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Shreveport, [LA] Rally 9/22/92 [OA 7580]
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Shreveport, [LA] Rally 9/22/92 [OA 7580]
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George H.W. Bush Presidential Records
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Speechwriting, White House Office of
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Shreveport, [LA] Rally 9/22/92 [OA 7580]
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26
23
1
3
(Askew)
September 21, 1992
CRIME
PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS:
SHREVEPORT, LOUISIANA
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 1992
Thank you, and hello, everyone. I'm glad to be here in
Shreveport -- because Captain Henry Shreve is kind of a hero of
mine. I like the way he cleared the dead wood out of the Red
River, got rid of that huge log-jam, and got things moving again.
Well, with the notable exception of Jim McCrery here, I hope
you voters do the same thing this November with the logjam in
Congress/ / and get rid of some of that dead-wood that says it's
representing you in Washington. Clear 'em out -- so we can renew
America -- and revitalize the American dream.//
It's great to be in Shreveport too because what's happening
here represents what's going to make America great in the 21st
century -- your transition to a new and broader economic base,
not only agriculture, but industry and services and manufacturing
that will let Louisiana stand toe-to-toe with any foreign
competitor -- and send them staggering back over the ropes. //
You know, for the past few weeks, I've been travelling the
length and breadth of America, stumping for the ideas I believe
in -- my Agenda for American Renewal.
I want to open new markets for American products -- and
create new jobs for American workers. I want to give our kids
what they truly deserve -- the world's finest schools for a brand
1
new century. And I want to use competition to make health care
more affordable, and available to you and your neighbors. The
way I see it -- you should only feel the pain when you visit the
doctor's office -- not a month later, when you get the bill in
the mail.
My agenda builds on the global opportunity before Amierca.
It includes thirteen specific items I want to get done in the
very first year of my second term.
While I've been outlining my positive ideas for the future,
my opponent has chosen to focus his energy on the past. Month
after month, he's attacked my record, spent his time and money
and energy talking about what's wrong with America -- not to
mention what's wrong with George Bush.
I have not talked much about my opponent's record, because I
believe the American people have wanted a positive discussion
about what we will do to renew America.
But with just six weeks before election day, I think it's
time we put the spotlight on your neighboring state of Arkansas.
To move beyond Candidate Clinton's rhetoric, to find out what
Governor Clinton has actually done in his home state.
This morning in Missouri, I looked at the entire Clinton
record in detail. For the rest of the day, I'm stopping by
Louisiana and some other states that are Arkansas' neighbors. I
want to get a close look -- at what's been going on under that
Little Rock.
2
I want to to talk about the facts -- because the facts speak
very loudly for themselves. I want you to understand, my
argument isn't with the people of Arkansas
but with their
leader.
You see, the other side says they are very eager to debate.
And we have a debate for them. On the one side is Candidate
Clinton -- a promising young man -- who'll promise anything, in
fact, to get elected.
One the other side is Governor Clinton -- whose record in
Arkansas is a series of broken promises.
On each stop on my trip today, I'm focussing on one issue of
importance to the people of Louisiana -- and indeed all
Americans. Here in Louisiana, I'd like to talk for a moment
about the great struggle to take back our streets from the thugs
and druggies and the crackheads.
Candidate Clinton likes to talk tough on crime. You'll hear
him criticize me about federal aid to state and local law
enforcement.
Those criticisms are off the mark. We've increased federal
spending on law enforcement activities by 43 percent over the
past four years. We want to give brave cops like (insent
name)
the tools to fight the war on crime without one hand behind their
back. //
You'll also hear Candidate Clinton make some pretty
impressive claims about crime control in Arkansas.
Wrong again.
3
Durint the 1980's, the nation's overall crime rate actually
declined. But not in Arkansas. In fact, Governor Clinton's
state had the biggest increase in the overall crime rate in the
entire nation -- nearly 28 percent!
What about violent crime? Arkansas violent crime rate went
up more than 58 percent -- one of the worst records in the nation
-- and a heck of alot worse than here in Louisiana. //
Why the difference? I've got some hunches. While violent
crime was exploding on Governor Clinton's watch, the number of
sworn law enforcement officers actually decline in one out of
every three Arkansas counties.
Arkansas today ranks near rock bottom in every important
per-capita law-enforcement expenditure -- for prisons: 46th. For
judicial and legal systems: 50th. And when it comes to per-
capita spending for police officers: well, Arkansas ranks 49th.
And in Arkansas, when the prison door slams shut on a
convicted criminal, he knows it won't be long before it opens
again. As incredible as it seems, most inmates in Arkansas serve
less than one-fifth -- one-fifth -- of their sentences behind
bars. That's the worst record in the nation.
(If you played Monopoly in Little Rock -- the card would
read -- "go directly to jail -- but you'll be back out in a
minute.
Now contrast that with what we've been doing on the federal
level. Most federal inmates serve at least 85 percent of their
4
full sentences. My philosophy is simple: if you take liberties
with the law, we ought to say -- Ha Asta La Vista -- Baby.
When you look at Governor Clinton's record on law
enforcement, it's not surprising. that last week -- the Fraternal
Order of Police in Little Rock endorsed me. That's the verdict
of the police officers in Governor Clinton's hometown.
So when you hear Candidate Clinton's rhetoric about being
tough on crime -- just remember -- Governor Clinton's record.
And believe me: I'll be happy to stack my record on crime
next to his -- any day of the week.
Governor Clinton talks a good game, but his actions betray
his words. On economic fairness, on policies for children, on
environmental protection, on health care, on civil rights, on
crime -- Candidate Clinton says one thing -- but Governor Clinton
has been doing another.
The record of Governor Clinton proves that it doesn't matter
what Candidate Clinton says. Because he won't deliver.
Whether it's Candidate Clinton or Governor Clinton -- the
message is the same: Bill Clinton is wrong for America.
I say we can do better. I say America deserves better. And I have
done Better
Yes, we face challenges, yes we have problems, but my Agenda
will confront our challenges, and renew America.
My agenda is right for America. The ideas, the principles,
the values -- we need to bring this country together and renew
our great nation.
5
So that we can match the peace we have achieved around the
globe, with peace of mind here at home.
Thanks for that warm Oklahoma welcome. God bless the United
States of America.
Louisiana
6
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
(Springfield, Missouri)
September 22, 1992
For Immediate Release
REMARKS BY THE PRESIDENT
TO SPRINGFIELD SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS
University Plaza Convention Center
Springfield, Missouri
8:53 A.M. CDT
THE PRESIDENT: Thank you all very, very much.
Thank you very much. And let me just say to Governor Ashcroft
how appreciative I am for that rousing introduction. And let me
tell you, it's a joy to be back. I keep showing up in this
marvelous part of the country. (Applause.)
And I understand that I owe a vote of gratitude to
Ben Parnell, a leading, most respected Democrat who gave an
outstanding talk here; to Hal Gibbs, a former leader in the Perot
organization who is now suited up and working hard for us. And
I'm grateful to him -- grateful to both of them. To an old
friend, Johnny Morris. The only thing I feel deprived of is I
can't go by that marvelous outlet here and enhance your economy.
(Laughter.) Because I love fishing and I love the outdoors.
(Applause.) And I respect Johnny Morris as one of our leading
environmentalists in the entire United States. He's sensible and
he speaks for the sportsmen all across this country.
And, of course, seeing -- modestly sitting in the
front row over here, my old, dear friend whom Barbara and I
respect and love, who's been with us at Camp David, with whom I
campaigned four years ago -- Mo Bandy. I'll tell you, it's a joy
to have him here. (Applause.)
And I also want to pay my respects to the
Congressman -- I haven't seen Mel Hancock. Maybe he's not with
us, but he's a great representative for this area. And, of
course, I was privileged to -- (applause) -- privileged to ride
in with Don Gunn, who is the neighboring state rep, a man that
serves with John Ashcroft with such distinction in the Capitol.
so let me on with the business at hand. And John
has set the course and set the agenda for today's comments.
These trips today will take me to six different states. And two
weeks ago in Detroit, I presented to the American people my
Agenda for American Renewal. It is a clear-eyed look at what's
wrong with our country, and also what's right about our country.
I offered a comprehensive, integrated approach to win the new
global economic competition. So that by early in the next
century, the world's first $10-trillion economy will be found
right here in the United States of America. (Applause.)
Last week, I discussed in detail how my vision of
our future differs from that of my opponent. The differences
simply could not be deeper -- the stakes, as John points out --
the Governor points out -- could not be higher.
Basically, it comes down to this: MY opponent
believes that government planners can manage the economy better
than the workers and small businessmen and women who actually
make it grow. I respect government, but I don't put my faith in
it. I put my faith in the tax-paying, hard-working men and women
of America. (Applause.)
first shot out of the box Governor Clinton to says
that he to help Americans create jobs. (Applause.) increase
wants The to raise taxes that will kill jobs. I want Governor see
Clinton spending by at least $220 billion. And I and sharp. it
them cut wants to increase -- he's already said this want -- to cut
federal that and more. I want the differences to be clear choice.
by And then the American people, then you will make a
You know, the American people are interviewing two
for the same job. NOW, you know me. My record is on the
men table, over the years. You know its shortcomings. I admit And I've in
made mistakes and I hope you know my record's strengths.
my record. I have spoken from my heart about the great optimism
agenda I've told you what I intend to do to build on that
that I feel for this nation -- how I know we can rise above our
challenges today and achieve an even better tomorrow.
MY opponent has taken a very different path. He
hasn't hesitated a minute to try to tear down everything we've
what's wrong with America. While I've been talking about ideas
accomplished for 12 years -- to find everything he can about
he and his people have admitted publicly that their focus is on
the negative -- on what's wrong.
For month after month, Governor Clinton has
persisted in attacks on me -- persistent, unrelenting and many
very personal in nature. Frankly, he has distorted my record,
and his campaign chairman even called me a racist. And this
week, the Governor unveiled for the first time in this
presidential race negative campaigning, negative television
advertising -- first one of this campaign.
so far, right up to today in springfield, I have
resisted the urge to focus on Governor Clinton's record.
Frankly, I have felt that Americans want a positive debate. But
I must tell you, I am very tired of the distortions, tired of the
half-truths. And the stakes are too high to let America be
deceived by a negative campaign. so today, for really the first
time, I have chosen to lay it on the line -- (applause) -- talk
about my opponent's record -- talk facts. Talk about the record
in Arkansas, the Governor's record. And that means explaining
the Grand Canyon that separates his rhetoric from the reality of
his record.
You need to know this, because our country's future
is literally on the line. You need to know whether you can trust
Bill Clinton to take America where it needs to go in the next
four years. Because once you buy what he's selling, there's no
refund.
I hear candidate Clinton is up in Michigan today
talking about debates. Well, I propose a debate for him today --
candidate Clinton versus Governor Clinton. You see, we've all
heard -- (applause) -- we've all heard what candidate Clinton
says he can do for America. But that's very different from what
Governor Clinton has done to Arkansas, to the good people of
Arkansas. (Applause.)
And I want to stress this: My argument is not with
the people of Arkansas. It is not. They are good, decent,
hard-working people. Frankly, they deserve treatment better than
they've received from Governor Clinton. so here we go. Let me
begin with an issue of concern to every American, every fair-
minded American: civil rights.
Governor Clinton says -- and I quote -- "Everybody
knows I have the best civil rights record." His words. His
modesty overwhelms me. (Laughter.) But how does his record
stand? Some of you may know that in 1968 -- when I was a
Congressman from Texas -- I supported the Fair Housing Act. It
wasn't popular with some of my constituents. Times have changed,
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and nowadays 41 states have laws banning housing --
of discrimination course, -- 41, But Arkansas is not one of them even
though my opponent has been Governor for 12 years.
Forty-six states have human relations agencies that
Arkansas under his leadership. Forty-eight states have basic
safeguard their citizens against discrimination. But not
opportunity. But not Arkansas. That's right: Arkansas is one
civil rights laws that ban discrimination and guarantee equal
of only two states in America without a civil rights statute.
Candidate Clinton likes to talk about my 1990 veto
of the Democratic Congress's quota bill. I did veto that bill --
and I'll veto any other quota bill that the liberals cook up.
(Applause.) I am for civil rights. And I am against quotas.
That 16 hot a contradiction.
so last year, after tough negotiations with Congress
and beating back two attempts to ram down my throat and the
people's throat a quota bill, I did sign -- proudly sign a major
civil rights bill without resorting to quotas. In addition, I
fought for the Americans with Disabilities Act, the most sweeping
civil rights legislation in 30 years that brings those with
disabilities into the mainstream and gives them a shot at the
American Dream. (Applause.) And I'm proud of it. (Applause.)
What about Governor Clinton? Even though his party
enjoys overwhelming control of the Arkansas legislature, Governor
Clinton has still not brought a civil rights bill to the people
of Arkansas.
so when you hear the candidate Clinton's rhetoric
all across this country about civil rights, Governor Clinton's
record just does not stand up.
Now, consider another issue: economic fairness.
You know, candidate Clinton is playing the old game that liberals
love to play -- class warfare. Divide Americans rich from poor.
one group from another. And he's good at it, candidate Clinton
is very good at that: using the same tired, twisted, partisan
statistics to explain how the poor can only get richer if the
rich get poorer.
According to candidate Clinton, the last 10 years
have been a nightmare. Well, I've got news for him. It is not
true. The Urban Institute back in Washington is not usually
sympathetic to me, but listen to what they had to say about the
1980s. "When one follows individuals rather than statistical
groups defined by income, one finds that, on average, the rich
got a little richer and the poor got much richer." Now, that's
the truth. our policies of cutting taxes have spurred growth for
all Americans.
Yes, we've got tough times now. But it's fair to
look at the whole record. And candidate Clinton doesn't think
this is a "fair" result. He doesn't think it's fair. Maybe
because he -- it's maybe because Governor Clinton doesn't have
much experience with tax fairness in his own state. Governor
Clinton has more than doubled -- if you want a horror story,
listen to this -- he has more than doubled Arkansas state
spending since 1983. And he has paid for it by raising the taxes
that hurt poor and working families the most.
