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Third Debate: Briefing Cards from First Debate (2)
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Third Debate: Briefing Cards from First Debate (2)
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The original documents are located in Box 3, folder "Third Debate: Briefing Cards from
First Debate (2)" of the White House Special Files Unit Files at the Gerald R. Ford
Presidential Library.
Copyright Notice
The copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) governs the making of
photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Gerald Ford donated to the United
States of America his copyrights in all of his unpublished writings in National Archives collections.
Works prepared by U.S. Government employees as part of their official duties are in the public
domain. The copyrights to materials written by other individuals or organizations are presumed to
remain with them. If you think any of the information displayed in the PDF is subject to a valid
copyright claim, please contact the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library.
Digitized from Box 3 of the White House Special Files Unit Files at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library
A
TO: THE PRESIDENT:
Briefing materials for LAST DEBATE. This
folder contains materials you used for
the First Debate.
While
Mike Duval
10/17/76
CARTER REBUTAL
DOMESTIC ISSUES
GERALD
FORD is LIBRARY
I
WHY SHOULD GRF BE PRESIDENT?
PERFORMANCE:
PEACE, PROSPERITY, TRUST
EXPERIENCE:
ENTIRE LIFE DEDICATED TO PUBLIC SERVICE
VISION OF FUTURE:
PEACE - JOBS - HOUSING - EDUCATION - PERSONAL
SAFETY, QUALITY OF LIFE
CANDOR AND TRUST:
HONEST WITH AMERICAN PEOPLE
I DON'T SAY TRUST ME; I TRUST THE PEOPLE WITH
THE TRUTH, TRUTH IS THE GLUE THAT HOLDS
GOVERNMENT TOGETHER,
QUALITY OF LIFE
Two YEARS AGO:
RECESSION
ENERGY CRISIS
VIETNAM WAR
Loss OF CONFIDENCE
Now WE HAVE:
PEACE
REDUCED INFLATION BY ONE-HALF
FOUR MILLION NEW JOBS
RESTORED HONOR TO THE WHITE HOUSE
(OVER)
IN THE NEXT FOUR
YEARS, EVERY AMERICAN:
WANTS A JOB
WANTS TO BUY A HOME IN A DECENT NEIGHBORHOOD
WANTS SECURITY FROM CRIME IN THE STREETS
WANTS GOOD EDUCATION FOR CHILDREN
WANTS A HEALTHY ENVIRONMENT FOR WORK
AND VACATION
WANTS A WORLD AT PEACE
PRESIDENT'S RECORD ON BILLS/VETOES
BILLS SIGNED INTO LAW -- 869
VETOES
-- 59
NIXON - FORD CONTINUITY
WHEN I TooK OFFICE: My CONCERN WAS TO TURN THE SHIP OF STATE AROUND
INFLATION - 12%
VIETNAM WAR
Loss OF FAITH
UNEMPLOYMENT RISING
Now:
WE ARE ON A STEADY COURSE IN RIGHT DIRECTION.
INFLATION CUT IN HALF
MILLION NEW JOBS
HONOR RESTORED TO WHITE HOUSE
WE ARE AT PEACE
(OVER)
My PRIORITIES ARE:
To CONFRONT THE CHALLENGES FACING THE COUNTRY
To CUT TAXES FOR EVERYONE
To MAKE GOVERNMENT MORE EFFICIENT AND
MORE RESPONSIVE
To IMPROVE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR ALL AMERICANS
To MAINTAIN PEACE IN THE WORLD
To IMPROV'
To MAINTA
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
responsible
Neword 2 am since Treat. Property. Peace. any 1974.
-
Wage - Prise controls
The into-
Mass transit-
Regulatory Energy reform
Red tayl -
Cut Hort smployees
40,000 on below.
ORIGINAL RETIRED FUR PRESERVATION
(ADDENDUM)
NIXON - FORD
The HAS SERVE
(NOTE: CARTER MAY USE PHRASE "NIXON-FORD" REPEATEDLY. THE
FOLLOWING IS A SUGGESTED RESPONSE ONLY IF CARTER HAS
SAID THIS FIVE OR SIX TIMES.)
(AT THE BEGINNING OF A REBUTTAL
)
"IT's OBVIOUS THAT MR. CARTER WOULD PREFER TO BE RUNNING
AGAINST MR. NIXON. WELL, HE'S NOT,
I AM PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES AND HAVE BEEN FOR OVER
TWO YEARS, HIS PROBLEM IS THAT TO WIN, HE HAS TO BEAT JERRY
FORD -- NOT RICHARD NIXON."
(THEN RESPOND TO SPECIFIC ISSUE)
CARTER ON CONFLICTING ANSWERS
THE PRESIDENT HAS SEEN
THIS IS ANOTHER BASIC DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A CANDIDATE FOR
PRESIDENT -- AND A PRESIDENT. A CANDIDATE FOR PRESIDENT CAN
SAY DIFFERENT THINGS TO DIFFERENT AUDIENCES ON DIFFERENT DAYS.
