Forbes Campaigns for Dole for Sake of Beating Clinton

Aired May 8, 1996

JUDY WOODRUFF, Anchor: As a former GOP presidential candidate and businessman with more than a passing interest in taxes, you'd expect Steve Forbes to have a lot to say about the latest election year maneuvering over the gas tax, the minimum wage and more. I talked with Mr. Forbes via satellite from Los Angeles, a short while ago. I began by asking if he is officially campaigning for Bob Dole.

STEVE FORBES (R), Former Presidential Candidate: Helping out here in California, and talking to several groups, one this morning and one this afternoon. Tonight I go on the Jay Leno show, so I'm still keeping that part up too.

JUDY WOODRUFF, Correspondent: Have you talked with Senator Dole directly about your role in his campaign?

FORBES: Only briefly, and that was a couple of weeks ago, but I have talked with members of his campaign, and so we haven't gotten in any discussions yet, on what might happen at the convention. I did agree to help out here in California.

WOODRUFF: He clearly seems to resent some of the things that you said about him during the campaign. Did you all discuss that?

FORBES: No, I think that we agree on more than we disagree on, particularly now that he has said some very nice things about the flat tax and about starting a new social security system for younger people, which I advocated during the campaign. So, as I like to say, he's shone great growth, and I think he will in the next few weeks put together put together a substantive agenda to get this country moving, starting with some tax cuts and pledges on major tax reform next January.

WOODRUFF: You said, what was it, just two months ago on the eve of the New York state primary, that Bob Dole represents politics as usual, the status quo. Do you still believe that?

FORBES: I think that, no, I think that he is actually, as I said, he's made a move forward on issues such as the tax code, and on issues like social security. Also, too, you have to compare who he is running against. Bill Clinton is genuinely a step backwards. He is a man, as you know, who has to get up each morning, look at the polls to see what he believes that day. I think the Republican Party will have a very substantial pro-growth agenda, and that's why I think we've got to work to get that agenda and get it across to the American people.

WOODRUFF: You say he's moving forward, but during the campaign, you talked about his having raised, voted to raise taxes 16 times, a trillion dollars' worth. Is that something he can just push aside?

FORBES: Well, as I think as Bill Bennett once said, `Every saint has a past, every sinner has a future,' and I think that Senator Dole has made very real progress in terms of putting together a tax cut proposal and I think that's the key. I think that he can point out that he's tried the other way and it doesn't work, and he's recognized that that doesn't work, but Bill Clinton hasn't gotten the message yet.

WOODRUFF: Do you think the gas tax cut that he's gotten behind just lately is a significant move in terms of the tax code?

---

---

FORBES: I think it's simply a, really a more of a symbolic step and motion to show that we do want to reduce the tax code. As you know, it was part of the 1993 tax increase. That should be repealed, as long- and I think that's a step in the right direction, a small step but a good step.

WOODRUFF: Another issue that's before the congress this week is the minimum wage. Is that something that you think Senator Dole and other Republicans should support, increasing the minimum wage?

FORBES: Well, I think the key is what's the best way of increasing opportunity and take-home pay for people starting out or people with low incomes with dependents, without destroying jobs? The minimum wage has had a history of destroying jobs, but liberalizing the earned income tax credit, reducing payroll taxes as a way of giving very substantial, immediate help and not destroying jobs. It's the way to go.

WOODRUFF: You said just a few days ago, Mr. Forbes, that Bob Dole at this point still hasn't told the American voters what it is he stands for. Is that something that you think he can make progress on in this campaign and if so, how?

FORBES: That's the whole purpose of the campaign is to put forth an agenda of how a candidate sees the country, what the problems are, what the opportunities are. I know that his campaign and that he are working on an agenda, and they will be unveiling it in the next few weeks, so that by the time the Republican convention comes along, I think we're going to have a very exciting program for the people. It's the only way you can beat Bill Clinton. We're never going to beat him with a puckered lip or the other things that he is so good at. The only way we can do it is with substance on how to get America moving again.

WOODRUFF: And just quickly, are the, is the Dole campaign listening to your advice?

FORBES: I'm, I hope so. They're taking my advice and I think that they know that they have to have a pro-growth agenda. They're talking to a lot of people, as they should, in terms of bringing people in, so I think it's going to be a very good step forward in the next few weeks, and I think we will have a good program, platform for the Republican convention and also for the campaign. It's the only way we're going to win, with pro-hope, pro-opportunity, substance.

WOODRUFF: All right, well, Steve Forbes, we thank you for joining us from California.

FORBES: Thank you.

Copyright © 1996 AllPolitics
All Rights Reserved

Terms under which this information is provided to you