Dole, Kemp Stump For Tax Cuts In N.J.

By Jim Angle/CNN

RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AllPolitics, Aug. 22) -- Despite some powerful distractions, Bob Dole and running mate Jack Kemp stuck to their tax-cutting message at a New Jersey rally.

"I want to do for America's economy what (Gov.) Christie Whitman has done for New Jersey's economy, spread it across America," Dole told supporters. Dole has proposed a 15 percent cut in income tax rates and a 50 percent reduction in the capital gains' tax as a way to invigorate the U.S. economy.

Kemp was an even more enthusiastic advocate. "Everyone can get rich in America," Kemp declared. "This is the Grand Opportunity Party for America in 1996."

The GOP candidates were accompanied by Gov. Whitman, who said New Jersey proves Democratic critics of the tax-cutting plan wrong.

"The Democrats say that you can't balance a budget and cut taxes at the same time," said Whitman. "Well, we know you can because we're doing it here in New Jersey."

Dole refused to plunge back into the tobacco controversy that landed him in trouble a few weeks ago. He waved off questions about the Clinton Administration's move, expected Friday, to treat tobacco as a drug and regulate cigarette advertising more closely.

But down in tobacco-rich North Carolina, Elizabeth Dole, the candidate's wife, criticized the Clinton Administration's planned order.

"This is just really a gimmick," Mrs. Dole said. "This executive order is a political gimmick, because it's already in the courts." (128K WAV sound)

In New Jersey, candidate Dole lashed out at President Clinton over dramatic increases in drug use among teenagers.

"Where have you been the last four years, Mr. President, while the drug use has gone up and up and up and up," Dole asked. "Where have you been?"

Dole stumbled into a controversy earlier this summer by questioning whether tobacco is addictive. "We know it's not good for kids, but a lot of other things aren't good," he said then. "Drinking's not good. Some would say milk is not good."

The campaign also pointed out that Dole voted for a four-year- old law that cracked down on teen smoking.

Dole is sticking largely to his script on the economic plan, in spite of the new drug war between the two campaigns. The Dole forces want to keep everyone focused on tax cuts, because that's where they believe the election will be won or lost.

On a related issue, the Dole campaign accused Clinton of "selling out his own party" by signing welfare legislation opposed by many liberal Democrats.

Dole Deputy Press Secretary Christina Martin released a written statement to reporters about Clinton's decision to sign the legislation, which Dole supported when he was in the Senate.

"By selling out his own party, Bill Clinton has proven he is ideologically adrift," the statement said. "The good news for Americans is that Bob Dole and Republican governors were there to show Bill Clinton the light on welfare reform. While Bob Dole and the Republicans lit the flames of welfare reform, Bill Clinton has already signaled his intention to snuff out today's promising start."

Dole, Kemp Stump For Tax Cuts In N.J.

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