Despite Welfare Disagreement, Liberals Support Clinton

By Craig Staats/AllPolitics

CHICAGO (AllPolitics, Aug. 27) -- Democrats put some of their disagreements on display tonight, with fiery back-to-back speeches by two liberal luminaries who think President Bill Clinton goofed on welfare reform.

The Rev. Jesse Jackson and former New York Gov. Mario Cuomo brought delegates to their feet by frankly acknowledging their disagreements on welfare with Clinton, but saying he remains the best hope to keep the nation on course.

"In the end, Bill Clinton spells hope, and Republicans spell disaster," Cuomo told the crowd.

"We are mature enough to differ without splitting," Jackson said. "That's what makes democracy real."

Many delegates were anxious to see how the two Democratic leaders would handle the thorny question of welfare reform.

More than any recent issue, Clinton's support for the legislation, which imposes a five-year lifetime limit on public aid and requires abled-bodied recipients to go to work within two years, had the potential to create problems for Clinton at this convention. At the minimum, it might have drained away some enthusiasm among grassroots volunteers.

But Democrats tried to turn the welfare fissure into a strength by giving Jackson and Cuomo prime-time speaking roles to explain why they disagree with Clinton, but still support his re-election wholeheartedly.

In a fiery speech that recalled the best of his eloquence, Jackson ridiculed the way he said Republicans dealt with Govs. George Pataki of New York and Pete Wilson of California, who disagreed with the GOP platform on abortion.

"When Pataki and Wilson disagreed in San Diego, they were sent to Siberia," Jackson said. "And (House Speaker Newt) Gingrich had to do a volleyball match and (Sen.) Trent Lott had to sing a song (to fill their speaking time). We have the right to express ourselves. (224K WAV sound)

"The fight was never about welfare," Jackson added. "It was always about jobs and opportunity. Most poor people are not on welfare. They work every day."

Jackson said re-electing Clinton means there is a chance to fix what's wrong with the welfare bill. "If we elect him, there is another day and a better day."

Jackson, who was introduced by his son, Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. of Chicago, said the fall election counts.

"In your cynicism, don't walk away from this vote," the elder Jackson said. "Only by engaging, engaging, engaging, engaging, can you make things happen."

Cuomo delivered a frank lecture that stood out in a day of largely self-congratulatory talk. He told delegates that Democrats have at times lost their way, trying to defend outdated policies and letting themselves be caricatured by the Republicans.

On the welfare reform bill, Cuomo said he thought "the risk to children was too great to justify the action of signing that bill, no matter what its political benefits." There was hearty applause. (544 WAV sound)

"But the president is confident that he can avert this risk by further legislation before children are actually harmed," Cuomo said.

He, too, urged people to put aside differences in the party and in society, to move forward together.

"Listen to me, please," Cuomo pleaded. "Forget a lot of this political argumentation. Forget about new Democrats, old Democrats, conservative Democrats, liberal Democrats, neo-liberal Democrats...

"The truth is ageless: Either we make it together, all of us, of every faith and color, straight or gay, with or without disabilities, whatever our accent....Either we make it, all of us together, or there is no America worth the gifts that God has given this blessed place." (416K WAV sound)

Vivo Movie Of Rev. Jesse Jackson's Speech
Transcript Of Rev. Jesse Jackson's Speech
Transcript Of Gov. Mario Cuomo's Speech

Despite Welfare Disagreement, Liberals Support Clinton

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