debates
one vice presidential debate are
Asked over the weekend by USA
Staff writer Edward Walsh in Little
with a single moderator. Bush said
fading. The commission originally
Today whether he would compro-
Rock, Ark., contributed to this
he prefers a panel of reporters.
proposed three presidential de-
mise on format, Bush said, "Nope."
report.
The Washington Post
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 1992
T
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Ross Perot listens to 8 whispering Sen. David L. Boren, one of the Clinton envoys sent to dissuade the Texan from running.
Perot on Verge of Reentering Race
Bush, Clinton Envoys Apparently Fail to Convert Texan's Supporters
By David S. Broder
The emissaries from the president
Chnton
Washington Post Staff Writer
and his challenger stressed their ar-
70%
51%
eas of agreement with the billionaire
60
DALLAS, Sept. 28-Top-level
businessman's economic and deficit-
representatives of George Bush and
cutting plan. But both sides conceded
50
Rep.
Bill Clinton apparently failed today
Conv.
there were clear policy differences,
40
to convince Ross Perot's supporters
and the Perot coordinators who at-
30
that it would be a mistake for the
tended the extraordinary, closed-
Bush
20
Dem.
independent candidate to get back
door meetings with the Bush and
42%
into the presidential race.
10
Conv.
Clinton representatives expressed
Perot said he would decide by
strong skepticism that any other can-
0
Thursday whether to resume an
JULY
didate could match Perot's commit-
AUG.
SEPT.
"all-out" effort in the final month of
ment to change.
the campaign and would "be bound"
"I am certain Mr. Perot would
The Horse Race
by the decision of his volunteer
stick to his guns," said Dallas finan-
The latest Washington "
backers, who say they are eager to
cial consultant Jim Serur, the Texas
Post-ABC News poll shows
see him run.
volunteer director. "I'm not that cer-
Arkansas Gov. Bill Clinton's
The latest Washington Post-ABC
tain about" the major party nomi-
lead over President Bush
News Poll shows that Perot has the
nees.
dropping. The poll shows
potential to cut into Clinton's cur-
The Post-ABC News poll taken
Ross Perot's ratings falling.
rent lead over Bush, but not come
last Wednesday through Sunday
NATION. Page A6
close to winning.
See PEROT, A6, Col. 1
The Washington Post
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 1992
Perot Awaits Supporters' Go-Ahead to Run
PEROT, From A1
had said at the beginning: The decision
Republicans a similar slot in the afternoon.
about a full-scale campaign was not his but
According to participants, the questioning
showed Clinton leading Bush by 51 to 42
his supporters'. The coordinators were
focused on issues and the candidates' readi-
percent, a sharp narrowing from last week's
asked to report on today's meeting to back-
ness to pledge action.
Post poll but consistent with polls by other
ers in each state, canvass their opinions and
Perot was even-handed in his comments on
organizations taken this month. With
tell Perot what the grass-roots volunteers
the presentations, finding "a lot of common-
Perot-who is on the ballot in all 50 states
want him to do.
ality" with Clinton's economic plan and "a
and the District of Columbia-added to the
From the state directors' comments,
great deal of overlap" with Bush's agenda.
options, the poll showed Clinton with 44
there was virtually no doubt they would ask
But Sen. Lloyd Bentsen (D-Tex.) and
percent, Bush with 39 percent and Perot at
Perot to make the effort. "I think I'll know
New York financier Felix Rohatyn, who car-
14 percent.
Thursday night
sometime Thursday"
ried the bulk of the argument for Clinton,
The same survey showed Perot was
what to do, Perot said.
and Sen. Phil Gramm (R-Tex.), who shared
viewed unfavorably by 48 percent of voters
But his comments seemed to acknowl-
the Bush presentation with Housing and
and favorably by only 24 percent, with 28
edge that he could not again disappoint his
Urban Development Secretary Jack Kemp,
percent having no opinion. When Perot
supporters, as he had crushed their hopes
all conceded they had significant differences
abruptly left the race in July-saying he did
by withdrawing in mid-July, when they were
with Perot.
not want to be "disruptive" by interfering
halfway through the task of qualifying him
The Democrats pointed to Clinton's be-
with Bush or Clinton winning an electoral
for the ballot in all jurisdictions. Earlier in
lief that the economy is so weak that $80
college majority-his favorable rating ex-
the year, Perot had promised them "a
billion of direct government investment and
world-class campaign" if he were placed on
more billions in business tax breaks are
ceeded his unfavorable, by 40 to 33 percent.
the ballot.
While political strategists in both parties
needed to create jobs, while Perot would
"The volunteers are really concerned nei-
said those numbers virtually preclude a
give top priority to deficit-cutting mea-
ther party will face the issues that must be
Perot victory, the Dallas maverick told re-
sures. Calling it a matter "of shading and
faced if the American dream is to be kept
sequencing," Rohatyn said, "It's a question
porters this morning that if he came back
alive for the next generation," he said this
of how hard you want to step on the brake."
into the contest, he would run to win. "If
morning.
Clinton and Perot also disagree on taxes,
these people want me to run," he said, "we
Perot told reporters tonight that if he
Bentsen said.
will go all out."
runs, he will keep retired Rear Adm. James
Clinton says he would limit tax increases to
"We're bound by their decision," he said
Stockdale, the Vietnam prisoner-of-war
those with incomes above $200,000, while
tonight. "If they think it's appropriate for
hero who was originally a provisional choice
Perot favors a much broader menu of reve-
me to run, I'll honor their request. I will
for vice president, as his running mate.
nue-raisers.
give it everything." As a largely self-fi-
Perot, Stockdale and their wives posed to-
But Bentsen argued that "one thing every
nanced candidate, Perot is not subject to
day for the cameras in the classic political
supporter of Bill Clinton and Ross Perot
spending limits and he has a catalogue of
ticket fashion.
shares is the fundamental commitment to
television ads ready for broadcast.
Although officials in both the parties pri-
change. We both want to end gridlock in
Apearing tonight on CNN's "Larry King
vately expressed skepticism about Perot's
Washington. We both want to take govern-
Live," Perot took two more steps toward a
motives, their high-level delegations, led by
ment away from the special interests and all
candidacy. He repeatedly announced an
the Bush and Clinton campaign chairmen
the lobbyists. Every Perot and Clinton sup-
"800" number that people could call if they
and prominent members of Congress, did
porter knows we're not going to have funda-
their best to convince the Perot coordi-
want him to run and said he would be ready
mental change by returning to office a pres-
nators-mainly business people, students
to participate in presidential debates imme-
ident who offers nothing more than four
and retirees with little political experi-
diately if the decision is made to run. "Let's
more years of the same."
ence-that Bush and Clinton were what
Gramm said Bush differed with Perot be-
get it on," he said.
they were seeking.
cause "we're against massive gas tax in-
Perot said at the end of the day what he
Democrats had two hours in the morning,
creases and Social Security benefit cuts," a
The Washington Post
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 1992
UNITED WE
STAND
AMERICA
REUTER
Ross Perot steps aside as Clinton campaign chairman Mickey Kantor speaks to reporters.
statement that brought Perot to the micro-
After today's meeting, however, the
phone to explain that he was proposing only
prospect of a Clinton endorsement ap-
a one-third cut in Social Security cost-of-liv-
ing increases.
peared equally remote. "The thing I know
Gramm argued that Bush's program was
that they [Republicans and Democrats]
closer to Perot's because both favor the
don't know is that the American people are
balanced-budget amendment and an imme-
ready for fair, shared sacrifice," Perot said.
diate spending freeze. Bush campaign chair-
In an opinion article in today's New York
man Robert M. Teeter said it was "incred-
Times, Edward J. Rollins, the veteran Re-
ulous [sic] to say Clinton's programs are
publican operative who resigned from the
closer to Perot's than ours are."
Perot campaign a day before Perot stopped
Teeter brushed off questions about high-
the effort last July, said, "As his former
ly critical comments he had made about
campaign manager, I hope he won't get
Perot last spring, when the Dallas billion-
back in the race. The country has just five
aire seemed to be siphoning off millions of
weeks to decide who our next president
votes from Bush, and insisted there has
should be, and since it is certain it will not
never been "hostility" between the two
be Mr. Perot, he should leave the country
camps. In June and July, Perot had accused
to its serious business without distraction."
the Republicans of orchestrating a smear
Perot on the television show tonight dis-
campaign against him and his family, and
missed Rollins as a man with whom he
sources close to him have predicted that he
would never endorse Bush.
spent no more than "two hours" during the
entire time he was in Perot's employ.
The Washington Post
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 1992
Bush Plans
Under the "fast track" process
To Ink Pact
that Congress uses to approve
trade agreements, the president
cannot formally sign NAFTA until
Next Week
Dec. 17 at the earliest. Congress
will not get a chance to vote on
NAFTA until next spring or sum-
mer.
NAFTA Ceremony Set
For Oct. 7 in Texas
Putting conditions on MFN sta-
tus for China has acquired increas-
By Stuart Auerbach
ing bipartisan support over the past
Washington Post Staff Writer
two years, with lawmakers of both
Under the rules, President Bush
parties charging the Beijing govern-
cannot sign the North American
ment with systematic human rights
Free Trade Agreement until De-
abuses, weapons proliferation in
cember, many weeks after Election
less developed countries and re-
Day. But, apparently betting that
Bush Vetoes
strictive trade practices directed
NAFTA will win him votes in Tex-
against the United States.
as, Bush has set up a substitute cer-
A country with most-favored-na-
emony for next week in San Anto-
China Trade
tion status, which China first re-
nio.
ceived in 1980, receives the lowest
Bush will gather Mexican Pres-
tariffs authorized by the United
ident Carlos Salinas de Gortari and
Canadian Prime Minister Brian
Conditions
States. Beginning with the June
1989 Tiananmen Square riots, how-
Mulroney Oct. 7 to initial the trade
ever, Congress has grown increas-
pact. "It's a good event, good policy
ingly dissatisfied with Chinese be-
and good politics," Bush campaign
By Guy Gugliotta
havior and has sought to condition
spokeswoman Torie Clarke said.
Washington Post Staff Writer
renewal of MFN status to Chinese
Bush has been using NAFTA as a
President Bush last night vetoed
reforms.
cornerstone of his reelection cam-
another congressional attempt to
Bush's no-conditions policy has
paign, citing it as a happy blend of
attach conditions to renewal of
won support. in the past from law-
foreign and domestic policy that will
trade privileges for China.
makers whose constituents either
create more jobs for American
Shortly before 7 p.m., the admin-
trade with China or who believe
workers. And he has attacked Dem-
istration announced the veto of a
that pressuring Beijing is unlikely to
ocratic nominee Bill Clinton for fail-
most-favored-nation trade bill
improve Chinese behavior.
ing to take a position on the pact.
passed by voice vote in both houses
This argument, however, has
Congressional Democrats and or-
of Congress and sent to the White
failed to convince the House, which
ganized labor argue that the trade
House Sept. 22. Bush's veto was
has several times passed conditional
pact will accelerate the movement
the 33rd of his administration and
MFN bills by resounding veto-proof
of manufacturing jobs from the
marked the second time this year
margins in the last two years. And
United States to Mexico, where
he has vetoed a conditional MFN
in the Senate, where the override
wages are far lower. Clinton has
bill for China. Congressional
battle traditionally takes place, Chi-
said he supports the concept but
sources said the veto would likely
na has recently angered Minority
has refused to endorse NAFTA.
be sustained.
Leader Robert J. Dole (R-Kan.) and
Clinton is studying the 2,000-page
Last Friday Bush waited even
other farm-state senators by threat-
agreement and will state his posi-
later in the day to veto a bill that
ening to stop buying U.S. wheat in
tion on it shortly, aides said. Clinton
would have allowed nurses and oth-
retaliation for the administration's
has raised the same concerns as the
er personnel at federally funded
announced sale of F-16 fighter jets
congressional Democrats, including
family planning clinics to give pa-
to Taiwan.
questions about its environmental
tients information about abortion.
Still, said one knowledgeable
impact.
Last Tuesday he vetoed a family
Democratic source, Republican dis-
It remains unclear, however, how
leave bill after the network news
gruntlement probably will not be
supporting NAFTA plays politically.
shows were completed. Critics of
enough to win a two-thirds Senate
The few polls taken on the trade
the administration have charged
majority to override the veto.
pact showed surprising opposition
that Bush seeks to minimize news
in the Southern California area
coverage of vetoes of controversial
around San Diego and lukewarm
measures.
support in Texas.
The Washington Post
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 1992
As an Issue, the Deficit Doesn't Play
in Peoria, Political Pros Warn
It should therefore not be surprising, sne
By E.J. Dionne Jr.
said, that neither former Massachusetts sen-
tion, but only after a politician is elected and
Washington Post Staff Writer
ator Paul Tsongas in the Democratic prima-
develops the trust of the electorate. "Until
There is a very good reason President
ries nor Ross Perot, at least in the first
somebodyforges a consensus on this-and it
Bush and Bill Clinton have not made deficit
phase of his campaign, had much success
takes presidential leadership to forge a con-
reduction the central issue of their cam-
with the deficit issue.
sensus on,deficit reduction-it's not going to
paigns: To do so, say poll takers and political
"People can't relate to it," Keene said of
happen," Mellman said.
strategists, would be something close to po-
the deficit. "It's too big. It doesn't touch
Robert Shapiro, an economic adviser to
litical suicide.
Clinton, believes deficit reduction should be
It's not that voters dismiss the deficit as
their lives personally. It's one of those big
an important presidential goal, but argues
unimportant. It's that they see deficit reduc-
numbers and it's hard to wrap your arms
that candidates are quite rational not to
tion as being far less vital to them personally
around it. And nobody knows how to deal
make the deficit the highlight of their eco-
than getting the economy to grow and to
nomic message.
with it."
create more jobs. For many voters, the link
Linda DiVall, a Republican poll taker, said
"A candidate who just says, 'I'll raise your
between deficit reduction and job growth is
obscure or nonexistent.
she regularly advises the candidates she
taxes and cut your benefits,' is saying, 'You
works for to stay away from talking about
may be in tough shape but that's not the
Voters, the public opinion specialists say,
also are wary of candidates who call for "sac-
most important thing to me, something else
rifice," since they strongly suspect the sacri-
fice will be asked of them, but not of every-
" People can 't relate to
is the most important thing to me,' Shapiro
said. "You have to make clear to people that
body else. And after a long recession, many
voters-especially those of modest means-
it. It's too big. It doesn 't
what you're worried about is that they're in
tough shape."
think they have already been asked to sacri-
fice too much.
touch their lives
The polls suggest that this analysis is cor-
rect. A New York Times-CBS New Poll pub-
Finally, the electorate is SO skeptical about
the workings of government that many in its
personally.
lished last week, for example, asked voters:
"What one issue do you wish the candidates
ranks think that much of what the govern-
Karlyn Keene, public opinion specialist
would talk about most?" The survey found
ment does is wasteful. In five Washington
at American Enterprise Institute
that 46 percent named the economy or un-
Post/ABC News polls conducted in 1990 and
employment, 8 percent listed health care,
1991, voters said that an average of 46 cents
entitlement cuts to balance the budget.
and 7 percent listed education. The deficit
of every dollar the federal government col-
say to Republican candidates: 'As a challeng
came next at just 6 percent.
lects in taxes is wasted.
er, you cannot afford to deal with the whole
Still, the deficit is an important issue to
Therefore, a great many voters do not be-
question of entitlements.
the Democrat
political elites-the people who appear on
lieve politicians who say that deficit reduc-
will eat your lunch if you try that early on."
television shows and write op-ed columns-
tion would require either cutting popular
Mark Mellman, a Democratic poll taker
and also to Ross Perot. So candidates cannot
programs or raising taxes.
said that if a candidate told him that he want
deal with it lightly.
The result, said Karlyn Keene, a resident
ed to call for big tax increases to cut the defi
Thus, Gene Sperling, a Clinton economic
fellow and public opinion specialist at the
cit. he would reply: "You ought to do what
adviser, may have come up with the most po-
American Enterprise Institute, is that the
litically savvy approach yesterday after
Republicans before 1980 and the Democrats
you lose." believe is important, but you're going to
Dallas. meeting with Perot and his supporters in
since then have always failed when they
made the deficit a central theme of their
"There's a fundamental 'dissensus' in this
"We showed them how committed we
campaigns.
country on how to achieve deficit reduction,
are," Sperling said, "to getting the deficit
"The Republicans beat the Democrats
and no politician, whether running for presi-
down without hurting economic growth."
over the head with it for years and it didn't
dent, senator or Congress, wants to walk in-
Just about nobody disagrees with that.
work," she said. "The Democrats then beat
to the middle of that kind of dissensus," Mell-
the Republicans over the head with it, and
man said. "Given a choice between running
that didn't work either."
on an 80-20 issue or a 50-50 issue, people
will campaign on an 80-20 issue every time."
Both DiVall and Mellman believe it is pos-
sible to create a consensus for deficit reduc-
The Washington Post
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 1992
Politicians Wavering
Bush has talked about a target to lim-
it growth of those programs, but he
has not spelled out how he plans to hit
that target.
On Debt Crisis Issue
At the other extreme stands Perot,
who proposes to slash government
spending or increase taxes by $754
Candidates Fall Far Short on Solutions
billion over the next five years, a
staggering sum that could throw the
already weak economy into a much
Last of three articles
President Bush's Council of Eco-
deeper crisis, according to econo-
nomic Advisers, warned in 1986
mists.
By Steven Mufson
that "a confrontation between
"I think it would be bad policy to do
Washington Post Staff Writer
workers and retirees will arise
austerity in full force without paying
f all the federal govern-
[involving trillions of dollars]
attention to the rest of the economy,"
ment's commitments,
that will create the greatest po-
said James Tobin, a Nobel Prize-win-
none is more sacred than
larization along economic lines in
ning economist at Yale University.
its promise to assist the coun-
our society since the Civil War."
"There are times for austerity and
Six years later, the costs of a
this is not one of them."
try's elderly citizens with pay-
ments from the Social Security
decade of escalating budget defi-
A time for budget austerity will
retirement fund.
cits and federal debt are even
come, however, said Tobin. Once the
Not even this pledge, howev-
more clear. The deep. spending
economy recovers, Tobin would favor
er, can escape the twin realities
cuts and new taxes needed to
a budget deficit of about $150 billion
of a federal budget far out of bal-
close the budget gap threaten to
(excluding Social Security funding).
pit the old against the young, the
less than half current deficit levels.
ance and a growing population of
retirees whose claims-on scarce
healthy against the sick, cities
Clear Choices
tax dollars will collide with the
against suburbs and rich against
government's other spending
poor.
While the choices for making these
priorities.
In the heat of the election
cuts may be politically explosive, they
Michael J. Boskin, chairman of
campaign, neither President
are not mysterious. Every year, the
Bush nor Gov. Bill Clinton has
Congressional Budget Office publish-
gone very far in talking about
es a widely ignored book of options
the choices that loom ahead.
about how to reduce the deficit. This
In Ross Perot's words, the na-
year it ran to 350 pages.
tional debt "is like a crazy aunt
The biggest deficit reduction op-
we keep down in the basement.
tions on lists such as the CBO's in-
All the neighbors know she's
clude:
there, but nobody wants to talk
A higher gasoline tax.
about her."
Americans pay less than a third as
While tax increases may be
much as European do for gasoline.
"unavoidable" as remedies to the
Every penny increase in the gasoline
nation's debt and deficit prob-
tax would raise $1 billion. A 50-cent
lems, according to the Interna-
increase would raise $50 billion a
tional Monetary Fund, Bush has
year and cut down on energy con-
dangled the prospect of new tax
sumption, while still leaving the
reduction, including an across-
United States with the cheapest gas-
the-board cut and tax breaks for
oline in the world. Low-income com-
small businesses, real estate de-
muters would suffer the most. The
velopers, first-time home buy-
average motorist would pay about
"A
ers, savers and investors.
$300 a year more in gasoline taxes.
confrontation between
Perot would increase the tax by
And while "entitlement" pro-
workers and retirees will
10 cents in each of the next five
grams-Medicare, Medicaid,
arise [involving trillions of
years. Neither Bush nor Clinton fa-
Social Security, veterans pay-
dollars] that will create the
vor future gasoline tax increases.
ments, student loans and farm
greatest polarization along
price supports-make up the li-
economic lines in our society
on's share of government spend-
since the Civil War."
ing, Clinton has mentioned prac-
- MICHAEL J. BOSKIN,
tically no cuts in those programs.
adviser to President Bush
See DEBT, A12, Col.
The Washington Post
29, 1992
Slow down the rapid increase in
fits. Raising that portion to 85 per-
age point cut in personal income tax
"entitlement spending."
cent of benefits would affect 18 per-
rates would reduce government rev-
These programs do not require any
cent of retirees and raise about $30
enue by about $25 billion a year. In
new annual appropriation by Con-
billion over five years. Such treat-
addition, Bush's proposal to permit
gress, and they grow automatically as
ment would be similar to the taxa-
people to earmark part of their tax
more people qualify for benefits by
tion of private pensions.
dollars to slow the growth of the na-
meeting the requirements of age or
Impose a value-added tax, or
tional debt could cost as much as
income levels.
VAT.
$50 billion a year. And he would
The combination of retirement
This is a form of sales tax used in
need more than $30 billion a year to
payments, unemployment insurance,
more than 50 countries that taxes the
pay for his health plan, according to
food stamps, Medicare and Medic-
total value of sales of all businesses. It
administration estimates.
aid-plus interest payments on the
allows firms to claim a credit for taxes
To do these things while keeping
national debt, which also grow auto-
paid on their purchases of goods SO
the deficit from growing would take
matically-will account for 58 per-
that they are not taxed twice. If it ex-
$400 billion to $770 billion in spend-
cent of all federal spending next year.
cluded food, housing and medical
ing cuts over the next five years.
: When Bush and others talk about
care, a 5 percent VAT would raise
But Bush has proposed setting a tar-
cutting entitlements, though, most of-
about $70 billion a year. It would dis-
get that would require no more than
ten they are using a euphemism for
courage consumption and boost in-
$290 billion in spending cuts over
reductions in health care spending for
vestment, which economists say
five years to cap the growth of Medi-
the elderly and the poor.
would help the economy. But it is a
care, Medicaid and other entitle-
: These are the fastest-growing
regressive tax that places a heavy
burden on the poor.
ment programs.
parts of the budget. Medicare and
Medicaid spending are projected to
Eliminate waste and political "pork
To protect Social Security, honor
grow from $198 billion this year to
barrel" spending.
interest due on the national debt and
$349 billion in 1997 as the popula-
This is the most talked-about and
protect his military spending propos-
tions of the elderly and needy expand.
most elusive of the measures to re-
als, Bush would have to trim nearly
Squeezing payments to doctors and
duce the budget.
25 percent of all other federal
hospitals won't be enough. Most pro-
It is elusive because the entire do-
spending to cover his new tax cuts
posals for cutting government spend-
mestic discretionary spending budg-
and reduce the deficit, according to
ing mean requiring that poor and el-
et-including the more than a dozen
Office of Management and Budget
derly recipients pay more for their
government departments and agen-
figures.
own health care.
cies usually accused of wasteful pork
Clinton promises ambitious new
Keeping Growth Down
barrel spending-make up just 15
federal spending programs with a
percent of all government spending.
cost of $219 billion over four
Bush says he wants to keep the
A 10 percent across-the-board cut
years-not including the unspecified
growth of Medicare spending down to
would save $22.6 billion a year, but
tab for his universal health insurance
the rate of increase in population plus
it would hurt programs ranging from
plan. While he describes in detail
inflation. That would require $145.8
space exploration to Head Start,
how he would pay for the programs
billion in spending cuts over five
from federal law enforcement to tax
other than health, he does not do
years. But in his 1993 budget, Bush
collection, from the National Park
much else to trim the federal budget
proposed cuts totaling only one-tenth
Service to aid to the District of Co-
deficit beyond where it would be
that much. Clinton said he plans un-
lumbia.
without any change in government
specified cost controls. Perot would
Cut military spending.
policy.
make the elderly pay 35 percent of
Bush plans a gradual decrease in
the cost of their benefits and extend
military spending. Clinton would cut
Clinton's Blueprint
the existing 1.45 percent tax to all in-
an additional 5 percent. Perot would
Clinton says that the government
come. Currently the tax only applies
close to Clinton's target. He
could save billions by operating more
to the first $130,200 in income.
wants $40 billion less military spend-
efficiently and collect much more in
Tax a bigger portion of Social Se-
ing than Bush does over the next
taxes by a more aggressive enforce-
curity benefits.
five years.
ment policy toward foreign corpora-
Senior citizens who make more
So far, the numbers offered by the
tions. But many experts say he exag-
than $25,000 a year as individuals or
main candidates don't add up.
gerates the potential revenue gains.
$32,000 a year as couples pay taxes
Bush's promise of new tax cuts
Harvard University economics pro-
!
on half of their Social Security bene-
would be costly: Even a 1 percent-
fessor Martin Feldstein, a former
The Washington Post
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 1992
BUDGET PRESSURES
1980: $620.5 BILLION
1992: $1.471 TRILLION
COMPARING
BUDGETS
"Uncontrollable" items*
"Uncontrollable" items*
IN 1992 DOLLARS
Medicare/Medicaid
$1.47
Trillion
Net
Social
7.7%
interest
Social Security
Security
Medicare/
8.5%
Civil
19.5%
Medicaid
18.9%
service &
13.5%
$1.04
military
Trillion
retirement
5.2%
Other
Net interest
15.2%
Other
13.7%
Defense/
International
12.9%
Domestic
23.7%
discretionary
20.8%
Domestic
discretionary
4%
13.3%
Defense/
international
NOTE: Bar chart data on right is adjusted to constant 1992
23.1%
dollars while pie charts are in proportion to actual budget size.
1980
1992
*Items for which spending rises automatically unless
Congress changes programs.
Civil service and
military retirement
SOURCE: Congressional Budget Office
BY SEEMEEN HASHEM FOR THE WASHINGTON POST
Reagan administration economic ad-
A GLOOMY OUTLOOK
viser, said Clinton's plans would make
GROWTH OF THE FEDERAL DEBT AND DEFICIT, IN TRILLIONS OF DOLLARS
the budget deficit $26 billion bigger
than it would be otherwise by 1996.
$6.0
The problem for the candidates-
Annual deficit
and the electorate-boils down to
5.0
Total federal debt
choices. The failure to make those
choices is a choice by default. And
that could lead to other, still tougher
4.0
issues involving deficits and debt.
One strategy for easing the debt
3.0
burden is for policy makers to toler-
ate higher levels of inflation. That
would cause the purchasing power of
2.0
the dollar to shrink and that would
make it cheaper for future govern-
1.0
ments to repay old debts.
But inflation would damage the
economy in many ways, straining the
0
1992
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
banking system, hurting workers
whose wages can not keep up with
NOTE: Figures assume no changes in current policies and do not include the Social Security fund.
rising prices and punishing people
SOURCE: Congressional Budget Office
who had been thrifty and had saved
THE WASHINGTON POST
money in the past.
A second issue is whether to bite
into the Social Security trust fund, a
huge government account that takes
in payroll taxes from employers and
The Washington Posi
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 1992
employees and pays out benefits to
spending program in which working
Social Security recipients. Right now,
people support the elderly now-and
the fund shows a surplus-it has
count on receiving similar support
more money than it currently needs.
when they retire. Reducing future
That surplus will be needed when the
benefits would undermine support for
baby-boom generation hits retirement
the Social Security tax.
age in about 20 years.
A third issue is the relentless pres-
But the surplus is being spent to
sure of rising health care costs. So far
help the government handle today's
the candidates talk mostly of expand-
debts.
ing health programs to cover the 40
Money Being 'Lent'
million or so Americans who do not
have insurance. But if debt and deficit
To keep up the appearance that So-
control were the top priority, govern-
cial Security is an insurance fund, the
ment would have to be reducing cov-
bookkeepers at the Office of Manage-
erage, not expanding it.
ment and Budget say that the money
Many political leaders doubt that
paid into the fund is being "lent" to
the country can swallow the meas-
the federal government. And about
ures needed to cure the budget imbal-
$1 trillion of the federal government's
ance, especially when political leaders
$4 trillion accumulated debt is owned
continue to offer magic fixes such as
to Social Security and other trust
exaggerated promises of growth or
funds. But there are no assets-no
the illusion of eliminating waste, as
stock or bond certificates-in the So-
Perot initially put it, "without break-
cial Security trust fund; only the gov-
ing a sweat."
ernment's commitment to make good
"Many complain about wasteful
on the benefits it has promised future
projects and foreign aid," said Sen.
retirees.
Warren B. Rudman (R-N.H.). "But if
Though defaulting on national debt
we eliminate all domestic discretion-
owed to the public would cause eco-
ary spending-not the wasteful parts,
nomic chaos worldwide, the federal
but all of it-and all foreign aid in this
government can essentially "default"
fiscal year, we would still be left with
on part of the debt owed to the Social
a deficit of over $150 billion, an
Security trust fund by cutting back on
amount considered inconceivable a
benefits paid to future retirees. It can
short 10 years ago when I came to
raise the retirement age, as it did un-
the Senate"
der the 1983 agreement, or it can
slow down the cost-of-living adjust-
Two Contrary Notions
ments to benefits.
One senior Bush administration of-
The difficulty of coming to grips
ficial views this as inevitable. Without
with the nation's deficits force Ameri-
such changes, Social Security pay-
cans to confront two contrary notions
of government: government as the
ments will grow from $275 billion this
year to $500 billion by the turn of the
problem and as the problem-solver.
century.
According to the broad vision of
"When the baby-boom generation
President Reagan, government was
retires
the problem. Tax reduction and limit-
hard-pressed workers will
ing the role of government would in-
certainly resist tax increases of 5, 10
or 15 percentage points" that will be
vigorate the private sector and a
needed to pay for previously prom-
growing economy would help all, he
Ised retirement benefits, Boskin,
said. Bush during his campaign has
Bush's economic adviser, wrote in
echoed that theme, though neither he
1986. "The larger elderly population,
nor Reagan always lived up to it. Now
meanwhile, will push for these tax in-
Clinton is putting forward a vision of a
more activist government.
creases to finance not only existing
benefits, but also new ones."
No matter which one takes the
The way the trust fund is being
country forward, their agenda will be
managed dramatizes critics' accusa-
shaped by the constraints of the na-
tions that it is no trust fund at all but a
tion's annual deficits and a legacy of
debt.
The Washington Post
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 1992
Jim Hoagland
An October Surprise? Not in This Election Year
European officials who met with
Defense Secretary Dick Cheney in
Paris and London this month have
concluded that there will be no "Octo-
Some Europeans are concerned that the
ber surprise" in this election year:
The Bush administration has decided
United States is on a four-month vacation
to avoid any military action in Yugo-
slavia or Iraq before the Nov. 3 U.S.
from world leadership at a crucial moment
elections.
in the post-Cold War era.
While welcoming American pru-
dence abroad in the midst of a bitter
presidential election campaign, some
ed Nations flag and command, the
Europeans are nonetheless concerned
that the United States is embarking
symbolic U.S. military involvement,
ground operations in Croatia and Bos-
to contain the conflict in the Balkans.
nia are increasingly a French affair, as
on a four-month vacation from world
But they were disappointed by
the French force expands to 4,000
leadership at a crucial moment in the
Cheney's vague, noncommittal respons-
men on the ground.
post-Cold War era.
es in Paris. The defense secretary
New French units accompanied by
That concern rises as the polls
waved off even the modest proposal that
show President Bush losing an in-
light tanks will arrive in Bosnia in
U.S. AWACs surveillance aircraft, which
October with clearer authorization to
creasingly desperate reelection bid.
would not be vulnerable to attack, par-
hit back against attacks from Serbian
Foreign governments fear that cam-
ticipate in an essentially French-run op-
paign paralysis will be followed by an
irregulars and military units. Eight
eration to provide air cover for aid
uncertain interregnum in Washing-
flights and convoys in Bosnia.
ton, as a new and untested Democrat-
In public, the administration continues
French soldiers have already been
ic administration gets organized.
to send deliberately murky signals about
killed in ex-Yugoslavia.
Gone in this campaign and in the
U.S. willingness to use force if neces-
French self-interest plays a role in the
potential transition from Bush to Gov.
sary to provide help for the besieged
willingness to take on more of the
Bill Clinton is the immediate focus
cities of Bosnia. Administration officials
burden. Paris sees the absence of U.S.
and continuity imparted by the Cold
suggest at times that Washington may
leadership in helping Europe contain a
War threat of a massive, quick Soviet
get involved and then back away from
dangerous war both as an opportunity
strike. For the first time in half a
those statements when the time for
and a demand for a French-organized
century, it is not clear what urgent
action arrives.
security arrangement in Europe. Yugo-
The public ambiguity is intended
slavia underscores the inability and/or
both to calm American public opinion
unwillingness of the U.S.-led North At-
foreign priorities America will set for
lantic Treaty Organization to act in the
itself after a presidential election.
and to add pressure on Serbian na-
Balkans.
In Iraq, only a major provocation by
tionalists to contain the conflict. In
"Canada, which is withdrawing its
Saddam Hussein that would embar-
private, there is no ambiguity.
troops from NATO because the Cold
rass Washington would bring U.S.,
Cheney reflected in London and Paris
War is over, has put almost 1,500
British and French military strikes
the overriding determination by the
troops into Yugoslavia. The United
before Nov. 3, French military
administration to do nothing that
States, which insists that it has to keep
sources told me in Paris. They added
would get U.S. forces involved in a
the command of European defense, will
that Saddam shows every sign of
Balkan quagmire, especially in this
not get involved in this real threat to
trying to avoid confrontation now.
electoral period.
European security," noted one French
U.S. and British officials echo this
"What is striking is that the Ameri-
official. "The contrast is remarkable."
assessment.
cans are not saying that the cost is
The bloodletting in Yugoslavia will
The situation in the former Yugo-
too high or the cause is not worth it,"
not take a holiday because of the Ameri-
slav republics is less stable. But
said one European official. "What we
can elections. Neither will the political,
American policy there is even more
hear more and more from Americans
diplomatic and military efforts of other
static than it is in Iraq, despite a
is that they don't know what to do
nations to establish new balances of
spreading sense in Europe that the
about Yugoslavia. There is simply no
power and influence in the new Europe.
Yugoslav crisis is reaching a defining
policy the Americans can figure out to
The absence of American ground troops
moment.
follow now."
in the Balkans is understandable and
French officials hoped Cheney
As the United States pulls farther
right. The absence of American policies
would provide support for a more
away from any action in the Balkans,
that influence the outcome there is not.
activist Western role, backed up by
France is going in the opposite direc-
tion. While nominally under the Unit-
The Washington Post
Leon E. Panetta and
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 1992
Thomas J. Downey
These children do not have enough
food to maintain their health, to grow
properly, to be productive students.
For
In a society that will be depending on
the productivity of these children in
expensive and unnecessary toster
the years to come, this situation is not
care placements. It would increase
Children-
only indecent but also just plain
resources for overburdened foster
stupid.
care and adoption assistance pro-
The fact is that the federal pro-
grams, as well as state and local child
grams meant to provide food and
welfare agencies. And it would target
Not the
nutrition to poor families are not, in
the needs of abandoned children—
too many instances, adequate to the
"high risk" children-and those ex-
job. The anti-hunger provisions of the
posed to drugs.
