George W. Bush Flashback: Listen to his words three years ago

Commission on Presidential Debates [debates.org] ^ | Dec. 10, 2003 | rightcoast

[rightcoast]

Presidential Debate 2000

October 3, 2000

“[E]ight years ago [Clinton-Gore] campaigned on prescription drugs for seniors. And four years ago they campaigned on prescription drugs for seniors. And now they're campaigning on getting prescription drugs for seniors. It seems like they can't get it done. Now, they may blame other folks, but it's time to get somebody in Washington who is going to work with both Republicans and Democrats to get some positive things done when it comes to our seniors.”

“I want all seniors to have prescription drugs in Medicare. We need to reform Medicare. This administration has failed to do it. Seniors will have not only a Medicare plan where the poor seniors will have prescription drugs paid for it, but there will be a variety of options.”

“Let me make sure the seniors hear me loud and clear. They have had their chance to get something done. I'm going to work with Democrats and Republicans to reform the system. All seniors will be covered, all seniors will have their prescription drugs paid for, and in the meantime, we'll have a plan to help poor seniors and in the meantime it could be one or two years.”

“I know we need to ban partial birth abortions. This is a place where my opponent and I have strong disagreement. I believe banning partial birth abortions would be a positive step to reducing the number of abortions in America. It is an issue that will require a new attitude.”

“[I would use force] if it's in our vital national interest, and that means whether our territory is threatened or people could be harmed, whether or not... our defense alliances are threatened, whether or not our friends in the Middle East are threatened.”

“The vice president and I have a disagreement about the use of troops. He believes in nation building. I would be very careful about using our troops as nation builders. I believe the role of the military is to fight and win war and therefore prevent war from happening in the first place.”

“Under Vice President Gore's plan, he is going to grow the federal government in the largest increase since Lyndon Baines Johnson in 1965. We're talking about a massive government, folks.”

“[The Vice President] says he's for voluntary testing [in schools]. You can't have voluntary testing. You must have mandatory testing. You must say that if you receive money you must show us whether or not children are learning to read and write and add and subtract. That's the difference... Testing is the cornerstone of reform.”

“...[O]ne of the things that we have to be careful about in politics is throwing money at a system that has not yet been reformed. More money is needed and I spend more money, but step one is to make sure we reform the system to have the system in place that leaves no child behind.”

“...A lot of folks are still waiting for that 1992 middle-class tax cut. I remember the vice president saying, 'Just give us a chance to get up there, we're going to make sure you get tax cuts.' It didn't happen. Now he's having to say that again. They've had their chance to deliver a tax cut to you.”

“I would support an effort to ban corporate soft money and labor union soft money so long as there was dues check-off. I've campaigned on this since the primaries. I believe there needs to be an instant disclosure on the Internet as to who has given to who.”

“I want to finally get something done on Medicare. I want to make sure prescription drugs are available for all seniors. And I want seniors to have additional choices when it comes to choosing their health care plans... I don't want to be the world's policeman, I want to be the world's peacemaker by having a military of high morale and a military that is well-equipped... I understand the limited role of the federal government, but it could be a constructive role when it comes to reform, by insisting that there be a strong accountability system.”

[rightcoast]

Comments? You can see that he's followed through on a lot of things, but I'm sure you can find a few things to jab at him for. In any case, he's amazlingly consistent, and I think that the "constructive government role for accountability" quote at the end is a key into understanding some of his policies... at least why he does things the way he does.

[NavyCaptain]

Yes and he stays the course and doesn't constantly look over his shoulder at the polls and decides what to do based upon them!

[ECM]

Wow.

I'd be lying if I didn't say I was a little surprised and, despite some stupid moves, at least the man keeps his word and stays consistent--an anachronism in this day and age to be sure!

[Peach]

My husband feels the best campaign ad would be to mention a few things that are in this article and then say: "they had 8 years and couldn't get it done. We will and we did."

[petro45acp]

I'd rather see the whole program go away. I don't believe it is the government's job to provide for me in my dotage....that's my children's job!

Actually, the responsibility is mine and mine alone.

[You Gotta Be Kidding Me]

Go read what he told George Will concerning CFR's ban on free speech and what he would do with a CFR bill that came to his desk for signature, if it contained a provision banning ads. The year was 2000. Go look it up, yourself.

