Editorials
Monday, October 7, 1996
Debate provides
boost for challenger Dole
BOB Dole injected sorely needed energy into his campaign with a spirited performance in the first presidential debate. But Bill Clinton also acquitted himself well in deftly countering Dole's rhetorical thrusts.
The 90-minute encounter focused heavily on tax cuts, particularly on Dole's 15 percent across-the-board proposal. Clinton argued that the Dole plan would devastate Medicare and increase the budget deficit, endangering the economic recovery. Dole staked his plan on his decades-long political reputation as a man of his word, asserting that he wouldn't claim his tax proposal would help Americans if he didn't know it was true.
It's not clear that most people will buy that, in view of the deep skepticism about politicians' promises. Dole himself has a long record of opposition to big tax cuts. But Clinton also faces skepticism over his more modest tax reduction plan because he promised a cut in 1992 and reneged after his election.
Still, it was plain that both candidates felt taxes are the key issue in this campaign and provide Dole with his best hope to overtake the president's massive lead.
Dole took the offense, pounding away at Clinton's record, but he displayed a lively wit and kept the debate civil and sometimes even friendly.
He was a far cry from the tired figure who delivered a dreary response to Clinton's State of the Union address. He exceeded many expectations and probably bolstered his candidacy. But Clinton kept his poise and had a plausible response to every jab. The president could ask the question, "Are you better off than you were four years ago?" confident that most people would say yes.
Dole struggled to make a case for change but it was an uphill battle. Clinton repeatedly pointed out that under his administration the economy has improved and the budget deficit has shrunk. He also has reduced the size of the federal government. These achievements undercut the Republican themes of smaller, more fiscally responsible government and make it hard for Dole to pin the reviled label "liberal" on the president.
Fasi and Cayetano
AS part of his continuing efforts to thwart Jeremy Harris' political ambitions, former Mayor Frank Fasi has offered to work for Governor Cayetano for a mere $1 annually. Even more ridiculous is that Cayetano may accept. This whole scenario would be hilarious if it weren't motivated by Fasi's vindictiveness and petty jealousy.
Fasi's vendetta against Harris knows no bounds. Luckily, taxpayers won't be economically burdened if his latest political gambit happens to materialize.
CIA and crack
DURING the Cold War it was common in Third World countries to blame the CIA for virtually any calamity. Now it appears that phenomenon is spreading to the United States with suggestions that the CIA was somehow responsible for the crack cocaine epidemic.
A three-part series called "Dark Alliance," published in August by the San Jose (Calif.) Mercury News, said a Bay Area drug ring sold tons of cocaine to Los Angeles street gangs and funneled millions in drug profits to a CIA-run guerrilla army, the Nicaraguan Contras. The series fueled paranoia and sparked anger in the black community toward the CIA. But was the CIA really responsible?
CIA Director John Deutch has rejected the allegations in the series, while promising an independent investigation of the agency's actions. In addition, the Washington Post has looked into the question and published a lengthy report rebutting several of the findings by the Mercury News.
The Mercury News did not allege directly that the CIA knew about the two Nicaraguans' drug dealing, but the implication is clear. The allegations have been so widely circulated in the black community that it will be difficult to effectively combat them. In evaluating the charges, it's important to keep in mind that making the CIA the scapegoat for the shortcomings of others is nothing new.
Published by Liberty Newspapers Limited Partnership
Rupert E. Phillips, CEO
John M. Flanagan, Editor & Publisher
David Shapiro, Managing Editor
Diane Yukihiro Chang, Senior Editor & Editorial Page Editor
Frank Bridgewater & Michael Rovner, Assistant Managing Editors
A.A. Smyser, Contributing Editor