Children's Initiative are adapted from
There is a lot of talk about family
Cutting-
the Mickey Leland Childhood Hunger
values in this election year, but it
Relief Act, probably the most impor-
doesn't mean much if we continue to
tant bill of its kind in 15 years. They
allow the national shame of hunger
provide modest food stamp benefits
Room Floor
among our children to exist. And it
that would help meet the needs of
doesn't mean much if we are not
hungry children.
willing to provide the resources to
Most of the benefits are targeted to
help our families stay together and
Congress, in its final days before
families that face high shelter costs-
provide for their children.
adjournment, is working on emergen-
high rents and/or high utility pay-
The Children's Initiative is an in-
cy legislation to address the problems
ments. These are families that some-
vestment in our nation's future. It ,
in our cities that were laid bare by the
times must decide between paying
targets genuine emergencies in our
Los Angeles riots. Near the top of any
the rent or utilities and having enough
nation's cities, and it belongs in the
list of those problems are the alarm-
money left over to buy food. Often
urban aid legislation.
ing increases in the incidence of bro-
they are close to joining the ranks of
ken families, child abuse and hunger.
the homeless.
Leon E. Panetta is a Democratic
These increases reflect the shocking
The bill also encourages absent
representative from California.
data on poverty released earlier this
fathers to live up to their family
Thomas J. Downey is a Democratic
month by the Census Bureau. Nearly
responsibilities by reducing certain
representative from New York.
a million more children slipped into
disincentives in the food stamp pro-
poverty just last year, and nearly one
gram for payment of child support.
in four children under 6 in this coun-
Moreover, it removes disincentives
try now lives in poverty.
that discourage families from living
One would think that measures to
together to save on shelter expenses.
address the issues of broken families
The other half of the Children's
and hunger would be a top priority for
Initiative, know as the Family Preser-
inclusion in any urban aid package.
vation Act, is directed toward prob-
And indeed, the House has adopted a
lems that our society has neglected
measure called the Children's Initia-
far too long-the pressures that force
tive, a unique effort to direct critical
families apart and the horror of child
resources to helping needy families
abuse.
and children. Unfortunately, there is
Oprah Winfrey's recent television
some danger that when the urban aid
special "Scared Silent" highlighted the
bill is completed, the Children's Initia-
problem of child abuse. It alerted
tive will be left on the cutting-room
millions of viewers to the terrible
floor.
facts: 2.7 million children reported
That would be tragic-particularly
abused or neglected in 1991; 1,383
in view of the several provisions bene-
who died, most before they reached
fiting corporations and wealthy tax-
their first birthday; some 107,000
payers that probably will make the
children, most abused or neglected,
final cut. It's essential that the Sen-
who have entered foster care in the
ate, as well as the House, makes room
past five years-a 50 percent in-
for the Children's Initiative.
crease that has placed serious strains
It's hard for many to believe that in
on the foster care system.
this still prosperous nation, hunger
The Family Preservation Act is a
could be a serious problem. But dur-
creative set of measures that would
ing any given month, some 5 million
help troubled families stay together
children in the United States under
and would ameliorate the conditions
the age of 12 experience real hunger.
that often lead to child abuse. The bill
would encourage the development of
innovative state and local programs to
keep families intact and to prevent
The Washington Post
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 1992
Mario M. Cuomo
The Agony of the States
ALBANY, you believe
the reporters, California's budget
Since Fiscal Year 1990-1991, we
crisis has been one more case of
have been battling the state's most
governmental gridlock-another
serious fiscal challenge since the
the state through this difficult fiscal
opportunity to write the Fed-Up-
Great Depression.
passage without dismantling the
With-Politics story. But from here in
New York, it's clear that politics
In the last two years, the same
services people count on govern-
isn't the heart of the problem: The
national recession has contorted
ment for: quality public education,
state budgets from coast to coast.
preventive health care for children,
suffering in California is just a spasm
Here in the East, Massachusetts
aid for poor families and the home-
in the mounting fiscal agony of
had to cut its state work force by
less, vital research in the fight
states around the nation.
Indeed, at least 35 states-home
nearly 18 percent, while Connecti-
against AIDS.
to 85 percent of the American peo-
cut had to adopt a new income tax.
Today, in state after state, some
New Jersey was forced to hike its
of the most basic government pro-
ple-have wrestled with serious
budget gaps this year. Bond ratings
top tax rate on personal income
grams have started to look like luxu-
from 3.5 percent to 7 percent.
ries. Yet if government cannot pro-
for the states are the worst in three
vide these essential functions, it
decades. Unless we believe that the
Pennsylvania added a full percent-
loses its reason for being. Anything
leaders of three dozen separate
age point to its income tax rate, but
can be overdone-even such
states-both Democrats and Repub-
recently had to make deep cuts in
strong-sounding virtues as austeri-
licans-suddenly surrendered to
state aid to private higher educa-
ty. In pursuing financial health
profligate spending, feeble manage-
tion. In the Midwest, Illinois and
through self-denial, we must be
ment or political hallucinations, we
Michigan felt compelled to wipe out
careful not to lapse into fiscal an-
can fairly conclude that this problem
general assistance for all single
orexia. When state and local govern-
is as big as the country.
adults deemed "employable"-even
ments are starved for funds, the
Its causes are national, too: In
for people who have exhausted their
people they serve feel the hunger
state after state, the tenacious grip
unemployment benefits and still
the most.
of national recession has choked off
Caught in the headlights of the
the flow of public revenues. At the
national media, California's budget
same time, more people than ever
can't find a job. And on our Pacific
crisis momentarily captured the
are now forced to seek state assis-
shore, California boosted its top in-
country's attention. But we need to
tance through welfare and Medicaid.
come tax rate, added 1.25 percent
remember that though the books
Most states also face an explosion of
to its sales tax rate-and still had to
may be balanced in Sacramento for
costly social problems-AIDS,
cut back on welfare relief.
the moment, we have not closed the
crack, homelessness, violent
To balance New York's last three
crime-each in turn made more se-
book on the larger question of
budgets, we were also obliged to cut
America's fiscal fitness-and what
vere by the country's listless
hard and broadly. We had to reduce
we should really demand from the
economy.
our work force by 20,500, freeze
government of these United States.
pay raises for public employees for
Perhaps worst of all, every state
The writer is governor of New
in the union is battling the grave ef-
York.
fects of the decade-long withdrawal
two years and enact unprecedented
of federal support for cities and
spending cuts. However, we have
states. From 1982 and 1991, feder-
been fortunate in being able to hold
al aid to state and local governments
the state sales tax steady since I
declined 15.4 percent.
took office in 1983 and in never hav-
In New York, where recession
ing to raise the rate of income tax--
still at its lowest level in 30 years
struck hard and early, we under-
because of cuts we enacted early in
stood as far back as 1989 that this
my administration.
array of fiscal pressure represented
Mercifully, we were able to steer
more than a passing challenge.
The Washington Post
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 1992
Richard Cohen
Golden State for Democrats
SAN FRANCISCO-If, as it is
though, she leads Herschensohn by
seem ready to repay his minimalism
sometimes claimed, things happen
19 points.
with some of their own.
The Boxer-Herschensohn race pro-
When the dust settles in Novem-
first in California, then the Republican
Party is about to go into epic decline.
vides voters with the sort of contest
ber, California is likely to have two
The state party is in the hands of
political scientists are wont to say
female senators, doubling by itself the
political and religious zealots, George
America needs more of: a clear ideo-
number of women in the Senate.
logical choice. Herschensohn worked
Dianne Feinstein, the former mayor
Bush is running more than 20 points
in Richard Nixon's White House, and
of this city, also enjoys a nearly 20-
behind Bill Clinton, and the GOP looks
his conservative credentials are unim-
point margin over her Republican op-
like it will lose both U.S. Senate seats
this year. Only for the Democrats is
peachable. But he has his feet planted
ponent, incumbent John Seymour.
The Clinton-Gore ticket has such a
California still the Golden State.
firmly in the cement of ideology, and
Last week, one of the Republican
he seems not to care that he is soon
commanding lead that the Bush-
Quayle forces have all-but conceded
Senate candidates, Bruce Herschen-
going to be sending up bubbles as a
the state, one-fifth of the electoral
sohn of Los Angeles, met his Demo-
result.
votes needed for victory. California,
cratic opponent in debate here. The
In the debate here, for instance, he
Republican for seven of the past eight
Democrat in question is Rep. Barbara
was all poise but, really, almost other-
presidential races, is starting to look
Boxer from nearly mythical Marin
worldly. He pushes a flat tax, which
for Democrats the way the South
County, one vast hot tub, to hear
Boxer has found just delightful. It
used to. The "San Francisco Demo-
some people tell it. Once she would
would, she says, favor the rich at the
crats" of Jeane Kirkpatrick's memora-
have been seen as a political feast for
expense of the middle class. In a state
ble phrase are coming back with a
the Republicans: female, Jewish, un-
where the unemployment rate is two
vengeance.
abashedly liberal, pro-choice, opposed
points above the national average,
To understand why, it's useful to
to the gulf war, an environmentalist
there is nary a governmental program
recall when Kirkpatrick coined that
and ranked 33rd among current mem-
of which Herschensohn approves.
phrase and the context in which she
bers of Congress for House bank
Over and over, he said he wants the
used it. She spoke to the Republican
overdrafts (143 latex checks). In the
federal government to do no more
National Convention on Aug. 21,
most recent Los Angeles Times poll,
than absolutely necessary. The voters
1984, and the speech was about for-
eign policy-a subject, she said, the
Democrats had hardly mentioned in
such a loss of purpose (the banning of
their convention here. For that
head-hunting, for instance), have sim-
ply become extinct.
reason, Kirkpatrick asked seven ques-
tions-all of them relating to the
California, a little deeper into the
Soviet threat. Here is an example:
recession than most states (defense
"What would become of Israel if sur-
cutbacks have hurt it badly), is not yet
rounded by Soviet client states?"
typical. But the chaos of the Republi-
Kirkpatrick might as well have
can Party, its Yugoslavian-like enmi-
mentioned iceboxes, Victrolas and
ties (Gov. Pete Wilson, a moderate,
Studebakers. The Soviet Union is no
refused to attend the recent GOP
more. It has no client states. The
state convention, and Seymour was
former ones, such as Syria, are now
attacked there for being
looking to the United States for aid
"pro-choice"), is a portent of some
and approval. The raison d'etre of the
things to come and some that have
contemporary Republican Party van-
already arrived.
ished when the Berlin Wall went ker-
Without the umbrella of anticom-
plop. Shorn of its foreign policy, it has
munism, without a unifying foreign
to rely solely on an unforgiving and
policy, the Republican Party is be-
ideologically extreme domestic policy:
coming defined by its marginal con-
opposition to abortion, an affiliation
stituencies. The same thing happened
with the Christian right, an abhor-
to the Democratic Party after it en-
rence for many government programs
and a seeming incompetence in the
acted its New Deal, Fair Deal and
face of a protracted recession. With-
Great Society programs. The dilem-
out the Red Threat, there is little
ma for the GOP is as old as the
reason to put up with such nonsense.
proverb about answered prayers. In
Primitive tribes, when faced with
politics, the rewards of success can be
failure.
The Washington Post
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 1992
Michael D. Bromberg
Health Care: Let the People Spend
Imagine the public outcry if Con-
gress does have limited authority to
and we provide the state-of-the-art
gress passed a "global entertainment
ration private consumption of scarce
health care they covet.
budget" limiting the amount of money
resources such as food and gasoline
Our government does have the au-
citizens may spend on movies, fast
during national emergencies. Even
thority to balance individual rights
food and family vacations. That is
during peacetime, Congress has in-
against the overall welfare of the
what the Democratic leaders in Con-
voked its authority to protect the
public, but it must do so cautiously-
gress and their presidential nominee,
public safety by requiring cars to be
any restriction on our fundamental
Bill Clinton, are advocating for health
equipped with seat belts and by set-
rights must stem from an overriding
care expenditures.
public interest. The Supreme Court
ting a national speed limit.
Frustrated by their inability to con-
has vigorously defended this principle
But the United States is not at war,
trol federal health costs, these liberal
by overruling laws that do not meet
lawmakers are suggesting an annual
and health care is hardly a scarce
this "strict scrutiny" test. In doing so,
"global health budget" for the private
resource. In fact, capping individuals'
the high court has cited our Constitu-
sector. This mechanism would set an
health care purchasing would have a
tion, its amendments and the Declara-
detrimental impact on public health.
tion of Independence as authority.
arbitrary ceiling on aggregate public
and private health care spending. The
The use of a global budget even
For instance, in Buckley V. Valeo, a
cap would be enforced by controlling
exceeds the health policies estab-
cap on campaign expenditures by pri-
prices, which inevitably would limit
lished by countries that embrace so-
vate citizens running for office was
struck down as a violation of the First
health care purchases and lower the
cialized medicine. In Great Britain,
for example, citizens retain the free-
Amendment right to freedom of ex-
quality of care.
pression. Government-set limits on
Whether applied to entertainment
dom to purchase supplemental private
individual liberties, such as the right
or health care, the concept of a global
coverage. Canada, which lacks our
to personal privacy, were rejected
budget would require a constitutional
constitutional protections, does limit
under the due process clause of the
amendment; our forebears did not
all health spending as well as such
14th Amendment in Griswold v. Con-
grant government the authority to
individual choices. Fortunately, most
necticut (which voided a state statute
apportion our personal incomes. Con-
Canadians live near the U.S. border,
prohibiting the use of contraceptives).
No overriding public interest would
Accelerating efforts to measure
be served by forfeiting to government
quality and eliminate unnecessary
individuals' freedom to choose what
care;
they buy and how much they spend on
Reforming malpractice laws to re-
health care service.
duce the cost of defensive medicine;
It would be constitutional for Con-
and
gress to cap federal health spending
Establishing purchasing groups to
because that involves the allocation of
lower the cost of insurance for small
tax dollars. That would be unwise
business.
public policy, however, because a fed-
But prohibiting private health
eral health cap would only compound
spending above some magic num-
the dilemma of the millions of poor
ber-regardless of need-flies in the
Americans who do not qualify for
face of our constitutional guarantees.
Medicaid. It also would be legal for
It is ironic that those who want gov-
Congress to limit tax subsidies for
ernment to limit our personal deci-
private health expenditures, such as
sions on health spending are the first
the tax deductions and exclusions for
to proclaim their belief that "health
employer-paid insurance.
care is a right, not a privilege." They
Reforming our health system to
ought to realize that under the Con-
increase access and control costs is
stitution, rights belong to the peo-
essential, and there are many pending
ple-not the government.
proposals to achieve it without raising
serious constitutional questions. The
The writer is executive director of the
examples include:
Federation of American Health
Changing our tax laws to encourage
Systems, a lobbying organization for
cost-effective health plans;
the health care industry.
The Washington Post
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 1992
Executive Fiat: How a New President
Could Make a Big Difference
By Al Kamen
damental shitt in the way government is perceived and
Washington Post Staff Writer
the way government operates. The philosophy of Rea-
In the opening days of this year's election campaign,
federal government," Bass said.
gan and Bush is to promote inaction on the part of the
President Bush wrapped much of his rhetoric around
Bush, and especially Ronald Reagan, "used the
the theme of running against a gridlocked Congress.
But many of the most hotly contested political issues in
latory apparatus to circumvent judicial decisions regu- and
recent years-fetal tissue research or the abortion pill;
undermine congressional initiatives," Bass said. "That is
environmental, consumer or health regulations; civil
rights enforcement and affirmative action; trade relations
and shift power from Congress to the executive.
that the executive power could give to exert control"
what Reagan did so expertly. He grabbed every lever
with China, Vietnam or Cuba; asylum for Haitians-have
The traditional configuration of three separate and
not been the result of congressional action, or inaction.
equal branches of government is "gone," added Fein. The
Those battles were sparked by the president's vast
executive is able to effect great changes as long as he can
power to control the federal bureaucracy and to issue
command one-third of Congress to block a veto override.
executive orders, regulations and policy directives.
Ron Arnold, executive vice president of the Center for
Some of the most controversial Reagan and Bush
administration policies-especially those affecting
abortion, environmental regulations or trade-went
the Defense of Free Enterprise, a strong opponent of
into effect simply by executive fiat, implemented over
environmental activists, said he was not sure what Clin-
the objections of substantial majorities in one or both
ton would do if elected, but he agreed that "Congress can
houses of Congress, which has rarely been able to mus-
write one thing and the administration can write some-
ter enough votes to override a veto.
thing very different." Arnold added, "It's unbelievable the
Since the New Deal, Congress has delegated increas-
amount of power the president has just by himself," not
ing authority to the executive branch to implement the
counting the combined weight of his appointees.
law in whatever way the president or his aides think rea-
"It will cause a dramatic change," said Kevin Kirch-
sonable. "Most people don't realize how much of what the
ner, an attorney with the Sierra Club Legal Defense
government does now" is through executive order, policy
Fund, if Clinton simply were "to bring in people who will
statements and especially rules and regulations, said
implement the laws that have been ignored for the past
Bruce Fein, a former Reagan administration official.
10 or 12 years. There [has been] a lot of power in in-
Should the White House change hands and Bill Clin-
action," he said.
ton move to carry out his pledge to "change America,"
executive actions that have been taken without con-
happen if the White House changes hands.
Both sides in the abortion battle agree on what might
gressional support are especially vulnerable.
The "gag rule," which prohibits abortion counseling at
That is why activists on both sides of the issues are
federally funded family planning clinics except by doctors,
anxiously awaiting Election Day.
would likely be the first to go soon after-if not imme-
For business groups, timber and mining interests and
diately upon-a Clinton swearing-in, experts said.
antiabortion advocates, much that they have been able
The ban on federally funded fetal tissue research and
to achieve by executive orders, appointments, policies
a cutoff of funds to a U.N. family planning agency-ac-
and vetoes could be quickly overturned.
They are hoping for a second Bush presidency to so-
lidify the conservative majority on the Supreme Court
and maintain conservative positions on abortion, reli-
tions sustained by Bush's veto power-also would likely
gion and property rights, for four more years of limited
be overturned, both sides agree, as would the ban on al-
regulatory activity and for a continuation of Bush's ban
lowing privately funded abortions at military hospitals.
on new regulations.
The Food and Drug Administration ban on the abortion
On the other side, environmental, labor, abortion
pill RU-486, which was just challenged unsuccessfully
rights and consumer activists, in a regulatory wilder-
in the courts, is also on the abortion rights movement's
ness for the last 12 years, are drawing up wish lists in
hit list.
the event Clinton wins.
"There will be a real, radical change if Bush leaves
the White House," said Gary Bass, director of OMB
Watch, a liberal watchdog group. "There will be a fun-
The Moshington Post
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 1992
tial orders that gave the Office of Management and Bud-
The National Right to Life Committee, in a recent
newsletter, urged supporters to work for the Bush cam-
get its broad-based authority to veto proposed regula-
tions. The council, OMB and a series of executive orders
paign for fear those policies and rules would be undone.
have paralyzed regulatory agencies, activists contend.
"All of these pro-life policies, and others, will be at
stake in the presidential election of November 3, 1992,"
But Clinton, even with Gore on the ticket, may not
the newsletter said, warning of a "horror story" if Clin-
grant those two wishes. "Most modern presidents view
ton were to win.
the regulatory agencies as potentially loose cannons," said
Environmental activists and industry advocates are
David Vladeck, an attorney with Public Citizen Litigation
less precise in their assessments-in part because the
Group. "He'll put in competent regulators but may leave
contrast between the Bush and Clinton records in that
some of the executive orders in place to give him control.
area is not as sharp.
Ever since Nixon, presidents, including Carter, have had
Ed Green, general counsel of the American Mining
some mechanism to review at least the more controver-
Congress, said that "generally speaking, our experience
sial initiatives undertaken by regulatory agencies."
is that Democratic control of the White House means
Still, industry groups, generally pleased with 12
years in which they got some relief from regulations,
say that even if Clinton did not abolish the council,
that there is a lot more regulation writing but not that
there would be a major shift toward regulatory activity.
much difference" in practice. "Bush would be less likely
Activists say that even if Clinton did not abolish the
to write regulations," Green said, "but Republicans are
council or put Gore in charge, Bush put on the books a
often tougher in enforcement than Democrats."
would like overturned.
string of ideologically inspired executive orders they
Environmental activists had not seen Clinton as an ally.
His record as governor indicated he was at best "indiffer-
Eliminating those orders, activists say, would remove
ent" to environmental concerns, one activist said. It was
layers of bureaucracy built up, ironically, by Reagan and
not until he picked Sen. Albert Gore Jr. (Tenn.) as his run-
Bush to render ineffective the bureaucracy they as-
serted was inefficient and wasteful.
ning mate that environmental groups warmed to him-
and industry groups began to worry, if not panic.
Lifting those layers and putting in new administrators,
Arnold, criticizing Bush for allowing too much environ-
activists say, would revitalize agencies such as the Con-
mental and land use regulation, said the situation would
sumer Product Safety Commission and the Occupational
have been much worse were it not for the Council on
Safety and Health Administration, which they argue have
Competitiveness, chaired by Vice President Quayle.
been largely dormant during the last 12 years.
"The council has become a bottleneck for regula-
But industry representatives said it is likely that ei-
tions," he said, "where they can be sliced, diced and
ther candidate, shortly after taking office, will want to
chopped into hamburger. You can hold up regulations
take a broad look at the state of government regulation
for a long time, pile this stuff behind the Council on
and overhaul it. The problem, as Green put it, is that
Competitiveness for years.
It has the power to un-
"the process is broken and someone needs to fix it. Peo-
plug any regulation
indefinitely."
ple don't think they have been treated fairly."
That is why nearly every consumer, health and envi-
Several activists, citing Clinton's record in Arkansas,
ronmental activist interviewed had one wish above all
also cautioned against expecting too much should he win.
should Clinton win: Abolish the Competitiveness Council.
Health, environmental and other groups "are delud-
Next, they said, they hope Clinton would lift the presiden-
ing themselves," said Bass, if they think "suddenly they
are going to have a field day" under Clinton. "The Clin-
ton team will balance the interests of the business sec-
tor" against calls for tighter regulation, he said.
VETO
VETO
ART BUCHWALD
PEROT WATCH
The Siege of Hill 92
When it comes to this presiden-
can toss the dadgum thing into
tial deal, Citizen Perot likes to
Lake Dallas, see if it floats, no
here is a simple solution to
To make sure that the idea
"Has Quayle agreed to this?"
T
say his philosophy is "like that of
problem
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1992
the controversy over the
was viable I made some
Clinton's man asked.
the carpenter": He wants to meas-
Yesterday's findings:
war records of Bill Clinton
telephone calls.
"I've got a call in to him right
ure twice and cut once. Better yet,
More telephonic difficulties, alas,
and Dan Quayle. The two are
The first one was to Hanoi
now. Anyone who won his battle
measure three times and cut half-
in our repeated attempts to
accused of having used political
asking if they had any objection
stars in Indianapolis should be
way. Or measure four times and
reach the Citizen's spokeswom-
influence to stay out of the
to Clinton and Quayle coming
dying to visit Saigon."
don't cut at all. Best of all, take
an and discover the latest nuance
hostilities in Indochina.
over and taking a few hills to help
"If he goes, then our man will
some fine-grade sandpaper-you
in the Citizen's thinking.
The way to solve it is instead
them in the presidential
go."
can buy it at any hardware
Last time we tried, there was
of debating the issue over and
campaign.
I called the Quayle brain trust.
store-smooth out that 2-by-4 real
a constant busy signal. This
over again in some clammy
The official wanted to know if I
nice, rub in some linseed oil with
time, no answer.
"Is Quayle willing to go to
network studio, both Clinton and
was out of my blinkin' mind. He
Vietnam and take a hill to prove
a shammy cloth, and then maybe
Just ring, ring, ring.
Quayle should go to Vietnam, in
said, "If they were chicken then,
the volunteers can use it as a
Anybody home? The evidence
that he's not a coward?"
full uniform, and show the
we don't want them now."
doorstop. Not that they have to, of
suggests not.
American public if they really
"That's a hypothetical
I told him, "Our election
course, it's up to them, whatever
Conclusion:
have the right stuff.
question."
depends on it. You must allow
they want, just say the word, they
It's just that simple. -Lloyd Grove
The plan would be to take the
"It's not hypothetical. It's all
them in."
two men into the mountains
laid on. The Vietnamese say that
around Khe Sanh and assign each
"Why?"
it's okay with them, providing
one a hill to capture. They would
"Because you owe us. You have
that Clinton and Quayle leave the
do this alone without aid from the
a lot of hills. All we're asking is
hills the way they found them."
Tips for the Texas Teaser
Green Berets or the 82nd
that you let Quayle and Clinton
take two of them."
"Will there be any Vietnamese
Airborne.
To make sure the public
"Okay, but we don't want you
opposition?"
By Joel Garreau and Martha Sherrill
spring, the big-ego billionaire was
to start making a habit of this
"Not much. Just enough to
Washington Post Staff Writers
saying maybe. On July 15, he said
witnessed the action CNN would
prove that both candidates are
maybe not.
cover it live.
every time you hold an election."
willing to fight for their country."
Did he blow it?
I then called Gov. Clinton's top
Now, we're all watching the Tex-
Before going into battle each
The Quayle staffer said, "You
Did he blow the tease?
aide. "Good news. I've fixed it so
as tease again-he ended up not an-
man would have a half-hour on
know, the vice president was in
"You have to know when to deliv-
"The Larry King Show" to
that the governor can still go to
nouncing his candidacy for president
Vietnam."
public relations in the National
er," says Johnny 0., who performs
on "Larry King Live" last night; now
profess his patriotism for the
Guard. He doesn't know too
for Express Male and Female Strip-
"Governor Clinton doesn't
he's saying he won't make a decision
United States and his love of the
O-Grams of Fairfax. "I think he
military.
believe in the war."
much about taking hills."
missed that."
till Thursday.
I know some people are saying,
"Nobody does, but it has
I responded, "America will
Johnny O. was talking about Ross
"The art of the tease is not to
"Isn't it a little late to go to
become a campaign issue and the
match one National Guard PR
Perot, the man who keeps tiptoeing
tease too long," says Johnny 0.-
Vietnam?" The answer is obvious
only way you can deal with it is to
man against 10 Viet Cong any
around, getting our attention, mak-
who once supported Perot. (He liked
to anyone running for public
have him go over and hang a
day of the week."
ing promises of promises, but never
his business sense.) "I've been doing
office: "Better late than never."
coonskin on the wall."
© 1992, Los Angeles Times Syndicate
quite delivering-or even officially
it for seven or eight years. Some-
getting into the race. All winter and
See TEASE, B8, Col. 3
The Washington Pos
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 1992
The
Column
By John Carmody
Granted the president has been sparing with
Washington Post Staff Writer
his network TV appearances, Smith said: "We
consider everything on a case-by-case basis. I
ov. Bill Clinton will be interviewed on
believe the 'Today' show has a request in for a
"Good Morning America" during most
live interview, we talk to CBS News almost every
of the 7:30 half-hour on Thursday.
day-and the president spoke to [CBS's] Randall
Charlie Gibson will conduct the interview
Pinkston on Sunday"
sometime after tomorrow's show, "some-
But inside the business the stories have been
where in Northern Virginia"
around for some time. The Rather-Bush dust-up
Clinton is appearing on the "Today" show
in early 1988, of course, still rankles both sides,
three times this week, Monday, Wednesday and
although Rather and his "CBS Evening News"
Briday, matching President Bush's appearances
staff repeatedly have requested interviews this
on GMA those three days to discuss taxes, crime
fall (Bush pointedly turned Rather down in Hous-
and health care.
ton during the convention)
All three Clinton interviews were taped. by
Although the president was interviewed by
Katie Couric on Sunday
Jennings in Houston, the two clashed when Bush
And of course H. Ross Perot is on "Today"
complained that he was being asked "non-issue"
again this morning
questions that had been spared rival candidate
Also this morning, early readers of the Daily
Bill Clinton at the Democratic convention
Miracle, you might want to catch Clinton on
That exchange was not seen on ABC that night
"CBS This Morning" during the first half-hour
but Bush, unlike Clinton, subsequently has declined
and H. Ross during the second
to be interviewed regarding his stand on the issues
Rumour du jour: Former "Today" executive
for the "American Agenda" segment of "ABC
producer Tom Capra is due to meet with NBC
World News Tonight With Peter Jennings"
executives regarding that job on "The Tonight
Show With Jay Leno" that's been open since
executive producer Helen Kushnick was fired so
Still, "World News Tonight" executive produc-
noisily
er Paul Friedman said yesterday, "we've had no
A triumvirate of Leno and producers Debbie
evidence" of a Bush "blacklist"
Vickers and Bill Royce has been running the
NBC's Russert, on behalf of his "Meet the
show since Kushnick's departure
Press," has had a request in for an hour with the
Since he left "Today," Capra, who gets at least
president since May but the bureau chief/moder-
an assist for the felicitous arrival of Katie Couric
ator thinks the White House may have "reserva-
aboard the morning show, has been with NBC
tions about aggressive questioning"
Productions
Jeff Zucker, executive producer of the "Today"
"Speaking of the "Today" show, as we were,
show, said yesterday he was puzzled by Gumbel's
on Friday that program will include Al Pacino's
inclusion on the list. "From everything I know
first TV interview in 11 years!!!
both men hold each other in high esteem, and
ABC News's "Nightline" has postponed until
we've had interviews with the president before;
Monday, Oct. 12, plans to devote the remaining
I'd be very surprised if that were true. And we'd
Monday-night broadcasts before the Nov. 3 elec-
still like to have Mr. Bush on the show"
tion to the presidential race. The broadcasts
But other "Today" insiders suggest that a close
were to have started last night, but then Mr.
listen to Gumbel would reveal the anchor's impa-
Perot came along. When the Monday Night Idea
tience with the administration's handling of some
kicks in, Jeff Greenfield will anchor. A similar
issues
series aired in 1988
Will, a regular on "This Week With David
Now This
Brinkley," has been outside the pale for years--
at least since he referred to the president as a
"60 Minutes" correspondent Lesley Stahl, in
"lap dog"
a speech in San Antonio last week, finally put
In August, the president did a one-on-one with
into words what most everybody in network TV
David Brinkley, but there were rumors at the
suspects these days-that President Bush has a
time that the White House had insisted that
short list of big-name correspondents and an-
neither Will nor Sam Donaldson be included in
chors by whom he refuses to be interviewed
the interview
Speaking before the Radio and Television
Meanwhile, President Bush will be inter-
News Directors Association convention last
viewed live tonight at 9 on the Nashville Net-
Thursday, Stahl named Dan Rather of CBS,
work's "Nashville Now," which is hosted by Ralph
Peter Jennings of ABC, Tim Russert of NBC,
Emery. Clinton, Sen. Al Gore and their wives
Bryant Gumbel of NBC and George Will of ABC.
were interviewed on the show Aug. 26
A boycott of those five alone would leave the
president off two evening news shows, two
Ratingzzz Roundup
Sunday morning shows and one of the weekday
The overworked Nielsen computer went
morning shows
The White House denies there's any "list"
blooie again last week with the arrival of all
Stahl yesterday wouldn't identify a source for
those new series and the return of the rest, so
the alleged "blacklist" but said that "60 Minutes"
here's a brief rundown of some of the highlights:
staffers had been informed of Bush's refusal to
On Thursday, in the national Nielsens,
talk to some reporters
NBC's "Rhythm & Blues" averaged a 12.1 rating
("60 Minutes" has offered Clinton and Bush a
and a 20 percent audience share to help NBC win
full hour during which they would be interviewed
the night, just like in the old days. "Cheers" did a
by the program regulars. The Democrat has said
19.6/32
yes; the White House has so far declined the
"Delta" on ABC did a 9.5/16, while "Prime-
offer)
Time Live" scored a 15.3/27
Dorrance Smith, presidential assistant for me-
And on CBS, "Middle Ages" did a 6.4/11
dia affairs, said yesterday that "it's not true,
Locally on Thursday night, "Martin" did a
Stahl told the RTNDA, that a presidential "black-
15.1/24 on WTTG, "Rhythm and Blues" did a
list" exists for reporters or their programs
13.5/22 on WRC, and "PrimeTi Live" a
10.5/19 on WILA
The Washington Pos
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 1992
Nickelodeon has booted the creator of its hit
In the national ratings on Friday, the ap-
cartoon series "The Ren & Stimpy Show" and
pearance of Gen. Norman Schwarzkopf on
yesterday announced it had reached an agree-
"20/20" gave that show a 14.9/28 as ABC won
ment with him to reorganize production responsi-
the night, despite "Camp Wilder," which did a
bilities for the show
9.2/17
John Kricfalusi, who has been jousting with the
"I'll Fly Away" returned to NBC with a
cable channel over deadlines, money and the
7.0/13
content of the animated show, will serve as a
Locally, CBS's "Bob" was a big hit, averag-
consultant, turning over the reins to co-developer
ing a 17.7/29 on WUSA. "I'll Fly Away" did a
Bob Camp
6.5/11 on WRC. But then "The Round Table,"
"I felt confined by the rigors of this particular
ostensibly about Washington yuppies, did a
animated series and wanted to pursue projects
7.2/12
with more artistic freedom," said Kricfalusi in a
The appearance of Dan Quayle and Al Gore on
statement yesterday
Talking With David Frost" Friday night
Fox Broadcasting has decided to delay
drew a 2.2/4 in 18 major Nielsen markets. That
starting its seventh night on the air until mid-
included a 3.6/6 on Channel 26 here
December or even early January. The Tuesday
By comparison, a PBS repeat of the "American
night lineup was supposed to have debuted Oct.
Experience" documentary "Nixon" on Thursday
27 with two dramas, "Class of '96" and "Key
night drew a 3.9/7 in 24 Nielsen cities, including
West," both of which apparently need more
a 4.4/7 on Channel 26
promotion time
Saturday night in Washington, two new ABC
King World has announced it will syndicate
series did poorly on WJLA. "Covington Cross"
an hour-long talk show next fall featuring moti-
scored a 4.5/9, "Crossroads" a 3.2/6. On the
vational speaker Les Brown
other hand, "Frannie's Turn" on WUSA also did a
4.5/9
HIGHLIGHTS
The two-hour season premiere of "Reasonable
Full House (CC). Danny's long-distance rela-
Doubts" on WRC.
tionship is not working out, and Michelle's
"Child of Rage" on WUSA.
best friend moves away (Channel 7 at 8).
And "Haiti: Killing the Dream" on WETA.
Rescue 911 (CC). A game of hide-and-seek
Public Broadcasting
turns dangerous, and a 30-ton whale beaches
itself on an Australian shore (Channel 9 at 8).
Evening Exchange. The D.C. Department of
Hangin' With Mr. Cooper (CC). A class of
Finance and Revenue will assess home and
mischievous first-graders leaves Mark with a
property valuation procedures (Channel 32 at
broken tailbone (Channel 7, 8:30).
7).
