Clinton Attacks Bush on Abortion, Environment, National Defense

President Clinton took on the role of political attacker Thursday, charging that George W. Bush would pursue “troublesome” nuclear arms policies as president, let polluters regulate the environment and appoint judges bent on repealing abortion rights.

In his toughest criticism yet of the presumed Republican presidential nominee, Clinton also contended that Bush would bring back budget deficits and higher interest rates by pushing big tax cuts and Pentagon spending increases.

Bush’s campaign shot back that Clinton was “continuing his transition from commander in chief into his role as campaign manager in chief” for Vice President Al Gore, the Democratic candidate.

With Gore trailing in the polls, Clinton opened up on Texas Gov. Bush in an interview with Diane Rehm of National Public Radio.

Gore increasingly is turning to surrogates for help in attacking Bush because some advisors fear the vice president’s own full-throated criticisms are backfiring.

Singling out national security policies, Clinton noted Bush’s opposition to the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty, which the Senate defeated last year.

Clinton said Bush wants to build a bigger missile defense system than evidence warrants. “So I think that that gives me some pause,” he said. “I think that’s troublesome. Because it could cause the country a lot of trouble in the next four or five years.”

Returning the fire, Bush spokesman Scott McClellan said, “Gov. Bush believes it is important to protect America and Americans from rogue missile launches, and he is concerned that the president and vice president do not agree with this urgent priority.”

Turning to another subject, Clinton said his eight years in the White House have been good for his marriage. He did not mention the more painful public moments when strains in his marriage were on display.