Clinton Combats Teen Smoking In New Jersey

NEWARK, N.J. (AllPolitics, April 7) -- President Bill Clinton took his battle against teen smoking to New Jersey today, attending events marking "Kick Butts Day," a nationally coordinated effort aimed at youth (160K WAV sound).

"Students have come together to really put a spotlight on those commercial establishments that make it easy for kids who are underage who shouldn't be buying tobacco products to, in fact, buy them" administration spokesman Mike McCurry explained to reporters.

There the president goes again, stealing my issues, Sen. Robert Dole (R-Kan.) might have been heard grousing. Dole has repeatedly charged that Clinton is "talking right and governing left," as Dole campaign press secretary Nelson Warfield said today.

In fact, Clinton has coopted a number of Republican-sounding themes. With the economy chugging along at a 2.8 percent annual growth rate, the president is shrugging off Dole's warning of a "Clinton crunch" while talking what some say is a GOP game.

In just the last several days, the president has tightened the ropes on teenage welfare recipients, endorsed GOP legislation that awards a tax credit to adoptive families, and reiterated calls for a seven-year balanced budget. He's also called for school uniforms in public schools to combat gang violence and supported the so-called V-chip to allow parents to block offensive programs on television.

Tonight, Clinton will attend an event to benefit Rep. Robert Torricelli (D-N.J.), who is running for the Senate. The state's 15 electoral votes are an important priority for the president as well, which he won only narrowly in 1992.

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