Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, January 26, 1995 TAG: 9501260122
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL PAGE: A-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JOHN KING ASSOCIATED PRESS
DATELINE: WASHINGTON LENGTH: Medium
In the moments after President Clinton's State of the Union speech, most members of Congress stuck to the polite party scripts. But it didn't take long for the Republican scorn and Democratic unease to filter through.
Most striking were the Republicans. Most began by applauding Clinton for coming their way and talking about tax cuts and smaller government. But before long many were ridiculing him, saying he was trying to pander to liberals and conservatives at the same time, and muddying his already troubled image in the process.
Republican Rep. Jack Kingston of Georgia mocked Clinton's address as ``a great marching speech. It went left-right, left-right, left-right.''
Perhaps the Republicans were expected to have second thoughts about being so polite - they believe Clinton was seriously wounded politically by the November elections and are in no mood to help him recover.
But a morning-after review of the Democratic commentary suggested that Clinton's repeated overtures to Republicans left some Democrats wondering where they fit in - or just what to believe.
``He opposed every moderate effort in the last Congress,'' said conservative Democratic Rep. Mike Parker of Mississippi. ``I can only wonder now if he actually believes in his own promises, or will he reverse course yet again?''
Democratic Rep. Peter DeFazio of Oregon found himself much in agreement with Clinton. But instead of leaving it at that, DeFazio went on to point out major differences with Clinton - not exactly what the White House had in mind on a night Clinton hoped to reassert himself.
DeFazio took issue with Clinton's efforts to stabilize the Mexican peso through $40 billion in loan guarantees, and the president's proposal to raise Pentagon spending by $25 billion.
Adding to the Democratic disunity, others questioned Clinton's demand for a middle-class tax cut.
Overall, most Democrats came loyally to Clinton's defense. But even many in this group took pains to protect themselves.
``I could close my eyes and hear him talking about increasing opportunity but requiring responsibility,'' Sen. John Breaux of Louisiana said Thursday. ``It was getting back to basics and the middle class themes that helped him get elected.''
Yet for all his praise of Clinton, Breaux issued a statement that noted ``he will support the Clinton administration when he can and oppose it when necessary.''
That line was reminiscent of last year's campaign, when Democrats were eager to put a little distance between themselves and Clinton. And it was evidence that some Democrats fear having him atop the ticket in 1996.
Republicans were more than happy to feed those concerns.
Most labeled Clinton's speech ``me-tooism,'' suggesting he would not be talking about smaller government, lower taxes or incremental health care reform were it not for the Republican rout of Nov. 8.
And gone was the cooperative tone GOP lawmakers took after last year's address, when a stronger Clinton made a major push for universal health care to a Democrat-run Congress.
This year, in the majority, they mocked Clinton openly for speaking so long - 81 minutes - and said he was welcome to join them, but that they would go ahead with their own plans regardless.
``This man has concluded he would rather switch than fight,'' said Rep. Harris Fawell, R-Ill.
``I think he understands who's in charge,'' said Illinois GOP Rep. Philip Crane. ``He's trying to ingratiate himself and I think he did an incredibly good job.''
Outside Washington, instant polls gave Clinton high marks: roughly eight in 10 Americans in an ABC poll liked what they heard. Still, six in 10 said they believed Republicans in Congress were taking a stronger leadership role.
by CNB