Nova: The Genius Behind the Bomb (CC). A
Roseanne (CC). An unpaid power bill leaves
the Connor house in the dark (Channel 7 at
profile of scientist Leo Szilard (Channel 26 at
9).
8).
Haiti: Killing the Dream (Channel 26 at 9) is
Coach (CC) "hires" a daughter to attend a
previewed by David Mills on Page B2.
banquet at which he is named Father of the
Year (Channel 7, 9:30).
Primetime Movies
Going to Extremes (CC). Dr. Croft performs
surgery with carpenter's tools, while Alex has
Back to School (1986). Millionaire Rodney
a chilly encounter with Dr. Davis (Channel 7
Dangerfield thinks it would be fun to enroll in
at 10).
college with his son (Channel 5 at 8).
Star Trek: The Next Generation (CC) (R).
Peggy Sue Got Married (1986). Time-travel-
Picard is kidnapped (Channel 20 at 10).
ing Kathleen Turner goes back to her high
school days. Two hours (Channel 20 at 8).
Late Night
Anastasia: The Mystery of Anna (1986). In
the conclusion, Anna travels to New York
The Arsenio Hall Show (CC). With Jackie
after being rebuffed by surviving members of
Collins, Elle Macpherson and Celine Dion
Russia's royal family. Two hours (Channel 50
(Channel 9, 11:30).
at 8).
The Tonight Show With Jay Leno (CC). With
Child of Rage (1992) (CC). A true story
Faye Dunaway, Kadeem Hardison and Ed
about a 7-year-old girl abused as a baby by
Koch (Channel 4, 11:35).
her father. Two hours (Channel 9 at 9).
Late Night With David Letterman. With Tim
Allen, Glenn Frey and model Claudia Schiffer
Series Return
(Channel 4, 12:35 a.m.).
Reasonable Doubts (CC). Kay is seriously
Wednesday Morning
wounded by a convicted felon, compelling
Dicky to seek revenge (Channel 4 at 9).
Today (CC). Interviews with actors Andy
Garcia and Ed Harris (Channel 4 at 7).
Series
Good Morning America (CC). President Bush
Quantum Leap (CC). Sam is a Greek sailor
fields questions about crime (Channel 7 at-7).
shipwrecked on a deserted island with guest
CBS This Morning (CC). With a preview of
star Brooke Shields (Channel 4 at 8).
the Country Music Awards (Channel 9 at 7).
NEW YORK. TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 1992
Bush Again Vetoes Trade Curbs
On China; Override Is Unlikely
Family-Leave Bill Vetoed
It is the second piece of contentious
legislation that Mr. Bush has rejected
in the last few days. Last week, he
By MICHAEL WINES
vetoed the family-leave bill, a political-
Special to The New York Times
ly popular Democratic-sponsored
WASHINGTON, Sept. 28 - Juggling
sort of collision course with Congress
measure that would have required
yet another delicate issue handed him
that he chose in March and in 1991,
many large employers to give their
by Congress at peak election season,
when he vetoed similar bills over pro-
workers up to 12 weeks' unpaid leave
each year to tend to newborn babies
President Bush vetoed legislation to-
tests that he was refusing to punish
and ill relatives.
night that would restrict China's trade
Beijing for its violent crackdown on the
In both the family-leave and China-
with the United States unless the Chi-
democracy movement at Tienanmen
trade cases, the White House issued the
nese improved their records on human
Square in June 1989.
veto message late in the day, and they
rights, free trade and arms prolifera-
Republicans in the Senate predicted
were not reported on most of the main
tion.
tonight that the President's veto would
network newscasts.
It appeared that there would not be
be sustained there. The current bill
One House Democratic political
enough votes in Congress to override
was passed in both houses by voice
strategist said Mr. Bush's foes hope to
use the China veto to tarnish his for-
the veto, meaning that Beijing's favor-
votes earlier in the month. In March,
eign policy reputation by depicting him
able trade status would continue for a
an attempt to override Mr. Bush's Chi-
as taking a craven position on a moral
year.
na veto drew a vote of 60 to 38, well
issue. But in an election that is being
short of the two-thirds needed to over-
fought over issues like jobs and the
A Bad Bet, Bush Argues
ride the veto.
economy, he said, the impact on Mr.
In a statement issued in Dallas,
The political calculus of the current
Bush is probably marginal.
where he was campaigning, Mr. Bush
legislation is more complex. While the
The legislation vetoed tonight would
said he completely shares the objec-
end in 1993 the most-favored-nation
President is likely to be criticized for
tives of the legislation. But he argued
status now given for exports of goods
his action by human rights advocates,
made by China's state-owned indus-
that punishing China by restricting its
he may win praise from farmers, who
tries unless the White House certifies
American trade would only hurt ordi-
have come under threat that the Chi-
in writing that China has made
nary Chinese citizens and American
nese might end purchases of American
progress in human rights and other
companies that sell goods there.
wheat in retaliation for Mr. Bush's
areas of concern.
"It is easy to be discouraged by the
decision, earlier this month, to sell
pace of progress in this area," he said,
American-made jet fighters to Taiwan.
"but it would be a serious mistake to
The President's Democratic oppo-
let our frustration lead us to gamble
nent, Gov. Bill Clinton, had no immedi-
with policies that would undermine our
Many Are 'Most Favored'
goals."
Continued on Page A8, Column 1
Despite the exclusive-sounding
The veto sets Mr. Bush on the same
name, most-favored-nation status is
routinely granted to most countries. It
means that they will not be subject to
artificially high tariffs on goods sold
here. The Congressional restrictions
would not apply to items made by
privately owned Chinese businesses.
The decision to restrict trade curbs
to state-owned industries, and to leave
intact the low tariffs for Chinese pri-
vate businesses, represents a new tack
BUSH AGAIN VETOES
for opponents of normal trade relations
with China. They maintain that their
legislation targets those responsible
for Beijing's record on arms sales and
CHINA TRADE CURBS
human rights, while promoting in-
creased trade with China's emerging
capitalists.
Mr. Bush argued otherwise tonight,
Continued From Page Al
saying small businesses in China are
"interlinked in the manufacturing pro-
ate comment on the veto tonight. But
cess with state-owned factories,' and
last December he savaged Mr. Bush's
would be equally damaged by higher
position on this issue, asserting that he
tariffs on exports to the United States.
had "let his friendships in China ob-
Trade sanctions, he also said, "would
cost us this growing market and thou-
scure what those kids did in Tianan-
sands of American jobs."
men Square."
"We would cede this market to our
Mr. Bush was head of the American
foreign competitors, who impose no
liaison office in Beijing in 1974 and 1975
restrictons on their trade with China,
under President Ford, and developed a
at a time when China is taking market-
personal interest in Chinese affairs
opening measures that our trade nego-
that has continued to this day.
tiators fought to obtain," the President
This evening, the Democratic major-
declared.
ity whip in the House, Representative
Would Use Existing Channels
Richard A. Gephardt of Missouri, again
accused Mr. Bush of being insensitive
He said that*Beijing's stance on hu-
to repeated rights violations by Chi-
man rights is "inadequate," and that
nese authorities.
"business as usual is not possible until
In a written statement telephoned to
they take steps to resolve our differ-
ences" on that and other issues. But he
reporters, Mr. Gephardt said: "Demo-
maintained that existing trade laws
crats and Republicans in the Congress
believe a country like China that vio-
and continuing negotiations between
the two Governments on other issues
lates the human rights of its people and
traffics in weapons of mass destruction
are adequate for the present to address
should not receive special trade bene-
American objections.
fits from the United States. Unfortu-
The legislation would establish trade
nately, George Bush does."
barriers against Chinese state-owned
Congressional Democrats worked
firms next year unless Mr. Bush certi-
fies that Beijing has accounted for and
overtime to send this bill to Mr. Bush's
desk in time to force a visible veto,
released protesters rounded up during
rather than letting the President allow
the massacre of protesters in 1989.
it to die without his signature after
It would also require the White
House to state that China had started to
Congress adjourns next month.
follow international human rights
standards, had begun lowering prohibi-
tive tariffs against American exports,
and had stopped exporting goods to the
United States that were assembled by
prison laborers.
Che New York Cimes
NEW YORK. TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 1992
Relations between Mr. Derwinski, a
World War II Army veteran, and the
nation, and earlier this month withheld
three major veterans groups - the
an endorsement for Mr. Bush in this
American Legion, Veterans of Foreign
year's election.
Department to open two veterans hos-
pitals to non-veterans.
The Secretary maintained that care
for veterans would not diminish at the
two sites, an 810-bed hospital in Salem,
Va., and a 660-bed hospital in Tuskegee,
Ala., and that poor rural neighbors
could also be served.
"He didn't ask for our opinion," Mr.
Rivers said. "When we tried to talk to
him, he said, in essence, 'You can talk
to me until you're blue in the face, but
In February, less than five hours
after the Senate voted 91 to 3 to block
the pilot program, Mr. Derwinski an-
nounced he was withdrawing the plan
Wars and Disabled American Veterans
"Derwinski seemed to almost set out
have been stormy since the former
to break the backs of veterans groups,"
because of veterans' opposition.
Republican Congressman from Chi-
said Larry W. Rivers, executive direc-
cago assumed the newly created Cabi-
tor of the Veterans of Foreign Wars
net job in 1988. At the time of his
office in Washington. The V.F.W. has
2.2 million members.
that's what I'm doing.'
nomination, however, veterans groups
believed that with his experience in
"Derwinski's resignation didn't in-
Congress Mr. Derwinski would be an
sure our support, but keeping him
effective Secretary.
there guaranteed no endorsement,"
Although Mr. Derwinski increased
said one senior V.F.W. official who,
the Veterans Affairs budget by $2 bil-
speaking on the condition of anonym-
lion over the last two years, to $34
ity, added that the organization may
Angry Veterans Groups Say They Made Bush Oust Agency's Head
billion this year, he infuriated veterans
not endorse either Mr. Bush or Gov.
earlier this year by proposing to open
Bill Clinton, the Democratic nominee,
two veterans hospitals to non-veterans
this year. It would be the first time no
at a time when veterans officials have
endorsement had been made since the
complained about declining health-
group's political action committee was
care benefits because of budget cuts at
formed in 1979.
gressionally appointed commission to
study the future of the 171-hospital
veterans health-care system, which
ans groups, saying instead that it would
treats 2.6 million veterans.
A burly, plain-spoken man who
wears a crew cut, Mr. Derwinski also
got into trouble by calling women on
his staff nicknames like Little Miss
Muffet and Zsa Zsa. (His office nick-
name was the Big Cheese.) Campaign-
ing for a Republican Congressional
candidate in 1990, he referred to illegal
Hispanic immigrants as wetbacks. He
later apologized for the incidents.
But relations with veterans groups
hit their nadir last summer when Mr.
Derwinski proposed a pilot program
with the Health and Human Services
veterans hospitals.
Veterans Affairs officials denied to-
Booed at Legion Convention
day that Mr. Derwinski was forced out
because of his differences with veter-
In August, Mr. Derwinski was booed
at the American Legion's national con-
be a conflict of interest for him to
vention in Chicago. At the same time,
the Veterans of Foreign Wars, one of
campaign for Mr. Bush while serving.
as Secretary. They quoted Mr. Derwin-
the first groups to endorse Mr. Bush in
ski's statement on Saturday when his
1988, called for Mr. Derwinski's resig-
resignation was announced: "While
Secretary I have gone to great lengths
to keep politics out of the V.A. and I do
not feel it would be proper to change
that longstanding tradition."
Mr. Derwinski's deputy, Anthony J.
Principi, who is well liked by veterans
groups, was named on Saturday as
Acting Secretary.
Republican officials said today that
"There's no doubt in my mind that
his leaving the post of Secretary was
due to his unhappy relationship with
the veterans community," said John F.
Heilman, national legislative director
for the Disabled American Veterans,
which has 1.2 million members.
Mr. Derwinski has angered veterans
groups since he agreed in 1989 to a
proposal from Administration officials
investigating missing Americans in
Southeast Asia to send $250,000 in sur-
plus medical equipment to Vietnam.
Many veterans expressed concern that
the equipment would benefit former
North Vietnamese soldiers.
Veterans also expressed concern at
a department proposal to create a Con-
Frederic V. Malek, the Bush campaign
chairman, had suggested several
weeks ago to Mr. Derwinski, who is 66
years old, that he resign and take a
campaign job.
"Anybody who has talked to any of
those veterans groups knows we're
dead meat as long as Ed Derwinski is
in there," said one White House official.
"He's always prided himself on a sort
of 'in your face' approach, and while
his policies may have been right in the
fiscal sense, they clearly were wrong in
& political sense."
Liability Into an Asset
With Mr. Bush trailing Mr. Clinton in
public opinion polls with only six weeks
until Election Day, Republican officials
By SCHMITT
Special to The New York Times
WASHINGTON, Sept. 28 Ameri-
can veterans groups said today that
they pushed for the ouster of Veterans
Affairs Secretary Edward J. Derwin-
ski, who resigned last week, because
they were angry over a series of per-
ceived political slights and steadily
eroding health care benefits.
Fearful of further alienating Ameri-
da's 27 million war veterans, a core
constituency of the Republican Party,
the Bush Administration said on Satur-
day that Mr., Derwinski would resign
immediately to join the Bush Presiden-
tial campaign as an adviser on ethnic
issues, particularly those involving
said the White House opted to try to
turn a political liability into a cam-
Eastern European nationalities.
United Press International
paign asset. Mr. Derwinski, the son of
Edward J. Derwinski, who re-
Polish-born parents, had been active in
foreign issues, first as a member of the
signed last week as Secretary for
House Foreign Affairs Committee, and
Veterans Affairs.
then as a troubleshooter for Secretary
of State George P. Shultz during the
Reagan Administration.
In the 1980's voters of East European
Catholic backgrounds swung over in
large part to Reagan and Bush, and
they are now crucial to Mr. Bush's
chances of winning such vote-rich
states as Illinois, Michigan, Ohio and
Wisconsin.
The New York Times
NEW YORK. TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 1992
Campaign Trail
At Bush Camp, a Debate
On Whether to Debate
Now there seems to be a debate
action story to compete with the one
about debates within the Bush cam-
about another Bush speech.
paign itself.
Now it was Mr. Rothert who wore
When President Bush's aides first
the smug smile.
announced that he would not debate
Gov. Bill Clinton unless the format
Shaking with frustration, Dan Ho-
was changed, the dispute seemed to
gan, the Bush supporter who led the
be mainly with the commission that
effort to screen off and oust Mr. Roth-
set up the debates. But to hear Mr.
ert, lamented that his counter-guer-
Bush's backers talk lately, there is no
rilla tactic had backfired. "My inten-
agreement within the Bush campaign
tion," he tried to explain, "was to ask
about what kind of format there
a guest to leave when he was no
should be and, for that matter, no
longer welcome but
agreement about whether Mr. Bush
should debate at all.
Some aides close to James A. Bak-
Trail
er 3d, Mr. Bush's top political adviser,
Mix
say Mr. Baker is increasingly leaning
to the view that the President stands
to loose more than he could gain from
About those placards advertising
debating. Mr. Baker is said to worry
back-to-back "Bush" and "Quail"
that time-consuming debate prepara-
events the past few days at the
tions would make it even more diffi-
Stouffer Concourse Hotel in St. Louis:
cult for Mr. Bush to gain campaign
No joke. The spelling was correct.
momentum. Further, he is said to
The "Quall" event was for hunters.
believe that Mr. Clinton would gain
What are the odds? Bookmakers
political stature simply by being per-
cannot legally take bets on a Presi-
mitted to argue face-to-face with the
dential race in the United States. But
President of the United States.
London bookies can. Recently, some
Other aides argue that debates
have shortened their odds to 1 to 3 on
may be Mr. Bush's last, best chance
Mr. Clinton and lengthened them 2 to
to reverse the flow of the campaign.
1 on Mr. Bush, meaning a bettor has
They say he must take the risk be-
to put up $3 in hopes of winning $1
cause risk is about all he has left.
with the Governor, and $1 in hopes of
Still other aides contend that any
winning $2 with the President. Las
and all debates would be to Mr.
Vegas bookies say that if they were
Bush's detriment, unless Ross Perot
betting people when it comes to poli-
jumped into the race. Then, they say,
tics, those odds would have the right
Mr. Bush should agree to debate be-
look - unless Ross Perot jumps in, in
cause, they are confident, he could
which case all bets are off.
dominate a three-way contest.
By the numbers: After issuing
their economic manifestoes for
Making a Scene
America earlier in the campaign,
President Bush and Governor Clinton
At Bush Event
both posted telephone numbers and
urged voters to call in for free copies.
It was billed as a by-invitation-only
So what's the score? The Bush cam-
event. But 18-year-old Tony Rothert,
paign (202-336-7080) says it has re-
president of the Young Democrats of
ceived "somewhere around" 225,000
St. Louis University, somehow man-
requests for the President's "Agenda
for American Renewal.' The Clinton
aged yesterday to infiltrate St. Fran-
cis de Sales Church in St. Louis for an
campaign (1-800-For-Bill) says it has
appearance by President Bush.
received "at least" 100,000 requests
for the Governor's "Putting People
After sitting quietly for a few min-
First." What all that adds up to is
utes, he slowly but determinedly loft-
anybody's guess.
ed a Clinton-Gore sign.
The real straw poll: Moviegoers at
News cameras swung toward him.
the 300 or so General Cinema thea-
But before they could focus, half a
ters around the country can ask for
dozen Bush supporters crowded
either a Bush straw or a Clinton
around Mr. Rothert, blocking the
straw when they buy their movie
good shots, smugly smiling.
drinks. So far, more than 670,000
Then the police moved in and what
"votes" have been cast. And the win-
had begun as a bit of political guerril-
ner is: Bill Clinton, by a margin of 55
la theater instantly became a scene.
percent to 45 percent.
There was no stopping the cameras
and reporters after that. They had an
B. DRUMMOND AYRES Jr.
Cife
New
york
Cimes
NEW YORK. TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 1992
The Republicans
Pushing Anti-Crime Issues,
Bush Cites Arkansas Crime
By GWEN IFILL
Special 10 The New York Times
DALLAS, Sept. 28 - President Bush
why he would not debate Mr. Clinton,
made a new bid for support today on an
the President broke away from his
issue that had served him well in the
prepared text to steer attention to
past, saying he would reduce crime in a
questions about Mr. Clinton's draft
second term by compelling Congress to
record and the pollution in Arkansas
pass a stalled anti-crime bill.
rivers caused by poultry waste.
Declaring that the nation must now
"May I say a word about the chicken
"win the peace," having won the cold
question?" Mr. Bush asked. "You're
war, the President listed an array of
talking about the draft-record chicken?
increased penalties and crimes that he
Or are you talking about the chicken in
said he would bring under Federal ju-
the Arkansas River? Which one are
risdiction. He contrasted these propos-
you talking about? Which one? Get out
als, most of which he has offered be-
of here. Maybe it's the draft. Is that
fore, to the record that Gov. Bill Clinton
what's bothering you?"
has compiled on crime in Arkansas.
On the stages where he spoke today,
No No-Tax Pledge
Mr. Bush pitched his appeal to a belea-
This morning Mr. Bush said in an
guered working class. In Dallas, he
appearance on the ABC News program
spoke from a platform constructed on
"Good Morning America" that he did
the front steps of a former crack house.
not intend to raise taxes but that he
In St. Louis, Mr. Bush told an invited
would not make a pledge to that effect.
audience of supporters in the basement
'Pledge' has gotten to have a little
of a Catholic Church, "Americans want
political connotation of its own," Mr.
to take crime out of their neighbor-
Bush said. "I am going to hold the line
hoods and put the neighbors back."
on the taxes. I'm going to get them
Hits Arkansas Crime Rate
down." Asked if that meant there
He attacked Mr. Clinton as a leader
would be no new taxes, he said:
who had failed to control a rising crime
"That's exactly what it means."
rate in Arkansas, and he suggested
Mr. Clinton has had some success
that the Democratic nominee would be
this year on the crime issue, and the
unable to control it nationally.
National Police Officers' Association
Mr. Bush said that Arkansas had
endorsed him last month. Although Mr.
spent too little on police protection and
Bush's aides issued a list of endorse-
prisons and that its rate of violent
ments from small police groups, no
crime had climbed faster than the na-
national law enforcement groups have
tional rate.
yet endorsed Mr. Bush this year.
"This kind of record is not right for
Arkansas," he said, "and it is not right
Assails Carjacking
for America."
The President reserved his toughest
George Stephanopoulos, the commu-
language today to condemn the crime
nications director for the Clinton cam-
of carjacking, recently much-publi-
cized incidents in which motorists were
injured or killed when their vehicles
were comandeered. The President de-
Words aimed at a
scribed the "animal behavior" of crim-
inals in some such cases and said the
working class
act should be a Federal offense.
"These people have no place in a
weary of crime
decent society," he said. "And as far as
this President's concerned, they can go
and criminals.
to jail, and they can stay in jail, and
they can rot in jail for crimes like
that."
Copies of a position paper distributed
paign, did not deny the accuracy of the
by the campaign today stated that car-
statistics cited by Mr. Bush, but in-
jacking should be punishable by death.
stead went on the offensive, charging
In his anti-crime speeches today, the
that Arkansas's increasing crime rate
President did not mention handgun
was part of a national surge in violent
control, nor did he address any of Mr.
crime during the Republican adminis-
Clinton's anti-crime proposals, which
trations of the last 12 years.
include a waiting period for the pur-
"George Bush going to St. Louis to
chase of handguns and hiring 100,000
talk about his record on crime is like
police officers.
Saddam Hussein going to Kuwait to
But he called for mandatory AIDS
talk about his record in fire fighting,"
tests for people arrested for sex of-
Mr. Stephanopoulos told reporters in
fenses, making failure to pay child
Little Rock, Ark.
support a Federal crime, minimum
Trades Barbs With Heckler
sentences of 15 to 20 years for gang
leaders who commit crimes, and in-
While acknowledging that Mr. Clin-
creased penalties for the criminal use
ton must bear some responsibility for
of a firearm.
the crime rate during his five terms as
Much of what Mr. Bush proposed
Governor, Mr. Stephanopoulos pointed
today is in the anti-crime legislation he
to a 6.2 percent drop in the per-capita
has sent to Capitol Hill. But in repack-
crime rate in Arkansas during the first
aging it at a crucial time in the cam-
six months of 1992 as evidence that
paign, he is seeking to signal once
steps taken by the Clinton Administra-
again that he can be trusted to make
tion were beginning to work.
the nation safe while Mr. Clinton can-
Mr. Bush's attacks on Mr. Clinton
not.
have grown more strident in recent
"In too many places, our grandpar-
days, and organizers at his events have
ents and grandchildren lock them-
gone to great lengths to block Clinton
selves behind the bars on their win-
supporters from disrupting speeches.
dows, afraid to come out from a jail
Today, when a heckler called Mr.
called home," he said. "This simply
Bush "Chicken George" and asked
must end."
10f2
eye New york Cimes
NEW YORK. TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 1992
"The Republicans down the ticket are running away from Bush." THOMAS F. EAGLETON
Ted
Reisinger
for
The
York
Times
In St. Louis, President Bush's announcement earlier this month of the sale of McDonnell Douglas F-15 jet fighters to Saudi Arabia preserved
7,000 jobs, according to the company's estimate. Employees constructed jets yesterday on the F-15 flight line.
Missouri's Word of Advice to Bush: Jobs, Jobs Jobs
Political
By R. W. APPLE Jr.
Missouri at a Glance
IOWA
Special to The New York Times
Pulse
KANSAS CITY. Mo., Sept. 26 - In
MISSOURI
One of Missouri's Republican senators,
Missouri
November 1976, Christopher S. Bond,
then the Governor of Missouri, gath-
Christopher S. Bond. is being challenged
Kanses
ered family and friends for a party to
by Geri Rothman-Serot, one of the six
City
celebrate what he confidently expected
Democratic women nationally seen as
City
to be his re-election. But he lost, unable
having a chance to win a Senate seat.
Early polls showed him trailing: now
to overcome the drag of a losing Re-
the race there appears to be even.(To
publican Presidential candidate, Ger-
Two Representatives are in jeopardy:
ARKANSAS
carry the state, the President must win
ald R. Ford.
Tom Coleman, Republican, and Joan
ELECTORAL VOTES: 11
big. especially since Mr. Clinton, with
Now seeking a second term in the
Kelly Horn. Democrat.
his small-town, tousle-haired appeal, is
Senate, Mr. Bond is haunted by the
doing unusually well for a present-day
prospect of a repeat performance.
Population
Democrat in rural Missouri.
President Bush is doing badly in Mis-
1950: 2,889,964
1990: 3,294,394
Other
Jets, Aerospace Jobs, Votes
>
souri, trailing Bill Clinton by more than
Other
20 percentage points in the St. Louis
1.1%
1.6%
St! Louis County is home to many of
Post-Dispatch poll and running behind
Black
the workers at McDonnell-Douglas, the
Black
in private surveys for the two parties
10.5%
10.7%
state's biggest employer. By announc-
as well.
ing there this month the sale of McDon-
"I told these guys a year ago that
nell-Douglas F-15 jet fighters to Saudi
they ought to be talking about jobs,
White
White
Arabia, thereby preserving 7,000 jobs
jobs, jobs," said Senator Bond, a mod-
88.4%
87.7%
at the company's estimate, Mr. Bash
erate Republican. "How about giving
spoke directly to the jobs Issue and
some answers to people who ask me,
demonstrated Presidential clout.
"Will my kid ever get as good a job as 1
Hispanic origin 1.1%*
Hispanic origin 1.2%*
But such tactics reach limited num-
have? But instead they talk jobs for a
bers of voters, and Mr. Bush is still hot
day, then they drift off again."
doing nearly well enough among Rea.
Like his colleague, Senator John C.
Registered Voters
gan Democrats, who accuse him of
Danforth, also a Republican, Mr. Bond
1988: 2,747,325
1992: 2,769,150
failing to extend the prosperity of the
thinks his party has suffered grievous-
As of October
As of August
1980's. The Missouri economy is hardly
ly in Missouri from the strident oratory
falling apart, with unemployment at
at the Republican National Convention,
about 6.2 percent, well below the:na-
in particular its attacks on homosex-
How Missouri Has Voted In Presidential Elections
tional average of 7.6 percent, and the
uals and, in the view of many, on work-
recession here is shallower than those
ing women. Mr. Danforth called the
60.0%
51.1%
51.8%
of 1974 and 1982.
convention "a total disaster that in no
51.2%
47.5%
47.8%
44.3%
In those years, however, there
way stood for what George Bush or this
40.0%
no Presidential race. Recessions-sel-
party believes in."
dom coincide directly with Presiden-
'I'm Not Driving That Bus'
tial' re-election campaigns, because
most Presidents, whatever the longer-
"They've put a real hammerlock on
term consequences, contrive to mas-
the far right wing, maybe 10 per cent of
Ford
Carter
Reagan Carter
Reagan Mondale Bush Dukakis
sage the economy well enough to have
the vote, said Mr. Bond in a sarcastic
1976
1980
1984
1988
recessions clearly on the wane by Elec-
tone of voice, continuing his indictment
tion Day.
of the Bush campaign. "That's not
Unemployment
Mr. Bush, as Professor Leuthold
worth much in a two-way contest -
Per Capita Income
commented, neither managed that nor
leaves a lot out there for the other guy.
1990 figures are the most recent
seemed to realize until very late that
Well, I'm not driving that bus. I'll go
available.
failing to do so would hurt him badly.
my own way on my own little bicycle,
$17,928
Stress Money, Not Values
v;
and see if Ican survive."
Unfortunately for the President,
$15,612
$19,092
7.6%
Furthermore, the suburbs are ful) of
many voters here appear to identify
$16,618
women, many of them Republicans and
him not with his own Houston speech,
6.2%
5.5%
Independents, who are deeply roiled by
5.5%
which was much less abrasive, but
Mr. Bush's tough stand on abortion and
with those of Patrick J. Buchanan and
his party's even tougher position. Har-
the Rev. Pat Robertson and Marilyn
rison Hickman, a poli-taker working
Quayle. Partly as a result, many do not
for Democratic candidates in Missouri,
take him seriously when he tries to
U.S.
Mo.
U.S.
U.S.
U.S
said that Mr. Bush's figures among
indict Bill Clinton as untrustworthy.
white, independent, suburban, blue
extreme. not ready for Presidential
1988
1991
AUGUST 1988
AUGUST 1992
,lar women were "astonishingly poor
responsibility.
Sources Canses Sureau America Voles Missoun Secretary of State, Elections Division,
Mr. Danforth said that if Mr. Bush
So Mr. Bond. facing a serious chal-
Commerce Dept Bureau of Economic Analysis. Eurosu of Labor Stanstics
could "get off the family values, get
lenge from Geri Rothman-Serot, and
all the other clutter, emphasize that we
some other Republican candidates
The New York Times
have to cut this deficit, we can't just
here (and'still others in adjacent states
write checks to everyone, call for sacri-
where the situation is similar) have
playing the country music and horse-
grown, in this state and elsewhere. the
fice without putting the country in the
decided to go their own way. Former
shoes' side of his personality.
Republicans have prospered. But now
dentist's chair and doing a root canal
Senator Thomas F. Eagleton of Mis.
Missouri, which has 11 electoral
property values are falling. jobs are
on every rooth," he could pull within
souri, who was briefly the running
votes, has always been considered one
scarce, and crime. drugs and traffic
hailing distance here
mate
of
George
S
McGovern
on
that
the
mest
typical
states
with
ele.
have migrated from the central cities.
Then, obviously. they would
here (and still others in adjacent states
where the situation is similar) have
playing the 'country music and horse-
write checks to everyone, call for sacri-
decided to go their own way. Former
grown, in this state and elsewhere, the
fice without putting the country in the
shoes' side of his personality.
Senator Thomas F. Eagleton of Mis-
Republicans have prospered. But now
Missouri, which has 11 electoral
dentist's chair and doing a root canal
souri, who was briefly the running
property values are falling, jobs are
votes, has always been considered one
on every tooth," he could pull within
mate of George S. McGovern on the
scarce, and crime, drugs and traffic
hailing distance here.
of the most typical states, with ele-
Democratic ticket in 1972, has seen the
have migrated from the central cities,
"Then, obviously, they would have to
ments of the North and the South, of the
phenomenon before, in his own party.
as if chasing the fleeing voters.
East and the West. Very roughly
go very negative on Clinton," the Sena-
"The Republicans down the ticket
Mr. Bush appears to be gaining a bit
speaking, it is slightly more than half
tor added. "It saddens me to say 16. I
are running away from Bush the way
in St. Louis County, which he carried by
urban and suburban - big concentra-
detest it, but without it, Bush has no
Democrats used to run away from Mc-
10 percentage points four years ago.
hope in Missouri."
tions around Kansas City in the west
A
Govern and later from Mondale," he
and St. Louis. in the east - and slightly
""
said. "It's a sure sign the national
less than half small-town and rural.
TOT
platform is out of touch with local
And in every Presidential election this
ideas."
century except 1956, when it somewhat
In Their Own Words
Bush Blamed for Economy
inexplicably went for Adlai E. Steven-
David Leuthold, emeritus professor
son, Missouri has voted for the national
winner.
GOV. BILL CLINTON
00
of political science at the University of
Missouri, said: "People are upset
Seeking a Real Smoking Gun
On the NBC news program "Today" in response to a question yesterday " 12
about the economy. They blame it on
Can Mr. Bush pull it out here?
about the lack of Presidential debates.
c
Bush, so he is behind. He tries to shift
"Not," answered a Kansas City bu-
the subject, first to family values, then
sinesman with close ties to the White
I have not played any games. There is a recognized, bipartisan de-
to trust, then to Clinton's record as 'the
House, "unless we can prove that Clin-
bate commission. The co-chairman of it is Gerald Ford, a Republican for- h
failed Governor of a small state,' but
ton shot his mother or something."
mer President. Frank Fahrenkopf is on it. He worked in three of George 12
none of it has really taken hold in this
But others, including Gov. John Ash-
Bush's national campaigns. They have been the recognized sponsor of
state so far.
croft, a Republican whom many con-
this. They made a recommendation. There was just as much Republican
"I think there are three reasons for
sider the state's most popular politi-
Input as Democratic. And I accepted it.
that. Houston damaged his credibility,
cian, say a victory for the President is
his support was never deep enough to
It is not true that both of us are equally at fault. George Bush was like V
still possible. On the basis of telephone
a kid on a play yard. He said, 'I don't want to play that way. I don't like
Γ
stand up to trouble, and he was very
calls to a quarter of a million homes by
#
late to prosecute his campaign with
party election workers, he argued that
them. We will do it my way or no way. You get in a room with Jim Baker A
sufficient vitality."
"a lot of people, perhaps as many as 30
and let us work you around in private when the press is not there. We
112
Obviously concerned, the President
percent, haven't really focused on this
liked the debate commission four years ago, but now they want to hold 1
has been pounding away lately with
yet." Having failed to push through a
me more accountable, they want me to have follow-up questions. They hB
repeated campaign visits to the two
modest state tax Increase for educa-
don't want me to be able to dump on Bill Clinton with no accountability, 16
NEW YORK. TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 1992
parts of the state essential to Republi-
tion last fall, the Governor said, he
because then - with the panel - I get to go to the next news person and 11
can victory: the southwest, close to the
thinks Missourians will eventually turn
be clever and engaging and ignore the fact that nobody got to follow up
Arkansas line, and St. Louis County,
against Mr. Clinton because he has
my answer.'
"
the belt of suburbs to the west of the
urged some higher taxes.
Now, I have accepted the debate com missions. I have played by the
city that now contains twice as many
The key, here as elsewhere, appears
i
rules. This is not both party's fault. Th IS is his fault.
people as St. Louis itself. Right after
to be the suburbs, and within the sub-
the convention, in fact, Mr. Bush was in
urbs, the independent voters. As these
the Ozark resort town of Branson, dis-
white- and blue-collar enclaves have
The Nom York Times
NEW YORK. TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 1992
Bush Uses Veto Power
To Thwart People's Will
To the Editor:
The members of Congress, trying
to represent the interests of the ma-
jority of Americans who elected
them, pass legislation that is SO often
rejected by Presidential veto. The
political diversification of the Con-
gress makes it extremely difficult to
muster the necessary two-thirds ma-
jority to override these vetoes.
In a sense President Bush is using
his veto power to thwart the will-of
the people. Yet he has the chutzpab to
point a long accusing finger at the
Democrats in Congress for failing to
pass his legislative proposals. Isn't it
somewhat presumptuous of him to
imply that his programs are unerr-
ingly right for the country and that
Congressional solutions are so bad
they deserve swift decapitation bya
Presidential swing of the sword?
Based on the kinds of bills that are
consistently rejected by Mr. Bush, it
has become apparent that Congres-
sional legislation favoring the people
at large, but costly to business and
the rich, is readily done in by the
President.