BUT WHEN A PRESIDENT WRITES A STATE OF THE UNION MESSAGE, THERE
ARE NO SEPARATE EDITIONS; IT CAN'T READ ONE WAY IN TEXAS AND
ANOTHER IN NEW YORK.
CARTER ON SPENDING/BUDGET
HERE WE HAVE A CLASSIC DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A CANDIDATE
FOR PRESIDENT -- AND A PRESIDENT. A CANDIDATE FOR PRESIDENT
CAN PROMISE THE SKY ONE DAY AND PROMISE A BALANCED BUDGET THE
NEXT. A PRESIDENT DOESN'T HAVE THAT LUXURY; HE HAS TO SUBMIT
A BUDGET TO THE CONGRESS; AND IT HAS TO ADD UP, HE CAN'T
JUST LEAVE THE BOTTOM LINE BLANK,
CARTER ON VAGUE ANSWERS
HERE'S ANOTHER DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A CANDIDATE FOR PRESIDENT --
AND A PRESIDENT. A CANDIDATE CAN POSTPONE SPECIFICS; HE CAN
DUCK QUESTIONS; HE CAN KEEP HIS ANSWERS VAGUE. A PRESIDENT MUST
MAKE TOUGH YES OR NO DECISIONS EVERYDAY. THERE IS NO BUTTON
IN THE OVAL OFFICE MARKED "MAYBE".
URBAN POLICY
THE CITIES NEED FEDERAL MONEY. THEY DON'T NEED FEDERAL
INTERFERENCE. LOCAL GOVERNMENT ISN'T GOING TO BE VERY GOOD
IF IT'S RUN FROM WASHINGTON. THAT'S JUST AS TRUE FOR THE BIG
CITIES AS IT IS FOR THE SMALL TOWNS,
HEALTH CARE
IMPROVED HEALTH CARE, PARTICULARLY PROTECTION AGAINST
CATASTROPHIC ILLNESS, IS A MUST. No ONE SHOULD HAVE TO GO BROKE
JUST TO GET WELL. I DON'T HAPPEN TO SUPPORT COMPREHENSIVE
NATIONAL HEALTH INSURANCE BECAUSE IT WOULD EITHER BREAK THE
BANK OR THE BACKS OF THE AMERICAN TAXPAYERS. BUT I DON'T
UNDERSTAND, WHILE WE DEBATE THE LARGER PROGRAMS, THE CONGRESS
DOESN'T ACT ON THE MORE MODEST PROPOSALS WE CAN AFFORD.
TAX RELIEF
My GOAL IS RELIEF FOR THE MIDDLE-INCOME TAXPAYERS, THE
RICH CAN PAY THEIR OWN WAY. THE GOVERNMENT HELPS THE POOR.
AND THE PEOPLE IN THE MIDDLE -- WHO GET so LITTLE BUT HARASS-
MENT FROM THEIR GOVERNMENT -- PAY THE TAXES. THAT'S WHY MY
TAX PROPOSALS WOULD --
UNEMPLOYMENT
LET'S GET THE RECORD STRAIGHT. IN THE LAST 17TH MONTHS,
4,000,000 JOBS HAVE BEEN CREATED IN THIS COUNTRY; THAT'S MORE
NEW JOBS THAN IN ANY SIMILAR PERIOD IN THE HISTORY OF THIS
COUNTRY. THAT'S SOMETHING I'M PROUD OF; AND SOMETHING AMERICA
SHOULD BE PROUD OF. I'M NEVER GOING TO REST WHILE THERE IS
ONE WILLING WORKER WHO IS OUT OF A JOB. BUT I BELIEVE THE
PEOPLE KNOW WE'VE COME A LONG WAY SINCE TWO YEARS AGO WHEN
MILLIONS LOST THEIR JOBS AND MILLIONS MORE WORRIED ABOUT BEING
THE NEXT TO BE LAID OFF. WE'RE A CONFIDENT COUNTRY TODAY.
INFLATION
WE'VE CUT INFLATION IN HALF IN TWO YEARS BECAUSE I'VE
VETOED THE CONGRESS 55 TIMES. WHEN I VETO THIS FREE-SPENDING
CONGRESS, I DO IT IN THE NAME OF THE BLUE COLLAR WORKERS AND
THE SENIOR CITIZENS AND THE HOUSEWIVES AND THE TAXPAYERS WHO
ARE TIRED OF SEEING A RECKLESS CONGRESS DESTROY THEIR SAVINGS,
WE'VE COME A LONG WAY IN TWO YEARS, BUT WE STILL HAVE FAR TO
GO, So, FAIR WARNING TO CONGRESS, I'M GOING TO KEEP RIGHT
ON VETOING THEIR IRRESPONSIBLE SPENDING -- AND I BELIEVE THE
AMERICAN PEOPLE WANT IT THAT WAY.
