Posted on 05/20/2003 9:41:49 AM PDT by fightinJAG
Clinton Accuses Bush of Focusing Too Much on the War on Terrorism By Jimmy Moore Talon News May 20, 2003
JACKSON, MS (Talon News) -- During a commencement speech at Tougaloo College, Former President Bill Clinton criticized President Bush for devoting too much time to the war on terrorism compared to domestic issues such as the economy and affirmative action.
"I supported the president when he asked for authority to stand up against weapons of mass destruction in Iraq, but we can't be forever strong abroad if we don't keep getting better at home," said Clinton on Sunday to nearly 8,000 people in attendance.
The former president stayed and shook hands with all of the 144 graduates at the remote black private school in Jackson, Mississippi, the place where the Democrat presidential candidates will be holding a debate on August 13.
Clinton received applause from those in attendance every time he complained about President Bush. Former Mississippi governors Ray Mabus and William Winter, both Democrats, were among those in attendance at the graduation ceremony.
Speaking alongside Clinton were current Democrat Mississippi Gov. Ronnie Musgrove and Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-MS), who graduated from Tougaloo and is a part of the Congressional Black Caucus.
"We Democrats in Congress miss you," lamented Rep. Thompson speaking directly to President Clinton. Since Clinton left office in 2001, Republicans have gained control of the White House, the U.S. Senate, and have retained control of the House of Representatives.
Although he usually commands as high as a $350,000 speaking fee, Clinton spoke at Tougaloo for nothing. The latest verbal strike by the former Democrat president against the current Republican president adds to the increased gripes the Democrats have for the Bush tax cuts and his position on affirmative action.
Despite the disappointment the Democrats have with President Bush, he is still enjoying an approval rating of 71 percent according to the latest Washington Post/ABC News poll.
Student government president C. J. Lawrence jokingly commented that the choice of Clinton was not a result of affirmative action. "Yes, Oprah Winfrey and Bill Cosby were also considered, but I assure you Bill Clinton was selected solely on his merit," he said followed by resounding applause.
Clinton used the opportunity to speak about the issue of affirmative action. He said that America needs to secure equal opportunity and access to people of all races and regardless of their income.
Repeatedly throughout his speech, Clinton bemoaned what he considers President Bush's narrow focus on the war on terrorism at the expense of domestic issues. He decried that President Bush "is still focused on defeating terrorism and weapons of mass destruction, and that's good, but not good enough. The power of our example is just as important as our military might."
The people at the graduation wished Clinton was eligible to run for president again. "I think if you were to take a vote here, they'd vote for Bill Clinton if he was running again," said one former graduate.
As if his attacks on President Bush were not enough, Clinton also chided former Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott (R-MS), who was forced out of his leadership position because of his remarks in December about the retiring Senator from South Carolina, Strom Thurmond, who ran for president as a segregationist in 1948. Clinton said that Lott needs to raise money for the college for building renovations as a means for repaying them for his comments.
"Ask Lott to give you the money for the buildings. He said he was going to spend the rest of his life making up for the little trouble he had," Clinton said.
Copyright © 2003 Talon News -- All rights reserved.
"Don't ya just love it, Hil? Walking on the Great Wall, in the footsteps of Chairman Mao."
I guess planes flying into our buildings is not a domestic issue.
Really - this may be very series and hugh as it gives evidence of a big disconnect between Klinton and the DimocRAT party...
Blah, blah blah blah, blah blah.
Blah blah, blah blah blah blah, blah blah.
And did I mention, blah, blah blah, blah blah?
STFU Willy.
After all that's how he ran his Administration!
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