Posted on 07/25/2002 7:30:08 PM PDT by HAL9000
Clinton critiques Bush's policies at political dinner in Portland
The social icon talks about the economy and terrorism while helping raise campaign funds for two Oregon politicans
PORTLAND -- Deep inside Portland's Hilton Hotel, more than 800 gatherers sat in candlelit circles, eating their $150 to $1,000 dinners and talking quietly. Shifty-eyed security agents wandered the room, making sure nothing was out of place. High-rolling politicians with white name tags pasted fake smiles on their faces and acknowledged one another in the dim light. All around, the sound of voices, silverware and smooth jazz permeated the room.
On the ticket for Friday night was former President William Jefferson Clinton, with a twofold purpose for his appearance: to raise money for U.S. Senate hopeful Bill Bradbury's and U.S. Representative Darlene Hooley's elections.
Clinton began his speech, which covered the economy, the war on terrorism and corporate scandals, with acknowledgments to Bradbury and Hooley, and he then wasted no time making a crack about the disputed 2000 election.
"One thing (Bradbury) has done here is to make sure Oregon at least counted the votes," Clinton said. "I think he should put that in his brochure."
On that note, Clinton charged into a scathing critique of President George W. Bush and his administration, saying Washington has turned into an "evidence-free zone," where politicians don't give evidence to support their arguments about policy. He blasted Bush's economic and environmental policy, two of Clinton's major focuses in office.
"(Bush's) economic plan promised big changes -- it did. It took us from the biggest surplus in history back to deficits," he said. "They told us they would go after the environment with a vengeance, and they kept their word."
Switching to corporate malfeasance, Clinton said that his administration warned in 1998 and 2000 that corrupt corporate accounting practices would lead America into trouble. He also said the Bush administration is spending too much money on the war on terrorism instead of focusing on Social Security, Medicare and other programs.
"We tell the middle class people, 'You have to give up your Social Security and retirement because we have to go back to deficits so people like me can have a tax cut,'" he said. "I told somebody the other day, this is reverse-Titanic economics. You throw the women and children overboard; the captain and crew go off to Tahiti."
Despite Clinton's disagreements with current policy, he stressed the need to support America in defending itself from terrorists, saying Democrats should work to bring America together in the face of adversity.
"What happened to us on Sept. 11 was an act of religious and political hatred," he said. "I believe the world is in a conflict between those who are trying to put things together and those who are trying to tear things apart. We Democrats -- we have to be the ones trying to put things together."
Clinton also said political leaders should work together to overcome America's problems and ultimately bring the world together as a whole.
"It is not enough for us to criticize our adversaries; that is what, after all, most of them did to me for eight years," he said. "I think we should send people to Washington who want to accomplish things, who want to work with people across party lines."
In other words, Clinton says the Republicans are responsible for causing the September 11th attacks.
The big bent prick just can't fade into history can he?
Click on my profile, veer to the right and scroll down.
wink wink nod nod Clinton type CYA statement
" Lies under oath."
Bill Clinton: Champion of fighting corruption.
Gag! Ick!
Oregon is full of them too. I have a friend from there (that is, when we don't discuss politics) who popped off with a comment saying, "I think the 'War on Terrorism' is a joke and a huge waste of money. Why don't we spend it all on social programs." She was dead serious. It took all of my might to not fly across the room and throttle her! (thank goodness a third friend quickly changed the subject).
We are quickly being out numbered by the Klintoon-ite dimwits...what do we do?
After he spent eight years driving us apart...
He is a bad man.
He is a failed ex-president who is trying to make his successor as president appear to be falsely elected. He is TRYING to BREAK TRUST with President Bush and to put a HUGE CRACK IN OUR NATION.
He is LOWLIFE.
HE NEEDS FReepers out there greeting him at EVERY STOP........I WANNA FREEP this grotesque and sorry excuse for a human being so badly I can taste it!!!!!!!!!!
I know there is a FReeper who gets DNC info........I just can't remember who! We have got to get out there and let this pig have a snout full of truth....NOTHING hurts him worse! Makes him madder. Exposes his yellow belly more rabidly.
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