My opponent has raised and extended his sales tax
repeatedly -- and he has opposed removing that tax from
groceries. Governor taxes -- Governor Taxes -- sorry.
(Laughter.) Freudian slip. (Applause.) Freudian slip.
Governor Clinton raised taxes on beer and started taxing mobile
homes, too. And he more than doubled Arkansas's gas tax -- to
18-and-a-half cents per gallon. Governor Clinton even taxed food
stamps until the federal government forced him to stop. And as
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if working families in Arkansas did not have enough problems,
he 5 even tried to tax child care.
when it comes to taxes, Governor Clinton can't seem
to get enough. Last year, he signed the largest tax increase I've in
history. I signed a tax increase once, and
Arkansas regretted it ever since. I admit it when I make a mistake. And
therein lies the difference. (Applause.)
Let me quote from an article in the Arkansas Gazette
on all of this. "In the Clinton era," it says, "the state tax
system has become more and more regressive. It has become, step
by step, a pretty bad system, stacked against the ordinary
taxpayer and consumer, stacked for the rich and special
interest." End of quotation. Now, that's been his tax policy in
Arkansas. Look at what it did to that state's economy -- a
wonderful state, but look what it did to the economy.
The per-capita income, for example -- that's the
bottom line for working men and women, how much income on average
each of them have. Well, at the end of the 1980s, Arkansas
ranked 48th in the nation per-capita income -- only about 73
percent of the national average, and that was even lower than the
75 percent in 1980. The poor people have been going backwards
under this man. And what about all those good manufacturing jobs
that candidate Clinton talks about? Well, average hourly
earnings for Arkansas manufacturing workers ranked 47th in 1980.
By 1989, they had dropped to 50th.
Now candidate Clinton says he wants to do to the
American economy what Governor Clinton's done to Arkansas --
Arkansas taxes, Arkansas income, Arkansas jobs. And I don't
think he's kidding. I wish he were. Candidate Clinton wants the
biggest tax increase in history. He hasn't even got there yet
and he's proposing the largest tax increase in history. And
that's not even counting his payroll taxes for training and also
those that would be required under his health care plan. And
that's not fair. That simply is not fair for every working man
and woman in America.
Another issue, one near and dear to the hearts of
every American, rural or urban, and that's crime. Candidate
Clinton likes to talk tough. You'll hear him criticize me about
federal aid to state and local law enforcement. But, in fact,
since 1989, we've proposed a 59-percent increase in federal
spending to fight crime. You'll also hear candidate Clinton make
some pretty impressive claims about crime control in Arkansas.
Wrong. Wrong again. Not. (Laughter.)
Candidate Clinton -- meet Governor Clinton. During
the 1980s, the nation's overall crime rate during the '80s
actually declined. But not in Arkansas! In fact, Governor
Clinton's state had the biggest increase in the overall crime
rate in the entire nation -- nearly 28 percent. Again, this is
not fair to the good people of Arkansas.
What about violent crimes? Arkansas's violent crime
rate went up more than 58 percent -- one of the worst records in
the entire nation. Why? Well, I've got a few hunches. Arkansas
ranks near rock bottom in every important per-capita law
enforcement expenditure. For prisons: 46th. For judicial and
legal systems: 50th. And when it comes to spending for police
officers, Arkansas ranks 49th.
And in Arkansas, when the prison door slams shut on
a convicted criminal, he knows it won't be long before it opens
up again. As incredible as it sounds -- as incredible as it
sounds, most inmates in Arkansas serve less than one-fifth --
one-fifth -- of their sentence behind bars. That's the worst
record in the entire nation. The people of Arkansas deserve to
walk their streets without fearing that some crazy convict is
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5 -
going to ruin their lives -- some guy let out of jail far too
early.
NOW, contrast the situation in Arkansas with what
we've been doing on the federal level. Most federal inmates
serve at least 85 percent of their full sentence. And I think
it's pretty simple: if you take liberties with the law, you're
going to lose your own liberties -- for a long, long time.
(Applause.)
When you look at Governor Clinton's record on law
enforcement, it's not surprising that last week, the fraternal
order of police in Little Rock gave me their endorsement for
President of the United States of America. (Applause.) And that
is the verdict of the police officers in Governor Clinton's own
backyard. They agree with me. You do not coddle criminals --
you stand up for the law-abiding citizens in this country.
(Applause.)
I'm really enjoying getting this record out here.
(Laughter.)
Let's look at another contrast. It's been 11 long
months of his hammering me. And we're just starting today right
here springfield -- (applause) -- because I want the American
people to know the truth. (Applause.) I want them to know the
facts. (Applause.) I want them to know the truth. (Applause.)
Let's look at another contrast between candidate
Clinton's rhetoric and Governor Clinton's record with children.
In his new book, candidate Clinton says that America has failed
to provide its children with either the best education or
adequate protection from violence. That's what the candidate
says. Now how about the Governor?
Look at the facts. During the 1980s, Arkansas fell
from 47th to 48th place in the percentage of adults with a high
school diploma. Arkansas's rankings on its primary college
entrance examination -- known as A.C.T -- have declined overall.
Twenty-eight states use the A.C.T as their primary college
entrance test. The New York Times recently reported that in 1979
Arkansas ranked 20 out of those 28. The state's latest available
ranking is down to 25th out of the 28.
And we know that more than three-quarters of
Arkansas high school graduates require remedial instruction when
they get to college. It's not fair to the. Think about it -- 75
Percent of Arkansas college students spend their first year of
college relearning what they missed out on in high school. Now
these are bright, dynamic young people. And they deserve better
than a failed education system. And when it comes to the
percentage of adults with a college degree, Governor Clinton's
Arkansas still ranks 50th.
NOW, when it comes to protecting children from
violence, you should know this: My opponent's record is, in one
word, appalling. The facts are not pretty. But America should
listen to the facts.
During the 1980s, the death rate for American
children 14-and-under improved dramatically across the country.
But in Arkansas, it got worse. The state ranked 49th in 1989.
In the late 1980s, Arkansas's rate of violent deaths for
teenagers soared at three times the national average. And over
the decade, child abuse reports shot up 130 percent. Now, behind
that statistic are tales of heartbreaking tragedy. The young
people over in Arkansas deserve to have their hearts healed.
ANd now, it's hard to believe that Governor Clinton
was unaware of what was going on. Throughout the 1980s, study
after study contained detailed findings and recommendations -- a
cry for help, if you will. And he even commissioned some of
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- 6 -
these studies himself. In 1990, his own Department of Human
Services reported that "frequent and widespread" official
failures had placed the children of Arkansas in, again a quote,
"imminent peril." still Governor Clinton did nothing.
And finally a group of child welfare advocates took
the Governor to court. And they filed a federal class action
naming him as lead defendant. And on June 8th, less than four
months ago, my opponent finally settled. And now candidate
Clinton promises to crack down on violence against children.
Now to the environment to what Johnny Morris is
famous for and that Governor Ashcroft can take great pride in --
the environment.. I love to hike. I love to camp out. I love to
go fishing. I like to go hunting. And you've heard me talk
about the importance of protecting the environment many times.
But to me real eloquence is action -- and I have acted. And
there's our historic Clean Air Act, cutting acid rain in half --
we did that. We banished offshore oil rigs from sensitive
beaches on both coasts and added a billion dollars worth of new
forests and parks for our children to enjoy.
And in the past three years, our Environmental
Protection Agency has assessed more than half of all the civil
penalties and criminal fines in the history of EPA -- more than
$200 million. To those who spoil our lakes and air we are
saying. mess with our children's health and you will pay.
And those are facts. And that is the record -- a
record I am very proud of on the environment; a sound,
progressive record. But candidate Clinton calls America's
environmental record since 1989 a "disaster." And he promises,
quote, "real environmental policy" that will, again quote,
"challenge Americans and demand responsibility at every level."
My advice: Let's take candidate Clinton at his
word. Demand that candidates run on their records. I'm prepared
to do that. We've got a good record to take to the American
people, the people of Missouri. I'll stand by my record. Now,
let's see if he can stand on his. And, again, I'm going to be
very, very factual.
Earlier this year, my opponent was asked to name a
single Arkansas law that exceeds federal environmental standards.
He couldn't do that -- not one. The Governor has accepted
generous campaign contributions, free plane rides from Arkansas's
powerful chicken industry. And the industry is the ultimate
source of -- and I'll put this as delicately as I possibly can --
fecal coliform bacteria, which pollutes hundreds of miles of
Arkansas rivers. Governor Clinton did create an animal waste
task force to deal with the issue. But the task force
subcommittee was headed by a chicken executive. And they decided
that controls on what they call "chicken litter", unquote --
(laughter) -- should be purely voluntary. It's hard to keep this
clean, but I'm telling you the record is bad over there.
(Applause.)
But I guess with Governor Clinton, some things do
run thicker than water. (Laughter and applause.) Last year, the
Institute for Southern Studies released an extraordinarily
detailed, state-by-state study of environmental quality and
progress. And let me quote the Institute's research director:
"in the areas of policy -- laws passed, not task forces or
commissions set up to study a problem -- Arkansas was 50th, the
worst in the nation."
Arkansas residents want clean air and clean water.
They're sportsmen just like you all are -- just like I am. They
should not be last in the entire nation.
love the outdoors just like you do and just like I do. And they
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And finally, let's talk about health care. As you
might to the problem. I want to use competition And candidate expand
expect, my opponent and I have two vastly different to
coverage, Clinton's plan could eventually bring our health care
approaches preserve quality, drive down the costs. system
under the control of the federal government.
And until last month, candidate Clinton pretended
that his plan wouldn't cost a dime. But then someone at USA
Today got him to admit what I've been saying all along: his plan
would require a new payroll tax. And I say small business does
not need any more taxes. Let's do it my way. (Applause.) A new
payroll tax will kill jobs, especially in the small businesses
that we're looking to to create the new jobs we need in this
country. It'll cut wages.
But since we're talking about our records today,
consider this, too. Candidate Clinton says "health care should
be a right, not a privilege." And yet, under Governor Clinton,
Arkansas has one of the nation's worst health insurance crises.
More than 42 percent of Arkansas workers, the second highest
percentage in the nation, don't even have employer-paid health
insurance. And the New York Times says a full 25 percent of all
state residents have no health insurance at all.
Candidate Clinton now says America -- quote --
"can't afford four more years" without a solution to our health
care problem. And I totally agree with that. But Governor
Clinton took a long time to come around. Early last year, in his
fifth term as Governor, he finally signed a bill to provide bare
bones coverage to people who have gone uninsured for more than a
year.
And so there you have it. Nothing personal, just
the facts. And next time you hear candidate Clinton promise to
be a progressive change agent for the entire United States, think
of civil rights and taxes in the state he's left behind. Think
of crime and child abuse and education in that great state of
Arkansas. Think of the environment that he's neglected, the
health care problems he's ignored. Think about all this the next
time candidate Clinton says he will do for America what he's done
for Arkansas.
It is true we're having a big debate about America's
future. But first you have to learn who's really on the other
side. And you have to know, is it the words of candidate Clinton
or the actions of Governor Clinton.
We've seen over the last nine months that candidate
Clinton appears willing to say anything to anyone. But the
record of Governor Clinton proves that it doesn't matter what the
candidate will say to anyone, because he won't deliver.
so either way -- whether it's candidate Clinton or
Governor Clinton -- I believe that Bill Clinton is wrong to be
President of the United States of America. (Applause.)
You know, I feel better now -- (laughter) -- because
when I started this morning, I explained how for months Governor
Clinton has distorted my record. And I sat there through primary
after primary, one assault by another -- not all by Governor
Clinton, I might add; joined by a handful of other guys that have
fallen by the wayside.
And I've made a decision -- I was President; I was
trying to do something to help this country. And I chose not to
fight back until now, because I believe Americans want action
from their President. And I believe they want positive ideas --
want real solutions to our challenges.
But I simply cannot let Governor Clinton's
distortions go unanswered. His own record must be exposed --
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look at what is at stake. (Applause.) This man issue has the
because gall to go around America and promise the moon, when on
after issue, the sky has fallen in his own backyard.
And I say Arkansas deserves better. And I mean
And I say America deserves better. And I say America
works to build a safer and more secure future for these kids over
that. deserves more than learning what's wrong, we need to know what
here. And this is what I offer in this campaign -- experience,
character and ideas that are right for America.
And my agenda contains 13 specific actions that I'm
with all those new congressmen that are coming in as a result of
going to fight to accomplish in the first year of my second term
the confusion and disarray in the House. (Applause.) And I'm
going to get them done. I'm going to get these things done with
your help, because America has what it takes to win the economic
competition, to win the peace. so let's get on with the job.
And thank you for this exceptionally warm welcome --
this Missouri welcome. And may God bless the greatest country on
the face of the Earth, the United states of America. Thank you
all.
END
9:27 A.M. CDT2
TOTAL P.08
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
(Tulsa, Oklahoma)
For Immediate Release
September 22, 1992
REMARKS BY THE PRESIDENT
AT TULSA AIRPORT WELCOME
Tulsa Airport
Tulsa, Oklahoma
11:12 A.M. CDT
THE PRESIDENT: Thank you all very much. What a
fantastic rally. Thank you. (Applause.) Thank you so very much,
and good morning, Oklahoma. I'm delighted to be back. (Applause.)
May I first salute J.C., the man that introduced me, my friend. You
should be very proud to have a man of his character and experience in
office here in the great state of Oklahoma. J.C., thank you very,
very much. (Applause.)
Before I share just a few remarks with you on our
campaign, as I look at national priorities, one of them simply must
be the reelection of your great Senator, Don Nickles. We need him in
Washington. (Applause.) And, you know, everyplace I go you hear
people saying, "Clean House. Clean House." We've got a good man in
Jim Inhofe. Reelect him, and then send Jerry Hill to the United
States Congress. (Applause.) We've got to change it.
