Dole Sets Out A D.C. Agenda

WASHINGTON (AllPolitics, March 21) -- If the 1996 presidential race is a Capitol Hill-versus-White House contest, Sen. Robert Dole is working fast to delineate some of the differences between himself and President Bill Clinton.

Dole, who captured enough delegates to win the Republican nomination this week, hopes to show via legislation that he has clear-cut differences with Clinton over the limits of federal power, tort reform, defense policy and the Senate Whitewater investigation.

Issue by issue, here's a rundown:

-- One consistent theme in Dole's campaign has been the need to return more power to the states. He plans to sponsor legislation to limit the federal government's role in activities not specifically permitted in the Consitutiton.

"It's time to dust off the Tenth Amendment again," Dole said, referring to language that powers not delegated to the federal government are reserved to the states or the people. In particular, Dole wants to give the states more say over welfare and health care for the poor.

-- A struggle is at hand over tort reform and a measure to limit damage awards in product liability lawsuits. Clinton, saying it would hurt consumers, has vowed to veto the bill.

Dole, though, says Clinton is in the pocket of trial lawyers, who through political action committees have contributed heavily to the president over the years. "If money talks, this money screams," Dole told the Associated Press.

-- Dole and Clinton also disagree on a proposed $5 billion deployment of a ballistic missile defense system. With the breakup of the former Soviet Union, the administration says the risks don't justify the cost, but Dole wants the system in place by 2003. Dole also favors purchasing additional B-2 bombers, position that might win him some votes this fall in California, where the plane is built.

-- In the Senate, Democrats and Republicans remain at odds on continuing the probe into the Whitewater Arkansas land deal. Another vote is scheduled today.

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