It is equally obvious that the Presi-
dent's veto is exercised at will, and
perhaps in some instances capri-
ciously. This is an awesome power
when one considers the difficulty of
the two-thirds majority override re-
quirement. MANUEL HAUPTMAN
Flushing, Queens, Sept. 18, 1992
The New York Cimes
NEW YORK. TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 1992
Mr. Bush Sells Out Arms Control
One happy consequence of the end of the cold
total U.S. sales to the region since the Persian Gulf
war is that defense budgets around the world are
war to $19.3 billion, far greater than the combined
shrinking. One unhappy consequence is that nations
sales of the rest of the permanent Security Council
are scrambling to peddle arms abroad in order to
members. Mr. Bush bought Israel's acquiescence
keep their arms makers in business.
by giving it surplus American arms.
The U.S. is not alone in this ruinous practice.
The agreement on the F-16's, meanwhile, be-
Russia, China and France, among others, are eager
trays a pledge the U.S. made in 1982 not to increase
sellers. But America's arms sales dwarf anyone
the quantity or quality of arms it sold to Taiwan. It
else's. So, too, does its capacity to insure a more
also gives China a reason to boycott the arms
stable world by restraining sales.
control talks among the permanent five in the
It has failed, however, to exercise such leader-
Security Council.
ship. The most recent example was President
Had Mr. Bush sent a message that the F-16 sale
Bush's pledge to sell F-15 fighter planes. to Saudi
was intended to deter Beijing's rising assertiveness
Arabia and F-16's to Taiwan. These potentially
in the region, the sale might at least have reassured
destabilizing moves mock Mr. Bush's professed
China's neighbors. Instead Mr. Bush let his medium
desire to curb proliferation - all in the name of
be his message. By announcing the sale in Fort
winning a few votes in Missouri and Texas.
Worth, he made it clear to everyone that he was
motivated by jobs, not deterrence. To China's ner-
vous neighbors, Mr. Bush seemed to be baiting
Until recently, Mr. Bush had been trying to talk
Beijing for purely political purposes. And that did
the four other permanent members of the United
not please them at all.
Nations Security Council into providing advance
At the same time, the Administration had the
notice of their arms sales to the Middle East. That
gall to denounce France's proposed sale of Mirage
would have provided time to talk them out of
fighters to Taiwan - persuading Paris that Wash-
destabilizing sales.
ington was out to monopolize the market. As a
He has now made that policy unworkable. How
result, it will now be easier to get a Parisian maître
can he expect to dissuade Moscow from selling
d' to take back an opened bottle of Bordeaux than to
submarines to Iran? Or tell China not to market
get France to restrain itself in the international
missiles in the Middle East?
arms bazaar.
It's up to Congress to halt this mindless traf-
A moratorium on all sales to the Middle East
ficking in arms. It can hold up the F-15 and F-16
may be asking too much. But Congress could im-
sales until January, when election pressures have
pose a 50 percent cut in the dollar volume of
eased. And it can try to induce other countries to
deliveries for the coming year and try to induce
curb their sales by imposing dollar limits on next
other sellers to follow suit. A cogent case for such
year's U.S. sales.
ceilings has been made in a report just issued by the
By deciding to sell F-15's to the Saudis without
Congressional Budget Office.
a serious attempt to negotiate multilateral re-
By taking its advice, Congress could stop Mr.
straints, Mr. Bush threw open the doors of the
Bush's costly and dangerous abandonment of his
Middle East arms bazaar. The deal would raise
earlier pledge to curb proliferation.
Tax. Blame. Regret. Elect.
By Mickey Kantor
Bush's own standard, he raised taxes and fees 51 times a year - almost
five times more per year than what he claims Bill Clinton did.
Yet, George Bush says he raised taxes and fees only once and his
just shoot straight. George Bush has repeatedly told the Ameri-
L
opponent raised them 128 times. Maybe that's not a lie. Maybe it's just
can people that by his standard for judging what taxes or fees
one of 178 variations between a lie and a gross distortion.
are, he raised them only once, and Bill Clinton raised them 128
Now, read the list.
times. If that is not a lie, then it is its identical twin.
The truth is that by George Bush's own standard, he raised taxes
Mickey Kantor is chairman of the Clinton-Gore campaign.
and fees 178 times in only three and a half years. That means by George
57. Tariff on spherical plain bearings from
1989
France.
Omnibus Reconcillation Act
58. Tariff on ball bearings from Germany.
118. Established Coast Guard recreational and
i. Enacted new taxes on certain corporate
59. Tariff on cylindrical roller bearings from
commercial boaters fees.
dividends.
Germany.
110. Imposed fees for animal, plant and health
2. Reduced tax benefits on certain high-yield
00. Tariff on spherical plain bearings from
Inspection services.
bonds.
Germany.
120. Imposed agriculture marketing fees and
3. Increased taxes on corporate organizations.
61. Tariff on ball bearings from Italy.
increased fees on commodity grading.
4. Required mutual funds to distribute more
62. Tariff on cylindrical roller bearings from
121. Increased fees on FEMA flood insurance
income.
Italy.
and established student registration fee.
5. Increased taxes on sale of certain mutual
63. Teriff on ball bearings from Japan.
122. Imposed fees for E.P.A. water permits and
fund interests.
64. Tariff on cylindrical roller bearings from
radon proficiency ratings.
6. Sped up taxation of mutual funds income.
Japan.
123. Imposed co-payments for veterans' medi-
65. Tariff on spherical plain bearings from
cal care.
7. Increased taxes on buying a corporation.
8. Increased taxes on dividends to corporations.
Japan.
124. Established fee for railroad safety pro-
9. Modified corporate tax returns.
66. Tariff on ball bearings from Rumania.
gram.
10. Expanded I.R.S. authority in taxing corpora-
67. Tariff on ball bearings from Singapore.
125. Increased fee on new Veterans Administra-
tions.
68. Tariff on ball bearings from Sweden.
tion housing loan guarantees.
11. Required reporting to I.R.S. of corporate
89. Teriff on cylindrical roller bearings from
126. Imposed a travel and tourism fee.
acquisitions and recapitalizations.
Sweden.
127. Increased fees for National Oceanic and
12. Required quarterly estimated taxes for cer-
70. Tariff on ball bearings from Thailand
Atmospheric Administration services.
tain partnerships ("S corporations").
71. Tariff on ball bearings from Britain.
128. New surcharge on patent user fees.
NEW YORK. THESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 1992
The York
13. Limited deductions for Interest paid to cer-
72. Tariff on cylindrical roller bearings from
120. Increased dutles for vessels entering U.S.
tain tax-exempt organizations.
Britain.
ports from foreign ports.
14. Limited corporate deductions for certain
73. Tariff on rectangular tubing from Argenti-
130. Increased Medicare part B deductible from
losses.
na.
$75 to $100.
15. Limited tax Incentives for loans to employee
74. Tariff on industrial belts from Germany.
131. Increased Pension Benefit Guaranty Corpo-
stock-ownership plans.
75. Tariff on synchronous belts and V-bells from
ration premiums.
16. Limited tax deduction for dividends paid to
Italy.
132. Additional duty on ethyl tertiary-butyl
employee stock-ownership plans.
78. Tariff on industrial belts from Japan.
ether (Customs and Trade Act).
17. Limited tax benefits of employees selling
77. Toriff on V-beits from Singapore.
stock to employee stock-ownership plans.
78. Tariff on steel rail from Canada.
Countervalling Duty Actions
18. Repealed limits on contributions to employ-
7a. Tariff on business telephone systems from
133. Tariff on butt-weld pipe fittings from That-
ce stock-ownership plans.
Japan.
land.
19. Disallowed employee stock-ownership plans
80. Tariff on business telephone systems from
134. Tariff on leather from Argentina.
from assuming estate-tax liability.
Talwan.
20. Repealed deduction for sales from an estate
81. Tariff on aluminum sulfate from Venezuela.
Anti-dumping Cases
to an employee stock-ownership plan.
82. Tariff on drafting machines from Japan.
135. Tariff on business telephone systems from
21. Repealed special tax rules for employee
South Korea.
stock-ownership plans.
1990
130. Tariff on mechanical transfer presses from
22. Limited employer contributions to pension
Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act
Japan.
plans for retirees' medical benefits.
83. Enacted new top Individual tax rate of 31
137. Tariff on nitrocellulose from Brazil.
23. Modified tax year of foreign corporations.
percent.
138. Tariff on nitrocellulose from Germany.
24. Gave I.R.S. authority to modify certain
84. Phased out personal exemption for wealthy
139. Tariff on nitrocellulose from Japan.
corporate returns.
taxpayers.
140. Tariff on nitrocellulose from China.
85. Limited Itemized deductions for wealthy
141. Tariff on nitrocellulose from South Korea.
25. Increased reporting by U.S. subsidiaries of
taxpayers.
142. Tariff on nitrocellulose from Britain.
foreign corporations.
88. Eliminated medical deduction for cosmetic
143. Tariff on cement from Mexico.
26. Repealed special tax treatment of Interest
Income from loans to certain countries.
surgery.
144. Tariff on sweaters from Hong Kong.
87. Slowed down tax write-off for spending to
145. Tariff on sweaters from South Korea.
27. Stopped scheduled reduction in taxes on
Improve access for the disabled.
146. Tariff on sweaters from Talwan.
airline passenger tickets.
68. Reduced certain tax credits for ethanol
147. Tariff on nitrocellulose from Yugoslavia.
28. Increased tax on International plane tickets.
production.
148. Tariff on laser light-scaltering Instruments
29. Taxed Lickets for foreign trips by ship.
89. Increased gasoline tax by five cents a gallon.
from Japan.
30. Increased tax on oil for oil spill liability trust
90. Doubled exclse tax on certain cars.
fund.
91. Increased tax on tobacco by 25 percent.
1991
31. Taxed ozone-depleting chemicals.
92. Increased tax on beer, wine and distilled
149. Extended taxes to finance Highway Trust
32. Sped up collection of gasoline tax.
spirits.
Fund (Intermodal Surface Transportation Act).
33. Increased taxes on exchanges of "like-kind"
93. Imposed luxury tax on certain cars, furs,
150. Expanded co-payments for veterans' medi-
property.
boats and airplanes.
cal care (V.A.H.U.D. Appropriations).
34. Taxed exchanges of foreign and American
94. Expanded ozone-depleting chemical exclse
"like-kind" property.
tax.
Countervailing Duty Actions
33. Repealed tax deferral on long-term con-
95. Extended leaking-underground-storage tax
151. Tariff on Atlantic salmon from Norway.
tracts that are not completed.
on gasoline and aviation fuel for five years.
152. Tariff on steel wire rope from Thailand.
36. Changed tax write-offs for purchases of
96. Increased and extended airport trust-fund
franchises, trademarks and trade names.
aviation excise taxes for five years.
Anti-dumping Cases
37. Withheld taxes from wages of certain agri-
97. Increased excise tax for maintenance of
153. Tariff on benzyl paraben from Japan.
culture workers.
harbors.
154. Tariff on sodium thiosulfate from Germa-
38. Sped up employers' deposits of payroll tax-
98. Made permanent the tax on long-distance
ny.
es.
and local telephone service.
155. Tariff on axes and adzes from China.
39. Taxed certain legal awards for personal
99. Reduced deductions for certain losses by
156. Tariff on bars and wedges from China.
Injuries.
Insurance companies.
157. Tariff on hammers and sledges from China.
40. Taxed certain distributions by partnerships.
100. Slowed insurance company deductions for
158. Tariff on picks and mattocks from China.
41. Restricted deductions for business cellular
certain expenses.
159. Tariff on sodium thiosulfate from China.
telephones.
101. Adopted new tax compliance provisions.
160. Tariff on sodium thiosulfate from Britain.
42. Limited work Incentive tax credit for em-
102. Increased taxes on pension fund transfers
101. Tariff on salmon from Norway.
ployers of disadvantaged workers.
to employers.
162. Tariff on cement from Japan.
43. Denied tax deduction for purchase of certain
103. Increased interest rate on tax underpay-
163. Tariff on polyethyleneterephihalate film
property.
ments by corporations.
from Japan.
44. Imposed restrictions on tax-exempt bonds
104. Expanded reporting by corporations.
164. Tariff on polyethyleneterephthalate film
Issued by local governments.
105. Modified tax treatment of certain preferred
from South Korea.
45. Repealed tax benefits for certain financial
stock.
165. Tariff on silicon metal from China.
Institutions.
106. Limited corporate tax losses in buying
168. Tariff on sparklers from China.
subsidiaries.
167. Tariff on silicon metal from Brazil.
Countervalling Duty Actions
107. Required taxing corporations when they
168. Tariff on personal word processors from
46. Tariff on malleable plpe fittings from That-
dissolve.
land.
108. Imposed taxes of certain bond exchanges
Japan. 169. Tariff on active matrix flat panel displays
47. Tariff on antifriction bearings from Singa-
by corporations.
from Japan.
pore.
109. Extended I.R.S. user fees for tax rulings for
170. Tariff on electroluminescent flat-panel dis-
48. Tariff on ball bearings from Thailand.
five years.
plays from Japan.
49. Tariff on steel rail from Canada.
110. Extended Social Security tax to state and
171. Tariff on lug nuts from China.
50. Tariff on aluminum sulfate from Venezucla.
local employees.
172. Tariff on lug nuts from Talwan.
111. Extended unemployment tax on employers
173. Tariff on silicon metal from Argentina.
Anti-dumping Cases
for five years.
174. Tariff on tungsten ore concentrates from
51. Tariff on rectangular tubing from Taiwan.
112 Sped up payroll tax deposits by employers.
China.
52. Tariff on microdisks from Japan.
113. Increased employee wages subject to Medi-
175. Tariff on celling fans from China.
53. Tariff on electrolytic manganese dioxide
care tax.
176. Tariff on ascillating fans from China.
from Greece.
114. Gave the I.R.S. more time to collect taxes.
54. Tariff on electrolytic manganese dioxide
115. Imposed taxes on certain trusts.
1992
from Japan.
118. Extended customs merchandise and pas-
Anti-dumping Cases
55. Tariff on ball bearings from France.
senger-processing fees.
177. Tariff on shop towels from Bangladesh.
56. Tariff on cylindrical roller bearings from
117. Increased Nuclear Regulatory Commission
178. Tariff on lenses from Japan.
France.
fees.
NEW YORK. TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 1992
Cimes
Elliot Banfield
ene mashington emes
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 1992
when the carjackers slammed the
BUSH
car into a fence, crushing her. They
then placed the child in the street
Clinton falls
From page Al
before driving off, according to po-
Catalyst: Pam Basu's slaying led
President Bush to propose tough
lice.
related killings.
Mr. Bush made his anti-crime
12 points in
new penalties for carjacking.
The Senate passed an amendment
to a tax bill Saturday that would
speeches in two states critical to his
re-election.
make carjacking punishable by up to
"Let's look for a minute at the Ar-
ABC poll
life in prison if a death occurs. White
kansas record and see where Gover-
House lobbyists are expected to
nor Clinton stands," he said here.
REUTERS NEWS AGENCY
push House-Senate conferees to
"The average inmate in Arkansas
Democrat Bill Clinton, who
boost the maximum penalty to
served less than one-fifth of his sen-
led President Bush by 21 per-
death. Bush aides said.
Mr. Bush's new anti-crime pack-
tence last year. Most federal inmates
centage points just a week
serve at least 85 percent of their full
the ABC News-Washington Post
age. which includes many of his ear-
lier provisions that have stalled on
sentence.
poll. plunged to a 9-point lead in
"Violent crimes in that state, in
the newest poll, released yester-
the Hill. also demands for the first
Arkansas, went up almost 60 percent
day.
time that those accused of sex
in the '80s, over twice the national
In the new survey of 616 vot-
crimes be tested for AIDS and the
average, and Arkansas had the na-
ers, the poll showed Mr. Clinton
results disclosed to the victim. It
White House officials distributed
details of Mr. Bush's new anti-crime
plan, which said in part: "The presi-
the forcible theft of a motor vehicle
a federal crime. Carjackers would
face sentences of up to 20 years. If
the offense involves kidnapping, at-
tempted murder or attempted kid-
napping, or results in serious bodily
injury. the carjacker could face life
imprisonment. Those convicted of a
carjacking in which a death results
Mr. Bush also is seeking a federal
death penalty for assassinations.
murder for terrorism and gang-
tion's biggest increase in overall
ahead of the president in a two-
would provide for HIV testing of vic-
dent proposed making carjacking
crime and the third biggest in vio-
way matchup 51 percent to 42
tims at taxpayer expense.
could be sentenced to death."
Other initiatives mostly call for
lent crime," Mr. Bush said.
percent. The poll had a margin
But Mr. Stephanopoulos argued
of error of plus or minus 4.5 per-
new and tougher penalties on dead-
see BUSH. page A6
that "Arkansas is moving in the right
centage points.
beat dads, criminals targeting the
direction," noting state crime statis-
Last week, the same poll had
elderly. gangs, those involved in sex
tics that show a decline in crime, on
Mr. Clinton up 58 percent to 37
and domestic violence crimes, and
a per capita basis, during the first
percent.
criminal use of firearms.
half of 1992.
White House spokesman Mar-
Mr. Bush called for habeas corpus
lin Fitzwater said the new poll
the race.
Mr. Bush, by contrast, "has cut
reform to speed criminal prosecu-
funding for law enforcement across
was "heartening" and indicated
tions. "Criminal lawyers use it to
the country," he said. "He has al-
last week's poll was "wrong."
postpone justice." he said. "A guilty
lowed the crime bill to sit up in Con-
"Whatever, it's going in the right
verdict can mean seemingly endless
appeals that choke our courts and
gress simply because he won't sign,
direction. It's good to know there
the Brady bill."
is a big increase" for Mr. Bush,
delay justice."
Mr. Stephanopoulos recited Mr.
he said.
Bush: Death penalty for carjacking
Maryland police have charged
Mr. Bush's visit to Dallas coin-
cided with efforts by his campaign
porters of one-time independent
presidential candidate Ross Perot.
But Mr. Bush did not meet with Mr.
Clinton's record of enacting tougher
In a three-way matchup with
bend over backwards protecting the
criminal while saying to the victim:
"Thugh luck, buddy.
Tb a law enforcement crowd gath-
ered at this city's St. Francis de Sales
Catholic Church, he said, want
thugs who take cars at gunpoint to
stay in a cell so long that when they
get out they're too old to drive."
In Dallas, Mr. Bush said Amer-
icans "can't stand by when innocent
people are terrorized. We need to
Perot, who is considering rejoining
D.C. residents Rodney Eugene Solo-
drug laws, drunken driving penal-
Ross Perot, Mr. Clinton gets hurt
draw the line against criminals."
and White House staff to woo sup-
mon, 26. and Bernard Eric Miller, 16,
worse than Mr. Bush. In that
with first-degree murder in the
ties and his signing of execution or.
ders for 70 convicted murderers.
race, the poll showed Mr. Clinton
Basu killing. They could face the
with 44 percent, Mr. Bush 39 per-
state death penalty if convicted. but
He dismissed the endorsement of
cent and Mr. Perot 14 percent.
Maryland has not carried out such a
Mr. Bush by the association of Ar-
The poll shows Mr. Bush's
sentence in years.
kansas police officers as election-
favorability rating at 50 percent,
Police said Mrs. Basu. 34, was ap-
year politics, reflecting long-
but his unfavorable rating is 45
proached by Mr. Solomon and Mr.
standing in-state political conflicts.
percent. Mr. Clinton has a favor.
Miller as she was driving her 22-
Bush campaign officials, mean-
able rating of 55 percent and an
month-old daughter, Sarina, to her
while, worried that the president's
unfavorable rating of 36 percent.
first day of preschool.
focus on crime would derail their ef.
Mrs. Basu was pulled out of the
fort to keep the spotlight or the tax
state business and had no campaign
driver's seat of her BMW but was
issue, which polls indicate Mr. Bush
events.
caught in the seat belt. police say.
is winning.
Ronald A. Taylor contributed to
anti-crime package in campaign
She was dragged more than a mile
Mr. Clinton spent yesterday on
this report in Little Rock, Ark.
Bush also criticized Democratic
nominee Bill Clinton's record on
crime as governor of Arkansas and
suggested that crime would increase
in a Clinton administration.
In Little Rock, Clinton campaign
Communications Director George
Stephanopoulos countered that "un-
der George Bush crime has risen in
America. He's done nothing." As an
example. he cited Mr. Bush's refusal
to enact the Brady bill to require a
waiting period for handgun pur-
Spelling out the new eight-point
stops here and in Dallas, Mr. Bush
turned to the Basu slaying as an ex-
ample of "what up against:
"We need tough laws that don't
chases.
"We cannot put up with this ani-
mal behavior," Mr. Bush said in his
first comments on the sensational
Baltimore-Washington corridor
crime. "These people have no place
in decent society, and as far as this
president is concerned, they can RO
to jail and they can stay in jail and
they can rot in jail for crimes like
Mr. Bush said the Basu carjacking
and murder prompted him to order
Attorney General William Barr to
demand that Congress make similar
crimes punishable by death and to
convene a task force to push develop-
ment of anti-car-theft devices.
Speaking in a poor. ridden
neighborhood here and in front of a
former crack house in Dallas, Mr.
that."
President says
Clinton is lax
on criminals
By Paul Bedard
WASHINGTON TIMES
LOUIS An angry President
Bush joined the national outcry
against carjackers yesterday and
unveiled an crime package that
includes a federal death penalty for
those convicted for crimes like the
killing of Howard County's Pam
Basu.
Che Washington Cumes
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 1992
TAXES
From page A1
Couples filing jointly who make
$108,000 and over.
The officials also argued that the
Bush tells upper middle class
$91,800 and over.
Clinton tax plan would not produce
the $150 billion he claims and that to
achieve that level of revenue he
would have to raise taxes on people
earning from $36,600 up.
On Page 22 of Mr. Clinton's eco-
nomic plan, "Putting People First,"
the candidate says he would raise
income taxes only on the top 2 per-
cent of income earners.
Mr. Clinton has said throughout
his campaign that this would mean
taxing only those who make more
than $200,000 a year in adjusted
gross income, which is the total in-
come declared by each taxpayer.
But Treasury officials, speaking
see TAXES, page A10
on the condition of anonymity. said
Mr. Clinton's advisers were either
being intentionally deceptive or did
not understand that the top 2 percent
includes people making less than
$200,000.
Moreover, they pointed out that
Clinton's eyeing your wallet,
federal income taxes*were not fig-
ured on adjusted gross incomes but
on "taxable income," after the
allowable tax deductions are sub-
tracted.
The officials also disputed that
Clinton has been "dishonest" in say-
ing that his tax increases would be
limited to people earning $200,000 a
year or more.
George Stephanopoulos, the Clin-
ton campaign's communications di-
rector, called Mr. Bush's charges "a
lie," insisting that Mr. Clinton's plan
would affect only the wealthiest
Referring to the Clinton claim that
Americans.
he would raise taxes only on the top
2 percent of taxpayers, administra-
tion tax experts contended that Mr.
Clinton's taxes would actually hit
much lower income earners, includ-
Single taxpayers with $64,800
Mr. Clinton's higher 36 percent in-
and up in annual taxable income.
Heads of households who make
come tax rate, plus other tax in-
creases on wealthy taxpayers, would
produce the $82.9 billion that Clinton
advisers said they would.
"He's got a significant shortfall,"
said a Treasury official, who added
that Treasury's own analysis of Mr.
Clinton's tax proposals showed them
bringing in only $59 billion.
"These numbers speak for them-
ing:
selves." said Alixe Glen, a spokeswo-
man for the Bush campaign. "Clin-
ton knows these numbers don't add
up. It plays into the whole honesty
issue."
Says tax increase
isn't just for rich
The Bush administration yester-
day continued its assault on Bill Clin-
ton's tax proposals, contending that
his plan to tax the
nation's richest
taxpayers will
cut deeply into
upper-middle-
But Mr. Stephanopoulos, Clinton
By Donald Lambro
Senior Treasury officials, press-
ing an attack begun by President
Bush over the weekend, said Mr.
campaign spokesman, insisted that
Mr. Clinton's economic plan "specifi-
cally lays out plans that only affect
the wealthiest Americans and corpo-
rations that avoid taxes."
He said Mr. Clinton's proposed 36
THE WASHINGTON TIMES
ANALYSIS
percent new top tax rate would apply
class incomes.
only "on households earning more
NEWS
than $200,000, adjusted gross in-
come." Currently, the top income tax
rate is 31 percent.
But Mr. Stephanopoulos did not
address the questions raised about
the Internal Revenue Service data
showing that the top 2 percent Mr.
Clinton wants to tax includes in-
comes far below the $200,000 levels
contained in his plan.
In fact, a news release issued by
the Clinton campaign over the week-
end pointedly excluded any mention
of the top 2 percent threshold that
has been repeatedly mentioned by
Mr. Clinton in the past.
Economic advisers in Mr. Clin-
ton's campaign were not available
yesterday to answer further ques-
tions about the Treasury Depart-
ment's charges.
In Dallas yesterday, Mr. Bush
warned: "The big difference in this
election is going to be over taxes. My
opponent has already said he wants
to slap a tax on the American people
- it's going to be right on the middle
class - and I don't."
Earlier yesterday, Mr. Bush re-
vived his 1988 "no new taxes" pledge
during an interview on ABC's "Good
Morning America." He was asked if
his recent promise not to raise taxes
"ever, never" amounted to a new anti-
tax promise.
"As far as I'm concerned it will be
I'm going to hold the line on
taxes," Mr. Bush said. When pressed
again if it was a new pledge, he said,
"That's exactly what it means."
0 Paul Bedard in Dallas contrib-
uted to this report.
The Washington Cimes
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 1992
INSIDE THE
BELTWAY
nothing but moderate in his praise
Clinton ducks
of George Bush's first secretary of
state.
Bill Clinton over the weekend
"Well, I think Jim Baker is a po-
was greeted in a celebrated Boston
litical operator and one of the best.
Irish bar once visited by President
I don't think he was a good secre-
Reagan with chants of "We want
tary of the Treasury," said Mr. Haig,
Bill" and "We want jobs."
listing the deficit, the S&L scandal
Escorted by Mayor Raymond L.
and other setbacks on the Baker
Flynn, Mr. Clinton said: "When I
"watch."
came here, one of the young men
Sadly, Mr. Baker also had only
behind me said, 'You can take
"limited qualification" for secre-
the bar back! I want to give you
tary of state, Mr. Haig added with-
your country back."
out elaboration. He said, however,
Applause. Cheers. Mr. Clinton
that Mr. Bakertis the right man for
and Mr. Flynn then barhopped,
the campaign: "Hè's a politician
shook hands, posed for photographs
above all."
until thirsty patrons started
chanting, "Bil., buy a round. Bill,
buy a round."
Good idea
Mr. Clinton just laughed, waved
and ducked out. One astute political
CBS News' Lesley Stahl contends
President Bush keeps an unofficial
observer later said the Democrat
probably declined to set 'em up be-
blacklist of top network reporters
cause he didn't want to encourage
and programs he refuses to talk
with during his re-election bid.
welfare dependency.
Miss Stahl said the list includes
Gen. H. Norman Schwarzkopf, you
Dan Rather of CBS, Peter Jennings
You know
know, explains the Gulf war strategy.
of ABC, Tim Russert of NBC, Bry-
ant Gumbel of NBC, George Will of
We are a little tired of
you
ABC, two evening news shows, two
know, politics.
two or three hours if we'd wanted
Sunday-morning shows and one
Ooops! Democratic Sen. Robert
to.
weekday-morning show.
C. Byrd of West Virginia would like
"But that was never the plan. No
Speaking last week to the 47th
us to reword that remark, accord-
one, absolutely no one in the inter-
annual Radio-Television News Di-
ing to Congressional Quarterly.
national diplomatic community,
rectors Association in San Antonio,
The senator fired a broadside at
world leaders, anywhere, no one
the former White House corre-
the nation's schools yesterday for
ever envisioned us going to Bagh-
spondent did not reveal her
failing to correct students who con-
dad. The objective of the whole
sources.
tinually pepper their speech with
thing was, you know, what the U.N.
Judy Smith, deputy White House
"you know."
resolutions said: Kick the Iraqis
press secretary, said Mr. Bush is
Universities are "guilty of
out of Kuwait. And that's what our
not avoiding any news people.
fraud," he said, if they confer de-
plan called for.
"There's not a list of reporters that
grees on graduates without first en-
"As a matter of fact, we never
the president will not accept ques-
suring they have overcome the
planned to enter a single city. We
tions from," she said. "The presi-
habit.
weren't even going to go into Basra
dent talks to all reporters."
In a short speech on the floor of
because the civilian population was
the Senate, Mr. Byrd called the
there and it's very, very difficult
phrase "grating, superfluous and
when you get inside a city to sort
Beatles lose
irritating."
who's the bad guys and the good
He did not add what he is widely
Americans seem to agree with
guys."
thought to believe: If there must be
CBS' Paula Zahn: "What differ-
Thomas Hobbes that life is solitary,
more federal funds for universities
ence do you think it would have
poor, nasty, etc. A Time magazine
in the "fraudulent" you-know tradi-
made to continue the ground war
poll shows that respondents expect
tion, they should go to West Vir-
another 24 hours, another 36
more poverty and environmental
ginia.
hours?"
disaster as well as no relief from
Gen. Schwarzkopf: "I've thought
the common/cold in the next cen-
about that a lot. The answer is none
tury.
Road to Baghdad
whatsoever."
On a more positive side, however,
Gen. H. Norman Schwarzkopf
they look forward to the second
was interviewed on CBS yesterday
Halglography
coming of Jesus Christ in the next
1,000 years, a cure for AIDS and
about one of the most persistent
Alexander Haig's new book, "In-
cancer. They also anticipate a black
questions of the past 18
months. "So many people have said,
ner Circle," is larded with insider
president and a female president.
'Gee, why didn't we go into Bagh-
criticisms, including the accusation
In the magazine's survey, pub-
dad?' the general acknowledged.
that James A. Baker III was among
lished yesterday, respondents chose
those who engineered a media as-
Christopher Columbus over Neil
"And we could have, because, you
know, we only ended up 150 miles
sault on Mr. Haig's character.
Armstrong. Thomas Edison over
away and there was absolutely
A hint of these feelings was on
Albert Einstein and Beethoven over
no one in the way of military force
display yesterday on "Fox Morning
the Beatles as having the greater
between us and Baghdad. We could
News" when Ronald Reagan's first
impact on history.
have been there in, you know, about
secretary of state indicated he is
- Alan McConagha
Che washington emes
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 1992
Gore says
lobbies
have Bush
in tow
By J. Jennings Moss
THE WASHINGTON TIMES
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - Dem-
ocratic vice presidential nominee Al
Gore yesterday accused President
Bush of being a captive of special
interests.
At a town meeting in Morganton,
N.C., Mr. Gore challenged the presi-
dent to sign a bill to regulate the
cable television industry, which he
AP
said owns Mr. Bush "lock, stock and
Sen. AI Gore challenges President Bush to sign the cable television bill.
barrel."
Later, at a news conference in
Winston-Salem, he said Mr. Bush
the cable TV bill because of the
ages companies to relocate in Cen-
had spent $1 billion in tax dollars to
city's fight with TCI, the country's
tral America. The U.S. Agency for
ship jobs out of the United States.
largest cable company, over what the
International Development is giving
"George Bush is hunkered down
city said was poor service and high
manufacturers that relocate low-
there in the White House in a state
rates. TCI lost both a lawsuit and a
interest loans, free worker training
of political panic. He knows that on
referendum over creating a city-
and protection from U.S. tariffs.
this issue the big cable monopolies
managed cable service.
"The very idea that President
own him lock, stock and barrel, but
Both the House and Senate re-
Bush would force the U.S. taxpayers
we also know that the American peo-
cently passed with veto-proof mar-
to finance an operation to shut down
ple are overwhelmingly on the other
gins a bill that would allow govern-
factories here in the United States,
side of the issue," Mr. Gore said.
ment to regulate cable rates for
throw the employees out of work and
"Well, it's not that complicated,
basic service and allow them to op-
then subsidize the moving of those
Mr. President.
If you veto the ca-
erate their own cable systems. Sup-
factories to foreign countries is an
ble bill, you will have sided with the
porters contend it would stop the es-
absolute outrage," Mr. Gore said.
monopolists and against the Amer-
calating costs of cable - a 61
"The president of the United
ican people, and the American peo-
percent increase nationwide from
States ought to be ashamed of pre-
ple may just veto your desire for an-
1986 to 1991, 136 percent in Morgan-
siding over a program like this. It is
other four years," Mr. Gore said.
ton.
government abuse at its absolute
With yesterday's double-barreled
Opponents maintain the bill
worst and it's a perfect example of
attacks against Mr. Bush, Mr. Gore
would lead to further rate increases
what happens when a president
continued his role as chief agitator
because it would allow local govern-
doesn't care a whit about the work-
for the Clinton-Gore ticket. Today he
ments to squeeze out cable compa-
ing men and women of the country
will use a "major foreign policy ad-
nies.
and responds only to the powerful
dress" in Washington to berate Mr.
At the Winston-Salem news con-
and wealthy."
Bush for his policies toward Iraq be-
ference, Mr. Gore focused on a CBS
In response to a question, Mr.
fore the Persian Gulf war.
"60 Minutes" report Sunday that dis-
Gore acknowledged that the pro-
The Tennessee senator picked
closed that a program started during
gram was approved by Congress but
Morganton for his comments about
the Reagan administration encour-
said he voted against it.
The Washington Times
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 1992
Quayle:
Times not
as bad as
we're told
CLOVIS, N.M. (AP) - Vice Presi-
dent Dan Quayle said yesterday
times are difficult but "not as bad as
we're being told" and cautioned vot-
ers against putting Democrats back
in control in both the White House
and Congress.
Mr. Quayle attacked Jimmy
Carter and Walter Mondale as well
as Bill Clinton in a speech to a young,
enthusiastic crowd of more than
2,000 at Clovis High School in this
small town near the Texas border.
Mr. Quayle was starting a three-
day trip.
New Mexico hasn't voted for a
Democrat since 1964, but Mr. Clin-
ton led President Bush 44 percent to
33 percent in a Sept. 8-11 statewide
poll by the Albuquerque Journal.
"Yes, times are difficult, times are
challenging, but it's not as bad as
we're being told. America is still the
greatest country in the world," Mr.
Quayle said.
"Ona per capita basis we are the
richest country," he said. "We are 36
percent richer than everyone in Ger-
many, 26 percent richer than every-
body in Japan."
Clovis is a town of 30,000, 225
miles east of Albuquerque, in farm
country. Curry County voted 2-1 for
Mr. Bush in 1988.
Mr. Quayle, before a private $100-
a-head fund-raiser, stopped at Zeke's
Restaurant to chat with several
ranchers and farmers.
Paul Barnes, 49, a Curry County
commissioner and a Democrat, said
afterward he was undecided about
his vote but added, "I think our prob-
lem in Washington is more with our
Congress than our administration.
That's where we'd like to see
some changes."
Cody West, 18, a Portales High
School senior who attended the rally
at his rival school, said, "We're kind
of between [Ross] Perot and Bush.
No Clinton. He just doesn't seem
honest."