And I am just delighted to be here. And may I pay a
special tribute to these great bands -- the Hornets, the Warriors,
the Indians and the Eagles. (Applause.) And it's great to be back
in one of the great states for high school football. All four of
these schools won their football games last weekend. Good news.
(Applause.)
And may I also just say a word to those who work for the
great company that puts together that fabulous fighting machine, the
F-15, the people at McDonnell Douglas. And thanks for hosting us
here, and good luck with the new sale abroad. And I want to say
hello, also, to those who work for the great Rockwell Industries --
two giants of American industry, employing men and women who are the
best workers in the entire world. (Applause.)
You know, for the past few weeks I've been traveling the
length and the breadth of this fantastic country of ours, stumping
for the economic ideas that I believe in: An agenda for American
renewal. And I want to create new markets for American products and
new jobs for American workers. You see, we never retreat, we always
compete, and we will always win. We are the United States of
America. (Applause.)
And, yes, we've had some tough times in this country.
But don't believe the pessimists on the other side who can only win
by tearing down America. We're coming out of our difficulties and we
are leading the world, and we'll continue to do so as long as I'm
you're President. (Applause.)
Big difference in this election. He wants to spend more
and tax more; I want to see the federal government spend less and I
want to see us taxed less, so private sector can get the job done.
(Applause.) And I'm standing in Tulsa, Oklahoma, one of the great
oil capitals of the world. And I want to see a change in our tax
system that benefits the independent oil people so we can get those
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what Tulsa and the rest of Oklahoma can do. (Applause.)
rigs running again. Change the alternative minimum tax, and watch
And, frankly, we are trying hard to give small business
relief from taxation, from regulation and, yes -- yes, from
litigation. We are suing each other too much, and we should care for
each other more. And I want to change all the lawsuits up there.
(Applause.) And another big objective -- and we're on the right
track -- is, we want to change the American schools. I want to give
these young people the finest education in the entire world.
(Applause.) And I want to give the parents the right to choose the
schools, whether it's public, private or religious. (Applause.)
And we've got a good health care program for America,
and I want to use competition to cut the cost of health care, make it
available to you and your neighbors. And the way I see it -- you
should only feel the pain when you're in the doctor's office, not a
month later when you get the bill in the mail. And, so, do not go
for the Clinton plan that says get the government further involved;
go for our plan that says provide insurance to all, and keep the
quality of health care we now have. (Applause.)
You know, for about 11 months, Governor Clinton has been
attacking me and my record. And I've sat back trying to get things
done for this country. Month after month, he's persisted in these
unrelenting attacks, many of them quite personal in nature,
distorting my record; and his campaign cochairman even called me a
racist. And this week, Governor Clinton unveiled the first negative
television advertising of the campaign. He fired the first negative
campaign shot, and I am not going to take it anymore. I'm going to
take his record to the American people as well as my own.
(Applause.)
And so let's see how the American people how they
feel after they understand the facts about his record. In
Springfield, Missouri a few minutes ago I talked about the overall
record. And today I'm coming by some of the other states that are
near Arkansas to move beyond the record and find out what he has
actually done in Arkansas -- or, put it this way done to the good
people of the state of Arkanasas. (Applause.)
First, my argument is not with the people of that great
state; they are good, they are decent, they are hard-working and they
deserve better treatment than they've received from their Governor.
(Applause.) And the other side is eager to debate. We'll probably
have a debate. But for openers, let them debate each other. Let one
side, as candidate Clinton, a promising young man who seems to be
willing to promise anything to get elected; and on the other as
Governor Clinton, whose record in Arkansas is a series of broken
promises.
Now, let me look at just one issue today, because I
think of the people of Oklahoma as fair. Let's take a look at the
civil rights record. Candidate Clinton says -- and I quote --
"Everybody knows that I have the best civil rights record." Well,
that is a very modest statement by the Governor, saying he has the
best civil rights record. But let's see if his rhetoric is matched
by his record.
Some of you may know in 1968 when I was a member of
Congress from Texas that I voted for a fair housing act. And it was
not a popular vote with my constituents. But times have changed now,
and nowadays 41 states have laws banning housing discrimination -- 41
states, including the great state of Oklahoma. Arkansas is not one
of them, and that man's been Governor for 10 or 12 years. He's
talked a lot and done nothing. (Applause.)
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Forty-eight states, the young people here might be
interested, have basic civil rights law -- 48 that ban discrimination
and guarantee equal opportunity, and Oklahoma is proud to be one of
them. But not Arkansas. Arkansas is one of only two states without
a civil rights statute. What has the Governor been doing, other
than talking about fair play? (Applause.)
And Governor Clinton goes around criticizing my 1990
veto of the Democrat Congress' quota bill. Well, yes, I did veto
that bill. And I'll veto any other quota bill that the liberals cook
up in Washington, D.C. (Applause.) I am for civil rights, and we've
got a good record on that. And I am against quotas, and that is not
a contradiction. (Applause.) And I'm proud last year to have signed
a very good equal opportunity bill, and it had no quotas in it.
Now, even though his party enjoys overwhelming control
of the Arkansas Legislature, he still hasn't brought a civil rights
bill to the people of Arkansas. so when you hear Candidate Clinton,
his rhetoric about civil rights, remember Governor Clinton's record
in Arkansas.
You know, Bill Clinton, talks a very good game. He's
got more statistics than there are problems out there. But his
actions betray his words. In Arkansas, individual income has
slipped; crime is up relative to the nation; children's test scores
get weaker; while streams of air get more polluted. If you go
swimming in that Arkansas River, keep your south closed and hold your
nose. They are doing a terrible job on pollution. (Applause.)
And so again, Candidate Clinton talks one way and
Governor Clinton has a very, very different record. Governor Clinton
proves that it doesn't matter what the candidate says. He simply
will not deliver. So whether it's Candidate Clinton or Governor
Clinton the message is the same: Bill Clinton is the wrong man to
accept your trust to be President of the United States of America.
(Applause.) I will let you all make up your mind about service to
country when it comes to war and peace. I will take my record with
pride to the American people. We have stoci tall and freedom has
prevailed. (Applause.)
Not far from here, you know, is the birthplace of Will
Rogers, the man who said he wasn't a humorist, he just watched the
government and reported what happened. Well, I don't know what he'd
say about Governor Clinton. Maybe he would say that here's a guy
with the gall to promise the moon to America while the sky is falling
down in his own backyard. But I really believe we can do better.
And I say America deserves better.
And, yes, we have challenges; and, yes, we have
problems. But this agenda of mine will confront our challenges.
There's going to be over 100 new members of Congress, maybe 150. And
the day I am reelected and they are elected, I'll sit down with them
and say, now let's improve our schools, let's fight for America's
security, let's do something about these lawsuits that are plaguing
America, let's do something about health care, let's get on with the
business of governing this nation and solving our problems.
(Applause.)
And so what I will be offering the voters -- and I ask
for your support -- is: experience, ideas that are right for
America, and I hope that my character will pass muster with you, the
American people.
Thank you very much and may God bless this great state.
And thank you for this fantastic welcome to Oklahoma. Thank you very
much. (Applause.)
AUDIENCE: We want Bush! We want Bush!
END
11:26 A.M. CDT
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
(Longview, Texas)
For Immediate Release
September 22, 1992
REMARKS BY THE PRESIDENT
TO CITIZENS LONGVIEW, TEXAS
Longview County Airport
Longview, Texas
2:17 P.M. CDT
THE PRESIDENT: Thank you very, very much. Thank you so
much. And it's an honor and privilege to be introduced by Florence
Shapiro -- not only the Mayor of Plano, but going to be a member of
the Texas Senate. We need her; she's typical of our great women
leaders in our state of Texas. Thank you, Florence. (Applause.)
And I want to thank our State Chairman, Jim Oberwetter, who is here
somewhere; Rob Mosbacher, the Texas Victory '92 Chairman; Barbara
Patton, the Bush-Quayle cochairman; and our Master of Ceremonies, Jim
Offutt. And let me say it's great to be back in East Texas -- great,
where the people understand the values that make this country strong.
(Applause.)
You know, Longview brings back many memories. Back when
I started a business out in West Texas and then down on the Gulf
Coast, where I met a payroll, learned the basic truth about things
like the role of government and the power of the individual, I stood
here at this very airport I believe it was 22 years ago and saw a
former president come into this airport, and I am proud to be back
here as President of the United States, asking for your support for
four more years. (Applause.)
Here in Texas, I learned something, and I learned that
prosperity doesn't come just from the hallowed halls of government.
It comes from the hard work, the imagination and the industry of men
and women like you here today. And I'm grateful to you for coming
out to this rally. (Applause.) I'm glad to see all the bands and
participants here. Glad to see the Kilgore Rangerettes. (Applause.)
I wish they'd go up to Washington for a few days. They could go over
and take a look at the Congress and put those high-kicking boots to
good use -- help us to clean house. (Applause.) You talk about
kicking it -- they're the ones to do it.
Now, you know, for the past few weeks I've been
traveling the length and breadth of our country -- and what a great
country it is -- stumping for the ideas that I believe in, the agenda
for American renewal. And I want to open new markets for our
American products and new jobs for American workers. Americans never
retreat. We always compete. And we always win. Let's open these
foreign markets. (Applause.)
I have a fundamental difference with the Governor next
door. I believe government is too big and spends too much of your
taxpayers' money. And I want to do something about it. He wants to
raise taxes and increase spending; I want to cut taxes and cut
spending. (Applause.)
Good news today for the nation -- good news today on
housing starts. They are up -- the largest increase in 18 months.
Inflation is down, interest rates are down, productivity is up, and
the economy is poised for a recovery. We must not let Governor
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Clinton get in and tax it back into oblivion. (Applause.) I want to
see incentives. I want to see incentives. And one of them ought to
apply to the domestic oil business. We want to change the
alternative minimum tax so we can get on with the business of
developing more domestic resources and less dependency on foreign
oil. (Applause.)
You know, it's small businesspeople, small
businesswomen, small businessmen that saved this economy when the
going has been tough. And they need relief from taxation, regulation
and, yes, from litigation. As a nation, we spend up to $200 billion
a year on lawsuits. And as a nation, we ought to sue each other less
and care for each other more. (Applause.)
I see a lot of young people here today, and welcome.
(Applause.) And let me say this about education. I want to give the
young what they truly deserve -- the finest schools in the entire
world. And I want to give every parent and every family the right to
choose their children's schools, whether they're public, private or
religious. (Applause.)
You know, I believe the Governor next door, Governor
Clinton, has made up his mind: The only way he can win is to tell
everybody how horrible things are about this country. He has
persisted on attacking me day-in and day-out, many of the attacks
personal. He has distorted, and I would say told the untruths about
my record. And this week, he unveiled started in, the first one
to do it, the first negative campaign ad. He's the one that says,
watch out for the Republicans, watch on the television the first
negative campaign ads in the presidential race of 1992 belong to that
sorry ticket of Clinton and Gore. It's a sad thing. (Applause.)
And I have taken it for 11 months, listening to these
guys. And I'll tell you today: I'm starting to dish it out and tell
the truth about his record. (Applause.) so, this morning for
openers I went to the state of Missouri and I laid out the Clinton
record just the facts, telling the truth. And I'm stopping by
these states, our state and others that are neighbors to the state of
Arkansas so that we can get past this campaign rhetoric of his and
look at what he's done for the people of Arkansas -- or, should I
say, done to the people of that great state. (Applause.)
Look, they are good, decent people next door. They are
good, hardworking people and they deserve better treatment than
they've received from their Governor.
You know, the other side keeps talking you hear him
talking about debate -- they want to change the rules from the debate
rules that have been in effect for the last four presidential
campaigns. Now he wants to change them. But now they ought to have
a debate. On the one hand, you ought to have candidate Clinton; he'd
be over here. And on the other side, promising everything, Governor
Clinton. They ought to debate each other on the issues. (Applause.)
Each stop here along the way in this six-state swing,
I'm talking about various issues. And let me talk today just about
affordable health care, something that I am desperately interested in
providing to every man, woman and child in this country. As you
might expect, my opponent and I have two vastly different ideas how
to go about this. I want to use the competition to expand coverage,
making insurance available to the poorest of the poor, to everybody
else everybody -- preserve quality and allow you to spend less of
your paycheck on health insurance.
And he has a different approach. He expresses so much
enthusiasm for government, he would have government get involved in
setting health care prices, and perhaps eventually get involved in
running our health care system. We do not need the government to run
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it. We need to protect quality and provide insurance to all.
(Applause.) You'd think he'd learn from the way the Democrats ran
the House Post Office. They can't run that; they can't run a bank.
Why in heaven's name do you think they can run the health insurance
programs? (Applause.)
You know, this guy he's too much. Up until a few
weeks ago Governor Clinton pretended that his plan wouldn't cost a
dime. But then someone at USA Today -- you know the paper that got
him to admit what I've been saying all along -- his plan would
require a new payroll tax on the back of, you've got it, small
business. Now, I don't know about you, but I think small businessmen
and women pay enough in taxes already. We cannot let him do this to
the American economy. (Applause.)
You know, he says that health care should be a right,
not a privilege. Yes, I think everybody should have health care.
But look at his record as Governor -- not the candidate, but Governor
Clinton. Arkansas has one of the nation's worst health insurance
crises. More than 42 percent of Arkansas workers -- decent,
hardworking people -- 42 percent, the second highest percentage in
the entire nation don't have employer-paid health insurance at all,
and a full 25 percent have no health insurance at all. He talks one
way around the nation, he delivers misery at home. We do not need
that for the nation. (Applause.)
You know, early last year in his fifth term as Governor,
Clinton finally signed a bill to provide bare-bones coverage to
people who have gone uninsured for more than a year. And last fall,
even his minimal plan had still not been implemented. And even
today, not a single insurance company has ever set up a single policy
for anyone under Governor Clinton's model program.