WELFARE
I DON'T THINK THERE'S A SINGLE AMERICAN WHO DOESN'T
WANT THE GOVERNMENT TO REACH OUT AND HELP THOSE IN NEED.
BUT THERE ARE NO TAXPAYERS WHO WANT THE GOVERNMENT TO HELP
PEOPLE WHO DON'T NEED IT. THE WELFARE PROGRAM TODAY DOESN'T
MEET EITHER GOAL: MANY PEOPLE WHO NEED HELP DON'T GET IT;
MANY WHO GET HELP DON'T NEED IT.
EDUCATION
GOOD SCHOOLS ARE THE KEY TO A BETTER QUALITY OF LIFE
FOR ALL AMERICANS. WE'VE GOT TO FOLLOW TWO PRINCIPLES.
FIRST, WE MUST KEEP PROVIDING FEDERAL DOLLARS BUT CUT THE
FEDERAL STRINGS THAT GO WITH THEM. SECOND, WE SHOULD CON-
CENTRATE THE DOLLARS WHERE THEY ARE NEEDED MOST -- WHERE THE
DISADVANTAGED CHILDREN ARE, Now, HERE'S WHAT WE WANT TO DO --
WHY SHOULD GRF BE PRESIDENT?
IN THE PAST TWO YEARS AMERICA HAS MADE AN INCREDIBLE
COMEBACK: INFLATION'S BEEN CUT IN HALF; WE'VE CREATED FOUR
MILLION NEW JOBS IN 17 MONTHS; WE HAVE PEACE ABROAD AND PEACE
AT HOME; AND THE PEOPLE TRUST THEIR WHITE HOUSE AGAIN. THAT
COMEBACK HAS COME THROUGH STABLE AND STEADY LEADERSHIP, AND
THAT'S THE KIND OF LEADERSHIP WHICH CAN NOW MEAN A BETTER
QUALITY OF LIFE FOR ALL AMERICANS.
QUALITY OF LIFE
Two YEARS AGO THE PICTURE WAS BLEAK, WE WERE STILL IN
VIETNAM. WORKERS WERE BEING LAID OFF OR THREATENED BY LAY-
OFFS, INFLATION SEEMED OUT OF CONTROL, AND WE'D LOST TRUST
IN OUR LEADERS. WE'VE TURNED THAT AROUND -- AND NOW WE CAN
PURSUE A BETTER QUALITY OF LIFE FOR EVERY AMERICAN: A SECURE
JOB, YOUR OWN HOME, GOOD SCHOOLS, SAFE STREETS, AND RECREATION
AREAS,
NIXON - FORD CONTINUITY
I RUN ON MY RECORD OF THE PAST TWO YEARS -- AND THE
INCREDIBLE COMEBACK AMERICA HAS EXPERIENCED. MR. CARTER MAY
WISH TO RUN AGAINST MY PREDECESSOR, BUT I THINK THE AMERICAN
PEOPLE KNOW THAT THIS CAMPAIGN IS ABOUT MY RECORD OVER THE
PAST TWO YEARS AND THE KIND OF LEADERSHIP NEEDED TO STAY ON
THAT STEADY AND STABLE COURSE IN THE NEXT FOUR YEARS,
BIG GOVERNMENT
WE HEAR A LOT ABOUT REORGANIZING GOVERNMENT -- BUT SIMPLY
A RE-SHUFFLE WHICH KEEPS EVERYTHING UNDER THE SAME WASHINGTON
LETTERHEAD WON'T CHANGE MUCH. FOR EXAMPLE, WHAT WE NEED IN
EDUCATION IS TO KEEP THE FEDERAL FUNDS BUT CUT THE FEDERAL
STRINGS so LOCAL COMMUNITIES CAN RUN THEIR OWN SCHOOLS, BUT,
LIKE ON so MANY THINGS, CONGRESS HASN'T CAUGHT UP TO THE
PEOPLE YET. WE'RE NOT WAITING ON CONGRESS IN A NUMBER OF
AREAS, HOWEVER; WE'VE TRIMMED GOVERNMENT BACK --
HOUSING
THE GOAL OF EVERY AMERICAN FAMILY OWNING ITS OWN HOME IN
A SAFE NEIGHBORHOOD IS PART OF MY PROGRAM TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY
OF LIFE IN THIS COUNTRY, HERE'S WHAT I PROPOSED --
CRIME
THE KEY TO ENDING CRIME IS TO GET THE CRIMINALS OFF THE
STREETS so LAW-ABIDING PEOPLE CAN USE THEM WITHOUT FEAR. I
BELIEVE EVERY PERSON WHO USES A GUN TO COMMIT A CRIME SHOULD
GO TO JAIL, PERIOD. FOR THE MOST PART, THAT WILL TAKE STATE
LAWS, BUT HERE'S WHAT WE'RE DOING AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL --
MR. PRESIDENT:
Here are the "rebutal" cards.
Mike Duval
THE PRESIDENT HAS SEEN
REBUTTAL ON TAX REFORM
THE MOST IMPORTANT TAX REFORM WE CAN ENACT FOR THE AMERICAN
PEOPLE IS A PERMANENT TAX REDUCTION.