Che Washington Cimes
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 1992
Part of Magic response disappears
ASSOCIATED PRESS
himself and for the millions of
Johnson for his work on raising
The White House toned down the
Americans, especially young people,
awareness of the disease and its pre-
who know and look up to him."
vention. "I wish him success," Dr.
official response to the resignation
The White House didn't like the
Sullivan said.
of Earvin "Magic" Johnson from the
AIDS commission to avoid a conflict
sound of that and ordered Dr. Sulli-
Mr. Johnson has campaigned to
van to cut those sentences out, said
increase awareness about AIDS
with the basketball star, sources say.
a department source, speaking on
since he tested positive for the virus
Health and Human Services Sec-
condition of anonymity.
that causes the disease.
retary Louis Sullivan's original
"They basically didn't want to
He resigned last week from the
statement said: "Clearly, I feel that
Mr. Johnson is mistaken in his con-
pick a fight," the source said.
commission, saying in a letter to
clusions about the government's and
A shorter version was issued later.
President Bush, "I cannot in good
the president's AIDS efforts. More
The two sentences were gone, leav-
conscience continue to serve on a
important, I believe that his absence
ing behind four paragraphs of praise
commission whose important work
from the commission's work rep-
and farewell.
is so utterly ignored by your admin-
Dr. Sullivan commended Mr.
istration."
resents a missed opportunity for
Che Washington Cimes
TUESDAY,
SEPTEMBER
29,
1992
CLYDE WAYNE CREWS JR.
A fight for Competitive's life
he vice president's Council
and $300 per year and make credit
pherable regulations, or by those
T
on Competitiveness, a
more easily available. Those who
who seek protection from competi-
Cabinet-level deregulatory
stand to gain from increased reg-
tion.
body practically unknown
ulation - primarily trial lawyers
The idea that regulation by defi-
outside the Washington beltway, is
and the advocacy groups they fund
nition means the protection of health
embroiled in a fight for its life this
- constitute the Council's most vo-
and safety is nonsense. Safety has
year. The fight's outcome could set
cal opponents.
often become a meaningless utter-
the terms for U.S. economic prog-
ance unrelated to the massive reg-
ress - or the lack thereof - for
The timing of the attacks on the
ulatory burdens now overwhelming
years to come.
Council is no accident. Its opponents
the U.S. economy. In fact, the Fiscal
If you knew that there were
hope to discredit the vice president
Year 1993 Budget reveals that only
122,000 regulators in Washington
by invoking the old refrain that the
28 percent of the 57 major rules to
issuing 2,000 rules a year and impos-
Council benefits "big business," and
be finalized in 1992 quantify bene-
ing more than $4,000 per family in
fits in terms of lives saved, yet each
annual regulatory costs, and that
major rule will cost the economy
these regulators were monitored
$100 million or more annually.
only by the Council's six member
"Benefits" of the rest have to be
staff plus sundry detailees from
taken on faith.
other government agencies, whom
would you say held the advantage?
Perhaps the single greatest myth
about regulation is that the need for
Yet by its planned Oct. 4 ad-
most of the rules has been scientifi-
journment date, Congress may en-
cally substantiated. Even the heavy-
act not one, but two measures to
handed Environmental Protection
wipe out the Council.
Agency says in a 1992 report that it
One lurking proposal, more sym-
lacks safeguards necessary to pre-
bolic than substantive, could deny
vent a regulatory bias from marring
the Council a paltry $86,000 needed
its decisions.
to pay staff salaries if it re-emerges
in conference deliberations over the
Verifying a link between science
Treasury appropriations bill. The
and regulatory action - ensuring
that benefits exceed the costs - is
other pending measure will require
what the Competitiveness Council
the Council to disclose all proceed-
ings and communications, whether
alone:is trying to guarantee. Where
risks are present, the Council asks
written or oral. The hypocrisy of this
that agencies employ the most cost-
alleged appeal to open government
effective means of regulation to
is flagrant: Congress doesn't, and
achieve the specified reduction in
has no intentions of, disclosing its
danger. Protection of health and
own private deliberations between
safety and economic growth were
members, staffers, constituents, and
interest groups. If passed, the dis-
born together and must grow to-
gether because both represent hu-
closure measure will mire the Coun-
man values. Accordingly, the Coun-
cil in paperwork and make its real
cil demands better of the agencies
job impossible. The Council rep-
than haphazard product bans and
resents the only barricade between
technological controls.
you and a flood of government reg-
ulation.
The Council is one of the pres-
This matter is serious. The Coun-
ident's only checks against reg-
cil is an unsung benefactor to small
ulators who otherwise hold blank
business, employees, consumers,
checks over the population and the
sick individuals in need of new
economy. Regulators routinely sub-
medications all those who stand to
Dan Quayle
stitute their predominantly non-
lose jobs, freedoms, and choices be-
scientific judgement for that of pri-
cause of America's expanding reg-
by convincing the public that the
vate individuals by dictating how we
ulatory burden, and the emerging
Council stands in the way of reg-
must run our businesses and live our
hostility towards the rights of pri-
ulations that protect health and
lives. Government agencies thereby
vate property and contract.
safety. Yet these opponents are often
strangle small businesses with in-
Federal agencies estimate that
merely exploiting the fears of those
comprehensible demands and de-
the Council's deregulatory activ-
who aren't told that another "big
stroy job opportunities. This is not a
ities, during the first 90 days of this
business" agenda is being pushed:
public service for which one would
year's regulatory moratorium alone,
budgets of environmental groups
willingly pay.
will save households between $225
alone topped $410 million in 1988, a
One thing is certain. Without the
sum that hardly qualifies them for
Council on Competitiveness around
Mom-and-Pop-hood. These groups
to police needless regulations, the
Clyde Wayne Crews Jr. is a reg-
are backed either by special inter-
public is going to get all the "ser-
ulatory policy analyst at Citizens for
ests whose profits depend on the set-
vice" it can possibly stand. And it
a Sound Economy Foundation.
tlement of cases fueled by indeci-
will pay.
The Washington Times
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 1992
I WOULD'VE BEEN
HERE SOONER, MY
DEAR, BUT I WAS
BUSH TYING DAN
QUAYLE'S SHOE-
LACES TOGETHER.
JUSTICE
SERVES
provided
GARNER TIMES
BUSH-924-
SPUT!
1992
SPUT!
93
ECONOMY
The Washington Times
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 1992
L. BRENT BOZELL III
he media's double standard
T
in reporting on the first fam-
Flip side
reaction. Interestingly, only 29 per-
cent of local reporters responded
ily and the aspiring first
negatively.
family continues. On Sept.
15, "Dateline NBC" aired a hard-
The reasons for their disapproval
hitting investigative segment on
of S&L
were also interesting. Of the national
Neil Bush's financial dealings. It
press, 16 percent felt the issue was
showed the president's son
"exaggerated" or "no big deal." An-
manipulating for personal gain not
other 10 percent called it "irrel-
only a taxpayer-defrauding savings
and loan but government agencies
issue
evant." Keep in mind this story dealt
directly with possible financial con-
like the Small Business Administra-
flicts of interest in a savings and
tion.
loan that cost taxpayers $50 million
There's nothing wrong with a me-
have used the word 'demonized,'
to bail out. By contrast, only 5 per-
dia investigation of Neil Bush.
does it make you hurt or make you
cent thought the misreported Bush
"Dateline NBC" also aired a very
mad?" Mrs. Pauley also asked Hil-
grocery store scandal was over-
tough piece that questioned why Bill
lary: "What was the worst thing
blown, and only 1 percent called it
Clinton's mother was officially (and
unimportant.
you've heard said about you?" and
suspiciously) exonerated in the
"What was the grossest distortion of
As with the draft, the Clinton
operating-room death of a Hot
your record?"
campaign is conducting a daily
Springs teen-ager. To its credit,
NBC is not the only media outlet
dodge on the S&L issue. As with the
"Dateline" is one of the very few to
to ignore Hillary's record, opting in-
draft, the campaign promised to re-
report that story.
stead to defend her against crit-
examine the records itself and then
But if NBC is going to raise the
icism. When Jerry Brown accused
release anything that would clarify
Bush family's S&L connections, bal-
the Clintons of profiting from legal,
matters. As with the draft, the Clin-
ance demands a look at the Clintons'
fees for work before the state gov-
ton campaign has released nothing
actions as well. The week before the
ernment, the media rose as one to
on the Clintons' dealings with Madi-
Neil Bush report, such an opportu-
deny it but they didn't disprove it.
son S&L. Why are supposedly tough
nity presented itself. "Dateline" an-
The Times Mirror Center's half-
reporters not demanding more de-
chor Jane Pauley interviewed Hil-
time evaluation of 1992 campaign
tails or accusing the campaign of
lary Clinton, but there was not one
coverage suggests that a majority of
stonewalling? Did they wait for the
question about her role in represent-
national reporters have a viscerally
Bush campaign to release its ac-
ing the eventually failed Madison
hostile reaction to news of the Clin-
( int of the Neil Bush story? And if
Savings and Loan.
tons' S&L scandal. Reporters were
t: story of Hillary's $2,000-a-month
asked their initial journalistic im-
retainer isn't true, where is the
In March, The New York Times
reported that James McDougal, the
pressions of some stories about the
proof?
president of Madison S&L, shared a
presidential candidates. First, the
Reporters are attempting to turn
real estate investment with the Clin-
pollsters explored Andrew Rosen-
the "family values" theme of the Re-
tons. On March 20, The Washington
thal's infamous New York Times
publican convention against the
Times reported that Bill Clinton ar-
story about President Bush's en-
Bush campaign. Weeks after the
ranged a deal with Mr. McDougal
counter with an automated checkout
convention, print reporters are still
where Hillary was paid $2,000 a
counter at a grocery store. (Mr.
suggesting how the family values fo-
month (for 15 months) for represent-
Rosenthal wasn't even there, but he
cus is alienating voters. So, newsies,
ing Madison before state S&L reg-
misrepresented reports from the
what about that S&L issue? A major
ulators who were moving to close his
traveling press pool.) Forty percent
part of Mario Cuomo's nominating
bank down. It was later closed by
of national reporters said they had a
speech for Mr. Clinton suggested
federal regulators at a cost to tax-
positive journalistic reaction to the
"Americans discovered that wealthy
payers of $50 million. A story for
story that it was well-reported and
bankers - educated in the most ex-
"Dateline"? Certainly.
newsworthy - while 34 percent did
quisite forms of conservative Re-
But Mrs. Pauley's interview with
not.
publican banking - through their
Hillary Clinton focused instead on
The pollsters then asked about
incompetence and thievery and the
GOP nastiness: "When you hear
The New York Times' first reports
government's neglect had stolen or
yourself held up, as you were at the
on the Clintons' dealings with
squandered everything in sight!"
Mr.McDougal. This time, only 17
Given the evidence against the Clin-
Republican convention, some people
percent of national reporters had a
tons, now doesn't the Democrats'
positive journalistic impression of
emphasis on S&Ls deserve to haunt
L. Brent Bozell III is chairman of
the story, while a surprising major-
them? Answer: Not this year. Maybe
the Media Research Center.
ity - 53 percent - had a negative
next.
MEDICAL
SECOND
OPINION
BY
COMPUTER
ISSUES
U.S.N ews & WORLD REPORT
HOW TO FIGHT
THE NEXT WAR ON
POVERTY
OCTOBER 1992
$2.50
What made
him great
and how we
can learn
from him
40
22239
0 140066'
3
OUTLOOK:
Warning to voters:
The worst is yet to be
W
ith the final act of Campaign '92 about to unfold, Americans deserve a
warning: Caveat elector. Let the voter beware. Despite the signs that
America wants honest answers, George Bush and Bill Clinton are sink-
ing into the old rut of attack politics, avoiding tough issues, such as how to cut the
deficit, and calling each other scoundrels, wastrels and worse. Ross Perot may be
back but, as always, playing by his own rules, which include trying to stonewall any
discussion of his sometimes ruthless methods. As foggy as the truth about the can-
didates' records and intentions has been all year, it is about to get murkier.
The coming weeks will bring
ONE WEEK
assaults that make it harder to
salvage the last shreds of reali-
ty. And in the flurry of October, even the news me-
'The coming
dia supposed watchdogs of the political process-
weeks will
won't be able to keep track of the distortions. The
heat rose last week, as Clinton unveiled his first at-
bring new
tack ad, accusing Bush of being two-faced. Clinton
assaults that
also claimed, without evidence, that Bush would cut
Social Security in a second term. For his part. Bush
make it harder
attacked Clinton's avoidance of the military draft
to salvage the
and ridiculed his record as Arkansas's governor,
which more-objective observers see more charitably.
last shreds of
Of course, attack campaigns are nothing new.
What is different this time is that the attacks are tai-
reality.'
lored to fit specific states and regions as never be-
fore, multiplying the potential for abuse. Already,
the campaigns are buying an unprecedented volume of television ads in local, not
national, media markets and on cable stations, not broadcast networks. One Re-
publican strategist estimates that as much as half of the campaigns' TV ad bud-
gets may end up in non-national outlets. In 1980, only 10 percent did.
The president still hasn't developed a positive national message to rival Clin-
ton's somewhat generic call for change. So the GOP is using targeted appeals on
key states and regions. This week, for instance, watch for Bush to attack Clinton
in Missouri for alleged weakness on crime; in New Jersey, he will attempt to link
Clinton to the tax increases of Gov. Jim Florio. In more conservative areas like
Texas, the Bush campaign will brand a prospective Clinton administration as a
bunch of oddball liberals devoted to social engineering and higher taxes. The
GOP will even try to use the lack of a civil-rights law in Arkansas to depress black
turnout in Philadelphia, Chicago and other big cities. For its part, the Clinton
campaign is proud of its ability to fight it out media market by media market. Last
week, for instance, Clinton ran a barrage of state-specific ads. In Texas, one com-
mercial featured a "Read My Lips Alert" and warned that Bush cannot be trust-
ed. The ad concluded: "Can Texas really afford four more years of this?"
Lost in the din of the coming assault could be any sustained emphasis on healing
the country or forging a consensus for sacrifice. Voters might take some comfort
in knowing that, at long last, this campaign will be over in barely a month. There's
only one problem: The corner cutting that may lead to victory in November could
seriously damage prospects for governing in January.
BY KENNETH T. WALSH
ads, accused the president of being two-faced.
U.S.NEWS & WORLD REPORT. OCTOBER 5. 1992
17
OUTLOOK
U.S.NEWS
INVESTIGATIONS
ALL IN THE PEROT FAMILY. After
ROSS PEROT, SPOILER
millions of Americans fell in love
Three months ago, Ross Perot led the race for president. Then he started sliding-
with Ross Perot the no-nonsense
and made what he now calls a mistake: He quit. What will happen if he returns? The
billionaire and Ross Perot the take-
latest polls indicate he would not be ahead in even one state, but he could well be a
on-Washington presidential candi-
spoiler. Perhaps a fifth of the electorate is still
date, they discovered Ross Perot the
willing to vote for the Texas billionaire easily
IF YOU DO GET BACK IN,
zealous investigator. On the heels of
enough to alter the outcome. But for whom?
PROMISE ME YOU WON'T
the increasingly negative press cov-
George Bush might benefit in several close-
PUNT ON THIRD DOWN AGAIN
erage, Perot's approval ratings be-
ly fought states that he desperately needs in
gan plummeting, and it wasn't too
the Midwest, including Michigan, Illinois and
long before he decided he wouldn't
Ohio. But a Perot candidacy probably would do little
consider a race for the White House
for the president in any other big states. Polls show Bill
VOTERS
after all.
Clinton far ahead of both Bush and Perot in California.
Because of the questions they
Nor does Clinton's strong lead in New York appear in
raise about character, temperament
jeopardy. However, several states that Bush is counting
and judgment, Perot's past investi-
on would clearly be in danger of tilting Clinton's
gations will likely be a subject of
way. The president already finds himself
discussion once more should he
in a virtual tie in Texas and Florida and is
jump back into the presidential race
either behind or slightly ahead in most
and stay in. Perot has investigated
other Southern states. Perot, by cutting
business competitors, high Defense
into Bush's white support, could throw the entire South to Clinton. Roger Ailes, the
Department officials and even
GOP opinion shaper, sees nothing admirable in a new Perot bid. "He hates George
George Bush himself. Perhaps the
Bush's guts," Ailes said on NBC's "Today" show. "He wants to get him."
most striking example of his sleuth-
CARTOON:
ing, however, involves his own
daughter, Nancy Perot Mulford.
As a student at Vanderbilt Uni-
versity in Nashville, between 1978
and 1982, the eldest of Perot's three
Day care
daughters, an
English major,
had become
friends with a
young professor
of English named
Roy Gottfried.
centers take
Gottfried had
joined the Van-
derbilt faculty in
1975 after receiv-
ing a bachelor's
degree and a mas-
care of kids. We take
ter's degree from
Wedding. Parents
Brown University
in 1970. He was awarded a Ph.D. in
English by Yale University in 1976.
According to several knowledge-
able people at Vänderbilt and in
care of 5000 day care centers.
Nashville, Perot decided to keep
tabs on his daughter. A spokesper-
son for Perot says that security per-
sonnel were hired after a man tried
We get paid for results®
CIGNA
to force his way into his daughter's
car. "There was some security con-
cern," Sharon Holman, Perot's
PROPERTY & CASUALTY INSURANCE CIGNA COMPANIES DEPT. RD, PHILA, PA 19192
spokesperson, said. In any case, Pe-
U.S.NEWS & WORLD REPORT. OCTOBER 5, 1992
rot asked Frank Gorrell, a senior
U.S.NEWS
partner at the Nashville law firm of
Bass, Berry and Sims, to investigate
WHAT BUSH AND LBJ HAVE IN COMMON
Gottfried. "Check him out," Perot
instructed, according to one source.
Just when George Bush needs all the help he can get, Congress keeps sending him
"Put him under surveillance. Mon-
politically popular bills it knows he doesn't like. When the family-leave bill - the
ey's no object."
Democrats' favorite in this season of family values - hit his desk, the president vetoed
Gorrell, a former Democratic
it as promised. But he signed his veto late at night to help keep it off the evening news
of
lieutenant governor of Tennessee
shows. Last week, the Senate overrode the veto and sent it to the House, where a two-
who in the 1970s had helped Perot's
thirds majority for an override seems unlikely. But Congress isn't through. Leaders in
computer-services company, Elec-
both houses expect to muster enough votes to override Bush's anticipated veto of the
tronic Data Systems, win a major
bill allowing regulation of cable television. That would end his string of consecutive
contract with the state, hired a pri-
successful vetoes at 32-two more than Lyndon Johnson's record.
se
vate investigator to watch Gottfried
and Nancy Perot. Hank Hillin, a
former FBI agent and currently the
SPIN OF THE WEEK
sheriff of Davidson County, where
Nashville is located, was retained. "I
The presidential campaigns' best efforts last week to con-
trol the public's understanding of the news:
am no way confirming anything in
this account," Hillin told U.S. News.
"Ross Perot Is an agent of change, but Bill Clinton is even more an agent of
"I am looking out for my own inter-
change. We are very respectful of his supporters and the problems he has diag-
ests." Gorrell failed to respond to
nosed, which are similar to the ones we have diagnosed."- A Clinton adviser.
several requests for comment left at
"They're stealing our symbols." A Republican operative complaining that
his office.
As part of his inquiry, Hillin had
Democrats don't deserve endorsements of business leaders, foreign-policy
staff investigators stake out Gott-
intellectuals and Tammy Wynette.
fried's residence in Nashville's
Green Hills neighborhood, the
sources say. To help in the stakeout
process, the investigators obtained
the use of a nearby house, from
SABA
which they were able to
observe Gottfried's
home. In using the
house, sources say, Pe-
Adoption of
rot may have been pur-
suing two goals: keep-
ing tabs on his
daughter's friendship
with the Vanderbilt
professor and providing
our managed health
security for his daugh-
ter at a time when, be-
cause of his wealth and
S
and child
his work for the shah
of Iran, Perot consid-
care programs could save U.S.
ered his four children possible kid-
napping targets.
Gottfried, who is currently an as-
sociate professor of English at Van-
derbilt on leave this semester, de-
business $30 billion annually.
clined to discuss his relationship
with Nancy Perot. "That's 10-year-
old history," his wife, Mary Stevens,
said last week. "He's not going to
talk about it."
We get paid for results®
CIGNA
BY THOMAS TOCH
EMPLOYEE BENEFITS CIGNA COMPANIES DEPT. R4, HARTFORD, CT 06152
U.S.NEWS & WORLD REPORT, OCTOBER 5, 1992
tions at abortion clinics. But except for
WASHINGTON WHISPERS
this relatively limited case, the justices
are expected to sidestep the explosive
abortion issue in the new term, espe-
cially in the wake of the bitter debate
BAKER'S takeover of Bush campaign no cure for GOP panic
that followed their 5-to-4 vote last
summer to uphold a Pennsylvania law
restricting abortion rights. The court's
ISRAEL to get long-sought long-term U.S. commitments
next major decision on abortion could
come a year from now, when the
COLD WAR echo: Russians seek Glomar Explorer secrets
Planned Parenthood Federation is ex-
pected to seek a test of the constitu-
JONES FOR USNSWR
tionality of a Mississippi law requiring
Political panic. Demoralization is
a 24-hour waiting period before an
again sweeping through Republican
abortion can be performed.
ranks, including the Bush re-election
campaign. Although the arrival of
former Secretary of State James
Fear of flying. Bill Clinton has dras-
Baker as campaign czar and White
tically revised his scheduling strategy,
House chief of staff temporarily
cutting back on the number of media
boosted the spirits of Bush loyalists,
markets he tries to hit in a day. His
the president's failure to gain signifi-
experts analyzed his pre-convention
cant ground on Bill Clinton is pro-
schedule and found, to their dismay,
ducing a new round of panic. The
that 40 percent of his time was spent
immediate problem: Bush's refusal
on airplanes. Their new approach:
to debate Clinton on terms estab-
staying longer on the ground in each
lished by a bipartisan commission.
place rather than bouncing from tar-
Baker and campaign chairman Rob-
mac to tarmac. But to reach more
ert Teeter are said to be the only se-
markets, they are using satellite TV as
nior Bush advisers who still think
a substitute for personal appearances.
that it is Clinton-and not the presi-
dent-who needs a successful debate
to win in November. Strangely
Quid pro quo. In one of the most
enough, Clinton's high command, af-
bizarre episodes of the cold war, in 1974
ter reviewing videotapes of Bush's
Perot and Senators Kerrey and Kerry
a specially built CIA salvage ship called
performances in presidential and
Mum's the word.
the Glomar Explorer partially raised a
vice presidential debates, has con-
Soriet nuclear submarine that had ex-
cluded that he does well in such en-
ploded and sunk in the mid-Pacific six
counters. Mystified by his reluctance
Mystery guest. What did Ross Pe-
years before. The sub broke apart as it
to debate, they think it may be a trap
rot really tell a Senate committee last
was hauled to the surface. But inside
designed to Jull Clinton into over-
week about American POWs and
the salvaged wreckage, CIA operatives
confidence about going head-to-
MIAs who may have been aban-
found the remains of 70 sailors. As a
head with the president on unfavor-
doned in Indochina? One report
U.S. Navy chaplain officiated, the So-
able terms.
quoted Perot as saying he could pro-
viets were formally buried at sea in ac-
duce "30 live bodies," a tale a Re-
cordance with naval tradition. Now,
publican senator labeled "an outra-
nearly two decades later, relatives of the
Pledge and edge. With an eye on the
geous lie." Perot's long-awaited
victims are pressing for more informa-
elections-especially in key states like
appearance before the panel investi-
tion. In a closed meeting in Moscow
New York, Florida, Illinois and Cali-
gating the sensitive issue was anticli-
last week, Russian naval officers asked
fornia - George Bush is about to help
mactic, held behind closed doors at
their U.S. counterparts to open the still-
Israel achieve one of its most cherished
his insistence. Only about 10 senators
secret Glomar Explorer files. The Rus-
diplomatic goals: a long-range pledge
were present, and it lasted a scant
sians claimed that the U.S. Navy had
of U.S. military aid that will survive
five minutes. And while there is no
monitored the submarine before it ex-
changing administrations. The White
plan at present to ask him to return
ploded and therefore should be able to
House is expected to announce this
for another meeting, the best guess is
shed additional light on the case. The
week that it is offering Israel a long-
that Perot did not travel all the way
Americans were offered a deal: If
delayed package of military equipment.
to Capitol Hill to pay a courtesy call.
Washington provides more information
There will also be an exchange of let-
about the victims of the sub disaster,
ters, in which the United States vows to
then Moscow will be far môre willing to
keep military funding at the current lev-
Sidestep. When the Supreme Court
open its records about missing U.S. pi-
el of $1.8 billion a year. The president
reconvenes next week, one of the first
lots shot down during the cold war.
will also commit the United States to
cases on its docket will be a rehearing
maintaining Israel's "qualitative edge"
of a dispute over whether federal law
over its Arab neighbors.
can be invoked to contain demonstra-
EDITED BY CHARLES FENYVESI
34
U.S.NEWS & WORLD REPORT, OCTOBER 5, 1992
U.S. NEWS
THE NEXT WAR
A
n unpublished commandment of presidential
ISSUES
In practice, combatting a social malady like welfare
campaigns can be stated simply: Thou shalt
dependency has proved to be a very different proposi-
never say, "I don't have an answer to this
tion from, say, combatting polio. Peter H. Rossi, a
crisis." Instead, both candidates and pundits feel
liberal sociologist at the University of Massachusetts,
obliged to act out their Carnac complex in election
succinctly summed up the state of social policy in a 1987
years, professing, like Johnny Carson's famous seer, to
essay when he wrote that "few large-scale social pro-
be all seeing and all knowing. Within hours of the riots in
grams have been found to be even minimally effective. There
Los Angeles last April, the evening newscasts and editorial
have been even fewer programs found to be spectacularly
pages were literally filled with purported solutions to the
effective." He regretfully concluded that "there are no social-
inner-city crisis, despite the fact that there is little evidence
science equivalents of the Salk vaccine." Rossi's understand-
any government intervention has had a large-scale impact in
ing, and that of other researchers, also roughly summarizes the
the ghetto. In the space of just a few weeks, George Bush
current views of the electorate. A New York Times/CBS News
and Bill Clinton touted urban policy prescriptions that in-
survey taken after the Los Angeles riots showed most Ameri-
cluded enterprise zones, "Weed and Seed," more federal aid,
more Head Start, more jobs programs, more law enforce-
ment, less welfare-the list is nearly endless.
Such certitude is nothing new in the debate over urban
poverty; when Lyndon Johnson inaugurated the War on Pov-
erty in 1964, he claimed that "today for the first time in all the
history of the human race, a great nation is able to make and is
willing to make a commitment to eradicate poverty.' The next
war on poverty, though, could benefit from humbler premises.
No adequate answers. The truth is that no one has shown the
ability to eradicate poverty among the able-bodied poor, much
less eradicate the polarizing and costly social "pathologies"
that now seem concentrated among the minority-dominated
urban underclass. Since the days of LBJ's declaration, policy
makers have learned a great deal about which programs do not
work and which are modestly successful. Even more impor-
tant, they have sketched out a number of reforms that might
have more far-reaching impact. The recent riots illustrate all
too plainly how important it is to test some of those untried
reforms in a series of deliberate, multiyear experiments. By the
end of the decade, both elected officials and members of the
public then could speak with genuine authority about how to
address three chronic scourges among the urban poor: welfare
dependency, street crime and dropping out of school.
An extensive series of experiments may in fact be the only
plausible alternative to the status quo. Notwithstanding the
post-riot rhetoric, the federal government is extremely unlike-
ly to embark on massive new domestic programs to aid the
urban poor. The $300 billion-plus deficit virtually precludes
such initiatives: When money talks, campaign promises walk.
And there is little chance the voters will support new national
programs without some assurance they will work.
Experiment time. Some radical tests should be tried to see what
36
U.S.NEWS & WORLD REPORT, OCTOBER 5. 1992
AN
AGENDA
ON POVERTY
FOR
CHANGE
cans believe that "a lack of knowledge and understanding
the trial-and-error approach is inadequate for attacking the
about how to solve the problems" not a lack of money- was
colossal, interrelated problems of urban poverty.
a
the major impediment to helping big cities.
Wild exaggeration. The fact is that even many of the best
Theoretically, a new round of social-policy experiments
model programs developed by state and local officials are
7
could be organized in one of two ways. The first, and by far the
hard to replicate and are poorly evaluated. Studies of pilot
most popular, is the Edisonian method of intelligent trial and
initiatives often wildly exaggerate the initiatives' apparent
e
error. This approach blossomed under Ronald Reagan, who
successes since they generally fail to compare the track rec-
y
actively encouraged state and local governments to experi-
ord of the programs with the routine experiences of the
ment and actively discouraged federally dictated demonstra-
poor. For example, job-training programs for welfare recipi-
tion programs. Bush has continued the tradition of the "new
ents, including an Arkansas program touted by Clinton, in-
federalism" by seeking to have states and localities assume the
evitably produce hundreds and even thousands of "success
lead in reforming welfare and education. Without question,
stories" of families moving off welfare. But subsequently, it
states have responded with many worthwhile innovations. Yet
turns out that virtually the same percentage of families natu-
PATRICK FORESTIER
rally left welfare without participating in a jobs program.
National problems call for more centralized, classical scien-
tific experiments that would compare the experiences of those
in the programs with similarly situated poor persons who are
not using the programs. Ideally, federal policy makers would
fund a limited number of radical, large-scale experiments,
each of which would follow simple rules and share a common
goal. To ensure that the programs could be applied on a
national scale, each initiative would be tested for several years
in more than one urban site. The pages that follow present
several leading schemes-some favored by liberals, others by
conservatives-for reducing welfare dependency, street crime
and high-school dropout rates. While the list of reforms is not
all-inclusive, it does provide options for reducing urban woes
that are much more far-reaching than those now being tested.
Ultimately, it bears emphasizing that the federal govern-
ment may prove more adroit at attacking the symptoms of
urban impoverishment than its causes. Chronic urban poverty
is rooted in forces like illegitimacy, the proliferation of low-
wage jobs and labor force dropouts. But lawmakers will proba-
bly never be able to reverse the exodus of manufacturing jobs
from inner cities; nor are they likely to come up with programs
that could undo the spread of casual attitudes toward work and
out-of-wedlock childbearing. Both presidential candidates
have recognized that parents must assume chief responsibility
for improving the lives of poor children. That acknowledgment
helps to lower expectations about what the government can
and cannot accomplish. In the next war on poverty, the expec-
tations lawmakers and the public bring to the fray will be
almost as important as the reform ideas themselves.
could reduce welfare dependency, street crime and dropout rates.
BY DAVID WHITMAN
U.S.NEWS & WORLD REPORT. OCTOBER 5, 1992
37
U.S. NEWS
AN
AGENDA
WELFARE
FOR
CHANGE
o
f the many social ills afflicting the ghetto, the
of promising welfare-replacement schemes, several of
much maligned welfare system seems partic-
ISSUES
which are being toyed with in Congress or in the
ularly ripe for experimental reform-and
states. At present, the leading candidates include:
not just because it is universally detested. In fact,
CUTTING THE KNOT
the case for experimental reform stems from two
ineluctable truths. The first is that no one knows for
The most controversial scheme is simply to eliminate
sure how to slash the welfare rolls, short of simply
welfare. Author Charles Murray first proposed that as a
cutting off benefits. The second is that the problem
"thought experiment" in his much debated 1984 book
of dependency has now reached epidemic proportions.
"Losing Ground." A yearlater, in a Washington Monthly inter-
Franklin Roosevelt, Lyndon Johnson, Richard Nixon, Jim-
view, Murray explained that if "you want to cut illegitimate
my Carter, Ronald Reagan and George Bush all promised to
births among poor people
I know how to do that. You just
slash the dole, and all watched in befuddlement as legislation
rip away every kind of government support there is." His
they backed died, fell short or even backfired. The most
libertarian scheme horrifies liberal scholars and has little pub-
popular remedy for dependency-putting adults in work or
lic support. A poll in May by Yankelovich Clancy Shulman for
training programs-has been tried repeatedly over the past
Time and CNN found that 93 percent of the public would
two decades. Yet evaluations have consistently shown only
oppose attempts to "eliminate all welfare programs entirely."
modest effects on welfare caseloads, with reported reductions
Still, in modified form, the cold-turkey approach might
in the rolls amounting to 7 percentage points or less. In 1988,
merit pilot testing. The standard objection to Murray's plan
Congress managed to overhaul the Aid to Families with De-
is that it would make innocent children suffer for their par-
pendent Children program, placing more emphasis on educa-
ents' inadequacies, and that seems doubly unfair, given that
tion, training and the provision of child support. But since
2 out of 3 AFDC beneficiaries are children. But it is also
many states are still retooling welfare programs tobring them
worth recalling that a national system of cash relief is a rela-
into compliance with the new law, it is unlikely that Congress
tively recent innovation. AFDC did not exist until 1935 and
will revisit the subject anytime soon. And to date, the post-1988
in its early years was essentially a tiny program for widows
state job programs seem no more capable than their predeces-
and divorcées, not unwed mothers. If welfare were wiped
sors of substantially reducing dependency.
out, more families undoubtedly would end up in soup kitch-
Virtually every month for the last three years, welfare rolls
ens and shelters. But many others might double up with
have hit record highs; the number, driven by the recession,
friends and relatives or rely on neighborhood and fraternal
now stands at a historic 13.7 million Americans. An appalling 1
groups for aid, much as the poor did before the New Deal-
in 7 children now receives AFDC, and the welfare mess is
when their ranks were proportionately far larger. Over time,
especially insidious in inner cities, where the large number of
severe cutbacks in aid might force more low-income males to
aid recipients seems to reduce the stigma of receiving relief.
refrain from fathering children out of wedlock.
It may be that the next
Murray's original propos-
president and Congress
al, scrapping all welfare pro-
should, abandon the goal of
grams, could also be soft-
welfare reform and press,
ened by limiting the rollback
instead, for a series of
to AFDC and other cash as-
demonstration programs
sistance for able-bodied
that would replace welfare.
adults. Programs with less
Such a guideline, first
controversial public pur-
articulated by Harvard
poses (like disability and
economist David Ellwood,
unemployment insurance,
would have several signifi-
food stamps and Medicaid)
cant consequences. Most
could be retained. In a few
important, it could force
cases-say, in' the last tri-
policy makers to focus on
mester of a pregnancy or the
a clear primary goal: eradi-
first three months of an in-
cating chronic dependency.
fant's life-cash aid might
Increasing the economic
be continued, too.
return of work or amelio-
GUARANTEED JOBS
rating family poverty
would be worthy secondary
Some 13.7 million Americans now receive welfare, a
An alternative would have
considerations.
the government offer any
Policy analysts have al-
historic high that is driven in part by the recession.
able-bodied adult a job at
ready developed a handful
subminimum or minimum
38
U.S.NEWS & WORLD REPORT. OCTOBER 5. 1992
U.S.NEWS
documented." Getting employers to hire government-subsi-
dized workers is another obstacle. In the late 1970s, guaran-
wages-and then do away with public assistance. While
teed-jobs programs in 17 pilot sites for poor youths substantial-
AFDC, food stamps, housing subsidies and state general-
ly boosted employment among teenage blacks. However,
assistance programs would be eliminated, the availability of
fewer than 1 in 5 employers who were approached agreed to
day-care subsidies, Medicaid and generous tax relief for
hire any disadvantaged teens, even though the government
workers would raise many if not most families up to the
was willing to pay all their wages and benefits, do the paper-
poverty line. Guaranteed-jobs plans, which evoke wistful
work and give the employers free rein to fire poor workers.
memories of FDR's Works Progress Administration, are also
As political scientist Lawrence Mead points out, "Guaran-
the most popular welfare-substitution scheme; in the recent
teed work is a kind of oxymoron. Jobs aren't guaranteed-
Yankelovich poll, 70 percent of the public favored replacing
if they are, they are not true employment because you are not
"welfare with a system of guaranteed jobs."
holding the worker accountable to real-world job standards."