So, on this issue, on health care -- and I could be
talking about the environment -- whatever -- on this one, look at the
grand canyon between the words of candidate Clinton, running around
the country criticizing me, and the actions of Governor Clinton,
which is a sorry record by any Texas standard. (Applause.)
I wish -- I thought about being -- I love fishing and
hunting. I know everybody in East Texas does, too. (Applause.) I
flew over some beautiful bass lakes, and I got thinking about
Governor Clinton's record on the environment. Some of you may have
tried to fish or swim in the Arkansas River. You may have heard that
night fishing is catching on over there. The rivers are so polluted
that the fish glow in the dark. He has a lousy record on the
environment; and we across the line in Texas have a good record on
the environment. (Applause.)
You know, on issue after issue he talks a great game but
his actions betray his words. And while he makes promises, the
workers, the decent, hardworking women and women of Arkansas, their
standard of living weakens and their crime rate rises up faster than
the rest of the nation. Their children's test scores slip, and
Governor Clinton cannot muster the courage to even put in a basic
civil rights law like we have right here in Texas. Forty-eight
states have them, but not Arkansas. That is not fair, there's not
fair play in Arkansas. (Applause.)
So in other words, what I'm asking the American people
today on this six-state swing is to take a look at the record that
he's laid down and then compare that against the rhetoric that he's
trying to take all across the country. And be careful, because it's
slippery when wet. (Applause.) You're right.
We've got a lot of challenges and we have a lot of
problems, but we've got a great future.
I see that airplane sitting over there and I don't want
to start telling you war stories, but that's the kind of torpedo
- 4 -
bomber I flew in World War II. I was shot down in that airplane in
World War II and I am proud that I served my nation in combat.
(Applause.) And I am proud that since I have been President we have
reduced the threat of nuclear war so young men and women go to bed at
night without that awesome fear of nuclear war. (Applause.)
We have changed the world; and now I'm asking for your
help to bring honor and decency right back here at home and change
things to make things better for the people of Texas and the other 49
states. We can do it. We've got a sound record. We are on the
right track.
And now I need the help of the American people to
guarantee four more years to finish the job. (Applause.)
AUDIENCE: Four more years! Four more years! Four more
years! Four more years!
THE PRESIDENT: I am very proud to be back home. We are
going to carry Texas and we are going to win this election because we
are right on the issues and because I have been telling the truth all
along. (Applause.) Thank you very, very much.
May God bless you all. Thank you so very, very much for
this wonderful rally. What a fantastic turnout. And I love the
signs, man. Thank you.
END
1:32 P.M. CDT
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THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
(Memphis, Tennessee)
For Immediate Release
September 22, 1992
REMARKS BY THE PRESIDENT
AT GREENVILLE AIRPORT WELCOME
Greenville Municipal Airport
Greenville. Mississippi
5:19 P.M. CDT
THE PRESIDENT: Thank you all. Thank you, Kirk. Thank
you, Governor Fordice.
Let me just start off by telling the people of
Mississippi something you already know. You've got a great Governor,
a great new Governor fighting for the people here, and a wonderful
wife, Pat. (Applause.) May I salute our state chairman, Evelyn
McPhail, a great political leader. (Applause.) I see her family's
here. And National Committeewoman, Suzanne Rogers; and my old friend
whose hometown we're in, longtime political warrior, Clarke Reed.
I'm proud to be standing next to him. (Applause.)
You know, you keep hearing the cry up there in
Washington "Clean House" all around the country because of the mess
the Congress has made of things, But you've got two people that we
don't want to clean, we want to keep them there forever. And I'm
talking about Trent Lott and I'm talking about Thad Cochran. Two
great United States Senators. (Applause.)
I want to take some catfish back with me. so I'd like to
ask somebody to bring it to me. (Laughter.) I love these signs:
"Arkansas for Bush." We're not giving up on one single state around
here. (Applause.)
You know, for the past few weeks I've been traveling the
length and breadth of our wonderful country, campaigning for the
ideas -- the economic ideas that I believe in. My Agenda for
American Renewal. And I want to open up new markets for American
products, create new jobs for American workers, because American
workers never retreat, we always compete and we always win. We must
open up the markets. (Applause.)
All you hear out of the Clinton camp is gloom and doom.
Let me tell you, the figures released this morning show that housing
starts, a key indicator, are the largest increase in 18 months.
Inflation is down, interest rates are low, our economy is poised for
a takeoff if we make the right choice in November. Elect me as
President. Do not put this recovery at risk. (Applause.)
AUDIENCE: Four more years! Four more years!
THE PRESIDENT: You know, the backbone of Mississippi is
small business, small businessmen, small businesswomen. And I
believe that small business will be the sturdy horse pulling the
wagon of a recovering economy. And so I want to give small business
relief from taxation, from regulation, and yes. from litigation.
(Applause.)
You know, this is a ghastly figure, but do you know that
Americans spend up to $200 billion in one year on lawyers and
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lawsuits? And I think that is outrageous. As a nation we ought to
sue each other less and care for each other more. Help me put a lid
on these outrageous lawsuits. (Applause.)
I am so glad to see so many kids here today. And I want
to give our kids what they truly deserve: the finest schools in the
entire world. And I want every parent all across this country to
have the freedom to choose their schools for their kids, whether it's
public, private or religious. (Applause.)
And there's SO much more to our Agenda for American
Renewal: fighting crime, fighting drugs. many other things. But
while I've been out talking positively for the future, my opponent
has chosen to fix his energies on the past. And month after month --
I believe it's about 11 months now -- Governor Clinton has persisted
in these one-sided attacks on me, distorting my record, telling
untruths about what I've been trying to do for this country. And
this week -- do you remember all the things about negative, "be
careful of the Bush campaign" negative? This week Governor Clinton
launched the first nationwide negative television advertisements.
And so far up to now I've resisted going after him. But I tell you,
I'm tired of these exaggerations and I -- (applause) -- today I
started to fight back. (Applause.) Today I started to fight back -
- and we're going to talk about his record, his record next door. It
is not fair to the people of Arkansas.
AUDIENCE: Hit him again. harder, harder. Hit him
again, harder, harder.
THE PRESIDENT: I will -- just a minute here.
(Laughter.)
You know, we've been to all six states surrounding
Arkansas, and I want to see that we can move beyond Governor
Clinton's rhetoric and see what he's really done for the people next
door, for the people of Arkansas. or put it this way -- what he's
done to the good people in the state of Arkansas. (Applause.)
I support the people over there. I've been there many,
many times. They are good, hard-working. decent people. And they
deserve better treatment than they have had from that Governor there
for 10 years. (Applause.)
You know, you hear a lot about debates. Governor
Clinton is talking up there in Michigan, waving his arms around,
talking about my being afraid to stand up with him. Who is he to
call me afraid, for heaven sakes? (Applause.)
The other sides says they're eager to debate. Well,
I've got an idea. On the one side you can have candidate Clinton,
standing over here. And then over here you can have Governor
Clinton, and let them debate -- the rhetoric versus the record.
(Applause.) Let him talk about a series of broken promises, and
let's just look at one issue, and that's the need to give the middle
class, you who pay the bills and do the work, a big, fat chunk of the
American pie.
Candidate Clinton. standing here, is playing the same
old game that the liberals always play -- class warfare. You've
heard it over and over again. And candidate Clinton is good at it,
using the same tired, twisted, partisan statistics to explain how the
poor only get richer if the rich get poorer.
Let me tell you this: According to candidate Clinton.
the one over here, the last 10 years have been a nightmare. Well, if
you look at the facts, it simply is not true. Inflation is down.
Interest rates are down. And the American worker is still the most
productive in the entire world. (Applause.)
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You know, they've got -- back in Washington they have
this thing called the Urban Institute, not usually one of my most
ardent admirers. But listen to what they have to say about the
1980s. And I quote -- "The rich got a little richer and the poor got
much richer." And that is the truth. Our conservative policies of
cutting taxes have met more money in the pockets of all Americans.
Candidate Clinton doesn't think it is fair, but maybe it is because
Governor Clinton doesn't have much experience with tax fairness right
across the border in Arkansas. (Applause.)
He talks about my record -- let me talk about his,
factually. He's more than doubled Arkansas's spending since '83.
He's paid for it by raising taxes that hurt working families the
most. He's raised and extended his sales tax repeatedly. He's more
than doubled Arkansas's gas tax. He's even taxed food stamps until
the federal government forced him to stop. And he started taxing
mobile homes, and then he raised taxes on beer and then he tried to
tax child care. And I guess it doesn't matter whether the burp is
from the beer or the baby bottle, he's going to slap a tax on it.
And I don't think we need that -- (applause) -- I don't think we need
that for the United States of America. (Applause.)
Listen to what the Arkansas paper -- I'm going right to
his homefront for this one -- said about his tax policies. If
Congress followed the example Bill Clinton has set as Governor, it
would pass a tax program that would hit the middle class the hardest.
Well, I don't want to favor the rich at the expense of
the middle class. I want to cut taxes for all working Americans so
that everyone can get rich, because that's what America is all about.
(Applause.)
Candidate Clinton wants to do for the American economy
what Governor Clinton has done to Arkansas. And I've got one
question: Why in the world should we let him do that to us?
(Applause.) As a candidate now he's come out of the box and he has
already proposed the largest tax increase in American history. And
that's not even counting the payroll taxes that he wants to slap on
for training and health care.
Now, you tell me, is that fair to the middle class? The
answer is no. He's been talking the talk of economic fairness,
sounding like Robin Hood -- rob from the rich and give some crumbs to
the poor -- but Governor Clinton has been more like Captain Hook --
scaring the wits out of the middle class. And I believe in something
entirely different. I believe that government is too big and spends
too much of your money. And I want to change that. (Applause.)
That's why I want that line-item veto and the balanced
budget amendment and that tax-off -- tax cut-off to let people check
their box on their income taxes. If the Congress can't do it, let
the American people do it. And let me follow through to get these
taxes down and get this deficit down. (Applause.)
AUDIENCE: Clean the House! Clean the House!
THE PRESIDENT: There's a good idea. They say clean the
House. I'll tell you, there's going to be 150 new members of
Congress or something like that. And the day I am reelected, I'll
sit down with them and I'll say "Look, the American people said they
don't want to spend more, they don't want to tax more. They want to
get government under control, they want to do something about crime.
Now, you new members of Congress help me get all this done in the
first 100 days. Give the people a break." (Applause.)
You know, I feel the same way on this tax situation as
Kirk Fordice does. He went to the mat with the state legislature to
ease the tax burden on the working men and women. And Governor
Fordice might have won that first round, but he's going to come back
MORE
again and again. And he knows the same as I know -- that you can
spend your money better than any government planner can. Low taxes
are the way to get the economy moving again. (Applause.)
So whether the issue is fairness, the environment.
health care, civil rights, fighting crime, improving our schools,
candidate Clinton promises America the moon, while Governor Clinton
watches the sky fall in over in Arkansas. He has a lousy record and
I don't want him to do to the United States that which he has done to
the great state of Arkansas. (Applause.)
You know, I'm proud to be back in Mississippi, and I
think of this one, as Kirk referred to it, as one of the most
patriotic of states. And I will say this -- no, I am not going to
bring up the draft issue. But let me just simply say I am proud that
I wore the uniform of the United States of America -- (applause) --
and I am proud that I served. (Applause.)
We have a great country. We are the leader of the
entire world. Soviet communism is dead, peace is on the move all
around the world. And Governor Clinton says we're a nation in
decline. He ought to get outside of Little Rock and travel and find
out that we are the most respected nation on the face of the Earth.
And I want to keep it that way by keeping us strong, keeping us
determined, keeping us economically viable at home. (Applause.)
You have a great, proud state and I'm proud to be back
in it. May God bless the people of Mississippi and the people of the
United States of America. (Applause.) Thank you very, very much.
END
5:33 P.M. CDT
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
(Memphis, Tennessee)
For Immediate Release
September 22, 1992
REMARKS BY THE PRESIDENT
AT MEMPHIS WELCOME
Craigmont High School
Memphis. Tennessee
7:45 P.M. CDT
THE PRESIDENT: Thank you. (Applause.) Thank you
very much. What a wonderful welcome.
AUDIENCE: Four more years! Four more years!
THE PRESIDENT: Thank you all very much. And may I
salute at first Congressman sundquist. You're lucky, you've got
a great member of the United States Congress. (Applause.) And
Barbara Bush off on some other part of the campaign trail sends
her love to Martha Sundquist, the great wife of Don. And may I
say how pleased I am to have been introduced by one of the truly
great members of the Cabinet, a man who served this country with
such distinction, a national leader for education, Governor Lamar
Alexander. What a class act. (Applause.)
And may I thank and salute Dr. House, the
Superintendent of the schools here in Memphis; Dr. Langsdon, the
Shelby County GOP and B/Q -- the Bush-Quayle Chairman in '92.
And may I single out Dr. Walters -- (applause) -- I didn't know
kids clapped that much for a principal, but you're right, she is
outstanding. (Applause.) And also Jakene Ashford, who greeted
me earlier, the student body president. You've got a class-act
president of this school, too. (Applause.)
You know, I left the White House at 6:40 a.m. this
morning. We started out on the campaign trail in Springfield,
Missouri. And this is the sixth state we've visited in just a
little over 12 hours. But, you know, I can't think of a better
place to finish this day than Memphis, Tennessee, home of the
blues -- (applause) -- home of the wet and dry ribs, the old
South and the new pyramid. And, of course. the home of Elvis
himself. (Applause.) Rest assured I'm talking about Elvis
Presley, not Elvis Clinton. (Applause.)
You know, for the past few weeks I've been all
across America stumping for the economic ideas I believe in. We
call it the Agenda for American Renewal. And I want to open new
markets for American products, create jobs for American workers
-- (applause) -- because -- don't listen to the other side --
Americans never retreat; we always compete and we always win.
That is the American spirit. (Applause.)
If you listen to that Clinton-Gore ticket, you think
everything is wrong. And this morning new figures came out.
Housing starts are up, the largest increase in a year and a half.
