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BILL CLINTON TO EXPLAIN HIS RECESSION ON CBS’ “60 MINUTES” (RNC Research)
Republican National Committee ^ | 8 March 2003 | RNC Research

Posted on 03/08/2003 5:29:15 PM PST by PhiKapMom

RNC RESEARCH

BILL CLINTON TO EXPLAIN HIS RECESSION ON CBS’ “60 MINUTES”

Months Before Final 60 Minutes Ran Out On Clinton Administration, The Economic Recession Had Already Begun

_______________________________________________________

“President Bush’s main economic policy -- the large tax cut of last year was not responsible for any of the current damage [to the economy]. Indeed, given the twin shocks of 9/11 and the post-Enron stock market decline, the short-term stimulus created by the tax cuts has turned out to be fortuitously well timed.” (Editorial, “Negative Al Gore,” The Washington Post, October 5, 2002)

ECONOMIC DATA CONFIRMS SLOWDOWN BEGAN UNDER CLINTON

Economic Statistics Confirm U.S. Economy Was Shrinking While Clinton Was In Office. “America went into recession long before the terrorist attacks of September 11th. … The new figures suggest … that the economy grew more slowly in … 2000 than was previously thought: GDP rose by 3.8% (compared with last year’s estimate of 4.1% and an initial figure of 5%).” (“Unwelcome Numbers,” The Economist, 8/3/02)

Market Indicators Confirm Recession Started On Clinton’s Watch. According to the Council of Economic Advisors, “it was widely recognized that the economy was weak coming into 2001.”

* The NASDAQ peaked on March 10, 2000;

* The S&P 500 peaked on March 24, 2000;

* The Dow Jones peaked on January 14, 2000;

* Manufacturing employment started falling in August 2000;

* Industrial production started falling in July 2000; and

* Manufacturing trade and sales started falling in April 2000.

(Council Of Economic Advisors, Talking Points, 9/20/02)

Congress’ Joint Economic Committee Says Signs Of Economic Slowdown Were Apparent In Mid 2000. “By mid-year 2000 … signs of an economic slowdown began to proliferate; it became apparent that an economic slowdown was underway. A number of key economic and financial indicators provided evidence of such slower growth and suggested that future growth could weaken. A brief summary of important elements of this evidence, for example, would include the following:

* Real GDP slowed from a robust 5.6 percent annualized growth rate in the second quarter of 2000 to 2.2 percent and 1.0 percent in the third and fourth quarters, respectively, before rebounding modestly to 1.2% in the first quarter of 2001.

* Key components of GDP such as real consumption expenditures slowed after mid-year as real income growth moderated, stock market values fell, employment gains lessened, and consumer confidence stalled and then deteriorated. Movements in retail sales generally corroborated these developments.

* Gross private investment also contributed significantly to this general slowdown with most key investment categories registering actual declines by the fourth quarter and advances of non-defense capital goods (ex-aircraft and parts) orders falling sharply after mid-year (on a year-over-year basis).

* The index of leading indicators trended down after January 2000.

* Employment advances slowed dramatically after mid-year. Gains in total non-farm payrolls, for example, averaged about 256,000 per month for the 2 1/2 years prior to mid-year 2000 and 44,000 per month after mid-year 2000. The average workweek also decreased after mid-year.

* The manufacturing sector also has weakened significantly since mid-year 2000. Industrial production, capacity utilization, the Natural Association of Purchasing Managers index, as well as manufacturing employment and workweek have all registered significant declines since mid-year 2000.

* Financial equity markets began to deteriorate about mid-year 2000 as well.

