Posted on 01/06/2002 8:15:38 AM PST by KQQL
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) -- President Bush said Saturday he's "deeply concerned" about Oregon's jobless rate -- the highest in the country -- and pledged to help Klamath Basin farmers hit last year by drought.
During a three-hour visit to the state, Bush also campaigned for two Oregon Republicans facing re-election this year: U.S. Sen. Gordon Smith and U.S. Rep. Greg Walden.
In a speech devoted largely to his battles against terrorism and taxes, Bush addressed three issues of concern to Oregon, promising water for Klamath farmers and jobs for the unemployed, and praising the No. 2-ranked University of Oregon football team.
Flanked by Smith and Walden, Bush told a hand-picked audience at Parkrose High School in Portland, "I"m impressed by these two good men."
After speaking of Oregon's economic troubles, Bush said Smith and Walden are "deeply concerned about the fact that parts of your state are not being treated very well."
He did not elaborate. Nearly in the same breath, Bush spoke about farmers in Klamath Basin who last summer went without irrigation water because of federal protection of endangered fish species.
"I share their (Smith's and Walden's) concern about people living off the land. I told these two good men we'll do everything we can to make sure water is available for people who farm," Bush said. He provided no details.
Bush drew a connection between Oregon's high jobless rate and his debate with Senate Democrats over stimulating the economy.
"I am deeply concerned that Oregon leads the country when it comes to unemployment. We've got to do something about that," Bush said.
"In tough times, people need an unemployment check. What they need in the long term is a pay check. We have got to figure out how to get jobs for them," he said.
"That's one of the reasons that I fought hard for tax relief. When the economy is slowing down, the best thing is to give money back, because the government does not create wealth," Bush said.
Oregon last fall became the first state to declare itself in a recession, and in November it had the nation's worst jobless rate -- 7.4 percent. The state has been hit hard by layoffs in the high-tech and manufacturing sectors.
Congress left for a recess last month deadlocked over how to stimulate the nation's economy. Bush proposed a blend of corporate tax cuts and extended unemployment benefits; Democrats wanted more for health benefits for the unemployed.
In an earlier stop in California, Bush called for bipartisan unity in the congressional battle over how to revive the economy, while criticizing Democrats who question his tax cuts as the solution.
"Not over my dead body will they raise your taxes!" he declared with a shout, wading into an election-year battle.
In the war against terrorism, Bush told the Portland audience, "We are making steady progress. Sometimes it seems there is a certain impatience in the air waves," he said, referring to criticism aired in the media.
"I think that the American people are very patient. They understand that this is a difficult assignment," he said.
"We have accomplished a lot in 90 days," he said. "That is not a long period of time. It has been a long time with al-Qaida, but it has not been a long time for us."
Introducing Bush, Smith joked that the president expected to receive members of the University of Miami Hurricanes football team at the White House. The Hurricanes won the national championship, finishing just ahead of the Oregon Ducks.
Smith gave Bush an Oregon football jacket, and the president responded, "I'm impressed by the mighty Ducks. They're awfully good. I wasn't a believer. Now I am."
Bush faced a less friendly reception from about 500 activists who tried to march to a job center to protest the president's domestic and foreign policies.
They were kept a few blocks from the site by a row of riot police and barricades. As the protesters milled around the police line, a military helicopter circled above.
Three young women were cited for interfering with a police officer.
The protest was organized by a peace group called Portland Peaceful Response Coalition, and included marchers representing environmental and anti-globalization causes.
"Hey George, we didn't like your dad and we don't like you," the protesters shouted, alluding to hostile receptions that Portland activists would give Bush's father when he was president.
Bush's economic prescriptions also drew criticism from some Oregon Democrats and labor leaders, who said his medicine would do little or nothing for jobless workers.
"Helping millionaires with tax breaks doesn't give unemployed working families money to buy groceries," said Jim Edmunson, chairman of Oregon's Democratic Party. "Apparently the president has no better idea how to find jobs for Oregonians than he does to find Osama Bin Laden."
Edmunson dismissed Bush's comments about the economy and about Klamath Basin as "bumper sticker slogans" that are merely intended to make sure Smith gets re-elected.
"Gordon Smith is the last Republican U.S. Senator on the West Coast. He is an endangered species," Edmunson said.