(Applause.) Inflation is under control. Interest rates remain
low. And I believe the stage is set after a long, begrudging
anemic growth set for an economic recovery if we make the right
choices in November. I need four more years to finish the job.
(Applause.)
AUDIENCE: Four more years! Four more years!
THE PRESIDENT: That's what we want.
MORE
You know, the choice before the American people is
really clear: Governor Clinton has already started with is
program. He wants more government and higher taxes. That is bad
for America.
AUDIENCE: Booooool
THE PRESIDENT: And I believe in something
completely different, and so does Don. I believe that government
is too big and spends too much of your money, and I want to cut
taxes and provide incentives to get this economy moving again.
(Applause.)
You know, small business will be the horse pulling
the wagon on our recovery economy. And so I want to give
small businesses relief from taxation and regulation and
litigation. (Applause.)
You know, parents don't coach Little League for
fear, people don't -- doctors don't deliver babies for fear.
Today Americans spend up to $200 billion a year on lawyers and
lawsuits. And I think it's crazy. As a nation we've got to sue
each other less and care for each other more. (Applause.)
But as I -- I have one wish above all others,
though, and as I look out at the young faces in this audience I
think of the potential of our great country and of the challenge
of our schools. And your great Governor, Lamar, puts our
challenge in education this way: when the fifth graders graduate
from high school they will have changed so much we will barely
recognize them. But for our young people to succeed our schools
will have to change so much that we barely recognize them either.
And that's why I am so excited about America 2000
movement -- the program to literally revolutionize education in
this country. (Applause.) And I am excited about our new
American schools, about our higher standard for students, about
freeing teachers from government bureaucracy, and about giving
every parent the choice to choose the best school for their child
to learn in. (Applause.)
And so one of the reasons I came here to this
wonderful institution is to say thanks to Memphis, because you
are the big part, a major part of America 2000. You are a leader
in a revolution that is changing America from the schoolyard
right on up. (Applause.) And so to the parents and the teachers
and the business leaders and the community activists, I say
thanks for caring about the kids: thanks for being loyal to
Memphis's future.
And of course, there's another reason I came here
today. As one or two of you may have heard, there's an election
coming up in November. And I have been traveling all across
America making my case for our renewal agenda. And while I've
been outlining my positive ideas for the future, Bill Clinton has
been chosen to focus his energy on the past. And literally --
you go back now -- a lot of you are students about government and
politics -- month after month, for the last 11 months, Governor
Clinton has persisted in attacking me, distorting my record. And
this week he unveiled the campaign's first negative commercial.
He's been saying, oh, wait until the Republicans go
negative. It is the Clinton-Gore ticket that has aired the first
national negative ads.
AUDIENCE: Booo --
THE PRESIDENT: NOW, I have a confession to make. I
haven"t talked much about h:is record because I think the American
people would rather hear a positive discussion about what we'll
do to renew America. (Applause.) But I will also admit that I'm
MORE
a little tired of having my own record distorted, and I think
it's time we don't just listen to what he says, but take a look
at what Governor Clinton does. (Applause.)
And that is what I've been doing today. That's
exactly what I've been doing today, from Missouri to Oklahoma to
Texas to Louisiana to Mississippi, and now in the great state of
Tennessee, pointing out the facts -- (applause) -- pointing out
the facts, no exaggeration -- about Governor Clinton's record on
economic fairness, on civil rights or lack thereof; on the
environment; on health care. And over and over, you see the same
pattern emerging -- Governor Clinton promises the moon to America
while the sky is falling in on Arkansas. (Applause.)
And regrettably -- regrettably for the young people
in that state -- the wonderful young kids across the way in
Arkansas -- education is no different. In his new book,
candidate Clinton says America has failed to provide its children
with either the best education or adequate protection from
violence. And I disagree. I am proud of what we've done to
promote America 2000. (Applause.) And I am especially proud of
the leadership of that great son of Tennessee, Lamar Alexander.
(Applause.)
And, yes, sure, Governor Clinton -- candidate
Clinton -- is critical of our record. But what has Governor
Clinton done? And here are the facts. Let me give it to you.
You're not going to like it, on behalf of your friends in
Arkansas, but here's the record. Here are the facts, pure and
simple.
During the 1980s, Arkansas fell from 47th to 48th
place in percentage of adults with a high school diploma.
Arkansas's rankings on its primary college entrance exam, the
ACT, have declined. Twenty-eight states use the ACT as their
primary college entrance test. The New York Times reported that
in 1979, Arkansas ranked 20th out of those 28. In its latest
ranking, it's down to 25th out of 28. While we're going up in
the nation, he's going down in the state of Arkansas.
AUDIENCE: Booo.
THE PRESIDENT: And it is not fair to the young
people there. It is not fair to the young families across the
way. And we know that more than three-quarters of Arkansas high
school graduates require remedial instruction when they get to
college. Think about that. Three out of four Arkansas college
students spend their first year of college relearning what they
missed in high school. That is not fair to the families of
Arkansas.
And when it comes to the percentage of adults with a
college degree, Governor Clinton's Arkansas still ranks 50th --
50th in the entire nation.
Now, these are facts, pure and simple. And you can
see there's a grand canyon by what candidate Clinton says about
improving education and what Governor Clinton has actually done.
And if you believe as I do -- if you believe
education is important, I ask you to look beyond the rhetoric.
Look at the record. And I have fought for higher standards. I
have fought for less regulation. I have fought to reinvent our
schools. And I have fought for parental choice. These ideas are
not popular in all places. But if you care about education, I
think you must look at the two candidates and ask yourself a
simple question: When it comes to reforming our schools, which
candidate will tell America what it wants to hear, and which will
tell America what it needs to hear? (Applause.)
Enough talk -- enough talk of politics for the day.
It's been a long, long day. It's been a wonderful day. And as
MORE
- 4 -
you can imagine, campaigns can be grueling. And once in a while
I'll get home, you know, after midnight, after being attacked in
the press and the craziest mood I've every seen out there. And
Barbara will ask me this simple question: You know, we've got a
good life; we've got a wonderful family. why do you put up with
it? And I'll tell you why I put up with it, why I want four more
years: I want it for the children, for the bright-faced kids I
see on their parents' shoulders at rallies all across the nation.
(Applause.) For the young people right here tonight.
(Applause.)
Don Sundquist tells me that there are six young
people from Russia with us this evening. (Applause.) And
they're part of an exchange program. And think about it. Think
about how 10 years ago such a program might never be possible.
Think about how five years ago, these very kids sat halfway
around the world knowing nothing of our world, but fearing,
as our own families, our own kids did, that the world they knew
might be destroyed in a moment with the mere press of a finger on
a button. Well, that terrible, awful, nightmare has receded from
our children's minds. And today -- (applause) -- and today these
Russian kids can join with Memphis kids and they can read stories
together and play basketball and laugh at the same jokes and
share the same sweet memories and think of all that has happened
to make this possible.
In another time, in another age, Thomas Paine wrote
these simple words: "We have the power to begin the world
again." Well, we have begun our world again. And our new world
is a world of hope, it's a world of promise, a world of peace, a
world of unprecedented opportunity. And I want our children to
realize the magic of this new world, to believe in miracles, just
as we can look at our Russian friends here tonight and say
"Miracles have finally come true." (Applause.)
And if we can renew the world -- and I take great
pride in the fact that our administration has literally changed
the world, made peace a reality and not a dream: made democracy
on the march, made tranquility around the world something real
and something we can touch and feel -- and if we can change the
world, then I have no doubt that we can renew America. And we
can strengthen our economy, we can reinvent our schools.
And there is much work to be done, and I believe I
am the leader to do it. (Applause.) And that is why I am
running for reelection, and that is why I ask for your support.
And don't ever let the Governor from across the way convince you
that we are a nation in decline. We are the most respected,
freest, greatest nation on the face of the Earth, and I want to
lead you for four more years. (Applause.)
Thank you, and may God bless the United States of
America. Thank you very, very much. (Applause.)
END
8:02 P.M. CDT
September 21, 1992
6:30 pm
RECORD
PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS:
EVENT TBD
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 1992
SPRINGFIELD, MISSOURI
(Acknowledgments, intro, etc.)
Two weeks ago in Detroit, I presented to the American people
my Agenda for American Renewal -- a clear-eyed look at what's wrong
with our country, and what's right. I offered a comprehensive,
integrated approach to win the new global economic competition.
So that by early in the next century, the world's first $10
trillion economy will be found right here, in the United States.
11
Last week, I discussed in detail how my vision of our future
differs from that of my opponent. The differences couldn't be
deeper -- the stakes couldn't be higher.
Basically, it comes down to this: My opponent believes
government planners can manage the economy better than the workers
and entrepreneurs who actually make it grow.
I respect government, but I don't put my faith in it. I put
my faith in the tax-paying, hard-working men and women of
America. //
Candidate Clinton wants to raise taxes that will kill jobs.
I want to cut taxes to help Americans create jobs.
Candidate Clinton wants to increase federal spending by at
least $220 billion. And I want to cut it
...
by that much and
more.
Our differences will become clearer as we head towards
2
election day. And then you will make a choice.
The American people are interviewing two men for the same job.
Governor Clinton says: Hire me.
Now, you know me. My record is on the table. You know its
shortcomings -- and its strengths. And in my Agenda I've told you
what I intend to do to build on that record.
So today let's look at my opponent's record -- the Arkansas
record.
I hear Candidate Clinton is up in Michigan today -- talking
about debates. But before the Candidate debates the President,
maybe Governor Clinton should debate Candidate Clinton. You see -
- we've all heard what Candidate Clinton says he can do for
America. But that's very different from what Governor Clinton has
done to Arkansas.
Now, I want to be fair. So I'm going to stick to the facts.
Just the facts -- because the facts speak for themselves. And I'll
stick to issues on which Bill Clinton says he's been a leader.
And I'm going to start with civil rights.
Candidate Clinton and his running mate recently published a
paperback book -- a catalogue of complaints about America. And
it's full of grand promises about the future they're planning for
themselves in the White House.
Way back on page 175, there's a chapter called "The Clinton-
Gore Record." Eleven single-spaced pages -- everything nice they
could possibly think to say about themselves. And not one word
about civil rights.
Not one --- even though Governor Clinton brags
3
that his civil rights record is -- and I quote -- "the best.
Some of you may know that in 1968 -- when I was a Congressman
from Texas -- I supported the Fair Housing Act. It wasn't popular
with some of my constituents. Times have changed, of course, and
nowadays 41 states have laws banning housing discrimination.
Forty-one states. But Arkansas isn't one of them -- even though
my opponent has been governor for 12 years.
Forty-six states have human relations agencies that safeguard
their citizens against discrimination. But not Arkansas.
Forty-eight states have basic civil rights laws that ban
discrimination and guarantee equal opportunity. But not Arkansas.
Arkansas is one of only two states without a civil rights statute.
Candidate Clinton likes to talk about my 1990 veto of the
Democratic Congress's quota bill. I did veto that bill -- and I'll
veto any other quota bill the Democrats cook up. But being against
quotas and being for civil rights is not a contradiction.
So last year, after tough negotiations with Congress, I did
sign a major Civil Rights Bill -- without resorting to quotas.
Even though his party enjoys overwhelming control of the Arkansas
legislature, Governor Clinton still hasn't brought a civil rights
bill to the people of Arkansas.
So when you hear the Candidate Clinton's rhetoric about civil
rights, remember Governor Clinton's record.
Believe me: I'll be happy to put my civil rights record next
to his any day of the week.
Now consider another issue: economic fairness. Candidate
4
Clinton is playing an old game liberals always play -- class
warfare. And Candidate Clinton is good at it: using the same
tired, twisted, partisan statistics to explain how the poor can
only get richer if the rich get poorer.
According to Candidate Clinton, the last ten years have been
a nightmare. Well, I hate to wake him up, but I've got news for
him: It isn't true.
The Urban Institute back in Washington isn't usually
sympathetic to me, but listen to what they had to say about the
1980s: "When one follows individuals rather than statistical
groups defined by income, one finds that, on average, the rich got
a little richer and the poor got much richer." That's the truth:
Our policies of cutting taxes have spurred growth for all
Americans.
Candidate Clinton doesn't think this is "fair." Maybe it's
because Governor Clinton doesn't have much experience with tax
fairness in his own state.
Governor Clinton has more than doubled Arkansas state spending
since 1983. And he has paid for it almost exclusively by raising
the taxes that hurt poor and working families the most. My
opponent has raised his sales tax repeatedly -- and he has opposed
removing that tax from groceries. That's right: food and drink,
which in most state's isn't taxed at all.
Arkansas's gasoline tax has more than doubled, to 18-and-a-
half cents per gallon. Governor Clinton even taxed food stamps
until the federal government forced him to stop. And as if working
5
families didn't already have enough problems -- he's even tried to
tax child care.
When it comes to taxes, he can't seem to get enough. Last
year, Governor Clinton signed the largest tax increase in Arkansas
history. The Arkansas Gazette called it "inhumane." I'll quote
from an article they published when all was said and done: "[I]n
the Clinton era," it says, "the state tax system has become more
and more regressive. It has become, step by step, a pretty bad
system, stacked against the ordinary taxpayer and consumer, stacked
for the rich and the special interests." End quote.
Another Arkansas newspaper was even more direct. The said -
- and I quote again -- "[I]f Congress followed the example Bill
Clinton has set as governor of Arkansas, it would pass a tax
program that would hit the middle class hardest."
That's been his tax policy in Arkansas. Look at what it did
to the state's economy. Per-capita income, for example. That's
the bottom line for working men and women: how much income, on
average, each of them have.
Well, at the end of the 1980s, Arkansas ranked 47th in the
nation for per-capita income -- the figure was about 73 percent of
the national average.
In the 1970s, Arkansas employment increased by almost 23
percent. In the 1980s, under Governor Clinton, employment growth
slowed substantially -- once again below the national average.
