Gov. Bayh Tackles Economy, Welfare

CHICAGO (AllPolitics, Aug. 27) -- Indiana Gov. Evan Bayh delivered the politically moderate and positive keynote speech that Clinton campaign officials had wanted, focusing on the success of his state's economic and welfare strategies.

But with a last-minute schedule change that pushed him out of prime time, Bayh found himself overshadowed by earlier, more stirring talks by Jesse Jackson, Mario Cuomo and First Lady Hillary Clinton.

The two-term governor has been described as a "new Democrat" for his centrist views. Bayh is very popular in his traditionally conservative state, in large part because of his economic reforms.

He praised the president's efforts to cut the deficit, create jobs and increase the minimum wage. "After twelve years of skyrocketing deficits and quarupling debt, President Clinton is meeting the challenge of balancing our budget," Bayh said. "He's brought the deficit down by 60 percent in just four years. (352K WAV sound)

"Bill Clinton is balancing the budget while keeping our pledge to the elderly, the young and our future -- not because it is easy -- but because it is right," Bayh said.

Bayh was one of the first speakers at this convention to defend the president's controversial decision to sign the welfare reform bill. "President Clinton understands that welfare was intended to be temporary and make work possible," he said.

Citing his own success with overhauling the welfare system in his state, Bayh said, "Today Indiana leads the nation in moving people off welfare and into jobs...We're helping families back on their feet."

Education was the theme of today's leg of the President's train trip to Chicago. Bayh spoke to the issue saying, "In this election, no issue more clearly defines the differences between the differences between the two major parties and their nominees." He called for a support of Clinton's literacy plan and educational reforms, including stricter truancy laws and school uniforms. (352K WAV sound)

The nod to Bayh signaled a departure from previous Democratic keynote choices of fiery liberals like Cuomo or former Texas Gov. Ann Richards. Instead, the party presented a more moderate message, just as the Republicans did when they chose Rep. Susan Molinari of New York as the GOP keynoter earlier this month.

Both Bayh and Molinari are up-and-comers within their respective parties who claim to represent "mainstream" Americans. As both were trying to appeal to the same voter pool, it was also Bayh's job to distinguish his speech.

Both keynoters acknowledged the difficulty American families face to provide for their families. "In quiet corners across our country, families still struggle to pay the mortgage, save for college, make ends meet," Bayh sympathized. (256K WAV sound)

Molinari had offered the Dole/Kemp tax cut as a solution. But Bayh attacked the plan, dubbing it an "election-year gimmick."

"They know their plan is too expensive; it will explode the deficit, raise interest rates, slow the economy, and still require deeper cuts in the things we care about," he said.

Molinari also attacked the Clinton Administration on Medicare, promising that Dole will save the program. Standing up for Clinton's record and for party unity, Bayh responded, "When his opponents threatened our values with deep cuts in Medicare, Medicaid, education and the environment, President Clinton said no and our party stood with him."

He continued, "And when they shut the government down, the president said no again, we stood with him again -- and the American people won."

And on the "Families First" night of the Democratic convention, how could Bayh compete with Molinari's repeated references to her 3-month old daughter Susan Ruby? Easy. Nine-month old twin sons Beau and Nick were on hand to join their dad at centerstage.

Gov. Bayh Tackles Economy, Welfare

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