In short, there can be little doubt that a significant economic slowdown or retrenchment began about mid-year 2000 in the last quarters of the Clinton Administration.” (“Assessment Of The Current Economic Environment,” United States Congress Joint Economic Committee, 7/01)

Clinton’s Chairman Of Council Of Economic Advisors, Joseph Stiglitz, Said Recession Started During Clinton’s Tenure. “It would be nice for us veterans of the Clinton Administration if we could simply blame mismanagement by President George W. Bush’s economic team for this seemingly sudden turnaround in the economy, which coincided so closely with its taking charge. But … the economy was slipping into recession even before Bush took office, and the corporate scandals that are rocking America began much earlier.” (Joseph Stiglitz, “The Roaring Nineties,” The Atlantic Monthly, 10/02)

Stiglitz noted that during the Clinton Administration “the groundwork for some of the problems we are now experiencing was being laid. Accounting standards slipped; deregulation was taken further than it should have been; and corporate greed was pandered to ….” (Joseph Stiglitz, “The Roaring Nineties,” The Atlantic Monthly, 10/02)

Clinton Administration Grossly Overestimated Strength Of The Economy. “Hidden in the morass of statistics, there is proof that the Clinton administration grossly overestimated the strength of the economy leading up to the 2000 election. Did the federal government join Enron and WorldCom in cooking the books? … Most startling, the Commerce Department in 2000 showed the economy on an upswing through most of the election year, while in fact it was declining.” (Robert Novak, Op-Ed, “Sunny Clinton Forecast Leaves Cloud Over Bush,” Chicago Sun-Times, 8/8/02)

Drop In Investments In First Half Of 2000 Contributed To Recession. “A plunge in investment that began in the last half of 2000, along with the declines in equity markets, was an important force in the recession.” (Council Of Economic Advisers, “Strengthening America’s Economy: The President’s Jobs And Growth Proposals,” 1/7/03)

A Publication of the RNC Research Department


TOPICS: Front Page News; Government
KEYWORDS: 60minutes; bewarebubbaisms; billclinton; bubba; cbs; clinton; clintoneconomy; clintonlegacy; clintonscandals; criesoncue; dotcoms; economy; hypocrite; impeachedpresident; internetboom; internetbust; liar; liesoncamera; liesunderoath; neededajob; recession; seebs; viacom; x42
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To: PhiKapMom
Don't think I could stomach watching the Sleezer & the Geezer!


41 posted on 03/08/2003 8:04:25 PM PST by JulieRNR21 (Take W-04........Across America!)
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To: DennisR
I haven't watched 60 Minutes in years and I am not about to start now! This is one great reason NOT to watch them!
42 posted on 03/08/2003 8:11:56 PM PST by PhiKapMom (Get the US out of the UN and the UN out of the US)
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To: Reagan Man
I agree -- Newt would have been much better. I won't ever watch anything with Clinton on. I was not a big supporter of Dole either! I held my nose and voted for him in 1996 is the best I can say!
43 posted on 03/08/2003 8:13:28 PM PST by PhiKapMom (Get the US out of the UN and the UN out of the US)
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To: PhiKapMom
You mean he's actually going on TV to admit it's HIS RECESSION and not Bush's ...?? I really doubt that. This guy has never taken responsibility for anything.
44 posted on 03/08/2003 8:16:03 PM PST by CyberAnt ( -> -> -> Oswego!!)
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To: DoughtyOne; PhiKapMom
Thanks for the ping, PKM.

Who in their right mind would possibly think it a good idea for the last man to hold the office of the Presidency, to become a media personality trashing the current President? Evidently Bob does. It is beyond my understanding to know exactly why he's adding legitimacy to the idea.

To tell you the truth, it wouldn't surprise me one bit to hear Bob Dole siding with Clinton. The man has disappointed me in the past as well, sad to say.

45 posted on 03/08/2003 8:45:22 PM PST by Victoria Delsoul
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To: Victoria Delsoul
Wouldn't surprise me either. I remember during the 2000 primaries that Dole donated to McCain and his wife was still in the race.

Maybe he doesn't like his wife being in the Senate either?

46 posted on 03/08/2003 8:58:57 PM PST by PhiKapMom (Get the US out of the UN and the UN out of the US)
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To: PhiKapMom
Maybe he doesn't like his wife being in the Senate either?

LOL, you could be right.

