Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, February 2, 1992 TAG: 9202020259
SECTION: HORIZON PAGE: F-8 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JILL LAWRENCE ASSOCIATED PRESS
DATELINE: WASHINGTON LENGTH: Long
BEYOND THE CAMPAIGN IMAGERY, CANDIDATES OFFER VISION OF CHANGE
The TV commercials will last 30 seconds, the coffee-shop encounters with voters a bit longer. But there's more to the five Democratic presidential candidates than meeting, greeting and ads.The candidates are asking the power to revive the nation's economy and its can-do spirit, reform an unwieldy and sometimes uncaring health system and ease pressure on the financially squeezed middle class.
Just how they would do that, the substance of the issues, has been less a part of America's elections over the last 20 years than the character and style of the candidates. But the vision of change offered by the contenders remains a powerful part of the campaign.
Americans are just getting to know the current Democratic field, each of whose members is striving to stand out from the rest.
Here are the Democrats' views on some major voter concerns:
\ JERRY BROWN
TAXES: Favors cutback in the Social Security tax, combining it with the income tax and bringing down rates for Americans other than the wealthy.
ECONOMY: Urges enterprise zones and a tax amnesty designed to bring $60 billion to $100 billion into government coffers.
PUBLIC JOBS: Would speed construction of public works and transportation projects and create a conservation corps for troubled youth.
ABORTION: Supports abortion rights.
DEATH PENALTY: Opposes.
HEALTH CARE: Supports centralized national plan modeled on Canada's, with emphasis on prevention and wellness. Government would purchase all coverage.
DEFENSE BUDGET: Would reduce military aid to Germany and convert some military spending to space and aerospace technology. No specific targets.\ \ BILL CLINTON
TAXES: Supports a capital gains tax cut for long-term job-creating investments and a middle-class tax cut funded by a modest tax increase for people with incomes above $200,000.
ECONOMY: Favors permanent tax break for research and development, higher ceiling on Farmers Home Administration mortgage guarantees and expansion of the earned income tax credit.
PUBLIC JOBS: Would front-load money in the new six-year transportation bill and create a voluntary national service program tied to college aid.
ABORTION: Favors legal abortion and parental notification requirements; has opposed public funding of poor women's abortions in the past but would not veto such a bill as president.
DEATH PENALTY: Supports.
HEALTH CARE: Favors universal access, improved preventive care and controlling costs through insurance reform.
DEFENSE BUDGET: Would cut it at least 25 percent by 1995, more than a third by 1997.\ \ TOM HARKIN
TAXES: Urges targeted investment tax credit for manufacturers who buy new machinery manufactured in the United States.
ECONOMY: Proposes long-term strategy of investing in America.
PUBLIC JOBS: Would make large investment in rebuilding roads, bridges, mass transit and energy systems.
ABORTION: Supports abortion rights and parental notification requirements for minors.
DEATH PENALTY: Opposes.
HEALTH CARE: Calls for reform plan keyed to universal coverage, cost controls, preventive care and medical research. No specifics but promises to have reforms in place by fall 1993 if elected.
DEFENSE BUDGET: Would cut 50 percent in next 10 years.\ \ BOB KERREY
TAXES: Favors a middle-class tax cut paid for by higher taxes on top 1 percent of population. Would consider narrowly targeted capital gains tax cut.
ECONOMY: Supports research and development tax breaks, new federal agency to coordinate and fund research into key civilian technologies and an education capital fund to improve schools.
PUBLIC JOBS: No proposal.
ABORTION: Supports abortion rights.
DEATH PENALTY: Supports under limited circumstances.
HEALTH CARE: Proposes universal coverage paid by the government. Taxes on employers and workers would increase to finance the plan, but premiums would be eliminated. Patients would continue to choose among private doctors, hospitals and health plans.
DEFENSE BUDGET: Would cut 30 percent to 40 percent in next 10 years.\ \ PAUL TSONGAS
TAXES: Favors targeted capital gains tax cut for long-term investments and those in new enterprises.
ECONOMY: Would offer tax credits for investments and research and development, ease antitrust laws to allow joint business ventures and create savings incentives for individuals.
PUBLIC JOBS: Would front-load spending under the new six-year transportation bill.
ABORTION: Supports abortion rights.
DEATH PENALTY: Favors for crimes against society, primarily drug trafficking.
HEALTH CARE: Has proposed a universal coverage system requiring most employers to offer insurance. Would cap employer deductions and impose a new payroll tax. Extra money would be given to states to cover entrepreneurs, the unemployed and small businesses.
DEFENSE BUDGET: Would cut roughly 30 percent over 5 years.