Gore Denounces Bush’s Economic Policy

Vice President Al Gore drew a sharp distinction Tuesday between his economic policy and that of George W. Bush, accusing the Texas governor of promoting an irresponsible plan that amounts to “politics of illusion.”

“I believe George W. Bush’s entire economic agenda is built on a foundation of irresponsibility and risk,” Gore declared. He cited, in particular, the likely Republican presidential nominee’s plan to cut taxes over 10 years by $1.3 trillion.

During a question-and-answer period after his speech to the Assn. for a Better New York, Gore also urged investors to take the long view and not be “distracted” by the stock market’s wild fluctuations in recent weeks:

”. . . [O]ver time, if we keep our focus on the fundamentals of a sound economy, the market’s going to be fine. And we shouldn’t be distracted by the movement of the markets--way up or way down. . . .”

By highlighting economics as he launched what promises to be an unrelenting assault on Bush’s domestic and foreign policy agendas, Gore and his strategists are betting that the issue is a win-win proposition for the vice president.

On the one hand, Gore can cite his role in Clinton administration policies since 1993 that have fueled the longest economic expansion in U.S. history. On the other hand, if an economic slowdown occurs during Campaign 2000, they believe Gore can credibly tout his experience as a reason not to change stewardship of the economy.

Gore has made no secret of his intention to spotlight his seven years of apprenticeship in the West Wing, as compared to Bush’s two terms as a constitutionally weak governor.

Another subtle ploy Gore is invoking from the stump is trying to link Bush to his father, the former president. Or, as Gore put it here: “the Bush-Quayle years.”

“We fell prey to the politics of illusion during the decade of amazing deficits. Now we have to avoid the politics of illusion in the decade of amazing surpluses,” he said.

“If you are willing to go back to where we were eight years ago, if you are willing to go back to Bush-Quayle economics, then you should vote for my opponent.”

The governor’s tax plan, Gore argued, “could shatter confidence in our economy--sending a message to the world that under George W. Bush, the era of fiscal responsibility is over. It could raise interest rates, hurt investment, put all our prosperity at risk and drive us into inflation and recession.”

Gore said of the strong economy: “It’s going to take toughness, leadership and experience to maintain it. A series of bad decisions in one budget could place it beyond our reach for a decade.”

As he began his half-hour speech before 1,000 civic activists, Gore served notice that economics will hardly be his only avenue of attack in a broad, weeklong offensive. Gore also plans major, compare-and-contrast speeches in the coming days on crime, urban policy, race relations, education and foreign policy.

The vice president critiqued Bush’s economic proposals in the same methodical manner with which he picked apart Bill Bradley’s health care proposal during the contest for the Democratic presidential nomination. That unrelenting assault--plus the former New Jersey senator’s failure to respond effectively--undermined what had been a surprisingly strong challenge.

But Bush is not about to make that mistake, as he demonstrated Tuesday. Bush said Gore exaggerated the cost of his tax plan and, repeating what has been a constant theme in his campaign, said Gore was willing to say just about anything to become president.

Gore’s new, multi-pronged assault against Bush comes at a time when some national polls are showing Bush slightly ahead of the vice president. Since clinching the GOP nomination, Bush has unveiled an array of new programs, totaling about $56 billion. In contrast, Gore has found himself largely on the defensive, especially over his changing positions on the Elian Gonzalez case.

The vice president opened his speech Tuesday by touting what is likely to be the Clinton administration’s crowning achievement.

“We replaced the largest budget deficits in history with the biggest surpluses. We have over 21 million new jobs,” Gore said. “This truly is a mountaintop moment for our country.”

Toward that end, Gore renewed his vow to “balance the budget every single year, barring a national emergency” and, by 2013, eliminate the national debt.

He also reiterated his pledge to extend the solvency of Medicare and Social Security, largely by devoting a major portion of the budget surplus to Medicare and all the interest savings from debt reduction to shore up Social Security.

On Tuesday night, the vice president attended a Boston fund-raiser for the Democratic National Committee.

Today Gore plans to spotlight his proposal to add prescription drug coverage to Medicare during an appearance at a senior center in Hartford, Conn.