Clinton Makes The Case For His Re-Election

By Kathleen Hayden/AllPolitics

CHICAGO (AllPolitics, Aug. 30) -- "I accept." It was the most anticipated moment of the Democratic convention. The delegates had waited for their nominee's arrival all week and greeted him with uncontrollable cheers. And when President Bill Clinton began his acceptance speech tonight, he set out to make his case to the nation for his re-election. (352 WAV sound)

The president had several strategies: He wanted to appeal to the critical middle class and women voters. He needed to remind people of his administration's accomplishments, particularly on the economy. And he provided his road map for the 21st century. It was a passionate, but long speech filled with ideas and proposals that topped off a strong convention.

But both events were marred by the resignation of Clinton's campaign strategist Dick Morris. Morris' departure from the campaign amidst allegations he let a $200-an-hour escort listen in on his private conversations with the president led to a frenzy by the news-hungry media and gleeful Republicans.

The president did not appear to be sidetracked in his delivery, though. After a triumphant four-day whistlestop train tour of the heartland, a hopeful Clinton stepped to the podium to tell America why he should be re-hired.

Middle-class and women voters put Clinton over the top in 1992 and they were his most critical audience tonight. So the president concentrated his speech on a series of issues that are important to those voters. The economy. Crime. Airline safety. Education. Drugs. The environment. And, of course, the family.

"Let us build a bridge to help our parents raise their children, to help young people and adults to get the education and training they need, to make our streets safer, to help Americans succeed at home and at work, to break the cycle of poverty and dependence, to protect our environment for generations to come, and to maintain our world leadership for peace and freedom," he said. (576 WAV sound)

Clinton spotlighted the economy's progress under his watch. Touting his administration's record, he singled out jobs creation, inflation reduction, trade expansion, the minimum wage hike, and increasing the number of small businesses run by women.

Taxation is one issue on which some predict the Clinton campaign is vulnerable. While offering his own limited cuts, the president sharply attacked the Dole-Kemp 15 percent tax cut plan, saying it would mean a legacy of debt for the next generation.

"Do we really want to make the same mistake again? Do we really want to stop economic growth again? Do we really want to start piling up another mountain of debt? Do we want to bring back the recession of 1991 and '92? Do we really want to weaken our bridge to the 21st Century?" Clinton answered his own questions: "Of course not."

Though he offered tax proposals of his own, Clinton claimed, "Every tax cut I call for tonight is targeted, it's responsible and it is paid for within my balanced budget plan." (448 WAV sound)

The Morris scandal will be one of the week's sharp memories, but up until then, the Democratic convention has been remarkable for its demonstration of unity. Organizers put on a near snag-free show that showed the Democrats energized behind their president and first lady and against the GOP.

At both conventions, speakers congratulated themselves for being inclusive and tolerant, but the Democrats went a step further than their Republican counterparts. By allowing liberals like Jesse Jackson and Mario Cuomo to take the podium they proved that party members may differ with Clinton on welfare, but can still passionately endorse their president.

The controversial First Lady Hillary Clinton was received by delegates enthusiastically. They embraced her messages of community responsibility and protection of children as she defended herself against Republican criticism. Some of the wildest cheers were given to the other speakers who criticized the partisan personal attacks against members of the president's family.

But the only proof of a successful Democratic convention will be a lift in the poll numbers. The latest CNN/USA Today/Gallup survey released tonight shows only a single point gain for the Clinton/Gore ticket so far.

But it will still be some time before the full effect of the conventions, or the Morris uproar, will be clear -- 68 days to be exact.

Clinton Makes The Case For His Re-Election

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