My PROGRAMS WILL REDUCE TAXES BY ANOTHER $10 BILLION; MY
OPPONENT PUBLICLY STATED 12 DAYS AGO THAT HE WOULD RAISE
TAXES FOR MIDDLE INCOME AMERICANS.
I AM SPECIFICALLY OPPOSED TO TWO ADDITIONAL REFORMS THAT
MR. CARTER HAS DISCUSSED THIS YEAR;
-- ELIMINATING HOMEOWNER'S DEDUCTION;
-- ELIMINATING SPECIAL TAX ON CAPITAL GAINS,
(OVER)
IF MR. CARTER HAS ADDITIONAL REFORMS, HE SHOULD TELL US
BEFORE THE ELECTION -- NOT AFTERWARDS.
WE DON'T NEED A SECRET PLAN FOR THE TAX REFORM WHICH
WOULD RAISE TAXES FOR 75 MILLION AMERICANS.
REBUTTAL ON BUSING
I AM PUZZLED BY MR. CARTER'S POSITION ON BUSING. HE SAYS HE
IS A SERIOUS OPPONENT OF IT, BUT YET:
-- HIS PLATFORM SUPPORTS IT;
-- HE REFUSES TO SAY WHAT HE WOULD DO TO STOP IT;
-- AND HE HAS PUT ON HIS TICKET A MAN KNOWN AS
MR. BUSING IN THE U.S. SENATE.
IN THIS ADMINISTRATION, WE HAVE TRIED TO MAKE OUR ACTIONS MATCH
OUR WORDS. I HAVE SUBMITTED A COMPREHENSIVE BUSING PROPOSAL THAT
WOULD RESTRICT BUSING WHILE ALSO MOVING THE NATION TOWARD QUALITY
EDUCATION FOR EVERY SCHOOL CHILD,
REBUTTAL ON WELFARE REFORM
EVERYONE AGREES THAT THE WELFARE SYSTEM IS A MESS.
BUT BEFORE MR. CARTER TRIES TO FEDERALIZE THE WELFARE SYSTEM,
HE SHOULD TELL PEOPLE HOW MUCH HIS REFORMS WILL COST AND THEN
LET THE TAXPAYERS DECIDE WHETHER THEY CAN AFFORD THEM RIGHT NOW.
HE SHOULD ALSO TELL THEM HOW MUCH IT WILL COST TO ESTABLISH A
GUARANTEED ANNUAL INCOME, SO THAT TAXPAYERS CAN DECIDE WHETHER
THEY CAN AFFORD IT,
WELFARE MUST BE REFORMED TO HELP THE NEEDY, BUT NOT THE GREEDY.
(OVER)
it OWN REFORM PROPOSAL -- ON FOOD STAMPS -- IS NOW BLOCKED IN
THE CONGRESS. REFORM OF FOOD STAMPS SHOULD BE THE FIRST STEP
TOWARD OVERALL WELFARE REFORM.
REBUTTAL ON LEADERSHIP
My OPPONENT SAYS HE DISLIKES ABORTIONS -- BUT WILL DO NOTHING
TO PREVENT THEM. HE DISLIKES BUSING, BUT WILL DO NOTHING TO
STOP IT. HE DOESN'T LIKE COMPULSORY UNIONISM, BUT HE WILL SIGN
LEGISLATION MAKING IT COMPULSORY, Is THIS THE LEADERSHIP THE
AMERICAN PEOPLE WANT OR DESERVE?
THE FIRST QUALITY OF A PRESIDENT IS LEADERSHIP, AND THE MOST
IMPORTANT QUALITIES OF LEADERSHIP ARE JUDGMENT AND TRUST. To
WIN THE TRUST OF THE AMERICAN PEOPLE, WE MUST PROMISE NO MORE
THAN WE CAN DELIVER -- AND DELIVER ALL THAT WE PROMISE. I HAVE
(OVER)
TRIED TO MAKE THAT A HALL MARK OF MY ADMINISTRATION.
REBUTTAL TO CHARGE OF FORD FLIP-FLOPS
MR. CARTER HAS ESTABLISHED A TRACK RECORD OF HIS OWN THAT
HAS BECOME A CENTRAL ISSUE OF THIS CAMPAIGN.
-- ON ABORTION, HE TooK ONE POSITION IN IOWA, ANOTHER
ONE IN MADISON SQUARE GARDEN,
-- ON RIGHT-TO-WORK, HE FAVORED IT IN GEORGIA AND
OPPOSED IT IN WASHINGTON;
-- ON THE MORTGAGE DEDUCTION FOR HOMEOWNERS, HE WANTED
TO GET RID OF IT IN MASSACHUSETTS AND WANTED IT BACK IN
PENNSYLVANIA.