And what about all those good manufacturing jobs that
Candidate Clinton talks about? Well, average hourly earnings for
6
Arkansas manufacturing workers were 47th in 1980. But they dropped
to 50th by 1989.
Now Candidate Clinton wants to do to the American economy what
he's done to Arkansas taxes, income and jobs.
Candidate Clinton has already admitted to wanting the biggest
tax increase in history -- and that's not even counting his payroll
taxes for training and health care.
You tell me: Is that fair?
Another issue: What about crime? Candidate Clinton likes to
talk tough. You'll hear him say that I've tried to cut back on
federal aid to state and local law enforcement.
Wrong. We've increased federal spending on law enforcement
activities by 43 percent over the last four years.
You'll also hear him make some pretty impressive claims about
crime control in Arkansas.
Wrong again.
Candidate Clinton -- meet Governor Clinton. During the 1980s,
the nation's overall crime rate actually declined. Arkansas's
overall crime rate went up nearly 28 percent.
That is the worst crime increase -- the worst -- in the
nation.
And violent crime? Arkansas's violent crime rate went up more
Illinois
than 58 percent -- again: one of the worst records in the nation.
Why? Well, while violent crime was exploding on Governor
Clinton's watch, the number of sworn law enforcement officers
actually declined in one out of every three Arkansas counties.
7
Arkansas ranks near rock bottom in every important per-capita law
enforcement expenditure -- for prisons: 46th. For judicial and
Mary Kate Grant
legal systems: 50th. And when it comes to spending for police
officers, Arkansas ranks 49th.
Even so, Governor Clinton has repeatedly cut the budget
requests of his overburdened state police and corrections
departments.
And in Arkansas, when the prison door slams shut on a
convicted criminal, he knows it won't be long before it opens
again. As incredible as it seems, most inmates in Arkansas serve
less than one-fifth -- one-fifth -- of their sentence behind bars.
That's the worst in the nation.
Now contrast that with what we've been doing on the federal
level. Most federal inmates serve at least 85 percent of their
sentence. I think it's pretty simple: If you take liberties with
the law, you're going to lose your own.
When you look at Governor Clinton's record on law enforcement,
it's not surprising that last week -- the Fraternal Order of Police
in Little Rock gave me their endorsement for President. They know
the records of the candidates -- and they know Governor Clinton's
record better than anybody. Their president said: "George Bush
has demonstrated his solid commitment and continued support of the
law enforcement officers during his presidency, and we believe the
President deserves our support and endorsement." That's the
verdict of the police officers in Governor Clinton's hometown.
Let's look at another contrast between Candidate Clinton's
8
rhetoric and Governor Clinton's record -- children. In his new
book, Candidate Clinton says that America has failed to provide its
children with either the best education or adequate protection from
violence. That's what the Candidate says. But how about the
Governor? What kind of education and protection has he provided
for Arkansas's youngest citizens?
The Candidate says the Governor has cut dropout rates more
than most Southern states. But no one really knows for sure --
because only a small fraction of Arkansas's school districts even
keep such statistics.
We do know that during the 1980s, Arkansas fell from 47th to
49th place in the percentage of adults with a high school diploma.
We do know that Arkansas's rankings on its primary college
entrance examination have declined. Twenty-eight states use this
exam as its primary college entrance test. Arkansas used to rank
20th. Now it ranks 25th -- 25th out of 28.
And we know that more than three-quarters of Arkansas high
school graduates require remedial instruction when they get to
college. Think about that. 75 percent of Arkansas college
students spend their first year of college relearning what they
missed in high school.
And we know that the state still ranks 50th in percentage of
adults with a college degree.
And think about this: federal aid for Arkansas general
education is up 35 percent since 1983. But -- as percentages of
the national average -- Arkansas state government per capita and
()
2
9
per pupil spending actually declined in the 1980s.
About protecting children from violence, you should know this.
My opponent's record is
in one word
appalling. The facts
aren't pretty, but they should be heard.
During the 1980s, the death rate for American children 14 and
under improved dramatically. But in Arkansas -- it got worse. The
state ranked 49th in 1989. In the 1980s, Arkansas's rate of
violent deaths for teenagers soared at three times the national
average.
According to the National Governors Association and the
American Humane Association, Arkansas's child abuse rate almost
doubled from 1982 to 1987, and it was more than 35 percent higher
than the national average in 1990.
Now, it's hard to believe that Governor Clinton was unaware
of what was going on. Throughout the 1980s, study after study
contained detailed findings and recommendations -- a cry for help.
He even commissioned some of these studies himself. In 1990, his
own Department of Human Services reported that "frequent and
widespread" official failures had placed the children of Arkansas
in "imminent peril.'
Still Governor Clinton did nothing. Finally a group of child
welfare advocates took the Governor to court. They filed a federal
agreed judge to
class
action
suit
naming
him,
[personally]
as lead defendant. On
June 8th -- less than four months ago -- my opponent finally
a
settled out of court.
state attorney general signed consent
decree
And now Candidate Clinton promises to crack down on violence
against children. Right there in his book -- page 49.
Clinton-Am.
can't afford 4 mod years
NYT 2 25% «fArk,
res. no we 1th ins.
10
It makes you wonder. Before this campaign is over, we may
have to find an even better word than "slick."
Now to the environment. I love to hike --- camp in the woods.
You've heard me talk about the importance of protecting the
environment many times. But to me real eloquence is action -- and
I have acted. There's our historic Clean Air Act -- cutting acid
rain in half. We've banished offshore oil rigs from sensitive
beaches on both coasts -- and added a billion dollars worth of new
forests and parks for our children to enjoy.
And we have already collected more pollution fines than had
previously been collected in the entire 18-year history of the EPA.
To those who spoil our lakes and air we are saying -- Mess with our
children's health and you will pay.
Those are facts -- that's the record. But Candidate Clinton
calls America's environmental record since 1989 a "disaster." He
promises a -- quote -- "real environmental policy" that will --
quote -- "challenge Americans and demand responsibility at every
level.'
My advice: Let's take Bill Clinton at his word. Demand that
candidates run on their records -- not from them. I'll stand by
mine. Let's see if he can stand on his.
Earlier this year, my opponent was asked to name a single
Arkansas law that exceeds federal environmental standards. He
couldn't -- not one. The Governor has accepted generous campaign
contributions and free plane rides from Arkansas's powerful chicken
industry. The industry is the ultimate source of -- I'll put this
6 BillBecke NYT Apr.2 1992
4
Stor
AFr C/o- "a worthless, cynical power play"
clinton -airplane rides
contributions chicken industry
B. Drummond Ayres
11
as delicately as I can -- fecal coliform bacteria, which pollutes
hundreds of miles of Arkansas rivers. [WELLS?] Yet Governor Clinton
has never issued a single regulation to control this pollution.
The American people deserve to know why,
Last year, the Institute for Southern Studies released an
extraordinarily detailed state-by-state study of environmental
quality and progress. Let me quote the Institute's Research
Director: "In the areas of policy -- laws passed, not task forces
or commissions set up to study a problem -- Arkansas was 50th, the
worst in the nation."
Candidate Clinton complains that the study was flawed. So let
me quote the Governor's own appointed chairman of the Arkansas
Pollution Control and Ecology Commission. He says -- quote -- "We
deserve to be low on the list. It doesn't mean Arkansas has
dirtier air than California, but if California was operating on the
laws of Arkansas, you'd probably have to have a gas mask.
Finally, let's talk about health care. As you might expect,
my opponent and I have two vastly different approaches to the
problem. I want to use competition to expand coverage, preserve
quality, and drive down costs. Governor Clinton wants to bring the
health care system under the control of the federal government.
Until just a few weeks ago, Governor Clinton pretended that
his plan wouldn't cost a dime. But then someone at USA Today got
him to admit what I've been saying all along: his plan would
require a new payroll tax.
That tax will kill jobs, especially in small businesses. And
12
it will cut wages. But since we're talking about our records
today, consider this, as well. Candidate Clinton says health care
"should be a right, not a privilege." And yet -- under Governor
Clinton -- Arkansas has one of the nation's worst health insurance
crises.
More than 42 percent of Arkansas workers -- the second highest
percentage in the nation -- don't have employer-paid health
insurance. And the New York Times says a full 25 percent of all
state residents have no health insurance at all.
Candidate Clinton now says America -- quote -- "can't afford
four more years" without a solution to our health care problem.
I agree. But Governor Clinton took a long time to come around.
Two years ago -- in his fifth term as governor -- he finally signed
a bill to provide "bare bones" coverage to people who've gone
uninsured /for more than a year.
Last fall, even this minimal plan had still not been
implemented. And even today, not a single insurance company has
ever set up a single policy -- for anyone -- under Governor
Clinton's model program. Bill Becker, head of the Arkansas AFL-
CIO, calls my opponent's state health insurance program -- and I
quote -- "a worthless, cynical power ploy."
So there you have it. Next time you hear Candidate Clinton
promise to be a progressive "change agent" for the entire United
States, think of civil rights and taxes in the tiny state he's left
behind. Think of crime and child abuse and education in Arkansas.
Think of the environment he's neglected -- the health care problems
13
he's ignored.
Think about all this the next time Governor Clinton says he
will do for America what he's done for Arkansas.
Listen carefully to this debate about America's future. And
pay attention to the other debate -- the one the rhetoric and the
record -- the words of Candidate Clinton and the actions of
Governor Clinton.
We've seen over the last nine months that Candidate Clinton
will say anything to anyone. But the record of Governor Clinton
proves that it doesn't matter what the Candidate will say to
anyone. Because he won't deliver.
So either way -- whether it's Candidate Clinton or Governor
Clinton -- Bill Clinton is wrong for America.
I say we can do better. That's why I've presented my Agenda -
- and that's why my Agenda contains 13 specific items I'm going to
fight to accomplish in the first year of my second term.
....
# # #
OFFICE OF PRESIDENTIAL SPEECHWRITING
FACSIMILE TRANSMITTAL SHEET
Number of Pages (Including Cover) 5
To DAVID TELL
Fax Number 336-7087
Date SEPT 21
From JENNIFER
Office Number
456-7752
******
COMMENTS
******
This is information from Paul McNulty,
Head of Communications & Policy at DOJ.
His # is 514-2000
SEP-21-92
Arkansas serious crime had the highest increase of any state in the rate of
(crime index) between 1980 and 1990 -- 27.7%.
Arkansas serious crime had the highest increase of any state in of
(crime index) between 1980 and 1991 the -- 35.8%. rate
violent Arkansas had the second highest increase of
Illinois crime rate from 1980 to 1990 (58.8%), trailing any state only in
(95.7%).
Arkansas violent had the third highest increase of
Illinois crime rate from 1980 to 1991 (77.0%), trailing any state only in
(110.2%) and Alabama (88.2%).
Definitions:
assault. Violent crime includes murder, rape, robbery, and aggravated
Serious (crime index) crime includes the four violent crimes
theft. listed above, as well as burglary, larceny-theft, and motor vehicle
Sources:
1980, 1990, and 1991.
FBI's Uniform Crime Reports -- Crime in the United States for
SEP-21-92 MON 14:31
ARKANSAS
Between 1980 and 1991, Arkansas' crime index and violent crime
rates increased faster than the national rate. This was also true
for every individual offense in the crime index.
1980/90
1990/91
1980/91
Crime index rate - Ark
+ 27.74
+ 6.31
+ 35.81
(all states)
- 2.2%
+ 1.3%
- 0.9%
Violent crime rate W Ark.
+ 58.81
11,51
+ 77.01
(all states)
+ 22.7%
+ 3.6%
+ 27.1%
Murder rate Ark.
+ 12.0%
t 7.8%
+ 20.71
(all states)
- 7.8%
+ 4.3%
- 3.9%
Rape rate Ark
+ 62.2%
+ 3.0%
+ 67.01
(all states)
+ 12.0%
+ 2.7%
+ 14.9%
Robbery rate Ark.
+ 39.9%
+ 19.8%
+ 67.61
(all states)
+ 2.3%
+ 6.1%
+ 8.6%
Aggrav. assault rate
Ark
& 67.3%
+ 10.01
84.0
(all states)
+ 42.1%
+ 2.2%
+ 45.2%
Burglary rate Ark
F 8.21
& 1.3%
t 9.61
(all states)
- 26.6%
+ 1.3%
- 25.7%
Larceny/theft rate - Ark
& 30.6%
6.3%
+ 38.9%
(all states)
+ 0.9%
+ 1.1%
+ 2.0%
Motor veh: thaft of Ark
+ 54.7%
+ 18.0%
+ 82.51
(all states)
+ 31.0%
+ 0.2%
+ 31.2%
In 1980, Arkansas was a "Class AA" team in the crime rate
minor leagues. By 1991, Arkansas was in Class AAA and trying
hard to break into the majors.
Crime Rate Rankings (D.C. excluded)
1980
1991
Crime Index
44th
30th
Violent
34th
22nd
Murder
21st
13th
Rape
32nd
19th
Robbery
38th
27th
Ag. Assault
32nd
19th
Burglary
40th
19th
Larceny/theft
46th
26th
Motor Vehicle
47th
33rd
NOTE: 1st = Highest Crime Rate; 50th = Lowest Rate
SEP-21-92 MON 14:32 OPD
- 2 -
Arkansas had the third highest increase in violent crime rate
from 1980 to 1991 (77.0%), trailing only Illinois (110.2%) and
Alabama (88.2%)
Arkansas in 1991 had the 22nd highest violent crime rate. Of
the 17 states with smaller populations than Arkansas (2.37
million), only 4 had higher violent crime rates (Alaska, Dela-
ware, Nevada, New Mexico).
Arkansas - Avg. Length of stay
for State Inmates
Sentence
Length of stay
offense
Yrs. Mos.
Yrs. Mos.
Pct. of Sentence
Homicide
18
2
4
3
23.4%
Sex Offenses
12
2
3
2
26.0%
Ag. Robbery
18
2
3 11
21.6%
Drug Offenses
7
8
0 10
10.9%
All Admissions
7
9 & 23 da. 1
4
17.1%
NOTE: Sentence lengths based on admissions to
prison in FY91; excludes those sentenced to death,
life without parole, or life. Lengths of stay
based on releases from prison in FY91; excludes
"lifers."