Oregon AFL-CIO President Tim Nesbitt said, "The president is offering us a Trojan horse."
"He has dressed up his plan as economic stimulus, but it's really a lot of tax breaks for big business with little that's helpful for laid-off workers and a lot that will hurt funding for services to the unemployed," Nesbitt said.
Copyright 2002 Associated Press. All rights reserved.
Bush also campaigned for two Oregon Republicans facing re-election this year: U.S. Sen. Gordon Smith and U.S. Rep. Greg Walden.Yes! It's about time the blue suit took his show on the road in support of Republican candidates. It's about time he invested some of that political capital he accumulated in the war on terror etc.
Hay! I'm sorry but, he's a season late and a bucket brigade short of a full lake!!!
Spoken like a true socialist. Too bad he's a little late getting his priorities in order.
President Bush can help the farmers tomorrow ... or could have done so last year ... by simply getting the government off the headgates and not infringing on their deeded water rights ... and by speaking directly, forcefully and truthfully about the entire Endangered Species Act and those using it to destroy entire industries and ways of life ... and by using his executive powers to instruct those agenicies in the executive branch to not enforce an act that has sunsetted and is being used to trample the rights of people he is sworn to protect.
But for reasons of his own he and his administration have not done this.
I will say this, the fact that he mentioned this issue specifically means we are making progress. They are hoping that a few words will pacify these people and keep them trusting in governmental agencies and entities that have done nothing but give them the shaft. They would not do this unless they felt they had to (mention it like this). Their desires to pacify these folks with words are misplaced however.
The time for words is past. Only direct action will restore any trust and avoid more confrontation and ultimate conflict. The water belongs to the farmers, the headgates and irtrigation infrastructure of that project belongs to the farmers ... those ownership rights must be respected and not infringed. Many other valleys and basins full of farmers throughout the west are watching and will judge their actions accordingly ... the Kalamth Basin farmers are also watching and done with waiting ... President Bush, they don't want hand-outs, they don't want "federal" funds ... they want their water ... they can take the rest from there.
BUILD THE BYPASS!
No Sh!t! - We don't need federal "help" for anybody, we just need for them to get out of the way.
This is becomming the classic gov't answer to any public outcry against their actions: i.e. more of the same.
Yeah, that darn drought at Klamath, dropped the lake all of what? 1/32 of an inch?
Egregious spin, indeed!
Stop Rural Cleansing!
But I remind you, the actions at the headgates in Klamath were proscribed and carried out by agencies of the Federal government, from the US Marshals service to the Bureau of Reclamation to the Park Service and more.
Bush has had it in his power to resolve this entire sordid affair and do what is right the entire time. I sadly believe political considerations have come in betweeen him and that ... and the farmers there (the vast majority of whom voted for him) have come to realize this. Sadly for them, they realized it too late to do any real good last year ... but the conrontation near the end of the growing season did embarass the administration, get some visibility and make it clear that such actions can have an effect.
Most of us here in the west are praying that the high moisture rate will continue and force the government to release water despite their rulings while the Klamath farmers have more time to get to a complete and proper resolution short of more confrontation and ultimate conflict. Given what I have seen and experienced though, I am afraid that it will ultimately come to that. I pray I am wrong.
If you haven't already, please read the following:
Where were you Mr. Bush when the farmers needed you last summer, ya didn't care and ya didn't follow it like the rest of the country, now you go there as you have a Political agenda to fulfill. >
I for one am tired of going into stores and having to ask where our food comes from, I will only purchase food grown by our farmers and make a point of it. Mr. Bush are you trying to put Our Farmers Out of Business and Take Their Land for Nothing?
As a conservative I would say you are a Day Late and A Dollar Short to fix such a wrong that was done to "Many" this past summer!
A Mega Bump to Our Farmers and Cattle Ranchers
We shall see.
Indeed, isn't it ironic we scold Pakistan and India to stop fighting, but when China officialy comes fully behind Pakistan fueling the war, we give it the MFN status.
Oh, and then, what about that airline stimulus package backed with PC scolding of the pilot's job of insuring safety, or when PC becomes back seat pilots destroying safety: Bush Angry About Airline's Treatment of His Guard
With Klamath to top it all off, I am wondering whose economy Bush is worried about.
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