Dole: Clinton's Speech Copied My Theme

IRVINE, Calif. (AllPolitics, August 30) -- A day after Bob Dole charged President Clinton's "bridge to the future" theme copied his own nomination acceptance speech, the Republican presidential candidate was due to make campaign stops today in Orange County, California and Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Dole, familiar with Clinton's acceptance speech while saying he didn't watch it, renewed his charge Thursday that Clinton is a "me too" candidate who has stolen Dole's ideas. "Why shouldn't I be president, I've got all the ideas," the Republican told cheering supporters in San Luis Obispo, California. (400K WAV sound)

Dole also noted that Clinton proposed a limited version of the capital gains tax cut the GOP has long supported.

"He's going to give you a (capital gains tax) break if you sell your home ... We said that a month ago or 90 days ago. We said it a year ago ... We need a great big sign that says 'me too' (so that) every time I'm for something he could say 'me, too'," the Republican nominee said at another campaign rally Thursday night, shortly before Clinton outlined a modest package of tax cuts and incentives in his speech to the Democratic convention.

Tax cut: Point-Counterpoint

Dole urged voters to remember that President Clinton failed to deliver on a tax-cut pledge he made four years ago. "Don't believe him ... He told you that in 1992 ... and he gave you the largest tax increase in history," Dole said.

In 1992, Clinton promised a middle-class tax cut. Once in office in 1993, he pushed through a package of tax hikes, although not the largest in the nation's recent history if inflation is taken into account.

Dole has proposed $548 billion in tax cuts, which Clinton argues would increase the nation's budget deficit.

Ending a four-day working vacation in Santa Barbara, California, Dole and running mate Jack Kemp planned a joint campaign rally today in predominantly Republican Orange County, California. Later, Dole was scheduled to attend a rally at the New Mexico State Fairgrounds in Albuquerque.

Dole: Clinton's Speech Copied My Theme

Tax cut: Point-Counterpoint

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