Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, August 10, 1993 TAG: 9308100383
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL PAGE: A-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: CHARLESTON, W.VA. LENGTH: Medium
"We have got to do some of these things together," Clinton said in an open appeal in this Democratic stronghold for "an end to the partisan rancor" in Washington.
Clinton's speech from the steps of the state capitol to a crowd of more than 3,000 was one part victory rally, one part outreach to rebellious Democrats and Republicans and one part a laundry list of what he hopes to accomplish next.
"After 12 years of partisan gridlock, of talking tough and acting soft, we reversed the direction," Clinton said.
"Now we can truly say: Change has come to America."
The package of tax increases and spending cuts intended to reduce the deficit by $496 billion over five years squeaked by with a margin of two votes in the House and Vice President Al Gore's tie-breaking vote in the Senate. No Republican voted for it.
Looking ahead to health care and other issues, Clinton said: "All of these things must be done in a different way, and we need bipartisan support. We need to put an end to the partisan rancor and put the American people first again."
"We cannot have every great issue of the day decided on the basis of partisanship, scheduled around the next trip . . . to New Hampshire for a [presidential] primary still four years away," he said.
The public is skeptical of Clinton's economic package, according to a Washington Post-ABC News poll taken after its passage.
Overall, 48 percent of those sampled from Friday through Sunday night said they disapprove of Congress' version of the plan, while 43 percent approved.
However, the percentage saying they think they are being asked to do their fair share under the plan, rather than being given an unfair burden, increased from 41 percent in June to 56 percent.
by CNB