(OVER)
-- ONE DAY IT'S LOVE-AND-COMPASSION; THE NEXT DAY,
FIRE DIRECTOR KELLEY;
-- MR. CARTER'S POLITICAL POSITIONS REMIND ME OF THE
WEATHER IN NEW ENGLAND. IF YOU DON'T LIKE IT, JUST WAIT A
FEW MINUTES, IT WILL CHANGE.
OF COURSE, ALL OF US CHANGE OUR MINDS, I HAVE DONE THAT IN
THE PRESIDENCY WHEN CONDITIONS HAVE CHANGED AND POLICIES MUST
BE ADJUSTED. BUT I HAVE NEVER CHANGED POSITIONS IN A SINGLE
DAY AND I HOPE I NEVER BECOME ALL THINGS TO ALL PEOPLE.
REBUTTAL ON ECONOMIC GOALS
AT MADISON SQUARE GARDEN, MR. CARTER SAID HE WOULD ENACT PROGRAMS
THAT WILL COST BETWEEN $100 AND $200 BILLION IN THE NEXT FOUR YEARS,
AT PLAINS, MR. CARTER SAID HE WOULD BALANCE THE BUDGET IN THE NEXT
FOUR YEARS.
THE AMERICAN PEOPLE HAVE ONE BASIC QUESTION FOR MR. CARTER: HOW?
-- HOW, MR. CARTER, ARE YOU GOING TO INCREASE SPENDING BY
PERHAPS 50% AND STILL BALANCE THE BUDGET?
(OVER)
-- HOW ARE YOU GOING TO ENACT A SECOND GREAT SOCIETY WITHOUT
PAYING THE PRICE OF THE GREAT SOCIETY--MORE INFLATION AND MORE
UNEMPLOYMENT?
-- HOW ARE YOU GOING TO FULFILL YOUR PROMISES TO THE AMERICAN
PEOPLE AND NOT RAISE THEIR TAXES?
HOW? THAT IS THE FUNDAMENTAL QUESTION TO BE ANSWERED TONIGHT.
REBUTTAL ON GOVERNMENT SPENDING
DURING THE PRIMARIES, MR. CARTER CALLED THE GOVERNMENT A
"HUGE, WASTEFUL, UNMANAGEABLE, BLOATED, BUREAUCRATIC MESS."
HE WAS RIGHT. BUT THE PLATFORM HE ADOPTED IN MADISON SQUARE
GARDEN WILL MAKE IT BIGGER, MORE WASTEFUL, MORE UNMANAGE-
ABLE, AND MORE BLOATED THAN AT ANY TIME IN OUR HISTORY,
HE SAYS HE CAN MANAGE THE GOVERNMENT BETTER; THE BEST
MANAGER IN AMERICA TODAY COULD NOT MANAGE THE PROGRAMS
HE WANTS,
(OVER)
THERE ARE SHARP DIFFERENCES BETWEEN US AND THEY REVOLVE
AROUND GOVERNMENT SPENDING:
-- I WANT TAX REDUCTIONS; HE HAS SAID HIS PROGRAMS
WILL LEAD TO HIGHER TAXES;
-- I WANT LESS SPENDING; HIS PROGRAMS WILL MEAN
MORE SPENDING
-- I WANT TO REDUCE INFLATION; HIS PROGRAMS WILL MEAN
MORE INFLATION.
-- I WANT LESS GOVERNMENT AND MORE FREEDOM; HIS PROGRAMS
WILL MEAN MORE GOVERNMENT AND LESS FREEDOM.
REBUTTAL ON DEFICITS
I AM PUZZLED HOW MR. CARTER CAN ATTACK ME ON ONE HAND FOR
LARGE DEFICITS AND ON THE OTHER HAND FOR TOO MANY VETOES,
HE KNOWS FULL WELL THAT MY VETOES HAVE SAVED THE TAXPAYERS
OF THIS COUNTRY $9 BILLION -- AND WOULD PROBABLY HAVE BEEN
$9 BILLION MORE IN DEFICITS.
HE KNOWS FULL WELL THAT HIS OWN VICE PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE
VOTED TO OVERRIDE EVERY ONE OF MY VETOES. AND HE KNOWS FULL
WELL WHERE THE TRUE SOURCE OF DEFICITS IN THE COUNTRY IS
TODAY: THE U.S. CONGRESS.
(OVER)
ONE FINAL POINT ON DEFICITS AND UNEMPLOYMENT: IF THE KIND
OF DEFICIT SPENDING ENVISIONED BY THE DEMOCRATIC PLATFORM
WOULD GIVE US FULL EMPLOYMENT, WE WOULD HAVE HAD FULL
EMPLOYMENT LONG AGO, THE LAST 5 CONGRESSES VOTED THIS
COUNTRY $250 BILLION WORTH OF DEFICITS.
THEY DIDN'T PRODUCE FULL EMPLOYMENT THEN AND THEY WON'T NOW.