Undue burden. By guaranteeing jobs for absent fathers, poli-
Inevitably, large public-service jobs programs also create peri-
cy makers might also reduce the unfair burden on welfare
odic leaf-raking scandals that drain popular support. And even
mothers to be the sole breadwinners in their households.
the WPA was far from universally beloved. A 1939 poll that
Numerous lawmakers are already promoting variants of the
asked members of the public to name the best and worst things
idea. Journalist Mickey Kaus, a neoliberal, reintroduced the
done by the Roosevelt administration showed that the WPA
guaranteed-jobs plan into public debate in a controversial 1986
topped both categories. "Boondoggles will happen," Kaus
article in the New Re-
explained in recent con-
public and has amplified
gressional testimony.
it in his new book,
But, as he noted, "the
"The End of Equality."
taxpayers would at least
Since Kaus's 1986 arti-
be getting something for
cle, some conservatives
their money."
have embraced much or
all of his scheme.
TIME LIMITS
Former Reagan ad-
Bill Clinton, among oth-
ministration official
ers, has advocated limit-
Charles Hobbs, for in-
ing the time a family can
stance, helped to de-
receive welfare. The
sign the Oregon Full
cutoff date varies from
Employment Program,
plan to plan but usually
which would pool the
ranges from 18 months
funding for AFDC,
to four years. Of course,
food stamps and unem-
narrowing welfare eligi-
ployment compensation
bility to a time-limited,
in six counties to pro-
one-shot opportunity
vide paychecks for some
doesn't eliminate cash
10,000 adults in private-
assistance. But it does
and public-sector jobs.
Voters approved the
Replacing welfare could mean creating smaller,
preclude parents' be-
coming chronic recipi-
initiative in a 1990 refer-
modern offices designed to encourage recipients' self-
ents, and that alone
endum, but Democratic
assuages a prime pub-
Gov. Barbara Roberts
sufficiency, unlike current factorylike facilities.
lic concern. Divorced
has so far refused to ap-
mothers who need a few
ply for federal waivers
months of aid to get
for the program. Milwaukee Mayor John Norquist, who wants
back on their feet are one thing; unwed mothers who spend a
his city to be the nation's first "welfare-free zone," has made
decade on the dole are quite another.
more headway with private-sector help. A three-year pilot
Advocates of AFDC time limits differ along partisan lines
project in Milwaukee, named New Hope, now involves about
about what happens after cash welfare is cut off. Clinton, like
50 adults (it will expand to 650) and provides community-
Professor Ellwood, thinks the government should cut welfare
service jobs at the minimum wage-along with child care,
recipients loose only after providing two years of cash assis-
medical coverage and a wage subsidy to any client who earns
tance and generous education, training, child-care support
an income below poverty level.
and tax credits; at that point, he favors requiring people to
The guaranteed-jobs route, however, could benefit from
work in community service or the private sector. Since many
a large field test. The WPA essentially aided single men
welfare recipients stay on the rolls for less than two years,
with steady work records who were on relief because of the
Clinton's public-service jobs program would be much smaller
Depression. By contrast, a 1992 WPA program would have
than a guaranteed-jobs initiative. Nonetheless, conservatives
to hire several million single mothers with child-rearing re-
like Robert Rector of the Heritage Foundation worry that it
sponsibilities, many of whom have no work experience and
would end up as a federal gravy train for massive guaranteed-
few job skills. Parents with drug problems would be more
jobs and child-care programs. Legislation recently introduced
common, too.
by 14 House Republicans would halt cash benefits for most
In fact, post-WPA attempts to create public-service slots
able-bodied adults after four years, but it does not specify that
and small-scale guaranteed-jobs projects have had mixed re-
government-created jobs should be available after the cutoff.
sults. At the very least, administrative costs are daunting; as
Utah is one of the few states that have staged a significant
White House aide Gail Wilensky says, "The government's
time-limit experiment. In 1981, the Utah Legislature voted to
ability to spend $40,000 to create a $10,000 job has been well
eliminate the state's AFDC program for two-parent families
40
U.S.NEWS & WORLD REPORT, OCTOBER 5. 1992
subsi-
(known as AFDC-UP). Several years later, it replaced
sured-benefit scheme would provide single parents without
iaran-
AFDC-UP with a program that limited cash assistance to six
child support an annual benefit of perhaps $2,000 for one
ntial-
months in any 12-month period and required one parent to
child, $3,000 for two children and so forth.
spend a minimum of 32 hours a week in community work,
Irwin Garfinkel of Columbia University, the originator of
vever,
ed
to
adult education or job training-and eight hours a week
the assured-benefit plan, argues that such schemes are supe-
ment
looking for a job. Payment was made only after the family
rior to welfare on several counts. Unlike AFDC benefits, the
aper-
met the requirements. The results, summarized in a recent
assured benefit would maintain work incentives, since pay-
issue of Public Welfare, were dramatic: The time-limited sub-
ments would not be reduced as single parents started to ac-
kers.
aran-
stitute supported an average of only 165 families a month,
crue earnings. (More than 90 percent of AFDC families are
-and
down from about 1,900 families a month in the old AFDC-
headed by single parents.) Garfinkel acknowledges that his
not
UP program-without encouraging families to break up to
plan would not eliminate welfare. But he estimates that it
rds."
qualify for the single-parent AFDC grant.
could plausibly reduce AFDC caseloads by 20 percent. If, as
peri-
The biggest drawback to cutting off welfare after a speci-
Ellwood has suggested, officials combined the assured bene-
even
fied time is that the "drop dead" date might create perverse
fit with a time-limited welfare program and various tax cred-
that
incentives. Teen mothers, for instance, faced with losing
its for the working poor, the reduction would be greater.
hings
AFDC benefits after four years, might try to have two chil-
Voter ambivalence. The chief drawback of the assured-bene-
VPA
dren quickly so they could stay home with the kids during
fit program is that it is still a form of welfare. Like public
<aus
their early years at government expense. The closer families
assistance, child-support assurance could create incentives for
got to the cutoff date, the
the formation of
con-
ony.
more the pressure would
more single-parent
the
grow for administrators to
families. The public is
east
grant exemptions to wom-
also ambivalent. In
g for
en who had infants, say, or
the Yankelovich poll,
" ho were studying hard in
only 44 percent of re-
school. For the past 25
spondents favored
years. work requirements
paying child support
oth-
for welfare mothers have
out of public funds
mit-
been so riddled with simi-
to AFDC mothers
can
lar loopholes that they are
when the government
The
virtual shams. Without
cannot make the fa-
simple. blunt rules, put-
thers pay.
ally
ting a time limit on AFDC
nths
could evolve in much the
It is hard to say just
rse,
same fashion.
how much the experi-
ligi-
mentation strategy
SUPPORT INSURANCE
:ed,
would cost. Several
nity
A final alternative to wel-
Republican members
ash
fare is to replace it with an
of the House Ways
"assured benefit" system
and Means Commit-
be-
that would provide a mini-
tee plan to introduce
mum benefit to any single
One estimate is that tests along these lines to replace
legislation this week
parent unable to collect
welfare would cost $1 billion a year; annual spending
to test several variants
child support from the ab-
of the reforms out-
ed
sent parent, typically the
in the current system now totals $20 billion.
lined above. Their
father. Advocates liken
rough estimate is that
this system to other uni-
it would cost about $1
a
versal programs financed by payroll taxes, such as unemploy-
billion a year to operate and evaluate large-scale demonstra-
ment insurance. Whereas survivor insurance pays for the loss
tion programs. By contrast, in fiscal 1991, the federal and state
of income arising from widowhood, child-support assurance
bills for AFDC came to roughly $20 billion.
would pay for the loss of income arising from divorce, separa-
To avoid fragmentation, such policy experiments would
tion and unwed parenthood- a radical shift from the current
probably need to have both a common goal of reducing depen-
system, where meager child-support awards and delinquent
dency and a legislative umbrella. Historically, pilot programs
fathers leave millions of children in poverty. In fact, the pres-
have clouded options and delayed change as often as they have
to
ent collection record is so poor that "many American children
sped it up. Ronald Reagan vowed that bold welfare experi-
would literally be better off if their fathers were dead," points
ments were needed to break the "spider web of dependency,"
out West Virginia Sen. Jay Rockefeller. "At least then, they
but most of the 16 state-sponsored proposals ultimately ap-
could collect Social Security Survivors Insurance."
proved by his administration were less than memorable. (Typi-
es
Theoretically, taxpayer-funded child-support assurance
cally, they involved reforms like substituting cash for food
would come into play only after officials and custodial par-
stamp coupons.)
ents had done everything possible to wring more money out
Not surprisingly, politicians often ignore experimental re-
of the noncustodial parent. Laws enacted during the 1980s
sults that conflict with their own predispositions. Knowl-
tried to accomplish just that by empowering states to index
edge, in short, may not necessarily translate into power
awards for inflation and garnishee the paychecks of delin-
some years hence. On the other hand, when shifts in social
quent parents. But despite the crackdown, state agencies still
policy stand to affect millions of needy families, ignorance
fail, to collect child support for more than 5 million mothers
is less than bliss.
0
on AFDC, and local law enforcement agencies consider the
S
tracking of deadbeat dads a low priority. The last-resort as-
By DAVID WHITMAN
2
U.S.NEWS & WORLD REPORT, OCTOBER 5, 1992
41
U.S. NEWS
AN
AGENDA
STREET CRIME
FOR
CHANGE
ach year, the criminal justice merry-go-round in
Such in-prison programs, analogous to "therapeutic
urban America seems to spin faster and faster.
ISSUES
communities" (TCs), include job training, social ser-
While arrests for serious crime are up 18 per-
vices, behavior modification and a strict set of rules
cent in the past decade, and the number of inmates
regulating day-to-day behavior. The universal provi-
in state and federal prisons has doubled over the
sion of TCs in a state could reduce both local crimi-
same period, the rate of serious crime per 100,000
nal activity and costs. Research on structured, long-
has jumped from 5,600 to 5,900. Even hardheaded
term prison programs linked to subsequent
cops now concede that the nation can't arrest itself out
community supervision-like the Stay'n Out program at
of this nightmare. Instead, reducing street crime may hinge
New York's Arthur Kill Correctional Facility-shows they
on finding ways to short-circuit criminal behavior.
can reduce the treated group's rearrest rate by as much as
one half. Treatment adds only about $5,000 to the annual
COMPREKENSIVE DRUG TREATMENT
$25,000 cost of incarcerating a prisoner, so it wouldn't take
Government officials might be able to help throw that switch
much reduction in recidivism for treatment to begin to pay
by testing an option that law enforcement personnel have
for itself. The figures are even more promising for criminal
largely ignored: creating an extensive system of drug treat-
suspects treated before they enter prison. Miami's 3-year-old
ment for arrestees, parolees and inmates. Urinalysis samples
"drug court" funnels lower-level offenders into treatment
show that between 40 and 80 percent of all big-city arrestees
rather than jail. So far, studies show only 3 percent of the
test positive for drugs. Inner-city residents, moreover, have
graduates are rearrested.
good reason for being especially fearful of drug-abusing
hoodlums: A California study, for instance, shows that of-
EARLY INTERVENTION WITH JUVENILES
fenders who used hard drugs committed 15 times as many
The theology of many social welfare advocates has long includ-
robberies and 20 times as many burglaries as offenders who
ed a call for earlier and more effective help for youths who are
didn't. Yet, of the roughly 1.1 million people under the su-
on the verge of trouble. The need to do so may never have been
pervision of the justice system thought to be in need of drug
more acute. The arrest rate of juveniles for violent crimes shot
treatment-about 320,000 of them incarcerated-no more
up 27 percent during the past decade (pushing the total near
than 1 in 5 is now getting help.
100,000 last year), and the number is likely to rise in the 1990s as
Traditionally, drug treatment programs fail because they
the youth population expands. There is little evidence that the
provide short stays, have poor-quality staff and lack follow-
typical crackdown remedies favored by politicians-putting
up or after-care facilities. Many of those shortcomings,
more hardened teen criminals into the adult justice system or
though, could be avoided in the criminal-justice system be-
sending them to military-style boot camps-work.
cause its clients are a captive audience. Not only can correc-
The studies of sociologist J. David Hawkins of the Universi-
tional officials help prod criminals into treatment but they
ty of Washington suggest there might be a payoff if special
can keep them there lon-
ROGER M
attention were paid to kids
ger-a strong predictor of
showing signs of "risk fac-
success.
tors" pointing to future
To avoid the mistakes of
criminal behavior, including
earlier, less comprehensive
poor elementary-school
programs, law enforcement
performance and aggressive
officials in a large state
acts against fellow students.
might take every arrestee or
Comprehensive training of
inmate through a two-step
parents and teachers in tar-
process. First, nonviolent
geted schools could be
offenders would be offered
aimed at helping troubled
treatment instead of jail
teens form stronger bonds
and face certain sanctions
to schools and families.
for failing a drug test. Sec-
Some of the schools could
ond, all inmates with a
experiment with placing
known history of drug use
these potential delinquent
would be obliged to partici-
teens in classes with high
pate in, say, a yearlong
achievers. The mandate for
treatment program that
action is clear: Help them
prohibited violent behavior
In the past decade, arrests rose and the number of
now, or fear them later.
or drug use and was housed
separately from the main
people in prison doubled-yet crime still soared.
BY GORDON WITKIN
prison population.
WITH TED GEST
44
U.S.NEWS & WORLD REPORT. OCTOBER 5. 1992
BILL
PATRICK
U.S.NEWS
representatives in Frank-
furt to discuss another ship-
ment of Hawk parts. North
Guess
then arranged for Nir to
brief Bush. The investiga-
tive report does not state
who's in
whether Bush reported
back to the White House on
the briefing, but when Nir
telephoned North to tell
the loop?
him of the briefing, North
replied that the White
tic
House already knew of it-
and that Bush had ap-
New questions
proved. One day after the
briefing, on July 30, Presi-
about George Bush's
dent Reagan approved the
in
shipment of the 240 Hawk
nt
Iran-Contra story
parts to Iran.
at
Happier days. One final Iran-Contra twist
Bush has said that the
United States was misled
as
al
G
eorge Bush has always said that
Contra affair-when Reagan was being
by Israel about the missile shipments to
he was "out of the loop" on de-
urged to abandon the initiative by senior
Iran, but Nir explained the relationship
ke
cisions made by senior Reagan
aides, including Robert McFarlane, for-
to Bush differently, according to the in-
administration officials to sell arms to
mer national-security adviser. On July
vestigative report. "The Israelis were
al
Iran in exchange for the release of
26, Father Lawrence Jenco was released
supposed to provide a physical base for
Id
American hostages in Lebanon. But a
by his captors after an earlier shipment
loading and unloading a variety of am-
nt
large body of existing evidence contra-
of $4 million worth of Hawk missile
munition and weapons," the report
e
dicts that claim and new information
parts. McFarlane and his successor,
states, "and in general provide the fa-
suggests that Bush played a key role in
John Poindexter, distrusted their Irani-
cade in case of exposure."
ensuring that the arms shipments to
an intermediaries, however, and on July
Iran were continued. According to ex-
27, North met with Nir and the Iranian
BY BRIAN DUFFY
cerpts from a still classified Israeli re-
port obtained by U.S. News and verified
n
by two former Reagan administration
ot
officials with detailed knowledge of the
If
Iran-Contra scandal, the then vice pres-
Enjoy a roomful
IS
ident was briefed specifically on the an-
of music without
e
ticipated release of three U.S. hostages
g
in Lebanon just one day before Presi-
a room full of stereo
dent Reagan agreed to ship parts for
240 Hawk missiles to Iran.
equipment.
i-
The briefing was provided to Bush and
his chief of staff, Craig Fuller, by Amiram
S
Nir, a counterterrorism adviser to the
built-in speakers deliver the sound you
Israeli government and a principal ally of
Lt. Col. Oliver North's during the negoti-
"You have to hear it
expect from Bose.
ations to sell missiles to Iran. Nir is now
to believe it."
To find out more, ask for our free
dead. Bush and Fuller have maintained
If you enjoy good music but don't like
booklet. Like the Acoustic Wave, it's
that Nir provided only a cursory review of
complicated stereo equipment, the
available only by calling or writing Bose.
the missile sales to Iran and that no men-
Bose Acoustic Wave music system
tion was made of exchanging the weap-
For a FREE Booklet Call
may be for you. Because, while it
ons for hostages. The White House re-
peated those assertions last week. Parts
sounds like much larger, more
1-800-282-BOSE
of the 50-page investigative report, which
expensive stereos, it's as easy to use as
Ext. 1605
is dated March 11, 1987, state otherwise:
a TV. And it fits almost anywhere you
Nir told Bush and Fuller "that Israel
can put a briefcase.
Yes, please send me a free booklet about
intercepted communications between
the Bose Acoustic Wave' music system.
It also looks unlike any
the Iranian government and the hostage
Name
1605
holders and that Israel knew of the Ira-
other stereo you've ever
nian instruction to the kidnappers to re-
seen. Yet its compact disc
Street
lease three hostages."
player (or cassette),
01992 Place Corporation
City
State
Zip
The Bush briefing took place between
AM/FM radio, and
7:35 a.m. and 8:05 a.m. on July 29, 1986,
Phone
in Bush's suite at Jerusalem's King Da-
BOSE
Mall to: Bose Corporation, Dept. COD,
vid Hotel. It was arranged by Oliver
Better sound through research.
The Mountain, Framingham, MA 01701-9168 USA
North at a critical juncture in the Iran-
U.S.NEWS & WORLD REPORT. OCTOBER 5, 1992
45
COMMENTARY
Bewitched by role models
Clinton and Bush show the danger of mimicking earlier presidents
rather than reshaping the office for today's problems
O
n grainy film, a boyish Bill Clinton pumps the hand of
simply in choosing steps to get the nation to its goals but in
his hero John Kennedy. In a snapshot, a thirtysome-
defining those goals in an era in which some choices are
thing George Bush beams at Dwight Eisenhower.
simply no longer possible. The road traveled by a Roosevelt
Even though such contacts might be expected of two of the
or a Reagan is not likely to carry a Bush or a Clinton to the
savviest networkers ever to run for president, it was hard not
promised land in 1992. Yet neither one seems comfortable
to be impressed by these images of Clinton and Bush dis-
striking out for terra incognita without a familiar map.
played in cinematic celebrations at the political conventions.
For Clinton, as historian William Leuchtenburg has said of
Captured forever in black and white, their proud smiles
all postwar presidents, the challenge is to escape "the shadow
spoke of a lost age before the need to be cool and skeptical
of FDR." As a model, Franklin Roosevelt's presidency has its
about the highest office in the
MARKET
limits today; the chances to
land overwhelmed reverence
move the institutions of gov-
for the presidency.
emment aren't what they used
It is difficult to imagine a
to be, in part because of the
21st-century Bush or Clinton
paralyzing national debt. In-
showing off similar encoun-
stead of finding ways to pro-
ters with, say, Richard Nixon
ject government into people's
or Jimmy Carter. Yet, a cru-
lives, Clinton would face a far
cial subtext of this year's
different task in the White
presidential campaign has
House. He has tried to avoid
been the nation's yearning to
the "tax and spend" trap with
rediscover where the presi-
his talk of "a third way," em-
dency fits in the nation's
phasizing a balance between
sense of itself. Amid all the
citizens' rights and duties and
talk of deficits, drafts and
government intervention and
downturns, that search has
market forces. But when
gotten little play. But the de-
pressed by foes, Clinton often
sire to reconstruct the presi-
seeks refuge in a New Deal
dency helps to explain many
of this campaign's vicissi-
mode, arguably as inappropri-
Superchiefs. Who can best resculpt the presidency?
ate for 1992 as his hero JFK's
tudes: voter volatility and
cold-war bellicosity would be.
Ross Perot's appeal, Clinton's boost after his "New Cove-
nant" acceptance speech and, especially, the remarkable col-
The shadow over Bush is that of Ronald Reagan. Seeking to
rekindle his predecessor's electoral magic, the president is
lapse of Bush's support since the gulf war.
struggling to mimic Reagan's minimalist view of government
Among schoolchildren. Many reasons for the presidency's
without adjusting to changed circumstances. If government is
decline are all too familiar: Vietnam and Watergate, admin-
the problem, as Reagan argued, then the role of the president
istrative ineptitude and imperial pretensions. Thirty years
is bound to shrink, perhaps beyond the point the public wants.
ago, an elementary-school student might turn to "Pictorial
Reagan was able to adopt the posture of national leader, albeit
History of American Presidents," a respectful treatment of
one whose efforts were about diminishing his function. With
the chief executives, organized chronologically from the
Founding Fathers forward. That book hasn't been revised
Bush acting as a consolidator, not an innovator, his approach
can seem like drift, not leadership, to the disaffected.
since the mid-'60s, and today students rely on texts focused
less on the accomplishments of the officeholders than on the
Roosevelt and Reagan are certainly good models in one
reach and limits of the office. Even among schoolchildren,
respect. Both were masters at altering the legacies of great
presidents for their own purposes. FDR redirected the Jef-
presidents aren't what they used to be.
Of course, presidents rarely have been what many liked to
fersonian tradition from a focus on limited government to
think they once were. Indeed, the periods when Americans
one of protecting rights, especially economic rights; Reagan
wanted the office at the center of the national imagination
borrowed freely from Roosevelt, the national father figure.
are the anomalies, not the rule. "While I don't expect any-
And both used Lincoln when it suited them. In relying on
thing very astonishing from him," Oliver Wendell Holmes
the past, they kept a keen eye on the dictates of the present,
experimenting and adapting as necessary for times that re-
said of Calvin Coolidge, "I don't want anything very astonish-
ing." In Holmes's view, the times simply did not demand it.
quired more than derivative approaches. If neither Bush nor
That is clearly not true now. As at least the past four
Clinton learns that lesson, it's unlikely that a presidential
presidents have found, political success today turns on being
candidate 30 years from now will be eager to show he or she
once met either man.
able to satisfy great expectations during times that demand
increasing limits. The fancy footwork required now is not
BY DONALD BAER
80
U.S.NEWS & WORLD REPORT, OCTOBER 5,1992
EDITORIAL
BY DAVID GERGEN
EDITOR AT LARGE
PEROT: TIME TO WALK AWAY
or months, U.S. News has been outspoken in sa-
would turn the campaign into a three-ring circus. One
luting what Ross Perot seemed to represent. In a
can already see the stories that would soak up airtime:
column last March, entitled "Ross Perot's Time
Will Perot hurt Bush or Clinton the most? What
to Saddle On Up," this writer glowingly described a
makes Ross run? Why did he quit, anyway? How much
citizens' revolt rising up in the heartland that was trying
money is he willing to spend this time? (Answer to all
to put a Texas buccaneer into the White House. In an
of the above: Nobody knows.) The nation should
editorial in June, Mortimer B. Zuckerman praised the
spend the next five weeks asking serious questions
Perot movement for giving voice to the country's disen-
about someone who will win, not trivial questions
chantment with the status quo. We believed then-and
about a man who won't.
do now that the nation's political establishment is
Many times in the past Perot-has proved that as a
failing in its responsibilities and needs to be shaken up.
private citizen, he can be a powerful, positive force for
But events since then have revealed that for all his
the country. His critics have said for years that Perot
considerable accomplishments as a
has been loony in insisting that Amer-
citizen, Ross Perot is the wrong man
ica knowingly left POWs behind in
for the presidency. As he himself sug-
Vietnam; last week's sworn testimony
gested years ago and has shown this
'He would best
by three former defense secretaries
year, he has neither the temperament
was a clear vindication of Perot. Had
serve the
nor the patience for politics. He
he not been so unswerving in his sup-
should now summon a little courage
country now
port of POW families, the truth might
and abandon his quixotic attempt to
by launching a
still be hidden. Perot also has devoted
re-enter the race. The reasons Perot
thousands of hours and millions of
gave for leaving the field in July are
true citizens'
dollars to helping wounded soldiers,
as valid now as then; the only thing
crusade for
disadvantaged children and people
that keeps changing is his mind. As
economic renewal.
who needed just a little hand. Earlier
country singer Kenny Rogers puts it
this year, he showed that he also
in "The Gambler," a man should
knows how to touch and motivate
know "when to hold 'em
when
to
people all over the country.
fold 'em
when to walk away." Sor-
Instead of diminishing both himself
ry, Ross, you've already folded.
and the campaign by reviving his can-
Should he become an active candidate, Perot would
didacy, he would best serve the country now by launch-
have absolutely no chance of winning the election and
ing a true citizens' crusade for economic renewal. The
only a modest prospect of winning any state. While
economic program Perot issued this summer, demand-
some of his supporters have remained staunchly loyal,
ing sacrifice and discipline, offers far more hope for
others are disgusted by the way he jerked them around
long-term growth than either Bush's or Clinton's plan.
this summer and by his antics since. His unfavorable
Speaking privately, high-ranking officials in both par-
ratings have climbed to some 50 percent, an atmos-
ties acknowledge its superiority; so do voters, who have
phere that is asphyxiating for politicians. A campaign
sent it to the top of bestseller charts. Let Perot pull
coming now, so, late in the season, would be seen as a
together his army and join forces with Paul Tsongas
colossal ego trip putting his own personal interests
and Warren Rudman to form a massive, grass-roots
above the national interest.
coalition: Let him join up with Sens. Pete Domenici
This campaign already has too many distractions
and Sam Nunn, who have headed a reform effort at the
and diversions. Instead of debating real issues with real
Center for Strategic and International Studies in Wash-
people, the White House sends Dan Quayle into de-
ington, D.C. Voters now wary of Perot as a president
bate over a phony issue with a fictional television char-
would follow him much more readily- and with greater
acter. With his lead in the polls still holding, Bill Clin-
respect- if he committed his energy and resources in a
ton spends his time telling voters what they want to
private capacity. President Perot was not meant to be.
hear, not what they need to hear. A Perot candidacy
Citizen Perot can still be an American legend.
124
U.S.NEWS & WORLD REPORT, OCTOBER 5. 1992
9/29/92
This is not the time
to be expanding IRAs
Congress must
in glitzy super-IRAs and withdraw the
OUR VIEW
avoid savings plans
proceeds after five years, tax free.
Proponents say these changes will
that will land this debt-ridden na-
boost savings and investment. And a
tion deeper in debt.
boost is needed.
Hold onto your wallets. Congress is
But not just any boost. History shows
trying to boost your savings again.
expanding IRAs alone will just feed the
Today, as part of a $35 billion grab
federal debt.
bag of tax breaks and urban aid, the Sen-
Congress made IRAs universal in
ate will decide whether to expand use of
1982 to boost savings. But in 1987, it
Individual Retirement Accounts.
took them back. Why? Instead of gener-
Currently, 73% of all Americans -
ating massive new savings, IRAs be-
including people without pensions, indi-
came havens for old savings of the well-
viduals making less than $25,000 a year
to-do. Personal savings actually dropped
and couples with less than $40,000 in-
by half. And instead of costing govern-
come - can make tax-deductible con-
ment a projected $2.6 billion in revenue,
tributions to IRAs that earn tax-free in-
IRAs cost $21.1 billion. That helped
terest until withdrawn.
boost the deficit to $200 billion.
But for the Christmas-for-everyone
Accountants say this year's package is
crowd in Congress, that's not enough.
likely to do the same. And the USA can't
They want to triple the income limits
afford that.
while making the R for retirement in
Congress must stop playing Santa and
IRA meaningless.
face two facts - $300 billion deficits
Instead of having to wait until 59½,
and a $4 trillion national debt.
people could make withdrawals for col-
The nation needs real new savings,
lege, a new home, medical expenses,
not tax havens for old savings that only
hurricane relief or the down payment on
increase the country's debt.
a car. Or they could put $2,000 to $4,000
of their income, after paying taxes on it,
The tax package, 4A
Let's expand IRAs now
OPPOSING VIEW
Restoring
are ineligible for a full IRA deduction.
and expand-
My legislation would permit all but
Ing the IRAs would boost savings
those with the very highest incomes to
either claim a deduction for IRA depos-
and spur home building.
its or pay no taxes on earnings when
In Texas, we say the time to kill a
they make a withdrawal.
snake is when you've got it at the end of
They could withdraw for retirement
your hoe.
or to buy a first home, pay for college or
Too often, we've
cover the costs of serious illness or un-
held back on dealing
employment.
with problems that
The new IRA would not add a nickel
undermine our econ-
to the deficit, now or in the future, and
omy, such as a sav-
its ability to increase savings is not just
ings rate that's only a
the view on Capitol Hill, where it has
third of the rates in
strong bipartisan support. A growing
Japan and Germany
number of economists agree as well.
and a housing market
that's more like an
By Sen. Lloyd
It complements the enterprise zones
Bentsen, D-Tex-
for urban areas. These zones may create
anchor than an en-
as, chairman of
jobs, but a rejuvenated IRA will defi-
gine of growth.
the Senate Fi-
nitely increase savings, and that's impor-
Restoring and ex-
nance Committee.
tant, whether rebuilding America's cities
panding the Individ-
or restoring its lagging economy.
ual Retirement Account would help on
Lord Chesterfield's immortal admo-
both counts, boosting savings over the
nition on procrastination is as valid to-
long term and spurring home building
day as when he wrote it: "Never put off
immediately. There is no valid excuse
till tomorrow what you can do today."
for further delay on this measure.
Let's not stand that on its head when it
of all families
9/29/92
Scandal in the making
On another subject, USA TODAY
beat rules that limit the way legislators
says Congress should remove
can spend your money. House members
breeding grounds for scandal.
can't spend taxpayer dollars for enter-
taining. So, instead, they pay taxpayer
Without benefit of divining rod or
money as dues to LSOs, which then do
crystal ball, taxpayers sometimes can
the entertaining for them.
find signs of a scandal in the making.
LSOs have spent money without doc-
Just find the
umentation and stashed funds indefi-
spot where there's
nitely without telling the public.
lots of loose public
These organizations are scandals in
cash and little
the making, raising questions of just
chance to see how
how much money they will cost taxpay-
it's spent.
ers or what special-interest influence
Today's install-
they invite.
ment of the USA
In the past decade, three House task
TODAY/Gannett
forces have suggested reforms, from
News Service se-
ries Capitol Cash
CAPITOL
changes in the way they're funded to de-
exposes one such
CASH
mands that they fully document expen-
ditures and disclose more publicly.
trouble spot - leg-
All those ideas make great sense. Yet
islative service organizations - in the
Congress ignored them, as well as pro-
House of Representatives.
posals to junk LSOs altogether.
They were formed as a way for Con-
Congress should stop stalling. Enough
gress members to pool expenses, thereby
is enough.
saving money.
Today, they're sometimes used to
THE
WALL STREET JOURNAL
Perot's Plan Is Called
1992 Dow Jones & Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
TUESDAY. SEPTEMBER 29. 1992
Model of Good Sense,
Bad Economic Timing
John White, an Eastman Kodak execu-
The Perot Plan
tive and former Carter administration offi-
FIVE-YEAR
cial who helped pull together the Perot
SAVINGS
Program to Cut Deficit Risks
plan, argues that since the Perot cuts
($ billions)
Prolonging or Worsening
wouldn't take effect until January 1994,
there is time to spur an economic recovery.
Increase taxes on Social
30
"Yes, you may have to have a stimulus,"
Security
Current Slump, Some Say
he says, "and you can do it in 1993.' But
Raise Medicare premiums
38
unlike the deficit plans of the major-party
candidates, the Perot plan leaves little
Curb Medicare and Medicaid
141
Dilemma for Next President
margin for error, since the cuts would have
costs
to begin soon if the deficit is to be elimi-
Cut farm supports
17
nated in five years.
By ALAN MURRAY
Mr. Perot's plan to cut the deficit and
Raise top income-tax
33
And TIMOTHY NOAH
restore the nation's economic health
rate to 33%
Staff Reporters of THE WALL STREET JOURNAL
WASHINGTON - Ross Perot has done
wasn't made public until after he pulled out
Restrict mortgage deductions
16
what most economists, many businessmen
of the presidential race in July. It has
since been published as a book - "United
Tax some employer-paid
57
and some politicians have been calling on
We Stand" it is the centerpiece of his
health insurance
presidential candidates to do for years-
propose a tough-minded plan to eliminate
renewed lunge for the political limelight. If
Close tax loopholes for foreign
21
the nation's budget deficit.
the Texas billionaire re-enters the race, he
corporations
But Mr. Perot's plan comes at a time
says he will promote the plan in his public
appearances and his television advertise-
Restrict business entertain-
16
when a growing chorus of economic ex-
ments. If he doesn't re-enter, he will con-
ment deductions to 50%
perts say it could be exactly the wrong
medicine. As long as the U.S. and the world
tinue putting pressure on the other two
Increase tobacco tax
19
are mired in the current stubborn eco-
candidates to embrace the tough propos-
als.
Increase federal gasoline tax
158
nomic slump, they say, any effort by the
U.S. to sharply reduce its budget deficit
The Texas billionaire, who continues to
Other
124
could be an economic misstep of global
maintain that the decision whether he will
re-enter the race is in the hands of his
Tax breaks for investment,
-61
proportions.
volunteers, said at a press conference
research and worker training
"Deficit reduction is contractionary fis-
cal policy" that could prolong the nation's
yesterday, "I think I'll know Thursday
NON-INTEREST DEFICIT
609
economic problems, says Nobel prize-win-
night" whether he will become a candidate
REDUCTION
ning economist James. Tobin. Any plan to
again.
Attention From Candidates
Interest savings
145
shrink the deficit involves a mix of tax
increases and reductions in government
Mr. Perot made his remarks at the start
TOTAL DEFICIT REDUCTION
754
programs, both of which have the effect of
of a day in which high-level emissaries
slowing the economy. "It would have been
from the Clinton and Bush camps gathered
a great plan in 1988," adds economist Allen
in closed-door sessions at a Dallas hotel to
lay finds they want him to run, "then
Sinai, but to enact anything like that next
convince leaders of Mr. Perot's anti-Wash-
certainly I will honor that request. But "if
year "would be poison."
ington crusade that they will follow at least
everybody's lukewarm," he later said, "it
the spirit, if not the details, of Mr. Perot's
probably wouldn't be a good idea.' While
Conflicting Pressures
The criticism of Mr. Perot's deficit-
economic plan.
Mr. Perot didn't tip his hat, he appeared to
Speaking for the Clinton campaign,
be more comfortable with the Clinton
slashing plan illustrates a dilemma of
program than with Mr. Bush's.
economic decision-making that faces the
however, financier Felix Rohatyn under-
scored the economic dilemma that will face
During an unusual session on CNN's
next president, who almost certainly will
not be Ross Perot. With deficits running
the next president. He noted that Mr.
