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Democrats dont care { September 25 2002 } Original Source Link: (May no longer be active)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A62783-2002Sep24.htmlhttp://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A62783-2002Sep24.html
In President's Speeches, Iraq Dominates, Economy Fades
By Dana Milbank
Washington Post Staff Writer
Wednesday, September 25, 2002; Page A01
As he seeks to boost Republican candidates in the midterm elections, President Bush is increasing his emphasis on terrorism and national security, shedding his previous determination to demonstrate his concern about the flagging economy.
Four times in the past two days, Bush has suggested that Democrats do not care about national security, saying on Monday that the Democratic-controlled Senate is "not interested in the security of the American people." His remarks, intensifying a theme he introduced last month, were quickly seconded and disseminated by House Majority Whip Tom DeLay (R-Tex.).
At a fundraiser for GOP House candidate Adam Taff in Kansas Monday, Vice President Cheney said security would be bolstered if Taff were to defeat Rep. Dennis Moore (D-Kan.). "Cheney talks about Iraq at congressional fund-raiser/ Electing Taff would aid war effort," read the headline in the Topeka Capital-Journal.
Such rhetoric represents something of a shift for the administration. When there were marked signs of the economy stumbling in the summer, Bush spoke daily about the economy's health to demonstrate his concern. In recent days, however, the proportion of Bush's stump speech devoted to domestic concerns has slipped from about 50 percent to about 20 percent.
The shift has come despite a flood of grim new economic statistics. The Dow Jones industrial average fell yesterday to its lowest level in four years, and the Nasdaq composite index hit a six-year low as consumer confidence and corporate earnings slipped.
When Bush kicked off his effort this month to build support for an Iraq campaign, his aides angrily dismissed accusations that they had a political motive, saying that the timing, two months before the Nov. 5 election, was coincidental. But as Bush continues his record-setting fundraising effort, he has shown an eagerness to discuss the topic in political venues as polls show the effort is aiding Republican candidates.
Senate Majority Leader Thomas A. Daschle (D-S.D.) blasted the White House and Republicans for trying to gain political advantage from war planning. "I hope the American people are cognizant of this effort, and demonstrate their intolerance and chagrin that people would stoop to that level," Daschle said in an interview.
Anxiety has spread through the Democratic caucus. "We have a crashing Dow Jones index, economic indicators that continue to depress people in Illinois and across America and the White House does not want to talk about this," said Sen. Richard J. Durbin (D-Ill.). "This is not something the president will even take time out fundraising for to address."
To drive home this point, Senate Majority Whip Harry Reid (D-Nev.) plans to call on the White House to detail how much taxpayer money is being spent to underwrite his campaign travel.
The White House says the GOP's tactics are proper. "The voters will make the judgments," said White House press secretary Ari Fleischer. "I don't think anybody has the right to tell the country it shouldn't consider either party's views on war and peace." Fleischer said Bush's economic agenda is "front and center," pointing out that he will deliver a speech Thursday on corporate accountability.
Yesterday's 2.4 percent decline in the Dow Jones industrials, the fourth triple-digit loss in six sessions, brought the average back to the four-year low it reached in July.
But while Bush spent much of July demonstrating his concern about the economy, he did not mention the falling markets yesterday until asked during a question-and-answer session with his Cabinet. Bush said he was "optimistic" about the economy, using the word six times, and he said his administration inherited a recession and falling stock market from the Clinton administration.
To boost the economy, Bush called on Congress to pass terrorism insurance legislation, make last year's tax cut permanent and restrain spending. But while emphasizing those three items -- all long-term items -- he made no mention of the short-term stimulus package, which the White House and Republican House leaders have shelved.
Budget Director Mitchell E. Daniels Jr. said yesterday that Bush is "still open to and looking at options" on the economy, but "you'll hear from him if and when he sees that combination that he thinks has practical value." Treasury Secretary Paul H. O'Neill, in Nashville yesterday, made no mention of economic stimulus, saying "the latest indicators look good."
There are indications that Bush and the GOP have succeeded in directing voters' concerns to Iraq rather than the economy. A new poll by the Gallup organization found that by a 49 percent to 41 percent margin, voters are now more concerned about Iraq than the state of the economy when deciding whom to vote for this fall. This marks a 16-point shift in voters' attitudes from three weeks ago. Similarly, a poll released Monday by Ipsos Public Affairs, found that Americans, by a six-point margin, now believe the country is on the right track, a 13-point improvement.
Yet Democrats still have hope that their domestic issues will resurface. "It will get through," Sen. John Edwards (D-N.C.), a likely presidential candidate, said yesterday. "In a short period of time, Congress will have dealt with Iraq and we'll be on to other issues."
There is some reason for Democratic optimism. Independent pollster John Zogby said that when voters -- 66 percent of whom have retirement accounts -- get their quarterly statements in October, "that thrusts the conversation right back to the economy." Democratic pollster Mark Mellman said Bush may be creating a "long-term disadvantage" by dropping his visibility on domestic issues in voters' eyes.
Damaging or not, the change in Bush has been stark. In July, the White House, in addition to events highlighting homeland security and war, focused on corporate corruption, the economy, welfare reform, trade, disabilities, adoption, prescription drugs and Bush's "faith-based" plan. In September, Iraq and Saddam Hussein dominate virtually every major appearance by Bush, except for an odd event to spotlight education or the economy.
Fleischer said Bush's speeches are "very balanced" between domestic and foreign. "He's always done half on the war on terror and half on domestic policy. Now he's put Iraq into the war on terror part."
Before this month, Bush did devote about half of his typical stump speech to domestic matters and half to security and war. But when Bush flew to Trenton, N.J., on Monday, the 4,200-word speech he delivered at the airport included 3,100 words devoted to war and security, and 700 devoted to domestic matters, with the balance devoted to introductions. Next, at a fundraiser for GOP Senate candidate Doug Forrester, war and security got 3,000 of his 4,500 words, with domestic matters receiving 800. At last night's fundraiser for Senate candidate John Thune of South Dakota, he spent twice as much time on war and security.
At the Forrester fundraiser, Bush took the stage as donors chanted "USA!" The commander in chief declared: "I believe it's in America's interests that Doug Forrester be the next United States senator from this state."
Staff writer Jim VandeHei contributed to this report.
© 2002 The Washington Post Company
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