REBUTTAL ON UNEMPLOYMENT/INFLATION
MR. CARTER SAYS THAT THE WAY TO CUT INFLATION IS TO CREATE
MORE JOBS, AND HE WANTS TO SPEND BILLIONS OF TAX DOLLARS
TOWARD THAT END.
I DISAGREE. HE HAS THE WRONG DIAGNOSIS AND THE WRONG CURE.
INFLATION IS THE BIGGEST DESTROYER OF JOBS IN AMERICA
TODAY. Ask ANY PLUMBER OR CONSTRUCTION WORKER WHO HAS
BEEN PRICED OUT OF THE MARKET.
(OVER)
THE WAY TO CURE UNEMPLOYMENT IS TO ATTACK BOTH INFLATION
AND UNEMPLOYMENT AT THE SAME TIME. THAT'S WHAT WE'VE
DONE, AND I'M PROUD OF OUR RECORD.
THIS COUNTRY HAS HAD ENOUGH OF THE PHILOSOPHY OF SPEND
AND SPEND, ELECT AND ELECT; WE WANT STEADY JOBS AND
STEADY PRICES,
REBUTTAL ON NATIONAL ECONOMIC PLANNING
By SUPPORTING NATIONAL ECONOMIC PLANNING, HE IGNORES THE FACT
THAT WE HAVE THE BEST PLANNING SYSTEM IN THE WORLD. IT'S CALLED
FREEDOM.
HE ALSO IGNORES THE VERY CONSIDERABLE COORDINATION AND FORETHOUGHT
ALREADY OCCURRING IN THE EPB, FIVE-YEAR PROJECTIONS ON ECONOMY
AND BUDGET,
MOST FUNDAMENTAL DISAGREEMENT--AND KEY ISSUE OF 1976--is QUESTION
OF WHO SHOULD CONTROL THE FUTURE OF THE AMERICAN PEOPLE, I WANT
THEM TO CONTROL IT; HE WANTS WASHINGTON--AND THE WHITE HOUSE--TO
CONTROL IT. ECONOMIC REGIMENTATION DOESN'T WORK IN EASTERN EUROPE
AND IT DOESN'T BELONG IN AMERICA.
REBUTTAL ON ABORTION
I AM FRANKLY CONFUSED BY MY OPPONENTS VIEWS ON ABORTION:
-- HE SAYS HE IS AGAINST ABORTION, BUT HE WON'T
SUPPORT A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT TO RESTRICT IT.
-- HE IS NOT IN FAVOR OF A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT
BUT HE WON'T OPPOSE IT.
--HE THUS LETS ABORTIONS CONTINUE FOR THE UPPER CLASSES,
BUT WANTS TO CUT OFF FUNDS FOR ABORTIONS FOR POOR PEOPLE
ON MEDICAID.
My POSITION IS CLEAR AND CONSISTENT:
-- AGAINST ABORTIONS ON DEMAND;
-- IN FAVOR OF CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT WHICH WOULD
ALLOW STATES TO DECIDE;
-- WOULD ALLOW ABORTIONS IN EXCEPTIONAL CASES,
REBUTTAL ON THE CITIES
IN CHARGING ME WITH BENIGN NEGLECT TOWARD THE CITIES, MR.
CARTER OVERLOOKS SEVERAL MAJOR INITIATIVES OF THIS
ADMINISTRATION:
-- OUR FIGHT TO EXTEND REVENUE SHARING (MR. CARTER,
INCIDENTALLY, WAS AGAINST REVENUE SHARING AS GOVERNOR BUT
SUPPORTS IT TODAY. );
-- NEIGHBORHOOD REVITALIZATION EFFORT;
-- HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AcT.
MORE IMPORTANT WAYS TO HELP THE CITIES IS TO RESTORE
PROSPERITY; THAT'S WHAT WE'RE DOING.
MR. CARTER POSES AS A FRIEND TO THE CITIES. HE SHOULD BE
EQUALLY SOLICITOUS TOWARD THE TAXPAYER AND TELL THEM HOW
MUCH HIS PLANS FOR THE CITIES WILL COST.
REBUTTAL ON CRIME
MR. CARTER'S MAIN ANSWER TO REDUCE CRIME IS TO REDUCE UNEMPLOY-
MENT. BUT THE RECORD SHOWS THAT THE TWO ARE NOT NECESSARILY
RELATED. JUST LOOK AT THE GREAT DEPRESSION WHEN MILLIONS WERE
OUT OF WORK BUT THE CRIME RATE WAS RELATIVELY LOW.
No, THE TRUE ANSWER TO CRIME IS STIFFER, MANDATORY SENTENCES FOR
THE HABITUAL CRIMINAL, IMPROVEMENT OF OUR PRISON SYSTEMS, ENACT-
MENT OF A COMPREHENSIVE FEDERAL CRIMINAL CODE, MORE FEDERAL JUDGES,
AND A GOVERNMENT OF TRUST AND INTEGRITY. THOSE ARE MY PROMISES TO
THE AMERICAN PEOPLE.