Larry King Live last night, the state
Clinton's plan puts the emphasis first on
coordinators withheld applause when
more than $300 billion a year, there will be
intense pressure - especially from finan-
boosting the economy, and then calls for
asked to indicate whether they liked the
cial markets - for the president to craft a
reducing the deficit by only 50% over four
Clinton presentation or the Bush presenta-
credible deficit-reduction plan early in his
years - compared with a Perot plan to
tion better, but they applauded loudly
eliminate the deficit over five. "The risk of
when asked if they thought Mr. Perot
term. But if the economy is still stagnant in
should run.
January, the president may also face
stepping on the brake too hard too quickly
at this point, with the economy as fragile
To be sure, Mr. Perot's plan, based on
irresistible calls for Keynesian-style fis-
the principle of shared sacrifice, has some-
cal stimulus to spark the economy-even if
as it is, is pretty high," he said.
that means bigger deficits for a time.
It was also clear that the Clinton camp
thing in it to upset almost every sector of
views many of Mr. Perot's proposals as
society. For elderly people with higher
Negotiating a way between those con-
incomes, there's increased taxation of
flicting demands will be one of the next
political nitroglycerin. For example, when
asked whether Mr. Clinton would endorse
Social Security benefits and increased pay-
president's first, and most difficult, tasks.
Mr. Perot's proposal for a 10-cent gasoline-
ments for Medicare. For the working per-
President Bush and Arkansas Gov. Bill
son, there's an increase in tobacco taxes
Clinton have both indicated they support
tax increase for each of the next five years
cutting the deficit, although not as rapidly
partly to help rebuild public infrastruc-
and a whopping 50-cent-a-gallon rise in the
ture, Clinton campaign chairman Mickey
gasoline tax over five years. For those with
as Mr. Perot. And they haven't provided
Kantor said, "Governor Clinton published
generous company-sponsored health-care
specifics to back up their deficit-cutting
plans, there's a limit on how much health
plans. Meanwhile, advisers to both candi-
his plan
in June. It's going to stay the
same. There are differences.
That's
care can be deducted from their company's
dates have begun to contemplate ways to
taxes - limits that presumably would be
craft a budget that would both stimulate
one of them.
passed through to employees. For the
the economy in the near-term - say, 1993
Texas Senator Phil Gramm, speaking
and probably 1994-while enacting multi-
after an appearance before the Perot vol-
well-to-do, there's an increase in the top
unteers on behalf of Mr. Bush. emphasized
income-tax rate and a $250,000 cap on the
year reforms that would close the deficit
over the longer term. It won't be easy to
that Messrs. Bush and Perot both share the
maximum mortgage eligible for interest
tax deductions.
come up with a plan that both enlivens the
desire to cut the budget deficit, but also
economy and convinces the financial mar-
noted differences. "We're against massive
Many businesses would feel the pain as
kets that down the road, the U.S. deficit
tax increases on gasoline; we're against
well. Pharmaceutical companies would
will shrink. The conflicting demands, says
cutting Social Security benefits," he said.
lose many of the generous tax breaks they
get for their facilities in Puerto Rico. Oil
David Hale of Kemper Financial Services,
After the appearances by the Clinton
"may be irreconcilable."
and Bush teams, Mr. Perot said his state
companies would lose tax preferences for
Time for Growth?
coordinators would take their impressions
drilling. And small-business people would
Under the Perot plan, none of the cuts
back to the volunteers, and that if a survey
see their deductions for business enter-
to be conducted between now and Thurs-
tainment cut to just 50%.
in the deficit would actually take effect
Mr. Perot leavens the plan with a
until January 1994. That assumes that
big increase in research and develop-
the economy will be growing healthily by
ment spending and some targeted tax
nen. Mr. Tobin argues the economy may
cuts designed to encourage investment
till be too weak in 1994 and 1995 for such
spending. But the bottom line is a steep
medicine. And passage of the Perot plan
reduction in the annual deficits, to $95
would have to occur next year. when
billion in 1995 and to zero by 1998.
anticipation of such a drastic remedy
Whatever their political demerits.
could put a damper on any economic
many of the changes have been advocated
revival.
THE WALL STREET JOURNAI
© 1992 Dow Jones & Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
TUESDAY. SEPTEMBER 29. 1992
by policy experts for years. An increased
gasoline tax, for instance. not only raises
the plan's effects would depend largely on
money but also cuts down on pollution and
how the Federal Reserve responded to the
on the nation's need to buy oil from abroad.
shrinking pool of red ink. If the Fed eased
And the cap on mortgages would encour-
credit quickly in line with the deficit
age people to put more of their savings into
reduction plan and interest rates fell, the
productive investments, and less into lav-
net effect could be to increase growth by
ish houses.
one-tenth to five-tenths of a percent each
"As a general matter, I think it is
year from 1995 to 2000. But if the Fed
as good a long-run deficit reduction strat-
was slow to respond - or felt it couldn't cut
egy as anybody in the political arena has
much further after this year's rate-cut-
come up with." says Harvard economist
ting blitz - a Perot plan could continue to
Benjamin Friedman.
be a drag on growth through the end of the
The problem, however, is one of timing.
decade. and would increase growth only in
Deficit reduction is most important when
the next century.
the economy is running full-tilt. That's
Nevertheless, Roger Brinner of
when private businesses need access to
DRI/McGraw Hill says he believes "the
people's savings in order to finance their
plan is safe." He notes Congress will have
plans for growth. At such times, a large
another full year's information on the
deficit drains the nation's savings pool,
economy before it has to pass some-
and means less money is available for
thing, by which time he expects it to be
private investment and growth.
clear that the economy "is gradually pick-
ing up speed."
But when the economy is in the dumps,
private businesses don't want to invest. At
Looking to Keynes
such times, government deficits are not
The theories developed by the late
only harmless; the fiscal policies that
British economist John Maynard Keynes
create them can actually help to stimulate
in the 1930s state that deficit spending can
flagging consumption and investment.
be used to stimulate a stagnant economy.
"The structural budget deficit is an
The amount of stimulus depends not on the
insidious and serious long-term evil." says
size of the deficit, but on the increase in the
Paul Samuelson. a Nobel-prize winning
deficit. Because the U.S. entered the
economist and author of a popular econom-
1990 recession with annual deficits already
ics textbook. "But to wait until you are in a
topping $200 billion a year and heading
recession
for drastic and quick action I
toward $300 billion, most officials con-
don't think is good a priori policy."
cluded there was little room for Keynesian-
No Perfect Time
style fiscal stimulus to get the nation out of
Many who have watched the Washing-
recession.
ton budget debate in recent years argue
Instead, the government has relied
that waiting for the "right moment" to cut
largely on the Fed's monetary policy to
the budget deficit may well mean that the
take the lead in restoring economic
deficit never gets cut. Enacting a Perot-
growth. It has repeatedly cut interest
like plan takes enormous political muscle,
rates, bringing them to their lowest level in
and Sen. Warren Rudman, a New Hamp-
three decades. But SO far, the economy has
shire Republican. savs that kind of muscle
shown little response. And the longer the
economy faiters, the more economists are
only exists at the beginning of a presi-
dent's term. (His own program to shrink
again suggesting fiscal stimulus may be
the deficit through automatic cuts. known
the only remaining solution.
as the Gramm-Rudman-Hollings bill, was
"Deficit reduction has always been
amended and postponed repeatedly and
designed to solve the long-run problem
facing the economy and the nation," says
ultimately failed.)
Moreover. economists across a broad
Robert Reischauer, director of the Con-
spectrum believe the budget deficit con-
gressional Budget Office. "Right now
tinues to be the greatest threat to the
there is a short-run problem, and that's
long-term ability of the economy to gener-
getting the economy back on its feet. The
ate a continuing increase in living stan-
jury is still out on whether the monetary
easing we've had will be sufficient to
dards.
But as long as it is stumbling along at
bring the economy back to an accept-
growth rates of less than 2%, growth - not
able rate of growth."
deficit reduction - will the leading con-
cern. "It's absolutely true we must get the
structural deficit down for our long-term
growth," says Mr. Sinai, an economist
with Boston Co., an investment firm.
"But the other truism is the economy can't
go on underperforming this way. We can't
kill two birds with one stone."
Even by the Perot camp's own esti-
mates, the Perot plan does nothing to help
growth in the near term. Under projections
commissioned by Mr. Perot from
DRI/McGraw Hill. the economic consult-
ing firm. the plan would modestly reduce
economic growth in 1994. Beyond that.
THE WALL STREET JOURNAL
© 1992. Dow Jones 8 Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
TUESDAY. SEPTEMBER 29. 1992
Bush Struggles for Farm Belt's Vote
As Midwest Looks Like a Key to Victory
By SCOTT KILMAN
numbers are dwindling, with farmers
And BRUCE INGERSOLL
at about 2% of the population, they are still
Staff Reporters of THE WALL STREET JOURNAL
seen as key to the Midwest, because some
CHICAGO - President Bush is strug-
surveys suggest that often 80% of farmers
gling to nail down the Farm Belt vote at a
vote on Election Day. Historically, the
time when the Midwest is very important
Republicans have counted on the Illinois
to his chances for re-election.
farm vote to counter Chicago's Democratic
Midwest farmers are usually a sure
wards. The other key Midwestern states
thing for Republicans seeking the White
are Missouri, Ohio and Michigan.
House. As a group. they haven't voted for a
Corn is the Midwest's No. 1 crop, and
Democratic president in a big way since
farmers there are trying to take advantage
Lyndon Johnson in 1964. But polls indicate
of their swelling political importance by
that Mr. Bush isn't doing as well among
demanding a big concession from the
farmers as the GOP ticket often does.
White House on ethanol - a corn-derived
The problem for Mr. Bush is that
fuel that already enjoys sweetheart tax
farm morale is low. That's baffling for
treatment from the federal government.
Republicans, because farm incomes have
been relatively high in recent years and
The corn lobby wants most of all a
balance sheets are the strongest in dec-
waiver that would allow ethanol-blended
ades. But memories of the mid-1980s farm
gasoline to be used in cities that have
debt crisis persist: an annual Iowa State
an air-pollution problem with ozone. Etha-
University survey found that only 17% of
nol makes gasoline evaporate faster, and
2,370 Iowa farmers think the quality of life
the Environmental Protection Agency
for farm families will get somewhat or
wants to limit ethanol in these cities amid
much better in the next five years. And
concerns that such evaporation releases
there are real problems: the U.S. domi-
compounds that form summer ozone.
nance of the world grain trade has slipped,
The EPA backs ethanol as a way
and crop prices are sinking across the
to reduce carbon-monoxide pollution in
Midwest in anticipation of big autumn
many other major cities. But that isn't
harvests.
enough for the farm lobby, which sees
In early July, Ross Perot even ran
expanding ethanol production as one way
ahead of Mr. Bush among Iowa farm
to lift the price of corn. The EPA move
families and was tied with Mr. Bush in
would block ethanol from many major
Indiana, according to a preference poll
markets during the summer. And corn
conducted by Farm Research Institute,
farmers anyway say some studies show
based in Urbana, III. Mr. Perot's initial
ethanol doesn't have a dirty side.
decision against running benefited Demo-
It's a dilemma for Mr. Bush, because
crat Bill Clinton, even though the Arkansas
some environmental groups and Big Oil
governor has done surprisingly little to
oppose a waiver for ethanol. The corn
cultivate the farm vote.
lobby. though, has managed to whip it into
Mr. Bush has shored up his num-
the biggest cause among farmers this
bers in recent weeks by tossing a few
election year. "This ethanol issue is just
billion dollars at the agriculture sector in
incredible," says Agriculture Secretary
the form of export subsidies and export
Edward R. Madigan, who is Mr. Bush's
credit guarantees for its customers, among
campaign point man in the Farm Belt.
other things. A mid-September survey by
"It's like abortion in some communities.
Farm Futures magazine of 421 readers
It's become an absolute litmus test."
found 53% for Mr. Bush, 32% for Mr.
Mr. Clinton has done SO little to capital-
Clinton and 15% undecided.
ize on Mr. Bush's relatively thin farm
Mr. Bush had trailed Mr. Clinton
support that industry officials grouse the
in the magazine's July poll. But Mr.
Democrat is running a "stealth" campaign
Bush still trails where he was four years
for the farm vote. The Democratic Party
ago. Of the surveyed readers, who tend
platform spends just a few paragraphs on
to farm at least 250 acres of land in North
agriculture, and Mr. Clinton has yet to
Central states, 78% said they voted for Mr.
make a seminal address on the sector.
Bush in 1988.
During a Sunday speech in rural Iowa,
Since the poll, the Bush administration
Mr. Clinton tweaked the administration for
has sown even more money across the
unleashing the flood of farm-export subsi-
Farm Belt. Last week, the Agriculture
dies SO close to the election. Mr. Clinton
Department announced it is sweetening
said an earlier deal would have helped
the payments to grain farmers enrolled in
farmers more. Actually, grain traders
its crop-price support program. As a result,
have described Mr. Bush's offer of a price
an Illinois corn farmer with 100 acres
break on roughly 30 million metric tons of
enrolled will get a government check
U.S. wheat to 28 nations as grandstanding.
for roughly $400 well before the election.
China, for example, probably doesn't need
Agriculture wasn't much of a campaign
the seven million tons it's being offered.
theme earlier this year. That's in part
One reason for the low-key approach is
because Sen. Tom Harkin, then a con-
that Mr. Clinton apparently doesn't advo-
tender for the Democratic nomination, ran
cate any big philosophical change from
as a favorite son in Iowa - which is where
candidates often make their first big
current farm policy. Mr. Clinton supports
the 1990 farm bill, which his advisers from
pitch for the farm vote. His competitors
Congress heavily influenced. His beef is
largely skipped the barnyard.
the way it was carried out by the Bush
President Bush has been paying a
administration.
lot more attention since the Democrats
That five-year farm bill, and its 1985
nominated two Southerners-running-
mate Sen. Albert Gore is from Tennessee-
predecessor, began trimming government
payments to farmers amid demands to
who might challenge the GOP lock on the
close the federal budget deficit. Most
South for the first time since the 1960s, as
industry analysts predict that this trend
well as threaten another Republican
stronghold: California.
will continue no matter which party holds
For Mr. Bush, that increases the impor-
the White House during the writing of the
1995 farm bill. But Gov. Clinton would be
tance of electoral vote-rich Midwest states
expected to soften the cuts, as well as to
such as Illinois - which appears to be
leaning toward Mr. Clinton. Though farm
protect programs for Southern crops such
as rice, cotton and sugar.
THE WALL STREET JOURNAL
© 1992 Dow Jones & Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved
TUESDAY. SEPTEMBER 29, 1992
South Carolina's Veteran Sen. Hollings Plays
The Outsider to Fend Off Tough GOP Challenge
By DAVID ROGERS
"co-freres" as he would call them - con-
What has changed, too, is that many in
Staff Reporter of THE WALL STREET JOURNAL
tributed to the preparation of the volume,
the textile industry are supportive of the
AIKEN, S.C. - Like an aging lion, Er-
and, stumping the state, they hope to make
trade agreement, which they say is sensi-
nest Hollings is roaring against the night
this a premier political fight in the South.
tive to their needs and opens markets in
to hold his rivals at bay.
Behind the drive is a lingering bitter-
Mexico. Meeting last week in Washington,
"I am an outsider in Washington when
ness over Mr. Hollings's role in the 1989
directors of the American Textile Manu-
it comes to deficits," the veteran Demo-
fight over John Tower's nomination to be
facturers Institute endorsed the agree-
cratic senator insists. "I'm an outsider
defense secretary. And the Bush adminis-
ment. And with the major exception of
when it comes to trade."
tration views Mr. Hollings, the chairman
Roger Milliken, chairman of Milliken & Co.
His voice booms a litany of "American"
of the Senate Commerce Committee, as a
and critic of the agreement, the senator
initiatives for everyone but the alienated
stubborn ally of the trial-lawyer lobby
finds himself at odds with past textile
at home. "We got
against product-liability legislation and as
allies.
Americans in the
CAMPAIGN
a protectionist critic of the proposed North
American Free Trade Agreement with
Campaign Dollars
Corps of Engineers
rebuilding
the
Mexico and Canada.
Mr. Hollings's power-and longevity-
emir's palace in Ku-
"I've been serving in Washington, but
help nonetheless to deny Mr. Hartnett
wait," he mocks.
he's being run by Washington," Mr. Holl-
large campaign contributions from busi-
ings retorts, comparing Mr. Hartnett's
ness. The senator has already spent more
"Come on, they've
got an American
campaign aides to "seeing-eye dogs.' Like
on television than his challenger can hope
plan to put up - on
a true son of the Citadel, Mr. Hollings fires
to muster for the entire campaign. W.W.
fast-track - what-
off television ads like artillery blocking
"Hootie" Johnson, a top NationsBank
ever jobs are left to go down to Mexico.
rounds in anticipation of a ground assault.
Corp. executive and twice chairman of
But his anxious efforts to separate himself
Gov. Campbell's finance committees, is a
Why the hell can't we get an American
plan for America?"
from Washington invite ridicule and make
prominent Hollings backer. Even the Auto
White-haired, imperious, Fritz Hollings
it harder for him to talk of what he has
Dealers and Drivers for Free Trade politi-
has come down Whiskey Road here, past
done to advance South Carolina in health
cal action committee gives to the senator-
the high-walled estates of long-ago rail-
and technology.
his inside-Washington connections include
road heirs, to preach to the faithful at a
Spurned by Reagan
Thomas Boggs, a lobbyist for trial lawyers
and the trade PAC's counsel.
Democratic fish fry. Now, as the shadows
A new television spot, for example,
In his most recent fight with federal
lengthen, the late afternoon light is a
features an old testimonial from Ronald
regulators, Mr. Hollings used his power on
reminder of his own vulnerability in a year
Reagan reminding voters of Mr. Hollings's
the Senate Appropriations Committee to
of disenchantment with the government he
role in passing the Gramm-Rudman defi-
win compromises last week for South Caro-
has been part of for a quarter-century.
cit-reduction law in the mid-1980s. In fact,
lina utilities worried about proposed rules
"I can't imagine the Senate without
Mr. Hollings later: disavowed the law,
governing microwave communications.
Hollings," said Ann Palazzo, a 56-year-old
which has long since been overtaken by
Like Alaska Republican Sen. Ted Ste-
mental-health
events. And Mr. Reagan, who seems to
vens-a friend and fellow committee mem-
worker, with un-
remember Mr. Hollings only as an after-
ber whom he calls "Senator Avalanche"-
abashed loyalty.
thought in the film clip, has now issued a
Sen. Hollings has a negotiating style that
But conservative
statement asking that the spot be removed
can resemble a bloody Sam Peckinpaugh
critics of the 70-
and saying that he backs Mr. Hartnett.
movie. There is wit and a genuine intellec-
year-old
incum-
Republican Gov. Carroll Campbell
tual independence, but in recent years the
bent, who has been
chides Mr. Hollings for taking a backward-
Democrat has also become more with-
in the Senate for 26
looking approach because he "can't claim
years, hunger for
the mantle of the future." And as much as
drawn and, critics say, arrogant.
nothing less.
the senator casts himself as the battle-
His long career has in fact a much
"If you want to
tested trade warrior, foreign investments
broader dimension than he shows now. He
change the Senate,
by the likes of BMW and Hoffmann-
crusaded against hunger in the 1960s and
you gotta change
LaRoche are changing the state's econ-
has worked to boost funding for commu-
the senator," says
omy - and political views. Textile employ-
nity health centers and cancer research.
Tommy Hartnett, a
ment in the state was down to 90,000 by this
His protectiveness on trade is matched by
Ernest Hollings
former state legisla-
July - less than 20 years ago, it was 160,-
support for state technical schools, which
tor and congressman who is challenging
000 - and the industry represents only a
he helped foster and integrate as governor
Mr. Hollings. The 51-year-old Republican
quarter of manufacturing jobs today.
in the early 1960s. And borrowing a page
brings to the campaign both a gift for
"The bottom line is, we're a trading
from agricultural field services, he created
mimicry and a thick, red-covered com-
state," says Gov. Campbell. "The state
a system of federal centers to help busi-
pilation of the Democrat's voting record
has become more international and there-
fore more understanding of the needs of
ing new technology.
nesses become more competitive by adapt-
dubbed "Ernest Goes to Washington." Mr.
Hollings's own Senate GOP colleagues-
trade."
THE WALL STREET JOURNAL
© 1992 Dow Jones @ Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
TUESDAY. SEPTEMBER 29. 1992
Mr. Hollings's campaign ads now are
as likely to talk of putting "able-bodied"
welfare recipients
to work. And this
senator, who voted
against Thurgood
Marshall and for
Clarence Thomas
on the Supreme
Court, betrays a
fear of the racial
politics ingrained in
this state. Mr. Hart-
nett's literature ac-
cuses him of sup-
porting "race-based
Tommy Hartnett
quotas." And a
briefing book for the
Hartnett campaign says outright that Re-
publicans benefit from the fact that "the
two parties have been identified strongly
along racial lines."
The amiable businessman shows no
appetite himself for pressing this "advan-
tage" too.harshly. Mr. Hartnett's tenure in
the House coincided with the first heady
years of the Reagan administration, and
he brings the same single-mindedness to
his platform of term limits, lower taxes
and the line-item veto. Quotas are men-
tioned less, and the trade agreement can
wait until after the election.
At a lunch in Florence, S.C., last week,
Rotarians hailed Mr. Hartnett as "Cincin-
natus", giving up his plow to return to
service. "You don't owe them,anything-
any elected official at any level,' he
says. urging them to join other states'
voters in ousting incumbents.
But traditions die hard here, where
voters have sent Sen. Strom Thurmond-
now approaching 90 years old - back to
Washington since the mid-1950s. "I'm a
young man next to Strom." says Sen.
Hollings, smiling. "I'm just coming into
style.
WASHINGTON EDITION
9/29/92
Los Angeles Times
Presidents
we nave a commitment on the one
Are Only
hand to have cultural heroes to be
used to teach lessons on ethics and
things of that sort." Stanaert said. "On
Human
the other hand, we have a responsibil-
Study Links
ity of showing kids that these are real
people."
Similarly. with historic figures,
By DANA PARSONS
Stanaert said teachers should try to
Income Level,
explain their actions in the context of
C
huck Stanaert teaches an hon-
their times.
ors class in American govern-
"Why do we teach history?" Stan-
ment at Ocean View High
aert said. "We're trying to link the
Participation
School. As part of a classroom discus-
past to the present to try and permit
sion, his students have discussed
us to make informed decisions, based
whether Bill Clinton's efforts to avoid
on our knowledge of history."
in Politics
being drafted during the Vietnam
I'm just old-fashioned enough to
War era made him unfit to be com-
miss talking about Presidents or
mander-in-chief.
would-be Presidents in Washingto-
By MATT MARSHALL
Some thought his unwillingness to
nian or Lincolnesque terms.
TIMES STAFF WRITER
serve disqualified him as presidential
And so I come back to Bill Clinton.
timber. Others argued that the 1960s
who represents a significant point on
W
ASHINGTON-A smaller
were a tumultuous era and that oppo-
the continuum. He may well be elect-
percentage of Americans
sition to the Vietnam War didn't
ed President and if he is. it will be
contributes an increasingly large
automatically brand Clinton a coward
with the public's full knowledge of
proportion of the funds raised by
or someone opposed to all future U.S.
questions about alleged marital infi-
political campaigns, while volun-
military intervention.
delity and draft evasion. That kind of
teerism plays a far smaller role in
The discussion probably didn't
personal baggage used to be death
determining the outcome of elec-
break any new ground, but it seems to
knells for presidential aspirants.
tions, according to a study to be
me that just talking about potential
His election would probably signal
released today.
Presidents as cowards or womanizers
the end of our national naivete about
The study, based on a random
(yes. they know about Gennifer
Presidents being better than the rest
survey of 15,000 Americans in
Flowers too) shows how far we've
of us.
1989. also found that income and
come. (or is it gone?) as a society.
But if I were a school kid again, I
education were better predictors of
Maybe I had a sheltered education
think I'd rather hear the truth. the
an individual's participation in po-
in Nebraska, but I grew up with
whole truth and nothing but the truth
litical activities than was race.
heroic, mythic visions of Presidents.
about the Presidents.
"The gap in activity between the
George Washington chopped down a
Real people probably make better
rich and the disadvantaged is
cherry tree and didn't lie about it;
Presidents than mythical figures any-
growing," according to the study,
Abraham Lincoln walked five miles to
way.
conducted by the Citizen Partici-
return a two-cent overcharge: Teddy
pation Project in New York in
Roosevelt led the charge up San Juan
conjunction with the Ford. Spencer
Hill.
and Hewitt foundations and the
Presidents embodied virtue, wis-
National Science Foundation.
dom, kindness and courage. They
"As political campaigns have
were the best the country had to offer.
become more technical and profes-
My grandpa's highest form of flat-
sional, the need for money-to hire
tery was to tell people I was "going to
paid staff, buy television time,
be President someday."
obtain computerized mailing lists—
Is any parent or grandparent today
goes up, and the value of old-fash-
touting their offspring for President?
ioned canvassing goes down," the
Americans love our heroes, and
study said.
public education was always a willing
The only way to begin to com-
partner in cultivating them. That may
pensate for the sheer weight of
money in the political process is
through better educating the elec-
torate, said Sidney Verba, director
Maybe I had a sheltered
of the study and professor of gov-
education in Nebraska, but I
ernment at Harvard University.
The more educated an individual,
grew up with heroic, mythic
the more likely he or she is to
visions of Presidents.
participate in the political process,
he said.
Of people making $125,000 or
have left us with warm fuzzy feelings
more, 31.9% were "very active" in
as school kids. but what about the
the political process-that is, par-
disillusionment when we realized lat-
ticipated in political organizations
er that, guess what, Presidents tell
and voted; only 5.3% in that in-
lies.
come group were completely "in-
Would the cynicism of the modern
active.
era have been as great if we hadn't
But for those making less than
grown up thinking our Presidents had
$15,000, 4.3% were considered
no flaws?
"very active," while 22.2% were
Stanaert, who doubles as a histo-
inactive.
ry/social science consultant with the
Among whites of all income
county Department of Education. is
levels, 7.7% were completely "in-
teaching again after being out of the
active,' 9.2% of African Americans
classroom for several years. His hon-
were inactive, and 15.8 of Latinos
ors class is for seniors who, he says,
were inactive.
"are very sophisticated about dealing
with some of these issues, in ways
that even adults aren't. Maybe it's
because they've been brought up in a
culture that's taken for granted that
heroes have feet of clay. that a whole
person is a human being. and we want
to be able to look at a lot of different
perspectives."
In a society where SO much infor-
mation is available, it would be virtu-
ally impossible for schools to portray
public figures as flawless characters.
even if they wanted to.
WASHINGTON EDITION
9/29/92
Los Angeles Times
Clinton Advance Man a Well-Kept Secret
Movie producer Mort
Mickey Kantor, Clinton's cam-
ers estimated that the gaffe cost
paign chairman, agreed. "Mort is
Dukakis 10 points in the polls.)
Engelberg and the rest of
an extremely creative person."
On a recent September Satur-
his team work days
said Kantor, who recruited En-
day, Engelberg savored a rare
gelberg and has known him since
break from the campaign grind at
ahead to assure that each
they were boys growing up in
his modest white house in the
stop on the campaign
Tennessee. "Unlike most of us,
Hollywood Hills. He looked
he can conceptualize an event-
tired-his sad-dog, blue-gray
trail comes off just right.
see it and feel it-and figure out
eyes appearing a bit bleary be-
how to make it look right."
neath a thatch of thinning gray
By JENIFER WARREN
Engelberg dismisses such
hair. A slight paunch hung from
TIMES STAFF WRITER
praise. His self-effacing manner
his tall frame-traveling has
The people running Bill Clin-
is among the first things one
separated him from his Exercy-
ton's campaign for President
notices about the man: He may
cle-and he smoked heavily but
would prefer you didn't know
be a Mercedes-driving movie
guiltily, using a curled palm to
about Mort Engelberg. Engel-
mogul, but this is a person who
swipe repeatedly at fugitive puffs
berg. 54, is a nice fellow-smart,
seems uncomfortable in the spot-
floating toward a visitor.
articulate and passionately de-
light. "Advance work is really
With harpsichord music as his
voted to the candidate he has
like plumbing, and I'm just one
soundtrack. Engelberg sipped an
served since last fall.
tiny cog in this big, big opera-
iced coffee and sought to explain
But Engelberg is a Clinton
tion," he says with a flip of his
why he would sacrifice the com-
RANDY LEFFINGWELL L.A. Times
advance man. And in the world
hand and a humble half-grin.
fort and glitz of movie making for
of modern politics, advance men
Hollywood producer Mort En-
"The important thing is the can-
the anxiety. stale pizza and sleep
are somewhat like secret
gelberg has been a Clinton vol-
didate and what he's saying."
deprivation of a political cam-
agents-people whose very ex-
unteer for more than a year.
Few would disagree. But what
paign.
if an advance man stumbles?
istence is best concealed for the
F
or one thing, it's not en-
sake of the mission.
break from his lucrative career
What if the sound system fails, a
tirely altruistic," he said,
Consider the risks of exposure.
in the film business to live an
setting sun makes the candidate
calling the work "therapeutic"
Advance artists are a cam-
advance man's nomadic, caf-
squint, the motorcade breaks
and "wonderful relief" from Hol-
paign's field scouts and mine-
feine-driven life on the road. It is
down or passing air traffic
lywood. "L.A. is a one-industry
sweepers. Working several days
not his first such stint-he did
drowns out a speech? These may
town. and everything here is
ahead of the candidate's sched-
the same for Walter F. Mondale
seem like minor mishaps, but
"how did your picture do' or 'how
ule. they ensure that each rally,
in 1984 and Dukakis in 1988.
they are the stuff of advance man
did your friend's picture do' or
each speech, each pause along
But this run for the White
migraines. One such glitch can
'are you gonna make this deal or
the trail is marked by huge.
House has brought Engelberg
stain or spoil a campaign appear-
that deal?'
ance, leaving a poor impression
squealing crowds, an inviting
considerable acclaim-particu-
"You have one constituent in
that can be hard to shake.
setting and flawless logistics.
larly for the July bus Clin-
the movie business and that's
Occasionally, the consequenc-
f their painstaking efforts
ton and running mate Al Gore
yourself. Whereas in politics-
I
es are far more grave. Take. for
were unmasked-if the public
took through part of America
and I know this sounds preten-
example, one of the classic ad-
knew that elaborate choreogra-
after the Democratic Convention
tious-but politics is about some-
vance horror stories, the one in
in New York.
thing. Picking the next Presi-
phy. not a candidate's magnet-
which Dukakis tried to look
Conceived by Engelberg and
dent, that's a pretty important
ism, often accounts for a success-
tough by putting on a helmet and
ful campaign event-then the
several other staffers. the six-
thing."
climbing in an M-1 tank.
spectacle might seem fake, the
day journey was designed to
Early on, it also felt like a
"T
here are a few of these
politician little more than a care-
extend the fizz and momentum
difficult thing for Engelberg and
bubbling forth from the conven-
legendary nightmares we
other Clinton loyalists. When
fully placed prop.
old advance people always talk
Clinton launched his campaign
"The key to the job," explains
tion. Delivering the candidates to
about, and the tank is one of
last October, he was "really an
Andy Payen, an advance man for
cornfields, town squares and
them." Engelberg said, practical-
unknown-a governor from a
Michael S. Dukakis in 1988, "is to
truck stops, the camera-friendly
ly shuddering at the memory.
small state whose candidacy
make everything seamless and,
tour reinforced their image as
Engelberg says he was not in-
didn't seem to make sense on
above all, to stay invisible."
regular guys concerned about
volved in the tank ride, an event
paper," Engelberg recalled.
Mort Engelberg has mastered
the struggles of regular Ameri-
at which few Dukakis veterans
"There was a campaign organ-
this trick, which is not too sur-
cans.
even admit to being present.
ization there, but not much of
prising given his trade. Engel-
"The bus tour was a home
"He looked silly in that tank,
one-you were lucky if you could
berg is a Hollywood movie pro-
run," declared Jim King, whose
but they were trying to make a
get picked up at the airport.
ducer, and his keen eye,
30-year advance man resume
statement about Dukakis and de-
It was lonely and it was frustrat-
resourcefulness and unflappable
includes Robert F. Kennedy's
fense, so it seemed logical. It just
ing. I had become convinced this
style have made him a vital
1968 bid for the Democratic pres-
proves that you don't always
was the man who should be
leader of the Clinton advance
idential nomination. "Mort has an
know what the picture will say."
President and it took awhile for
team.
extraordinary eye. He saw the
Engelberg said.
the world to catch on."
For more than a year, Engel-
chance to put the candidate with
(The Republicans gleefully
Now, however, the mental
berg has volunteered for the
real people in real places and it
used the footage as grist for their
scrapbook is filled mostly with
Arkansas governor, taking a
worked."
campaign ads, and some observ-
Please see ADVANCE, A8
WASHINGTON EDITION
9/29/92
Los Angeles Times
ADVANCE: Key Player for Clinton
Continued from A5
first film he produced was "Smok-
fore branching out on his own.
positive moments. One came on the
ey and the Bandit," the 1977 Burt
As the campaign winds into its
first night of the post-convention
Reynolds-Jackie Gleason hit that
final weeks, thoughts of the future
bus tour. in the town of York,
was a giant moneymaker. ("It's
are spinning through the minds of
Penn.
certainly not Citizen Kane," En-
all Clinton staffers, who are betting
Clinton's 28-vehicle convoy-
gelberg says, "but I guess it struck
their candidate will be the next
scheduled to arrive at their York
a chord.")
White House tenant and wonder-
hotel at 8 p.m.-was three hours
His credits also include "The Big
ing where they might fit in. After
late. No advance promotion had
Easy," "Russkies," a Steve
past campaigns, Engelberg always
been done for the hotel arrival,
McQueen movie called "The Hunt-
returned happily to Hollywood.
Engelberg said, but when the cav-
er" and more than a dozen other
This time, he's not sure where he'll
alcade arrived "there were almost
pictures.
land.
4,000 people standing there in the
Before his cinema days, Engel-
"The joke is that maybe there
heat in the middle of the night, just
berg spent a few years as a journal-
will be a new Cabinet position-
waiting.
ist before moving to Washington in
secretary of the movies-and I
"That was a real high point,
1961 to work for the director of the
might do that," he says. "In all
because it became clear to me that
newly formed Peace Corps, Sar-
seriousness, nothing has been of-
there was some magic going on
gent Shriver. Later, he followed
fered and 1 don't know what I'd do
with these guys [Clinton and Gore]
Shriver to the Office of Economic
if something was. But it's going to
that had nothing to do with me,"
Opportunity, the headquarters of
be an exciting time in Washington,
Engelberg said. As the crowds
President Lyndon B. Johnson's
with a lot of dynamic, innovative
continued to exceed expectations
War on Poverty and the spark for
people. So who knows?"
along the bus route, he started "a
Head Start, VISTA and other land-
On this day, Engelberg had a
running joke with a CNN reporter,
mark programs.
more pressing decision to make.
who said all these people were
In 1967, Johnson's domestic ini-
one relating to his trip to orches-
actors we'd hired to follow us from
tiatives began suffering under the
trate yet another event, in Boston
place to place. Well, I'd like to take
funding strain caused by the Viet-
the next morning.
credit for the crowds, but I can't."
nam War, SO Engelberg left, sign-
Gazing up at the sky. the ad-
Engelberg is not hugely famous
ing on with MGM. He later worked
vance man wondered aloud: "I hate
in Hollywood, but the movie busi-
for United Artists, assisting on
to overpack. Do you think I'll need
ness has been good to him. The
numerous James Bond films, be-
a sweater?'