SOURCE: Arkansas Department of Corrections
The following expenditure figures are based on Census Bureau
data.
In FY 1990, Arkansas spent $79.9 million on corrections --
1.9% of total state expenditures, less than the national state
average of 2.8%.
In FY 1990, Arkansas and its local governments spent $101.0
million on corrections -- 1.7% of total direct expenditures,
less than the national average state and local figure of 2.5%.
Arkansas' per capita state and local corrections expenditures
were $43, significantly less than the national per capita fig-
ure of $99.
Total FY 1990 Arkansas state spending on law enforcement was
$134.3 million -- 3.2% of total state expenditures, less than
the national state average of 4.5%.
Total FY 1990 Arkansas state and local spending on law en-
forcement was $301.9 million -- 5.1% of total state and local
- 3 -
expenditures, less than the national state and local average
of 7.1%. Per capita state and local spending on law enforce-
ment was $128.41, less than half the national state and local
per capita figure of $278.72.
According to the Census Bureau, Arkansas ranked as follows in
state and local per capita expenditures in FY 1990 for the
components of law enforcement expenditures (excluding D.C.) :
Police
49th
Corrections
46th
Judicial and legal
50th
Total law enforcement
49th
The point is often made that Arkansas is a poor state. To
take into account differing income levels in the country, the
Census Bureau has computed expenditures in proportion to $1000
of personal income.
These are the FY 1990 state and local expenditure levels per
$1000 personal income, along with the national ranking (ex-
cluding D.C.):
Police
$4.67
48th
(U.S. - $ 7.00)
Corrections
$3.25
42nd
(U.S. = $ 5.64)
Judicial and legal
$1.80
50th
(U.S. - $ 3.23)
Total law enforcement
$9.72
48th
(U.S. - $15.87)
Summary of FY90 Law Enforcement Expenditures in Arkansas
(State and Local)
% Expenditures
U.S.
Per capita (rank)
U.S.
Police
2.4%
3.1%
$61.65 (49th) $122.94
Corrections
1.7%
2.5%
$42.94
(46th)
$ 99.05
Judicial/Legal
0.9%
1.5%
$23.82 (50th)
$ 56.72
Total
5.1%
7.1%
$128.41 (49th)
$278.71
Expenditures per $1000
personal income (rank)
U.S.
Police
$4.67
(48th)
$ 7.00
Corrections
$3.25
(42nd)
$ 5.64
Judicial/Legal
$1.80
(50th)
$ 3.23
Total
$9.72
(48th)
$15.87
PAGE
4
National Public Radio, July 9, 1992
control. In making his announcement today, Clinton said that he and Gore are
the right choice to take on President Bush and Vice President Quayle.
Governor Bill Clinton (Democratic Presidential Candidate): Our people are
hurting and our country is slipping behind. We can't afford four more years
of an administration without a plan to turn the country around, with a president
and a vice president not strong enough and determined enough to make it happen.
We had the best plan--and now we have the best ticket. Taylor: Gore said that
he had not sought the vice presidential nomination and until recently did not
expect to be Clinton's choice.
Senator Albert Gore (Tennessee): But I'm here for one simple reason: I love my
country
Unidentified Woman: All right!
Gore:
and I believe in my heart that this ticket gives our country the best
chance for the change we 50 desperately need to move forward again.
Taylor: Analysts
...
U.S. Newswire, July 9, 1992
supporter of helping the working poor, and as important as anything else, he has
demonstrated a consistent commitment to the children of America," said
Clinton.
Clinton said, "Twelve years is long enough for a nation to have no
economic strategy, no unifying vision, no common purpose. We can't afford
four more years of an administration without a plan to turn the country
around, with a president and a vice-president not strong enough and determined
enough to make it happen.
"We have the best plan. And now we have the best ticket," said Clinton.
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LEVEL 1 - - 1 OF 18 STORIES
Copyright 1992 American Political Network, Inc.
The Hotline
September 21, 1992
SECTION: WHITE HOUSE '92
LENGTH: 666 words
HEADLINE: CLINTON: "FIRST NEGATIVE AD" HITS BUSH ON ECONOMY
... ANNCR: "March 1992. Jobless rate hits a six-year high." BUSH:
"The economy is strengthening." ANNCR: "George Bush vetoes
unemployment compensation." Bush: "The economy continues to
grow." ANNCR: "July 1992. Unemployment is the highest in eight
years. If George Bush doesn't understand the problem, how can he
solve it? We can't afford four more years" (9/20).
REAX: N.Y. TIMES' Berke: "The statements are accurate, but
the ad juxtaposes images of Mr. Bush with events that are not
directly related in time to what he is saying" (9/21). NBC's
Dancy: = Clinton today began running a new ad turning Bush's words
against him" (9/20). Bush spokesperson Torie Clarke: "What's
Proprietary to the United Press International, August 11, 1992
''We know how much change is needed,' he told about 100 people at Logan
International Airport, including Flynn and Rep. Joseph P. Kennedy II.
'We can't afford four more years of a Republican administration,' said
Gore.
Kennedy said that he believes people are 'genuinely excited about the
political policies the Clinton -Gore ticket is espousing.''
At a factory in Stratford, Conn., Gore accused the Bush administration of
failing to plan effectively for preparing the defense industry for a peacetime
economy.
''We need a strong defense and we need an economic policy that's going to
protect our jobs,' Gore said.
Gore said he welcomes the ...
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LEVEL 1 - 5 OF 18 STORIES
Proprietary to the United Press International 1992
August 4, 1992, Tuesday, BC cycle
SECTION: Washington News
LENGTH: 563 words
HEADLINE: Bush receives GOP boxing gloves, cheers
BYLINE: BY THOMAS FERRARO
DATELINE: WASHINGTON
KEYWORD: BUSH
Bush began airing his first television ads Tuesday, describing himself as an
agent of change and saying the best way to stimulate the economy is to reduce
the federal deficit.
Clinton promptly fired back, saying, 11 Four more years of George Bush
will be four more years without change We can't afford four more years
Proprietary to the United Press International, August 4, 1992
of the same old policies
Dole said that during the president's meeting with GOP leaders, no one
complained about Bush's campaign but a few raised 'some things they'd like to
see done.
Bush, who departs Wednesday on a two-day swing through New York, Nevada and
Colorado, has been
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The Boston Globe, July 31, 1992
come back," one said hopefully. "But we don't know if that message is there."
Just a month ago, the Clinton campaign had all but concluded it could not
carry California. Now it is looking at the state as the cornerstone of a
Democratic victory. Begala offers a somewhat self-serving definition of the
race, but one that appears to comport with California's current state of mind.
"Californians know better than anyone else that the one thing we can't
afford is four more years of the same old stuff," he said. = Clinton offers
change, Bush resists it."
Certainly the race seems to boil down to change versus the status quo, with
Clinton staking the strongest claim to the change theme. The best measure: the
Field Poll's finding that former supporters of Ross Perot are breaking for
Clinton by more than four to one.
If he is to offset the heavily Democratic vote in the Bay area and Los
Angeles, analysts agree that Bush will have to win big margins in heavily
Republican Orange County, south of Los Angeles, and run strongly in less
affluent but still GOP-leaning Riverside and San Bernardino
The Boston Globe, July 10, 1992
Clinton's choice of Gore, 44, is intended to bolster his credentials on
several key election issues, aides suggested, particularly on the environment,
foreign policy and "family values," areas where the senator is strong. But
campaign officials also said the choice grew out of strategic considerations
over the image the Democrats want to project for the presidential election.
"We can't afford four more years of an administration without a plan to
turn the country around, with a president and a vice president not strong enough
and determined enough to make it happen," Clinton said, blasting the Bush
administration as he introduced Gore as his running mate. "We have the best
plan, and now we have the best ticket."
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The New York Times, April 2, 1992
Mr. Clinton has tried to expand health insurance coverage, perhaps the major
health issue in Arkansas and the nation. But his effort bears little
resemblance to his Presidential campaign pledge of a "play or pay" program that
would force employers to insure their workers or pay a special tax into a fund
that would provide Government coverage. He never pushed a "pay or play" plan
here.
Though Arkansas residents have higher-than-average rates of illness and
death, one in four Arkansans has no health insurance, compared to only one in
seven Americans nationally. Over all, Arkansas ranks 46th in health insurance
coverage and 40th in the level of Medicaid care that the state, in combination
with the Federal Government, is willing to finance.
'Bare Bones' Insurance
Last year, in an effort to expand insured medical coverage, Mr. Clinton
supported lawmakers in their successful effort to pass what they called a "bare
bones" insurance program for workers.
For years many Arkansas
...
LEVEL 1 - - 2 OF 2 STORIES
Copyright (c) 1991 The New York Times Company
The New York Times
September 8, 1991, Sunday, Late Edition - Final
SECTION: Section 1; Part 1; Page 19; Column 1; National Desk
LENGTH: 680 words
HEADLINE: Little Rock Schools Insure Drug Treatment
... school district to manage the flow of referrals to the program."
"Obviously," he added, "if they refer at a much greater rate than expected
then the cost is going to escalate accordingly and either premiums will have to
be raised or benefits reduced in subsequent years."
He said the plan would supplement family or employee insurance coverage so
that 100 percent of the cost of care is paid. For those without other coverage,
the plan would pay 100 percent. In Arkansas, 21 percent of children under 18
have no health insurance; nationally, 15 percent of children are uninsured.
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Star Tribune, April 5, 1992
FOCUS
"He plays the role of accommodator; that's his hallmark," said Pagan, a
Clinton admirer.
"He'll put an arm around you and then you'll realize he's been pissing on
your leg," said Bill Becker, chief of Arkansas' AFL -CIO for nearly three
decades and a consistent Clinton critic. While Becker intends to support Clinton
over George Bush, he calls Clinton the worst governor he's had to deal with,
including a virulently antilabor Republican. "In terms of honesty and integrity,
Bill Clinton's dead last," he said.
In Becker's view, Clinton failed to live up to a decadelong commitment to
pass tough civil rights
Federal News Service, JULY 14, 1992
having is, trust them for which plan? Because Senator Gore, on a national
television CBS program yesterday morning, stated his commitment to a
Canadian-type national health insurance. So perhaps if we can determine which
is the health care reform plan the Democrats would put forward, then we'll know
whether or not we can trust them. Perhaps they can tell us how we indeed can do
that.
Don't simply take my word for it. Even J. Bill Becker, president of Arkansas
AFL -CIO, characterized Governor Clinton's health proposal in Arkansas as, and
I quote, "a worthless, cynical political ploy by Clinton." End of quote.
But even more disheartening than the issue of health care is what Bill Clinton
has done in Arkansas for children. The Center for
the Study of Social Policy ranks Arkansas at or near the bottom of nearly every
significant category -- ranks 49th in child death rates, 47th in child poverty,
45th in overall well-being of children. So I find it distressing that Governor
Clinton sounds good but performs so badly.
Even on the issue of AIDS, where Governor Clinton has talked the game of
improving our performance on AIDS, let me quote
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LEVEL 1 - - 2 OF 2 STORIES
Copyright 1992 American Political Network, Inc.
Health Line
April 2, 1992
SECTION: THE NATIONAL DEBATE
LENGTH: 320 words
HEADLINE: CLINTON: COMPARING THE RECORD TO THE PROMISES
AS GOVERNOR: To increase the number of AR workers covered
by employer-provided health plans, Clinton supported legislation
reducing the minimum requirements of employer-provided coverage.
The state now permits "bare bones" coverage that does not include
mental health care, treatment for alcoholism or other expensive
coverages. Coverage for care of major illnesses was not dropped.
Arkansas A.F.L. -C.I.O. President J. Bill Becker said Clinton's
support of the "bare bones" program is "a worthless, cynical
political ploy. It Others praised his efforts to improve women's
health services. Arkansas ranks 46th in health insurance
Health Line, April 2, 1992
coverage and 40th in the level of Medicaid the state finances.
AS A CANDIDATE: "The occasional steps that Governor Clinton
has taken into the (health-care) field provide few solid clues
about how he might handle this vast, difficult problem on the
national level, writes the N.Y. TIMES. Clinton advocates a
"pay or play" plan that would require employers to insure their
workers or pay a government tax. TIMES: "He never pushed a 'pay
or play' plan in Arkansas" (B. Drummond Ayres, 4/2).
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1992 The Atlanta Journal and Constitution, March 25, 1992
But The New York Times also reported that James B. McDougal and his wife,
Susan, incurred net losses of $ 92,200, while the Clintons, who owned the
other half of the real estate company, Whitewater Development Co., lost $
68,900.
Mr. Clinton asked a lawyer friend to conduct the review after the Times
reported on the investment.
The article said the Clintons were at little financial risk in the venture,
a failed plan to develop about 200 acres in the Ozark Mountains.
The review released by the Clinton campaign said the Clintons invested
about $ 68,900, none of which has been recouped.
"The facts confirm that not only was there always the potential that you
would lose money, you in fact lost significant sums," the report said.
FREE PLANE RIDES: Bill and Hillary Clinton took 136 free airplane rides
from rich friends and corporate giants as he geared up for his Democratic
presidential race in the last two years, state records show.
1992 The Atlanta Journal and Constitution, March 25, 1992
His state financial disclosure records show that Mr. Clinton or his wife
thumbed 83 plane rides in 1990 and 53 in 1991.
Corporations paid for about 60 of the flights, and Democratic Party
organizations paid for about 23.
The Arkansas press annually reports on Mr. Clinton's trips. The information
is public under a 1988 law passed by voters with strong support from Mr.
Clinton.
From our news services
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DATE: SEPTEMBER 21, 1992
CLIENT:
LIBRARY: NEXIS
FILE: OMNI
YOUR SEARCH REQUEST IS:
AYRES AND NEW YORK TIMES AND DATE IS 4/2/1992
NUMBER OF STORIES FOUND WITH YOUR REQUEST THROUGH:
LEVEL 1...