REBUTTAL ON EDUCATION
WE HAVE A VERY POSITIVE PROGRAM IN EDUCATION:
-- CONSOLIDATION OF 24 OVERLAPPING PROGRAMS;
-- TARGETED AID FOR HANDICAPPED AND VOCATIONAL STUDENTS;
-- FULL SUPPORT FOR NON-PUBLIC SCHOOLS;
-- RESTRICTIONS ON BUSING.
As TO MR. CARTER'S PROPOSALS TO INCREASE THE FEDERAL SHARE
OF EDUCATION SPENDING FROM SOME 10% TO PERHAPS 33%, I AM
OPPOSED:
(OVER)
-- THE TAXPAYERS DON'T WANT IT;
-- MORE IMPORTANTLY, A GREAT INFUSION OF FEDERAL MONEY
WILL BRING IN ITS WAKE MUCH MORE FEDERAL CONTROL OF EDUCATION.
REFORMS NEEDED IN CLASSROOMS TODAY ARE NOT PURCHASED WITH
MORE MONEY BUT MORE COMMON SENSE. WE NEED A RETURN TO
HIGH STANDARDS, TO BASICS, TO A NEW INSISTENCE UPON DISCI-
PLINE AND UPON TEACHING PATRIOTISM, VALUES AND MORALS.
REBUTTAL ON THE ELDERLY
MR. CARTER AND I SHARE A DEEP CONCERN FOR THE ELDERLY, BUT WE
SHOW IT IN DIFFERENT WAYS.
I THINK THE SOCIAL SECURITY TRUST FUND IS IN SERIOUS TROUBLE,
AND I HAVE PROPOSED A VERY SMALL INCREASE IN SOCIAL SECURITY
TAXES TO PROTECT ITS INTEGRITY -- LESS THEN $1 A WEEK.
MR. CARTER THINKS THE SOCIAL SECURITY TRUST FUND IS FAIRLY
HEALTHY, BUT HE HAS PROPOSED A HUGE INCREASE IN SOCIAL SECURITY
TAXES -- ENOUGH TO RAISE THE TAXES OF THE AMERICAN MIDDLE CLASS
WORKER BETWEEN $285 AND $400 A YEAR,
(OVER)
I THINK MY OWN APPROACH IS SOUNDER, WILL PROTECT THE INCOME
SECURITY OF THE ELDERLY, AND WILL WIND UP COSTING FEWER
DOLLARS FOR THE TAXPAYER.
REBUTTAL ON NATIONAL HEALTH CARE
IN DISCUSSING NATIONAL HEALTH CARE, THREE QUESTIONS ALWAYS
NEED TO BE HONESTLY ADDRESSED:
-- How MUCH WILL IT COST?
-- WHO IS GOING TO PAY FOR IT?
-- WILL WE PRESERVE THE FREEDOM OF THE HEALTH PROFESSION
FROM GOVERNMENT CONTROL?
MR. CARTER HAS ADDRESSED NONE OF THESE WITH SPECIFICITY, THE
AMERICAN PEOPLE SHOULD NOT BE ASKED TO VOTE NOW AND PAY LATER,
I HAVE PROPOSED EVERY MAJOR MEDICAL PROGRAM THAT I BELIEVE WE
URGENTLY NEED AND CAN REASONABLY AFFORD TODAY:
(OVER)
-- CATASTROPHIC HEALTH;
-- IMPROVEMENT IN NURSING HOMES;
-- EXPANSION OF NATIONAL HEALTH SERVICES CORPS;
-- SWINE FLU.
REBUTTAL ON HOUSING
ONCE AGAIN, BY CHARGING THIS ADMINISTRATION WITH so MANY
FAILURES, MR. CARTER OVERLOOKS THE FACTS:
-- PROPOSAL TO LOWER DOWN PAYMENTS;
-- PROPOSAL TO REDUCE EARLY MORTGAGE PAYMENTS;
-- SUPPORT FOR TANDEM PLAN.
OF COURSE, THE BEST WAY TO IMPROVE THE HOUSING INDUSTRY IS TO
HOLD DOWN INFLATION AND CREATE MORE JOBS. WE'RE DOING THAT.
As FOR MR. CARTER'S HOUSING PROGRAM, IT SUFFERS BECAUSE:
-- HE HASN'T PUT A PRICE TAG ON IT;
(OVER)
-- HE HAS CREATED DOUBT AMONG HOMEOWNERS ABOUT HIS
TAX PLANS;
-- HE APPEARS TO FAVOR CREDIT ALLOCATION, A PLAN THAT IS
WIDELY DISCREDITED AND WAS BEATEN DOWN IN A DEMOCRATIC CONGRESS.
ENVIRONMENTAL REBUTTAL
PRESIDENT MAY BE CRITICIZED FOR SUPPORTING SST WHILE A CONGRESSMAN;
ALSO, ADMINISTRATION LET IN THE CONCORDE.
REPLY: SST AND CONCORDE DO NOT IN THEMSELVES HARM THE OZONE
LAYER, CONCORDES ARE SO FEW THEIR ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS WILL BE
MINISCULE.