Now that the dumb#$%^ signed it into law hoping that the Supreme Court Seniors had taken their meds and Midol, the USSC upheld what he said he would veto.

[waRNmother.armyboots]

I would strongly recommend that you read "A Charge to Keep" and " The Faith of George W. Bush". I recently read them and found that I feel more comfortable with what I see the President doing. Do not get me wrong, I still disagree with some of his decisions, but I do understand them better and believe that if we can give him a majority he can work with in both branches of Congress we will see a change. He will not have to compromise so much to accomplish what he wants and his next term he will not have to be at all concerned with reelection. He will already be in place and can hit the ground really running after the election.
I just hope his conservative base does not shoot itself in the foot again like it did with Ross Perot.

[rightcoast]

I think that there's a very good chance of Republicans gaining a good net gain in the Senate. Thinking about 60 seats is a little crazy, but I think there's a reasonable chance of getting as high as 57 seats under Republican control. That's not so bad when you think about Democrats like Evan Bayh and a few others that you could possibly get on your side on some issues.

I can see your thinking about Bush being able to accomplish more next term, but his main obstacle is a completely uncooperative opposition party. Reagan was able to work with a Democrat Congress, although this was partly due to his election victories and popularity, especially his landslide in 1984.

[1Old Pro]

With Bush, you see what you get. With liberals, they are afraid to tell the truth bcuase if they did nobody, or very few would vote for them.

[Mike Darancette]

Bush kept his promise to Seniors -- Daschle is deeply saddened.

[Joe Bonforte]

You can see that he's followed through on a lot of things...

Yes, including gutting the First Amendment. What a great conservative president.

[squidly]

I'd give him a B+ on fulfilling campaign promises.

[G.Mason]

"I just hope his conservative base does not shoot itself in the foot again like it did with Ross Perot."

Where are they going to go?

No president can please everyone, but we would be delusional to even consider anyone else.

[waRNmother.armyboots]

Unfortunately, many are threatening to not vote at all. They refuse to vote for the better man of the ones offered because GWB has not marched in lockstep with everything they want or every position they believe in. They only want some illusionary "perfect" candidate or they will not vote at all. This mindset gave us Bill Clinton for his second term.

[johnb838]

Like him or not he lets you know where he stands and he gets things done. Sometimes I think my expectations of him are too high because he hasn't addressed everything I want him to address, especially judicial appointments and illegal entry and residence, but I would expect those to be second term issues.

[Mo1]

.

[biblewonk]

I wonder what he say saying about gay marriages back then. I do remember his saying in a debate that he believed that marriage should be between a man and a woman. I'm starting to doubt that the presidency has any power in this issue.

[You Gotta Be Kidding Me]

'Where are they going to go? No president can please everyone, but we would be delusional to even consider anyone else."

We will stay home. Who gives a $hit if Dubya is elected, when he does the bidding of the political Left. I not will 'consider' anyone. Bush will lose to Dean because of low voter turn out. When the Bush family is part of the Republican Party's past, THEN the true 'conservatives' (not the 'Ra, ra Zip Boom Ba' Conservatives) and or 'libertarians' will vote again.

[futureceo31]

The president is not the president of just the conservatives but the whole country. It is a give and take relationship. I completly agree with a previous poster that Bush will be more conservative in his second term rather than his first term. Everyone of the issues he has gone to the left on, is to blunt and basically remove dim criticism. No more "starving school kids", letting "seniors rot and die", the dims are slowly finding that they have no leg to stand on.. Everyone underestimates GW and look at what he has been able to accomplish in just 3 years, and that is with 9/11 and 2 wars... Seriously, I am appalled at people who could stay home and let any of the 9 dwarves win.. I mean, have you even watched the debates??? I would almost have to consider leaving this great country of ours if any of those idiots become president....

[G.Mason]

"Unfortunately, many are threatening to not vote at all. They refuse to vote for the better man of the ones offered because GWB has not marched in lockstep with everything they want or every position they believe in. They only want some illusionary "perfect" candidate or they will not vote at all. This mindset gave us Bill Clinton for his second term."

Like I said ........ delusional.

They can do the same thing the druggies, homeless, criminals, mental defectives, illegal aliens, and furry creatures of the forest do on election day. Don't vote.

I wouldn't lose a moment of sleep over them.