by Archana Subramaniam by CNB
Roanoke Times Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc. DATE: WEDNESDAY, January 29, 1992 TAG: 9201290249 SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: A-11 EDITION: METRO SOURCE: DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
CONGRESSMEN'S ASSESSMENTS
Rep. Jim Olin, D-Roanoke:\ \ Of the speech in general: "I don't think it will be very well received by the American people. I just thought it was very, very shallow. It covered everything except the kitchen sink, but it wasn't substantive. The thing didn't hang together to me."\ \ Olin felt Bush offered no real solutions to the two big problems facing the country: the slumping economy and rising medical costs.\ \ On reforming the health-care system but leaving it in private control, he wondered: "Somehow, it's going to correct itself?"\ \ On the economy: "He proposes a whole slew of tax breaks which really aren't going to do anything to create new jobs or help the economy in the long run. It's not very smart for a president to keep bringing up things that aren't going to go anywhere."\ \ Olin also took issue with Bush's remarks that Congress has dragged its feet on enacting his proposed legislation: "We saw it as an insult. It was a very condescending type of speech, very foolish for him to do," particularly since Bush now must work with Congress to push his plans ahead.\ \ U.S. Sen. John Warner, R-Va.:\ \ Overall reaction to the speech: "I think it's the best he's ever given, and this is the 14th one [state of the union speech] I've heard. This wasn't like a halftime talk by a football coach. It was a real leader's speech, and he challenged Congress to match him in taking steps to give the American people the tools they need to fight their way out of this economic slump."\ \ On Congress' reaction to Bush's proposals: "There's really some tough battle lines drawn on things like capital gains tax, pay-or-play hospital programs." \ On Bush's challenge: "Congress is going to meet his March 20th deadline. Otherwise, the president can turn to the American people, and they can turn Congress out."\ \ Rep. L.F. Payne, D-Nelson County:\ \ "We will be working very quickly on this as the president felt we should. . . . It's time to put partisan politics aside. The details of these plans are what we need to see now."\ \ Payne was especially pleased that Bush was addressing the health care issue: "It's an important step in the right direction."\ \ On Bush's appearance: "I was pleased he was looking so robust after seeing him look so tired and sick in recent weeks."\ \ Rep. Rick Boucher, D-Abingdon:\ \ Overall reaction: "The address tonight was the most substantive presidential speech of the past decade."\ \ On defense spending cuts: "It is appropriate that he acknowledges dramatic world changes, which will produce large defense savings. These monies are urgently needed for domestic purposes."\ \ On Bush's energy initiative: "I am also encouraged that he has urged the Congress to adopt the national energy strategy. The House version of that bill contains my proposals to enhance Virginia's coal economy."