ALSO MAY BE CRITICIZED FOR FAILING TO PROMOTE BAN ON FLUOROCARBONS.
REPLY: ADMINISTRATION WILL ACT WHEN DATA HAS BEEN THOROUGHLY
EVALUATED. NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCE PANEL HAS RECOMMENDED TWO-
YEAR DELAY WHILE FURTHER INVESTIGATIONS: ARE CARRIED OUT. CURRENT
FINDINGS INDICATE NEED FOR PROTECTION.
TAX THE RICH
ASIDE FROM MY PROPOSAL OF A SIGNIFICANT MINIMUM TAX FOR ALL INCOME
BRACKETS, I DO NOT SUPPORT ANY PUNITIVE OR UNFAIR TAX PROPOSAL ON
ANY GROUP OF AMERICANS,
1) I FIRMLY BELIEVE THAT WHATEVER THE LEVEL A MAN HAS REACHED ON
THE ECONOMIC LADDER HE MUST HAVE AN INCENTIVE TO MOVE UP.
2) A 100% TAX ON THOSE FAMILIES WITH INCOMES OVER $50,000 WILL
PRODUCE LESS THAN $9 BILLION IN ADDITIONAL SPENDING, IT
WOULD ONLY PAY FOR 4% OF MR. CARTER'S PLATFORM. EACH TAXPAYER
SHOULD ASK HIMSELF -- WHERE WILL THE OTHER 96% COME FROM?
(OVER)
3) IF WE WANT JOBS, A PRODUCTIVE AND VIABLE ECONOMY, AND THE
TYPE OF CAPITAL INVESTMENT WE NEED IN THE LONG RUN, SUCH AN
UNFAIR TAX PHILOSOPHY IS EXTREMELY SHORT-SIGHTED AND COUNTER-
PRODUCTIVE. IN THE END, IT WILL BE THE POOR WHO WOULD SUFFER
MOST,
CARTER'S SOCIAL SECURITY TAX INCREASE
THERE IS ONE PROPOSAL THAT MR. CARTER HAS PUT FORWARD THAT HAS
NOT ATTRACTED MUCH ATTENTION BUT WILL ALSO HIT THE POCKETBOOKS OF
MIDDLE INCOME AMERICA VERY HARD.
HE HAS PROPOSED TO INCREASE THE AMOUNT OF INCOME SUBJECT TO
SOCIAL SECURITY TAXES FOR FAMILIES WITH INCOMES FROM $15,000 TO
$22,000. THAT'S ENOUGH TO RAISE THE TAXES OF THE AMERICAN MIDDLE
CLASS WORKER BETWEEN $285 AND $400 A YEAR.
ENVIRONMENT
THE UNITED STATES IS LOOKED UPON BY THE NATIONS OF THE
WORLD AS THE LEADER IN DEVELOPING INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENTS TO
CLEAN UP THE WORLD'S ENVIRONMENT.
My ADMINISTRATION HAS TAKEN THE LEAD IN MANY INTERNATIONAL
AGREEMENTS FOR ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION, SUCH AS RECENT ONES
WITH MEXICO AND JAPAN, AGREEMENTS WITH CANADA TO WORK FOR
REDUCTION OF POLLUTION IN THE GREAT LAKES, INTERNATIONAL EFFORTS
TO SAVE WHALES BY DRASTICALLY REDUCING WHALE QUOTAS.
WE HAVE TAKEN A STRONG STAND IN FAVOR OF POLLUTION CONTROL
IN THE WORLD'S OCEANS.
CHALLENGING CARTER FOR SPECIFICS
IN THE REALM OF FISCAL AFFAIRS WHICH AFFECTS THE VALUE OF THE
PEOPLE'S MONEY, I BELIEVE A PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE MUST BE VERY
SPECIFIC AND DIRECT. I'VE STATED MY POSITION ON EXPENDITURES AND ON
TAXES AND I HAVE PRESENTED MY PROPOSALS IN COMPLETE DETAIL IN MY
BUDGET MESSAGES, I HAVE NOT FOUND A WAY TO CREATE SOMETHING OUT OF
NOTHING, I SUGGEST THAT IF THE AMERICAN PEOPLE ARE GOING TO TAKE THE
GOVERNOR'S SPENDING AND TAX PROPOSALS SERIOUSLY, THAT HE SPELL THEM OUT
FOR THE AMERICAN PEOPLE IN THE SAME DETAIL THAT I HAVE,
My TAX PROPOSALS ARE VERY SIMPLE. I BELIEVE THAT TAXES SHOULD BE CUT
FOR THE HARD WORKING MIDDLE INCOME WAGE EARNER, AND I HAVE OUTLINED IN
GREAT DETAIL HOW THAT COULD BE DONE WHILE REACHING A BALANCED BUDGET
IN FISCAL YEAR 1979. I SUGGEST THE GOVERNOR DO THE SAME,