Clinton: "We Just Have Different Views"

SANTA ANA, Calif. (AllPolitics, Oct. 17) -- President Bill Clinton, stumping in traditionally Republican Orange County, said voters got a clear look during Wednesday's debate at the honest differences between himself and rival Bob Dole.

"I think you saw two very different visions of the future last night, two honestly different visions," Clinton told a rally. "We need not say bad things about our opponents to say we just have different views." (192k WAV sound)

That was as close as Clinton got to taking note of Dole's references to some of the controversies the White House has been embroiled in, like the FBI files fiasco. Dole has stepped up his criticism this week of the administration's ethical lapses.

Instead, in his 20-minute stump speech, Clinton again sketched out goals for a second term, including better reading instruction, connecting more schools to the Internet, and creating tax incentives to help people finance college educations.

Clinton said he also wants to continue the job of balancing the federal budget, in a way that protects government programs people want. (224k WAV sound) The president also got in another dig at Dole's proposal for an across-the-board, 15 percent tax cut.

"We've got to balance the budget, but we do not have to wreck Medicare or Medicaid or cut education or environmental protection or research and turn our back on our future to do it," Clinton said. "And we should not blow a hole in it with this $550 billion tax scheme. We should keep going."

Clinton made a direct appeal for California's 54 electoral votes, saying economic conditions have improved markedly since 1992. (416k WAV sound)

"Do you feel that we're better off than we were four years ago?" he asked. The crowd cheered its assent.

"You know, four years ago, the people of California had to take me on faith," Clinton said. "But now there is a record. (96k WAV sound)

"There has never been a partnership between the national government and the people of any state like the one we have forged over the last four years," he said. "A lot of it was born of necessity, of earthquakes and fires and floods, of the economic dislocation caused by defense cutbacks, of the terrible recession you were facing when I came here.

"But little by little, day by day, month by month, we worked together to meet the challenges the people of California faced, and look at the difference four years can make," Clinton said.

A group of protestors hooted at Clinton and he took note of their heckling. "For them, the evidence hurts," he said.

Clinton said there is a direct link between how Californians vote next month and their daily lives. The federal government is not the enemy, but a servant and partner, he said.

The big question on Nov. 5, Clinton said, is who will vote. "Are you gonna show up?" Clinton asked. "It is your responsibility to go vote, your responsibility as citizens."

Clinton: "We Just Have Different Views"

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