THE STATE OF THE UNION 1995 : O.C. Leaders Say Speech Echoes GOP Pact

Most of Orange County’s all-Republican congressional delegation found little in Clinton’s speech that they could not claim as their own, calling it an almost copycat version of the GOP’s “contract with America.”

Some harshly criticized the delivery, the style, the 81-minute length, and the sincerity of the President’s speech.

“Holy cow, was that bad,” exclaimed Rep. Dana Rohrabacher (R-Huntington Beach).

“That speech reflected everything that is wrong with this Administration. It was too long because he could not set priorities, he tried to be everything to everybody, he could not even select one heroic person to introduce,” a reference to citizens seated with the First Lady in the House Gallery who were introduced by Clinton as he concluded his remarks.

Rep. Robert K. Dornan (R-Garden Grove), who preferred to watch the speech on television in his office across the street from the Capitol, found the President’s remarks “pretty offensive.”

Claiming that Clinton has essentially borrowed provisions of the GOP contract and is calling his own agenda a “new covenant,” Dornan said it is offensive to Christians.

“Jesus Christ called his mission on Earth ‘the New Covenant,’ ” Dornan said. “When I hear those words, I cringe.”

Dornan also called the President “a transparent person” because he criticized the entertainment industry’s use of violence even though Clinton has relied on political support from the Hollywood community.

Of the six members of the Orange County delegation, only Rep. Ron Packard (R-Oceanside) credited Clinton with good delivery, although he judged it long in content and short in passion.

But from his standpoint, he viewed it as an endorsement of the Republican Party’s legislative agenda.

“Frankly, I think that his speech was trying to bridge the gap between where (Democrats) have been going and where we are going on some of these issues,” Packard said. “The real problem is that he may not have the Democrats with him on most of these things.”

With details of the speech leaked out before the President’s arrival on Capitol Hill, Rep. Jay C. Kim (R-Diamond Bar) issued a statement beforehand suggesting that there can be bipartisan cooperation only if Clinton accepts the Republican pact with voters.

“I welcome the opportunity to work with the President,” Kim said in his statement. “However, he should recognize that on November 8th, the American people voted for Republicans and the contract,” including a mandate to cut spending and balance the budget.

“Americans have heard enough of speeches; they want results,” Kim added.

Rep. Ed Royce (R-Fullerton) said afterward that the President appeared to support seven of the 10 Republican contract items, although he often attached conditions to his support.

But with the Republicans now controlling Congress, Royce said, “It really behooves him to get out in front of the parade and try to encourage what he knows is coming anyway.”

Rep. Christopher Cox (R-Newport Beach), who chairs the House Republican Policy Committee, said that by delivering that speech, Clinton signaled that he “stands ready to sign Republican legislation to cut the size and scope of the federal government and the rate of taxation of the American worker. And that’s a good message to send to Republican Congress.”

On the Democratic side, Orange County Democratic Party Chairman Jim Toledano said it is the Republicans who will be expected to work with Clinton to fulfill promises that were first made to voters in 1992 when the President was elected.

“I think there are a number of people, particularly in the Republican Party, who have a real need to demonstrate they are relevant now and so they want to demonstrate it’s their agenda,” Toledano said.