47 posted on 03/08/2003 9:03:35 PM PST by Victoria Delsoul
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To: DoughtyOne
Yup. Precisely.
48 posted on 03/08/2003 9:11:41 PM PST by sauropod (If the women can't find you handsome, they should at least find you handy...)
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To: woodyinscc
Yep. Clinton was a real piece of work. The man betrayed his wife countless times. Once? Twice perhaps? This man couldn't keep his pants on if he was walking through Poison Ivy. I was astounded to find that a majority of voters found that excellent credentials for trusting him with the highest office in the land. And sure enough, he lived down to my expectations.
49 posted on 03/08/2003 9:50:07 PM PST by DoughtyOne (Are you going Freeps Ahoy! Don't miss the boat. Er ship...)
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To: AmishDude
I agree. Newt would hand him his lunch! Couldn't have that could we.
50 posted on 03/08/2003 9:50:52 PM PST by DoughtyOne (Are you going Freeps Ahoy! Don't miss the boat. Er ship...)
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To: AmishDude
You know, I would hope Newt might have turned it down.
51 posted on 03/08/2003 9:51:42 PM PST by DoughtyOne (Are you going Freeps Ahoy! Don't miss the boat. Er ship...)
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To: Victoria Delsoul
It is sad. I have every reason in the world to like Bob Dole, his miliary service and all. It is sad.
52 posted on 03/08/2003 9:53:07 PM PST by DoughtyOne (Are you going Freeps Ahoy! Don't miss the boat. Er ship...)
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To: All
Several years ago I produced a graphic that basicly gave Clinton credit (blame) for passing off the recession to Bush.  No we find that much more was handed off by Clinton.  

It has been stated that he had access to Osama Bin Laden several times and failed to take action.  We know he allowed North Korea to develop the bomb.  The economy was already headed in the tank when he left.  He never bothered to call Hussein to task for not living up to the Gulf War stipulations.

When all the major hens were coming home to roost, Clinton threw up his Hail Mary Willie.  It's really unfortunate, but George Bush interecepted.

While Clinton partied in the White House, a number of issues grew hot.  Now under George Bush they are exploding.

Thanks Bill.  This graphic's for you, frat boy.

53 posted on 03/08/2003 10:13:03 PM PST by DoughtyOne (Are you going Freeps Ahoy! Don't miss the boat. Er ship...)
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To: PhiKapMom
Still don't know why Bob Dole agreed to go on 60 Minutes with Clinton -- do you?

Viagra ain't cheap.

54 posted on 03/08/2003 10:28:18 PM PST by L.N. Smithee (Dressed in your jewels, you made your own rules/You conquered the world and more -- Heaven's Door...)
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To: PhiKapMom
BUMP
55 posted on 03/09/2003 1:39:40 AM PST by Memother
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To: PhiKapMom
Still don't know why Bob Dole agreed to go on 60 Minutes with Clinton -- do you?

Nope. And I STILL wish Cheney had decided to run in '96. It would have been easier for me to vote for him than voting for Dole (which I did, of course) . . .

56 posted on 03/09/2003 3:30:25 AM PST by MeekOneGOP (Bu-bye Saddam! / Check out my Freeper site !: http://home.attbi.com/~freeper/wsb/index.html)
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To: Reagan Man
Newt would have given der shlickmeister better opposition.

How about Condi Rice? Her moral and intellictual superiority could put him in his place.

57 posted on 03/09/2003 4:39:34 AM PST by afraidfortherepublic
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To: PhiKapMom; scholar
"Still don't know why Bob Dole agreed to go on 60 Minutes with Clinton -- do you?"

Nope.
But I'll venture a guess.
Dole's abysmal showing in the '96 election & his decision to do something as stupid as appearing with that thing.

...are related.

58 posted on 03/09/2003 5:21:36 AM PST by Landru
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To: PhiKapMom
First the grifter went on an around the world apologyze for America tour, now he's on an excuses excuses tour. A pox on him and his dumb side kick, dole.
59 posted on 03/09/2003 6:52:06 AM PST by OldFriend
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To: PhiKapMom; Howlin; Liz; Mudboy Slim
Did the federal government join Enron and WorldCom in cooking the books?

Sure looks like it...

60 posted on 03/09/2003 7:02:07 AM PST by Libloather
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