George Bush,
'At a certain level of
Enid, he accused Clinton of planning
to rule by "a new
elite of the
brazenness, logical
so-called 'best and brightest," adding
a Man Dead
inconsistency amounts to
unctuously, "The best and brightest
are right out here in middle America
dishonesty. How can he
where you know what's going on."
to Irony
mean what he says if it is
I like that "so-called." "So-called"
by whom? The label "best and bright-
so self-contradictory?'
est" is never applied without irony.
He cares little whether
That phrase entered the language
any given statement follows
when it was used ironically by David
to irony. At a certain level of brazen-
Halberstam to condemn the architects
logically on past statements
ness, logical inconsistency amounts to
of the Vietnam War-a war Bush
and actions.
dishonesty. How can he mean what he
supported and criticizes Clinton for
says if it is so self-contradictory? How
having ducked. If Bush did have a
can you trust a man who cares so little
sense of irony, he'd be getting dizzy
By MICHAEL KINSLEY
whether any given statement he ut-
by now.
ters follows logically on his past
Not only did Clinton attend Oxford,
"Y
ou see," said George Bush
statements and actions?
but he "chose to run for office at an
in a speech Sept. 17 at
Sometimes the inconsistencies are a
exceptionally early age." By contrast,
Enid, Okla. Bush uses "you
conscious strategy of having it both
"I built a company from the ground
see" the way other politicians use
ways. On abortion, the Bushies put an
up." Let's leave aside the $300,000
"frankly": as a subconscious signal
absolute constitutional ban-no ex-
from his uncle ($1.5 million in today's
that what follows is, er, disingenuous.
ceptions-in their platform, to ap-
money) that paved the ground on
"You see," he said, "I believe our tax
pease the zealots, then drop broad
which young George built his busi-
system is fundamentally the product
hints that the candidate himself has
ness.
of a wartime economy. The cost of
more moderate views. On the Clinton
If you're Bush painting Clinton as
fighting two world wars and a Cold
draft matter, Bush says the issue is
part of the Establishment elite and
War vastly expanded the-number of
"service to country." Then, when
yourself as a product of middle Amer-
people who had to pay taxes and
pressed about Dan Quayle and other
ica, it helps to be without irony. But
raised marginal tax rates."
Republican draft avoiders, the
you're counting on voters 'to be dead
This was supposed to illustrate one
Bushies insist that the issue is merely
to irony themselves.
of Bush's "profound" differences with
Clinton's "credibility," not his mili-
Michael Kinsley's column appears in
Bill Clinton. The trouble is that Clin-
tary record.
ton has called for deeper defense
Bush began the Enid speech by
the New Republic, where he is a senior
spending cuts than Bush. Bush at-
explaining that it was "not a rally
editor.
tacks Clinton for this. It is ironic, if
speech." It was, rather, a "serious
nothing else, to hear Ronald Reagan's
talk." Presumably he will let us know
heir blaming tax rates on defense
when he is making a campaign speech
costs, then offering that analysis as a
and therefore need not be taken
reason to vote for himself over an
seriously.
opponent who wants to spend less on
In Enid, Bush said that he puts his
defense than he does.
faith in "individual working men and
Bush went on: "High tax rates
women" whereas "my opponent puts
created pressure for exceptions-tax
his faith in
government planners"
loopholes." He condemned "the dis-
and "European models" learned "at
covery and enlarging of loopholes
Oxford in the 1960s."
by special interests." Yet this very
The introduction of "Oxford" as a
speech began with lavish praise for
campaign theme is a move of almost
Sen. Don Nickles (R-Okla.) for "tak-
comic desperation by a candidate who
ing the lead" in pushing for expanded
can't use "Harvard" this time around,
loopholes for independent oil drillers.
since it's not available, and dares not
A highly developed sense of irony is
use "Yale" for the obvious reason. In
not an essential quality for a President
of the United States. But Bush is dead
WASHINGTON EDITION
9/29/92
Los Angeles Times
Crucial GOP Area
Shows Clinton,
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 1992 A5
Bush in Dead Heat
By DAVELESHER
backed Bush in 1988 and he hung
TIMES POLITICAL WRITER
on to almost all of the county's
Dukakis voters.
Electoral Battleground:
H
alfway between the Repub-
Nationwide, Clinton has held a
lican National Convention
double-digit lead in polls for sev-
Where They Stand
and Election Day, President Bush
eral weeks, and in California, a
still is locked in a dead heat with
recent Times Poll showed him
While the political world waits to see what Ross Perot decides and
Democrat Bill Clinton among Or-
ahead by 21 points. With such
what impact he may yet have on the election, a raft of recent
ange County voters, who are
sagging support for the President
state-by-state polls compiled from the Hotline, a political
crucial to the Republican Party,
and just five weeks left in the
newsletter, and other sources show Democratic candidate Bill
according to a new Times Orange
campaign, some Bush strategists
Clinton having moved into a strong lead over President Bush. Here's
County Poll.
say the President could only be
how the electoral battleground shapes up as of now. A candidate
The three-day survey, con-
needs 270 electoral votes to win.
helped if Perot joined the race
cluded Sunday, found Clinton
and shook up the electorate.
with 42% of the vote in Orange
With Perot in the race, only
County compared to 41% for
half of Orange County's Republi-
Bush, a difference within the
cans said they would vote for the
survey's margin of error. The
President. A quarter of them
results are virtually unchanged
would vote for Perot, and 17%
from a Times Poll in Orange
would choose Clinton.
County almost a month ago, de-
Even in a two-way race with
spite a stepped-up campaign by
Clinton, Bush was favored by just
Bush which included a visit to
60% of the county's Republican
Anaheim with former President
voters, while 22% said they
Ronald Reagan two weeks ago.
would vote Democratic.
The poll also indicated that the
The dynamics of the race also
outcome would not be altered if
did not change significantly when
prospective independent candi-
the survey focused on the voters
date Ross Perot enters the race.
who said they were most likely to
He is expected to decide by the
vote.
end of the week.
Perot would win about one in
T
he support for Clinton and
five Orange County votes, the
Bush was virtually "un-
poll shows-a stronger showing"
changed among these voters in a
than recent national surveys
two-way or three-way race.
have found. But his support is
Perot's support, however,
drawn almost equally from the
dropped from 22% among all
two major candidates and it is not
registered voters to 18% among
enough to make him a contender
those most likely to cast a ballot.
in Orange County.
Just 10% of the electorate in
In a three-way race, Clinton
Orange County is still undecided
was favored by 35% of the Or-
about the race, the poll found.
ange County electorate compared
On the issues, Orange County
Strongly Clinton: 19 states and the District of
to 33% for Bush and 22% for
voters ranked jobs and the econo-
Columbia, with a total of 245 electoral votes.
Perot-still a dead heat between
my far and away the most impor-
Leaning Clinton: Five states with 55 electoral votes.
Clinton and Bush.
tant issue in the presidential race.
The Times Orange County Poll,
About 60% of those surveyed
Strongly Bush: Two states with 17 electoral votes.
conducted by Mark Baldassare &
said the economy is "the most
Associates, contacted 600 regis-
important issue
Leaning Bush: Nine states with 57 electoral votes.
in deciding
tered voters by telephone during
who to vote for in this presiden-
the weekend. It has an overall
tial election." Education was sec-
No recent polls or too close to call: 15 states with
margin of error of plus or minus 4
ond at 12%.
164 electoral votes.
percentage points. The error rate
Orange County voters split
WASH.
is higher for subgroups, such as
evenly on which candidate would
(11)
VT. N.H.
those most likely to vote.
do a better job promoting eco-
MONTANA
N.D.
(3)
(4)
ME
Orange County is California's
OREGON
(3)
(3)
MINN
(4)
nomic prosperity. But among the
(7)
(4)
(10)
greatest Republican stronghold
60% who said the economy was
IDAHO
S.D.
WIS.
N.Y.
MASS
WYOMING
(3)
(11)
and the place where GOP candi-
the top issue, 46% favored Clin-
(33)
(12)
NEVADA
(3)
MICH
dates turn for large winning mar-
NEBRASKA
IOWA
(18)
PA.
R.I.(4)
ton, 36% Bush.
(4)
UTAH
(5)
(7)
(23)
CONN.(#)
gins to offset the state's Demo-
ILL.
At the same time, the poll;
COLORADO
IND
OHIO
N.J.(15)
CALIF
(5)
(22)
(8)
(12)
(21)
cratic bases in the Bay Area and
KANSAS
MO.
VA.
DEL(3)
suggested that many of the issues
(54)
(6)
KY
(11)
(13)
MD.(10)
Los Angeles. As a result, it would
that have been the focus of the
(8)
be almost impossible for Bush to
NEW
OKLA.
N.C. (14)
D.C.(3)
Republican campaign this year
TENN.(11)
ARIZONA
MEXICO
win in California if he merely ties
(8)
ARK.
S.C.
are not considered important by
(8)
(5)
(6)
MISS
ALA.
(8)
Clinton in Orange County.
most voters. Family values and
GA.
TEXAS
LA.
(7)
(9)
In 1988, when Bush beat Dem-
(13)
abortion were cited by only about
(9)
ocrat Michael S. Dukakis in Cali-
1 in 20 of those surveyed.
HAWAII
(32)
ALASKA
12
(4)
fornia by slightly more than 3
On foreign affairs, Bush was
(25)
(3)
percentage points, he won 68% of
rated superior to Clinton by a
the vote in Orange County. But
4-to-1 ratio. But just 2% of the
Electoral votes in parentheses
survey showed just how much
electorate said it was an impor-
(crent this election is for Bush:
tant factor in their choice for
Los Angeles Times
5 58% of those who voted for
president. Bush was also rated 2
in 1988 said they would do so
to 1 over Clinton as the better
am in November.
choice for holding down taxes.
At the same time, Clinton won
But again, only 9% of the voters
the support of nearly a quarter of
said that was an important issue
the Orange County voters who
in the race.
Quayle Issues
Call for Health
Care Changes
Politics: He touts 'universal
access for all Americans' with
vouchers for low-income
citizens.
By ROBERT L. JACKSON
TIMES STAFF WRITER
OLORADO SPRINGS. Colo.-Vice
President Dan Quayle told an audience
of hospital workers and patients Monday
that "the time is ripe for a change" in the
nation's system of health care.
Declaring that "all Americans need af-
fordable health insurance," Quayle said the
best solution is President Bush's system of
vouchers that will include "tax deductions
for the middle class to make private
insurance more affordable."
The vice president's remarks at Penrose-
St. Francis Hospital here capped a busy day
Associated Press
of campaigning that included "Victory '92"
Vice President Dan Quayle gestures during his speech at an outdoor rally in downtown Colorado Springs Monday.
rallies and fund-raising appearances in
before an overnight stop in Rockford, III.,
pen by providing vouchers worth up to
Medical costs for the government. he
where he will begin a bus trip this morning.
And at an outdoor-rally. in downtown
$3,750 per family to low-income citizens for
said, have grown "from about $19 billion to
In Clovis, M., Quayle appeared in his
private insurance. States will develop -
over $239 billion in the last 22 years. So the
basic health insurance plan for those who
deficit would look much different had those
shirt-sleeves to tell a steamy gymnasium
that the election of Gov. Bill Clinton would
have vouchers."
costs been kept under control."
Los Angeles Times
WASHINGTON EDITION
New Mexico, Colorado and South Dakota
countries would love to live in."
Colorado Springs, he reiterated a theme
filled with thousands of screaming high
mean higher taxes, while "George Bush
school students, "This election is about
and I will hold the line against taxes and
Quayle continued that "a health insur-
spending."
ance tax deduction of up to $3,750 per
your future, about our country's future,
family would be available to each family
T
0 help reverse this trend, the Bush
health-care plan would reduce admin-
about who can create the jobs and the
opportunity for Americans."
I
n his remarks about health care, he
with incomes up to $80,000."
istrative costs by using electronic billing,
stressed the same theme.
Health insurance costs are going up at
automated patient records and insurance
"Times are bad, times are difficult,"
twice the rate of inflation. he told his
market reforms, he said.
Quayle said at another stop, in reference to
"Our opponents are offering a govern-
ment-run [health care] system
hospital audience. and "if nothing is done,
He added that "we will reduce the cost to
the sluggish economy and high unemploy-
paid for
with higher taxes." he said.
by the turn of the century the average
small employers by establishing health
ment rate. "But they' not as bad as we're
By contrast, he said, "we will provide
American family will be spending approxi-
insurance networks for them to join, thus
being told. This still is the richest country
universal access for all Americans. The
mately $12,000 a year for health insur-
giving them more leverage to negotiate
in the world, and one that many people in
Bush Administration will make that hap-
ance."
prices."
Poland, the former Soviet Union and other
WASHINGTON EDITION
9/29/92
Los Angeles Times
Associated Press
Sen. AI Gore speaks to people in Morganton, N.C., during a campaign stop Monday.
All Goes Right for Gore
at Cable TV Battleground
Politics: Nominee visits N.C.
ed the ticket's health-care proposals.
His appearance in Morganton was well
hamlet victorious in epic fight. He
planned. Before Gore and his entourage arrived,
assails Bush for saying he will veto
a top campaign aide made himself available to
traveling reporters to ensure that the event's
regulatory bill.
significance would not elude them.
In 1985, Morganton decided not to renew TCI's
By EDWIN CHEN
monopoly franchise, largely because of wide-
TIMES STAFF WRITER
spread complaints about its poor service and
rising fees, three to four times above the
M
ORGANTON, N.C.-For Al Gore, it
inflation rate.
doesn't get much better than this. On
The firm, which serves one of every five
Monday, he had the right issue in the right place
American cable users, responded by filing a
at the right time. It was hardly a coincidence,
$35-million lawsuit against the city. TCI pursued
but such are the makings of a dream event for
the case all the way to the state Supreme Court,
any politician.
but lost. It also pursued its case in federal court,
Earlier this year, this North Carolina hamlet
to no avail.
of 16,000 won an epic, six-year battle against the
nation's largest cable TV company, booting out
Tele-Communications Inc. after a $750,000 bat-
D
uring the litigation, TCI spent $140,000 to
sponsor a local referendum designed to
tle that also saw the corporate behemoth wage
prevent the city from canceling TCI's contract.
an unsuccessful campaign to oust the mayor and
It lost by a 2-1 margin, and Morganton is now
a city councilman.
constructing a state-of-the-art cable system.
Now, with President Bush expected to veto a
"Morganton finally is in control of its cable
popular bill to regulate the cable TV industry
destiny," Mayor Mel Cohen said.
and stimulate competition, Tennessee Sen.
Gore told a cheering crowd in an auditorium of
Gore-a co-sponsor-lambasted Bush for siding
the historic Burke County Courthouse: "Napoleon
with big, business and called on hundreds of
had his Waterloo and TCI had its Morganton."
sympathetic local residents to help "veto" a
Gore noted that both houses. of Congress
second term for the Bush Administration.
recently passed the Cable Television and Con-
"Other communities should not be forced to
sumer Protection and Competitive Act by
endure the hardships that Morganton has gone
healthy margins, and said he is confident that
through." Gore said.
both chambers could override a veto. The bill
The Democratic vice presidential nominee's
would open the way for the first price controls
message struck a decidedly populist note, thus
on basic cable service in eight years.
stepping up a new emphasis by the Clinton-Gore
Bush, in a letter to Senate Republican Leader
ticket of late to portray the Democrats as ready
Bob Dole (R-Kan.) earlier this month, said he
to take on big business. Last week, in talking
intended to veto the measure.
about health care reform, Arkansas Gov. Bill
The President has never been overriden in
Clinton vowed to take on the health insurance
nearly four years.
industry and stop it from making huge profits.
Looking into a bank of television cameras,
Gore, spending a full day in this key battle-
Gore addressed Bush directly. urging him not to
ground state, also appeared at Brenner Chil-
veto the bill and warning: "The American people
dren's Hospital in Winston-Salem, where he met
may just veto your desire for another four
with young parents of sick children and promot-
years."
WASHINGTON EDITION
9/29/92 Los Angeles Times
Top Clinton, Bush
Continued from A1
officials last spring as a "monster"
and "temperamental tycoon," rose
at a podium with top Republicans
to describe his warm feelings to-
Aides Court Perot
ward his "old friends."
Even the meeting's goals were
somewhat cloudy. Perot says the
50 supporters who attended will
Backers on Budget
now contact local backers over the
next three days to decide whether
he should run. But who these
supporters are, how they will be
Campaign: At the end of a day of political theater,
canvassed-and why they would
even consider abandoning him af-
Perot has kind words for both sides. Texas billionaire
ter carrying his standard through
says supporters to be canvassed before he decides course.
such adversity-is unclear.
The meeting. carried on in a
frenzy of press coverage. certainly
By PAUL RICHTER and J. MICHAEL KENNEDY, TIMES STAFF WRITERS
demonstrated the continuing influ-
ence of Perot. who in three-way
DALLAS-In a remarkable political pageant, top Democratic and
polls still wins about 1 of 6 voters.
Republican officials journeyed here Monday to persuade a polite but
While many analysts don't believe
skeptical audience of Ross Perot supporters that the Texas billionaire
he could win the race in the five
should not rejoin the presidential race.
weeks that remain, he could be
All-star campaign contingents
influential, particularly if other
led by Sen. Lloyd Bentsen (D-
events tightened up the contest.
Tex.) and Bush-Quayle campaign
It's Deja Vu
The Democratic contingent in-
chairman Robert M. Teeter laid out
cluded Bentsen, Clinton-Gore
their budget and economic plans in
as Bush Hits
campaign chairman Mickey Kan-
separate, 21/2-hour sessions with
tor, retired Adm. William J. Crowe
state coordinators for Perot, who
Taxes, Crime
Jr., Oklahoma Sen. David L. Boren,
said he may decide by Thursday
former Urban League chief Vernon
whether to enter the race he quit in
E. Jordan Jr., New York financier
July.
Perot called the daylong meet-
By JAMES GERSTENZANG
Felix Rohatyn. Rep. Nancy Pelosi
TIMES STAFF WRITER
(D-San Francisco). former San
ings and press conferences he or-
Antonio Mayor Henry A. Cisneros
ganized at a North Dallas hotel
DALLAS-It was just
and Clinton economic adviser Gene
"historic," and said there was "a
like old times: Here was
Sperling.
great deal of overlap" between his
candidate George Bush
The Republicans, in addition to
economic views and those of Presi-
pledging not to raise taxes,
Teeter, included Brent Scowcroft,
dent Bush and Bill Clinton. But
no ifs, ands or buts. And
the President's assistant for na-
many of Perot's 50 coordinators
here he was again, accusing
tional security affairs; Sen. Phil
said they still saw substantial dif-
his opponent of being soft
Gramm of Texas: Jack Kemp. the
ferences between the two parties'
on crime, while horrifying
secretary of Housing and Urban
platforms and their own-particu-
his audience with tales of a
Development, and Mary Matalin,
larly on deficit-cutting-suggest-
truly gruesome crime and
the Bush-Quayle campaign's polit-
ing they will urge Perot to rejoin
proposing that the perpe-
ical director.
the fray.
trators can "rot in jail" for
Perot had nothing but praise for
And even as Perot insisted his
all he cares.
the Clinton delegation after the
decision was not yet made, his
But there's a hitch: The
morning session. "There is a lot of
Colorado state coordinator, Ron
year is 1992. not 1988.
commonality," Perot said. "Where
Ellsworth, said he doubted the
Four years ago, the
there are differences of opinion
volunteers "will accept anything
twinned issues of taxes and
they are honest differences of
that Bush or Clinton say
This
crime became a club that
opinion, with both sides looking for
is an exercise in courtesy."
Bush wielded against a
answers and neither side frozen in
Although Perot insisted that his
hapless Democratic oppo-
its positions."
state officials were maintaining an
Please see BUSH, A8
After he had heard from the
open mind about whether he
Bush camp, Perot had similarly
should run, their partisanship
continesed on Castpage
kind words for that side.
seemed evident Monday evening
And, asked if he also found a "lot
when they gathered to watch
Perot's appearance on CNN's
ater in a jarringly unpredictable
of commonality" with the Bush
campaign year. In July, Perot said
program as well. Perot told report-
"Larry King Live" show. King
asked how many had been more
a re-energized Democratic Party
ers: "There is a great deal of
impressed by the Democratic pre-
made his independent bid unneces-
overlap."
sentation, and how many by the
sary, but of late he has complained
Which plan did he prefer? "It
that neither Bush nor Clinton had a
wouldn't be appropriate for me to
Republican appearance. He was
credible deficit-reduction plan and
say," Perot said.
greeted by silence. But when he
has said he would enter the race if
While the Republicans and
asked how many wanted Perot to
run, the volunteers erupted in
his supporters wanted him to.
Democrats sought to play up their
applause.
At the end of the day, Perot, who
agreements with the Perot plat-
The day was one of the more
was denounced by Bush campaign
form, both sides also pointed to
curious moments of political the-
Please see PEROT, A5
WASHINGTON EDITION
9/29/92 Los Angeles Times
Competing Economic Plans
Here is a look at the economic plans offered by President Bush,
differences. And the campaign
Perot interjected. after a mo-
Arkansas Gov. Bill Clinton and Ross Perot.
brass indicated they had no plans
ment, "I've told you [Republican]
to adjust their programs to oblige
guys for months that to know me is
Perot.
to love me."
TAXES
The Democrats said they did not
Perot's 50 state officials said
want to cut the deficit as quickly as
they would keep open minds as
Bush says he would cut income taxes for all Americans and has
Perot's plan would, for fear that
they reported to Perot supporters
floated a 1 percentage point rate cut as a possibility. He would
such spending cuts and tax hikes
at home about the day's discussion.
increase the personal income tax exemption by $500. He would cut
would further damage the econo-
But many did not hide their cool-
the capital gains tax in half and eliminate it entirely for newly issued
my.
ness toward the two parties' pro-
small business stock held for at least 10 years. He would reduce the
Rohatyn, a longtime friend of
grams.
corporate tax rate for small businesses by one-third, create a
Perot's, said the difference be-
"Some of it was the same old
permanent tax break for research and development and increase
tween the Perot and Clinton plans
gobbledygook," said Shirley
deductions for newly purchased income-producing equipment.
"is an issue of judgment: How hard
Hamm, the Idaho coordinator, after
Clinton would raise taxes on the wealthiest Americans and offer
do you want to step on the brakes
the Republicans spoke.
at a time when the economy is very
others a tax rate cut or children's tax credit. He would toughen tax
"This is a 'run, Ross, run'
slow? Gov. Clinton's judgment.
collection on foreign companies doing business in the United States
crowd," said Ellsworth, the Colo-
which I share, incidentally, is that
and end tax breaks to U.S. companies that move plants and jobs
rado coordinator. "I don't think
the risk of stepping on the brakes
overseas. He supports an investment tax credit for new plants and
there was a swaying."
too hard and too quickly at this
equipment, a permanent research and development tax credit, and a
The coordinators asked if Clinton
point, with the economy as fragile
50% tax exclusion for long-term investors in new businesses.
would commit himself to resigning
as it is, is pretty high," said Roha-
if he didn't come through on his
Perot would raise marginal income tax rates on individuals making
tyn. who helped lead New York
more than $55,550. He would raise the tobacco tax and increase the
campaign's deficit cutting promis-
City back to financial health in the
es. The request was declined.
gas tax 10 cents a gallon every year for five years. He would
1970s.
eliminate capital gains taxes on investments in new small businesses
Again and again, Perot insisted
Clinton has claimed his deficit
that the unusual meeting was an
and reduce the rate for long-term investments. He supports
cutting plan would halve the defi-
example of how democracy should
investment tax credits. He would cut some mortgage deductions and
cit in four years. Perot's is aimed at
trim business-lunch deductions.
work.
eliminating it within five years.
"I think it's a historic day, be-
The Republicans sought to stress
cause we will only talk about the
DEFICIT REDUCTION
how they joined with Perot's sup-
issues," he said. "The issues are
porters in wishing for a better
now being discussed by millions of
managed economy and well con-
Bush says he would cut spending $300 billion in five years and
Americans who came together."
trolled government. But they made
devote the savings to reducing the annual deficit, currently $334
Asked what he will do if he does
no secret that they disagreed with
billion. He says he wants to cap entitlement growth but hasn't
rejoin the race, Perot pledged he
Perot's plan to raise gasoline taxes
specified which programs; he also would freeze domestic
would conduct an "all-out" cam-
10 cents a year for five years and
discretionary spending and federal employment. He has proposed a
paign across all 50 states. But he
increased taxes on Social Security
checkoff box for taxpayers who want to earmark 10% of their
declined to say whether he would
returns for deficit reduction.
benefits for upper-income individ-
travel, or do more than simply use
uals.
the free TV appearances.
Clinton says he would cut the deficit in half in four years. He would
"We're against massive taxes on
Perot said that retired Vice Ad-
cut 100,000 federal jobs and impose a national ceiling to hold down
gas-we're against putting taxes
private and government health care costs.
miral James Stockdale, a former
on Social Security benefits," said
Vietnam prisoner of war whom he
Perot-says he would save $754 billion over five years and end up
Gramm.
had designated as his interim run-
with a $10-billion surplus. He would cut 15% from programs other
Those two proposals are among
ning mate, would be his vice presi-
than debt costs, defense and entitlements. He would eliminate farm
the more politically explosive ele-
dential candidate if he decides to
subsidies to large corporations. Upper-income Social Security and
ments of Perot's plan. and the
make the race.
Medicare recipients would pay more in taxes and premiums.
reference prompted Perot to inter-
Perot said he plans to ignore
ject that the plan does not envision
attacks if he comes under the kind
DEFENSE CUTS
taxes on Social Security benefits.
of close scrutiny he was subjected
"That's not true," he said.
to by the press earlier in the year.
"That's not in the platform."
"You say, 'What are you going to
Bush would cut defense spending by $50 billion by 1997.
Perot said the intention was
do when they bring up all this
Clinton would cut defense spending by at least $100 billion by 1997.
instead to trim the cost-of-living
stupid stuff about you?' he told a
Perot would cut defense spending by about $90 billion by 1997.
increases on the payments by one
roomful of reporters. "I'm going to
third. However, in his book, Perot
Source: Staff and Associated Press
ignore it
I'm going to ignore it
proposes increasing taxation on
unless it's the issues. OK?"
Social Security benefits for retirees
As a campaign event, the day
co-manager of the Perot campaign,
campaign."
earning $25,000 or more. The cost-
was highly professional, and in-
has been taking shots at his former
of-living proposal referred instead
In a television appearance Mon-
cluded several photo opportunities,
boss from the sidelines.
day, Rollins alleged that Perot
to pension programs for federal
and adequate facilities for the
In an editorial-page article in the
civilian and military personnel.
offered him $500,000 to keep his
horde of photographers and re-
New York Times on Monday, Rol-
Perot and the Republicans faced
mouth shut after leaving.
porters who attended. But some
lins said Perot should "leave the
an awkward moment when a re-
"That's not true," Perot said on
absences served as reminders that
country to its serious business
porter asked Teeter whether he
the King show. "This is a never-
the Perot campaign is not the large
still believed, as he had said in
without distraction. He ought to be
ending saga from a man I barely
apparatus of last spring.
June, that Perot "lacks the judg-
content and should quit tampering
spent any time with.
It's just
Tom Luce, Perot's longtime law-
with our Democratic process sim-
ment. or temperament, or respect
another in a long series of unpro-
yer, and Morton Meyerson, head of
for our laws, to be President."
ply to massage his ego, badly
fessional statements. We had to
his Perot Systems computer com-
Teeter said only that he thought
bruised when the country learned
terminate him. I have to be blunt."
pany, have now distanced them-
Bush is "by far the most qualified
he wasn't who he pretended to be,
selves from his political efforts.
man to be President."
and didn't have the courage to go
Times researcher Lianne Hart con-
And Edward J. Rollins, former
the distance with a presidential
tributed to this story.
WASHINGTON EDITION
Los Angeles Times
9/29/92
BUSH: Themes of Campaign
-Taxes, Crime-Are Revisited
Continued from A1
in a suburban neighborhood halfway between Wash-
nent. Now they are more like a wand that he hopes
ington and Baltimore.
will work some magic on the presidential campaign
In that case, a woman was killed after two men
and make Arkansas Gov. Bill Clinton's lead in the polls
forced her out of her car. Tangled in a seat belt, she
disappear. A Washington Post-ABC poll released
was dragged almost two miles until "the thieves tried
Monday put that lead at 51% to 42%.
to knock her off by banging into a fence." Her baby, in
And so, he worked both themes on Monday, first
a car seat, was tossed out of the car "like a piece of
telling a morning television audience before he left the
trash" but survived, Bush said.
White House that the statement he tossed out three
"We cannot put up with this kind of animal
weeks ago-that he would not "ever, ever" go along
behavior. These people have no place in a decent
with a Democratic tax increase-was a pledge that
society. And as far as this President's concerned, they
meant the same as "no new taxes."
can go to jail, they can stay in jail and they can rot in
"That's exactly what it means. Exactly. Yeah," he
jail for crimes like that," he said. "I want thugs who
said, all but using the words "read my lips" to recast in
take cars at gunpoint to stay in a cell so long that when
cement the broken promise that has haunted his
they get out they're too old to drive."
reelection drive.
Then in St. Louis and again in Dallas, he brought out
the crime issue, visiting downtrodden neighborhoods
E
ven before Bush spoke out on the subject, the
Senate approved legislation Saturday making car
in two politically crucial states to call for widened use
hijacking a federal crime punishable by life in prison if
of the death penalty.
a death occurs.
"Drive-by shootings. random violence, gang massa-
It was just a short leap for Bush from a car-jacking
cres-these people are merchants of death, who trade
in Maryland to Clinton's record in Arkansas. Unlike
in death. And the death penalty is warranted in these
Dukakis, Clinton favors the death penalty and has
cases," the President said.
presided over several executions as governor. But
While Bush has never called explicitly for the death
Bush said that last year the average inmate in
penalty in connection with drive-by shootings, the
Arkansas served less than one-fifth of his sentence,
crime bill he submitted to Congress more than three
while federal prisoners served, on average, 85% of
years ago would make reckless drug-related offenses
their full sentence, and that violent crimes increased
punishable by death, and aides contend this would
60% in Arkansas during the 1980s, twice the national
cover most drive-by cases.
average.
For car hijackers, he called on Monday for federal
Indeed, Arkansas shared in the national trend of
legislation that would carry with it sentences of up to
crime spreading from large urban states to smaller,
20 years, or life imprisonment if the crime involves
rural ones, and while violent crime increased 33%
kidnaping. serious injury, attempted murder or at-
nationally from 1982 to 1992, it was'up 66% during that
tempted kidnaping.
period in Arkansas while Clinton was governor.
Other measures pressed by Bush include authorizing
B
ut even as Bush hammered away at Clinton, his
the death penalty for murder committed in the course
campaign was focused on two meetings taking
of a sex offense, making crimes committed by street
place behind closed doors in North Dallas. There,
gangs federal offenses carrying severe penalties, and
representatives of the Democratic and Republican
making theft of firearms punishable by up to 10 years
presidential campaigns met, one. after the other, with
in prison.
the leaders of Ross Perot's United We Stand, America
For a week, Clinton supporters have taken to
organization as White House officials wondered
twitting Bush over the failure of the two campaigns to
whether Perot would return to the presidential race
agree on a format for a presidential debate. At nearly
from which he had dropped out in July. Bush's own
every public presidential appearance, one or two
visit to Dallas was scheduled well before the Perot
people dressed in chicken suits have shown up to make
meetings were set up.
their point. Monday was no exception.
The meetings were built around what each candi-
At one stop in East Dallas, a chicken-suited
date would do about the federal deficit, and Bush, at
character called out: "Chicken George, why don't you
the start of the day. made it clear that higher taxes
debate?"
would not be part of his solution.
"Listen to this guy." Bush said. "There are going to
During the first of three sessions this week on the
be debates.
ABC program "Good Morning America," Bush said:
"May I say a word about the chicken question?
"I'm going to hold the line on the taxes, I'm going to
You're talking about the draft record chicken or are
get them down."
you talking about the chicken in the Arkansas River?"
Was he offering a pledge that in a second Bush term
Bush asked, referring first to questions about Clinton's
there would be no new taxes, he was asked.
effort to avoid military service during the Vietnam
He replied: "As far as I'm concerned it will be."
War and then to the pollution caused from chicken
Later on the campaign trail, Bush's toughened
droppings allowed to flow into some Arkansas water-
approach on crime lacked any images as direct as
Willie Horton, the black murderer who raped a white
ways.
"Which one are you talking about? Which one?"
woman while on furlough from a prison in Michael S.
Bush asked, adding in a good-natured tone: "Get out of
Dukakis' Massachusetts.
here. Maybe it's the draft. Is that what's bothering
Instead, the President told his audience gathered in
the parish hall of St. Francis de Sales Roman Catholic
you?"
Church in the Fox Park neighborhood of St. Louis
Times staff writer Douglas Jehi, In Washington, contribut-
about a car hijacking that took place earlier this month
ed to this story.
FROM
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON. D.C.
Parents are Davis and
Susue
Mr. Christopher Robinson
6621 Fairfax Road
Chevy Chase, Maryland 20815
(
THE PRESIDENT
THE
September 29, 1992
Dear Chris,
I'm glad to hear that you're enjoying your job at the RNC.
We've got a good team over there and I'm delighted to have
you aboard. You're right, the press has been very pro-
Clinton -- attacking me from right and left, but I'm
win. confident that people will see the difference and we will
Our tour through the Midwest was a big success. Now,
we're back on the road again and counting down the days to
victory in November. Thanks for your support and
encouragement. Give my best to your Mom and Dad.
Sincerely,
Cy Bal
JAN'S
9/29/92
RZ took a phone call fromaa reliable source who was
reporting that Senator A1 Gore tried on at least two
occasions to influence a decision involving his cousin,
Major Gary Gore.
The Major is presently serving a sentence at Ft. Leavenworth,
Kansas. He was court-martialed, February 25, 1992, because of
sexually related matters.
Understand court-martials are considered a matter of public
record so this could be verified.
It is alleged that Senator Gore directly intervened on the
Major's behalf. Also, that there is a history of similar
problems when as early as 1986, the Senator contacted the
Major's Commanding Officer.
The bottom line relating to the latest incident is that on
2 specific occasions, the Senator tried to influence the
decision. and get it changed.
OF THE
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