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1ST STORY of Level 1 printed in FULL format.
Copyright 1992 The New York Times Company
The New York Times
April 2, 1992, Thursday, Late Edition - Final
SECTION: Section A; Page 20; Column 5; National Desk
LENGTH: 491 words
HEADLINE: THE 1992 CAMPAIGN;
Clinton's Record in Arkansas Is Uneven on Health Issues
BYLINE: By B. DRUMMOND AYRES Jr., Special to The New York Times
DATELINE: LITTLE ROCK, Ark.
BODY:
When Gov. Bill Clinton says he has faced many uphill struggles to improve
life for his constituents here, none has been more daunting than trying to
improve health care.
Arkansas, one of the nation's poorest states, has some of the country's most
serious health problems: above-average rates of disease and death, shortages of
doctors and hospitals and inadequate insurance coverage.
As in most states, health-care problems are largely left to the Federal
Government or to hospitals and insurance companies. The occasional steps that
Governor Clinton has taken into the field provide few solid clues about how he
might handle this vast, difficult problem on the national level.
Mr. Clinton has tried to expand health insurance coverage, perhaps the major
health issue in Arkansas and the nation. But his effort bears little resemblance
to his Presidential campaign pledge of a "play or pay" program that would force
employers to insure their workers or pay a special tax into a fund that would
provide Government coverage. He never pushed a "pay or play" plan here.
Though Arkansas residents have higher-than-average rates of illness and
death, one in four Arkansans has no health insurance, compared to only one in
seven Americans nationally. Over all, Arkansas ranks 46th in health insurance
coverage and 40th in the level of Medicaid care that the state, in combination
with the Federal Government, is willing to finance.
'Bare Bones' Insurance
Last year, in an effort to expand insured medical coverage, Mr. Clinton
supported lawmakers in their successful effort to pass what they called a "bare
bones" insurance program for workers.
For years many Arkansas workers, particularly those in smaller companies, had
been unable to get health insurance because their employers argued that the
state required company plans to be too comprehensive. Under the new program,
requirements for some of the more expensive coverages, like mental health care
and treatment for alcoholism, were dropped, but coverage for critical care of
major illnesses was not curtailed.
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The New York Times, April 2, 1992
The Governor has won broad praise for trying to improve health services in
another area, care for pregnant women and the newborn.
He successfully pushed to provide more state money to clinics to offer those
expanded services and stood solidly behind a State Health Department program
that permits local school authorities, if they wish to distribute family
planning information through school health clinics, as some do.
Jane Horvath, director of health policy for the American Public Welfare
Association, a state welfare lobby in Washington, said Arkansas was a leader in
trying to provide prenatal and infant care.
But progress is not readily evident.
Like most states, Arkansas has reduced its infant mortality rate in recent
years, but not enough to improve its national ranking. It currently is 34th in
infant mortality, compared to 33rd a decade ago.
SUBJECT: MEDICINE AND HEALTH; HEALTH INSURANCE; PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION OF 1992
NAME: AYRES, B DRUMMOND JR; CLINTON, BILL (GOV)
GEOGRAPHIC: ARKANSAS
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DATE: SEPTEMBER 22, 1992
CLIENT:
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FILE: OMNI
YOUR SEARCH REQUEST IS:
CLINTON AND AIRPLANE W/20 FREE AND FLIGHTS
NUMBER OF STORIES FOUND WITH YOUR REQUEST THROUGH:
LEVEL 1
10
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3RD STORY of Level 1 printed in FULL format.
The Associated Press
The materials in the AP file were compiled by The Associated Press. These
materials may not be republished without the express written consent of The
Associated Press.
March 24, 1992, Tuesday, PM cycle
SECTION: Political News
LENGTH: 558 words
HEADLINE: Clinton Hitches Rides On Corporate Jets
BYLINE: By RON FOURNIER, Associated Press Writer
DATELINE: LITTLE ROCK, Ark.
KEYWORD: Clinton -Planes
BODY:
Bill and Hillary Clinton took 136 free airplane rides from rich friends
and corporate giants as he geared up for his Democratic presidential race in the
last two years, state records show.
His state financial disclosure records show that Clinton, the five-term
Arkansas governor, or his wife thumbed 83 plane rides in 1990 and 53 in 1991.
"That type of situation creates the perception that the people who are giving
him the planes are a little too cozy with him," said Scott Trotter, head of the
Arkansas chapter of Common Cause, a political watchdog group.
Corporations paid for about 60 of the flights and Democratic Party
organizations paid for about 23. The rest of the trips were made on planes owned
by private citizens or groups, such as universities and think tanks.
The Democratic Leadership Council paid for 15 of the 23 party-related trips,
records show. Clinton was chairman of the centrist group until he resigned in
August 1991 to run for president.
Some trips were for state business, such as funerals and dedications.
Clinton, the Democratic presidential front-runner, says there's nothing
wrong with the trips because he discloses them in financial statements. He says
his state cannot afford a plane for the governor's office.
"The state of Arkansas is not politically or economically ready to have
an airplane even for business trips," he said Sunday. The Washington Post
reported Sunday that Clinton flew nine times on planes owned by Tyson Food
Inc., a $ 4 billion poultry company accused of polluting waterways with chicken
and cattle waste.
The Arkansas media annually reports on Clinton's trips. The information is
public under a 1988 law passed by voters with strong support from Clinton.
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The Associated Press, March 24, 1992
"The only reason that you or anybody else knows about those plane rides is
that I fought 50 hard to make sure that all those records were disclosed by
everyone," Clinton said. "I don't think there is a conflict there."
Trotter of Common Cause said the state should purchase an airplane for the
governor's use.
"That would be preferable to the governor riding on a corporate airplanes,"
Trotter said.
The state Highway and Transportation Department owns a plane that Clinton
used 32 times in the two-year period, records show.
Clinton flew from Aspen, Colo., to Little Rock last year on a plane leased
to Saudi Arabia's ambassador to the United States, Bandar bin Sultan. The plane
was owned by Chrysler Corp.
Mike Gauldin, a spokesman for Clinton, said Clinton was in Aspen on June
23 for a Democratic Governors' Association meeting. He and another governor,
whom Gauldin would not identify, were introduced to the prince.
When the meeting ended, the ambassador offered them use of his rented plane
50 they could extend their visit, Gauldin said, adding, "He just wanted to talk
to them. If
The governor or Mrs. Clinton flew on Wal-Mart Inc. planes 14 times in two
years. Mrs. Clinton is a member of the Wal-Mart board, and Wal-Mart founder
Sam Walton has donated to Clinton's campaigns.
On 12 occasions, Clinton or his wife used planes paid for by Harold Ives
Trucking.
Arkansas native Harry Thomason and his wife, Linda Bloodworth-Thomason,
provided their plane twice in 1991. The producers of television shows "Evening
Shade" and "Designing Women" leased their plane to the Clinton campaign early
this year.
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4TH STORY of Level 1 printed in FULL format.
The Associated Press
The materials in the AP file were compiled by The Associated Press. These
materials may not be republished without the express written consent of The
Associated Press.
March 23, 1992, Monday, PM cycle
SECTION: Political News
LENGTH: 386 words
HEADLINE: Clinton Defends Rides on State Poultry Tycoon's Plane
DATELINE: WASHINGTON
KEYWORD: Clinton -Chickens
BODY:
Arkansas Gov. Bill Clinton is defending his trips on the corporate jet of
a chicken processing tycoon, and he says he's been candid about that
relationship and other dealings with business leaders.
Appearing on NBC-TV's "Meet the Press," the Democratic presidential
front-runner also said Sunday that he has required the processing firm involved,
Tyson's Foods, to spend money on pollution control. Environmentalists say the
firm has polluted Arkansas streams.
The Washington Post reported in Sunday's editions that Clinton and his
wife, Hillary, have been treated to free airplane transportation by Don Tyson,
president of the $ 4 billion family business, on nine occasions since 1989. It
said eight of the trips were recorded as business and one as personal.
Clinton, asked about the flights, said the state only has one airplane
and he tries to fly that one when he can. But "the state of Arkansas is not
politically or economically ready to have an airplane even for business
trips.
"For years, I fought for the process of disclosing any kind of business gift
given to any public official,' he said. "My view was that, as long as I could
report all this and the people of my state knew that I was flying business trips
that that was an appropriate thing to do," said Clinton.
"The only reason that you or anybody else knows about those plane rides is
that I fought so hard to make sure that all those records were disclosed by
everyone, = he said. "I don't think there is a conflict there."
Clinton defended his record as governor in protecting the environment.
The Post quoted Arkansas officials as saying that nearly half of the 600
miles of streams in the northwest part of Arkansas, where the poultry industry
is centered, are considered so polluted by chicken and livestock waste that they
are off-limits to swimming.
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PAGE 8
The Associated Press, March 23, 1992
Clinton convened a task force in 1990 to recommend ways of protecting
streams and ground water from poultry litter, but some environmentalists have
said it is weighted with industry supporters and has failed to come up with
solutions.
Clinton said, "I think if you'll look at the fact that when I became
governor only 53 percent of our streams were fish- and swim-able, now over 80
percent are, over 95 percent are fishable, I think we've got a good record
there."
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5TH STORY of Level 1 printed in FULL format.
The Associated Press
The materials in the AP file were compiled by The Associated Press. These
materials may not be republished without the express written consent of The
Associated Press.
March 22, 1992, Sunday, AM cycle
SECTION: Political News
LENGTH: 384 words
HEADLINE: Clinton Defends Rides on State Poultry Tycoon's Plane
BYLINE: By W. DALE NELSON, Associated Press Writer
DATELINE: WASHINGTON
KEYWORD: Clinton -Chickens
BODY:
Arkansas Gov. Bill Clinton defended Sunday taking rides on the corporate
jet of a chicken processing tycoon and said it was only disclosed because of a
law he pushed through the legislature.
Appearing on NBC-TV's "Meet the Press," the Democratic presidential
front-runner also said he has required the processing firm involved, Tyson's
Chickens, to spend money on pollution control. Environmentalists say the firm
has polluted Arkansas streams.
The Washington Post reported in Sunday's editions that Clinton and his
wife, Hillary, have been treated to free airplane transportation by Don Tyson,
president of the $ 4 billion family business, on nine occasions since 1989. It
said eight of the trips were recorded as business and one as personal.
Clinton, asked about the flights, said the state only has one airplane
and he tries to fly that one when he can. But "the state of Arkansas is not
politically or economically ready
to have an airplane even for business
trips.
"For years, I fought for the process of disclosing any kind of business gift
given to any public official," he said. "My view was that, as long as I could
report all this and the people of my state knew that I was flying business trips
that that was an appropriate thing to do," said Clinton.
"The only reason that you or anybody else knows about those plane rides is
that I fought 50 hard to make sure that all those records were disclosed by
everyone," he said. "I don't think there is a conflict there."
Clinton defended his record as governor in protecting the environment.
The Post quoted Arkansas officials as saying that nearly half of the 600
miles of streams in the northwest part of Arkansas, where the poultry industry
is centered, are considered 50 polluted by chicken and livestock waste that they
are off-limits to swimming.
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The Associated Press, March 22, 1992
Clinton convened a task force in 1990 to recommend ways of protecting
streams and ground water from poultry litter, but some environmentalists have
said it is weighted with industry supporters and has failed to come up with
solutions.
Clinton said, "I think if you'll look at the fact that when I became
governor only 53 percent of our streams were fish- and swim-able, now over 80
percent are, over 95 percent are fishable, I think we've got a good record
there."
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:
6TH STORY of Level 1 printed in FULL format.
The Associated Press
The materials in the AP file were compiled by The Associated Press. These
materials may not be republished without the express written consent of The
Associated Press.
March 22, 1992, Sunday, AM cycle
SECTION: Political News
LENGTH: 383 words
HEADLINE: Clinton Defends Rides on State Poultry Tycoon's Plane
BYLINE: By W. DALE NELSON, Associated Press Writer
DATELINE: WASHINGTON
KEYWORD: Clinton -Chickens
BODY:
Arkansas Gov. Bill Clinton defended Sunday taking rides on the corporate
jet of a chicken processing tycoon and said it was only disclosed because of a
law he pushed through the legislature.
Appearing on NBC-TV's "Meet the Press," the Democratic presidential
front-runner also said he has required the processing firm involved, Tyson's
Foods, to spend money on pollution control. Environmentalists say the firm has
polluted Arkansas streams.
The Washington Post reported in Sunday's editions that Clinton and his
wife, Hillary, have been treated to free airplane transportation by Don Tyson,
president of the $ 4 billion family business, on nine occasions since 1989. It
said eight of the trips were recorded as business and one as personal.
Clinton, asked about the flights, said the state only has one airplane
and he tries to fly that one when he can. But "the state of Arkansas is not
politically or economically ready to have an airplane even for business
trips.
"For years, I fought for the process of disclosing any kind of business gift
given to any public official," he said. "My view was that, as long as I could
report all this and the people of my state knew that I was flying business trips
that that was an appropriate thing to do," said Clinton.
"The only reason that you or anybody else knows about those plane rides is
that I fought 50 hard to make sure that all those records were disclosed by
everyone," he said. "I don't think there is a conflict there."
Clinton defended his record as governor in protecting the environment.
The Post quoted Arkansas officials as saying that nearly half of the 600
miles of streams in the northwest part of Arkansas, where the poultry industry
is centered, are considered 50 polluted by chicken and livestock waste that they
are off-limits to swimming.
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The Associated Press, March 22, 1992
Clinton convened a task force in 1990 to recommend ways of protecting
streams and ground water from poultry litter, but some environmentalists have
said it is weighted with industry supporters and has failed to come up with
solutions.
Clinton said, "I think if you'll look at the fact that when I became
governor only 53 percent of our streams were fish- and swim-able, now over 80
percent are, over 95 percent are fishable, I think we've got a good record
there."
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