Clinton And Dole On Crime In America (60 Minutes transcript)

CBS ^ | 05/11/03

[Pokey78]

PRESIDENT CLINTON: When I left office, America had the lowest crime rate in 27 years.

You know, Senator, it's not rocket science. When you combine strong laws with more police, smart prevention and tough enforcement, you get less crime.

Sadly, this administration wants to eliminate the COPS Program, which I used to fund over a 100,000 police from America's streets.

And they want to slash more than $2 billion from state and local law enforcement programs. That will force already cash-strapped cities, towns and counties to lay off police instead of hiring more to fight crime and provide for homeland defense.

With police hiring at a standstill, and crime now on the rise nationwide, Senator, wouldn't you agree that taking police off the streets and money out of their budgets is a weak and dangerous policy

SENATOR DOLE: Weak and dangerous? Mr. President, I don't know where you've been, but let me bring you up to date. The world changed since 9/11. We're at war with fanatics and terrorists. Afghanistan and Iraq have been liberated.

That $2 billion dollars you fret about is being spent on homeland security, funding first responders like police, fire and rescue workers. Look, if you want to be serious about crime Mr. President, tell the Senate Democrats to stop blocking President Bush's law and order judges. And your 100,000 cops, that's a myth. They don't exist, never have.

Your own justice department discovered that despite spending over $7 billion, only a fraction were ever hired. Bureaucrats nationwide are now being investigated for ripping off that program. But Mr. President, remember all those last minute pardons you granted? If crime is up, maybe those folks are back at work again.

PRESIDENT CLINTON: Senator, I support the President's efforts on terrorism. But along with the Fraternal Order of Police and the National Association of Police Officers, I don't support eliminating the COPS Program, which the Ashcroft Justice Department says funded over a 100,000 police since 1994, with 88,000 of them still on the streets. The homeland security budget won't replace these officers. Crime is rising, and cutting cops will make us less safe.

SENATOR DOLE: But pardon me, Mr. President. Your own justice department found the program funded fewer than 60,000 police. Another independent study confirmed it. Some states use it to pay for vacations. But what's worse, much of the money went to politically connected places that didn't really need it. That's pure politics, not public safety.

[Pokey78]

Get'em Bob!

[kcordell]

which I used to fund over a 100,000 police from America's streets.

The man still believes that if you say something enough people will fall for it.

[Claire Voyant]

Did Vaigra Bob actually say something about Clintoon's PARDONING THOSE CROOKS!!!! Way to go.

[Miss Marple]

Wow! Bob's getting close to telling him HE's a crook! Good for Bob Dole!

How many of these are left? Do you think in the May sweeps finale Bob will punch him? Heheheh.

[Lonesome in Massachussets]

But Mr. President, remember all those last minute pardons you granted? If crime is up, maybe those folks are back at work again.

Down, boy. Aw, Hell, sic 'um.

[HHFi]

I think the reason this segment is flopping is because so many other people have the same visceral reaction to Clinton that I do: a feeling of absolute revulsion at the way he gets that little self-satisfied smirk on his face and twists every debate topic into an excuse to pat himself on the back and remind us of how wonderful everything was when He, glorious He, was running things. And I start thinking about how his self-centeredness caused him to paper over problems and put off the tough decisions to the next administration just so he could keep his popularity polls up, leaving us with everything from a tanked stock market to a terrorist massacre on our own soil, and I just want to slap that annoying smirk off his bloated face.

If a lot of other people are having the same reaction, that CAN'T be good for ratings.

[tdadams]

Clinton has to be the most sanctimonious, disingenuous, and delusional man to ever be president. I wish he'd follow presidential protocol and just go away, leave politics and do charity work or something. But then, I'm not sure Clinton is interested in doing anything for others unless there's something in it for him.

[GailA]

One or two new cops on the street in a city the size of NYC, Memphis, Dallas etc wouldn't even be noticed.

What would REALLY help reduce the crime rate MORE PRISONS and MORE EXECUTIONS. READ THE GOV'T STATS Recidivism

Parole & Probation

[PGalt]

Monica debating Britney would get better ratings. It would draw the attention of masterdebaters everywhere.

[oyez]

THe quality of those police wern't so great, by the way. Some were no more qualified than security guards.

[Socratic]

With Monica around, there need not be any "masterdebaters" as Clintscum can attest.

[Howie]

Thanks for posting this, I didn't watch it for health reasons. Visual sessions of BJ Clinton are hard on my hypertension.

BTW, I love it anytime an "old guy" wins!

[Sacajaweau]

Dole was "kind". He could have mentioned the FBI files and the stuff stolen from the Whitehouse. Yes, the criminals are loose!!!

[linn37]

super smackdown,finally Dole nails the dumb b*stard before they send both of them to cancellation.

[Mo1]

Your own justice department discovered that despite spending over $7 billion, only a fraction were ever hired. Bureaucrats nationwide are now being investigated for ripping off that program. But Mr. President, remember all those last minute pardons you granted? If crime is up, maybe those folks are back at work again.

WOW .. did Dole actually say that??

Well if Dole can keep that up .. maybe I'll tune into watch

[cyncooper]

Look, if you want to be serious about crime Mr. President, tell the Senate Democrats to stop blocking President Bush's law and order judges.

Good job on working in a reference to the dem Senators and their disgraceful behavior (including "mrs. clinton", ick).

And your 100,000 cops, that's a myth. They don't exist, never have.

As much as calls the liar a liar. Way to go, Bob!

But Mr. President, remember all those last minute pardons you granted? If crime is up, maybe those folks are back at work again.

Wham Slam!

[MeekOneGOP]

Your own justice department discovered that despite spending over $7 billion, only a fraction were ever hired. Bureaucrats nationwide are now being investigated for ripping off that program. But Mr. President, remember all those last minute pardons you granted? If crime is up, maybe those folks are back at work again.

Outta the park! Way to go BOB !!

[malia]

Be great if Rush plays the clips today!!!

[sheikdetailfeather]

From a past quote from Rush: "The Clinton balls are open and accessible to the public."