THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, November 1, 1994 TAG: 9411010305
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A12 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS
DATELINE: PITTSBURGH LENGTH: Medium: 54 lines
Hoping to boost Democratic prospects and frame the final week of the midterm campaign, President Clinton warned Monday that ``snake oil'' Republican promises would force devastating Social Security cuts.
Clinton was still weary and hoarse from his Mideast peace trip, but he plunged with vigor back into domestic politics, beginning a week of cross-country campaigning designed to rally a dispirited Democratic base and stymie GOP hopes of capturing control of Congress.
Many of the stops in the days ahead are designed to persuade blacks to turn out next Tuesday. But Clinton opened his campaign blitz with an eye on courting the elderly - and helping embattled Democratic Senate candidates in Virginia and here in Pennsylvania.
He said Republicans would have little choice but to cut Social Security benefits by $2,000 a year and Medicare by another $1,800 to pay for their promises to balance the budget, increase defense spending and offer tax breaks he said would go to the rich.
``Say no to this radical attack on Social Security,'' Clinton said. ``The Republican contract could devastate Social Security and senior citizens.''
At each stop, Clinton offered a spirited defense of his record, from job creation to lower deficits and family leave and new college loan laws he said were making ``government work for ordinary Americans.''
To reinforce the president's final-week message, the Democratic National Committee produced two new ads that note House GOP Whip Newt Gingrich has suggested phasing out Social Security, and that Virginia Senate candidate Oliver North has remarked that perhaps the system should be voluntary.
``The Republicans - They're at it again,'' the ads say.
Senate GOP leader Bob Dole responded for Republicans, noting that Clinton's 1993 budget had raised taxes on Social Security recipients and that the administration had proposed $150 billion in Medicare cuts and was considering more for next year.
``No matter what desperate pre-election tactics this administration may use, they cannot hide from their record or change the coming tide of Republican victories,'' Dole said. ILLUSTRATION: ASSOCIATED PRESS photo
President Clinton rallies with Pennsylvania Lt. Gov. Mark Singel,
left, and U.S. Sen. Harris Wofford in Philadelphia. Clinton stumped
Monday for Wofford, who seeks re-election, and Singel, who wants the
governorship.
by CNB