Bush Appeals to Mayors for Drug War Help

President Bush appealed to the nation’s mayors today to support his drug-fighting strategy and said he would use “the bully pulpit” of the White House to ask Americans to volunteer money and time for the effort.

One day after proposing a $1.1-billion increase in anti-drug efforts, Bush said, “I ask you to support our strategy to take back the streets from crime and drugs.”

Bush’s address before a convention of the U.S. Conference of Mayors drew muted applause. Democrats have complained that Bush’s package, totaling $10.6 billion, is not enough.

The President said a recent poll demonstrates that Americans are willing to volunteer more than 500 million hours per week in anti-drug efforts and $5 billion nationally.

“They want to serve. They want to give. But they have to be asked before they can do either,” Bush said.

“I promise I will use the bully pulpit to ask them to do both, and I urge you to do the same thing. . . . We need to get more involved.

“Together, let’s defeat public enemy No. 1.”

Bush also renewed his call for mandatory prison terms for firearms offenses and expansion of the death penalty for drug-related crimes.

“Let’s work together to stop the hooligans and the thugs,” the President said.

Bush also called for support for his proposals for child care, clean air, a capital gains tax cut, educational programs and efforts to help the homeless.

While acknowledging differences with the mayors over spending levels, Bush said, “The main thing is there is this willingness of the heart, among Democrats and Republicans, the White House and the mayors, a willingness to put aside partisan concerns.

“Let us sit down together and do what needs to be done to achieve the promise of America,” Bush said.