Clinton Urges Unity, Makes Pitch for Crossover Support at Luncheon

Having previously wooed Orange County Republican business leaders, Democratic presidential candidate Gov. Bill Clinton of Arkansas returned to the heart of Republican fund-raising territory Tuesday to solidify his support among members of both parties.

During a standing-room-only luncheon that organizers said raised between $40,000 and $50,000, Clinton outlined his economic proposals, which include a 10% tax cut for the middle class to be paid for by raising taxes on incomes above $200,000.

“Unless we change our attitudes of fundamental fairness and are determined to overcome division, we are going to be in trouble,” said Clinton, whose recent fund-raising efforts and popularity surge in the New Hampshire polls have made him a leading contender in the race for the Democratic Party nomination.

Clinton’s economic package also includes investment tax credit for small- and medium-size companies and limiting the increases in spending on government programs to the rate of increase in personal income.

“This is not an election in traditional terms,” Clinton said, as he began his pitch to win possible crossover voters from the Republican ranks. “If you are sick and tired of being on the defensive, and you think this country can win again and you want to be part of it, then, without regard to where you were last time, I am your candidate and I need your support.”

Among those sitting at the head table was Western Digital Chairman Roger W. Johnson, who, along with developer Kathryn G. Thompson, co-sponsored a breakfast last month to introduce Clinton to 60 Orange County Republicans. The event raised the ire of local Republican leaders and the hopes among the usually outnumbered Orange County Democrats that the centrist Clinton could whip up local support.

After that campaign stop, one of Clinton’s Democratic rivals, Iowa Sen. Tom Harkin, criticized the governor for meeting with “Republican fat cats.”

But during a news conference after the luncheon Tuesday, Clinton said that he felt comfortable campaigning in conservative Orange County and that he was “not embarrassed to have business people” supporting his candidacy.

“What does fat cat mean?” Clinton asked. “I don’t want to get into a personal discussion with Sen. Harkin about that, but I told (the business leaders) I was going to raise their taxes. He hasn’t told them that.”

Orange County Democratic Party Chairman Howard Adler, one of the luncheon’s co-sponsors, said Clinton already has helped the party locally because of the interest his candidacy is generating among some Republicans.

“His message cuts across party lines,” Adler said.

Organizers said at least one-fourth of the 100 attending the luncheon were Republicans.

After Clinton’s luncheon speech at Antonello Ristorante, a member of the audience asked the governor to respond to criticism that he vacillates on issues and tends to compromise to avoid a fight.

Clinton said that although that was a fair criticism of him in his younger days in politics, he has also engaged in major political battles in his state with many special-interest groups, ranging from labor unions to the National Rifle Assn.

“I think if you look at my whole record,” Clinton said, “you would be hard-pressed to find a politician who has taken on the right and the left more than I have.”

Clinton, however, did not have an answer when asked whether the United States should attempt to block a Taiwanese group’s planned $2-billion acquisition of 40% of McDonnell Douglas’ commercial aircraft business.