They Could Have Changed Outcome of Elections, Clinton Tells Students

Former President Clinton told college students Tuesday that their votes could have made the difference in past elections -- enough to put Democrats securely in charge of Congress today.

“If, in this country, people under 30 voted in the same percentages as people over 55, we would have a different Congress and a different Senate,” Clinton said during a speech at his alma mater, Georgetown University.

Clinton also criticized President Bush’s economic stimulus plan, which proposes $1.3 trillion in tax relief over the next decade. Bush has said the cuts would benefit everyone by encouraging investment and spending that boost businesses, which in turn would create more jobs.

Clinton said the plan would mostly benefit the wealthy. He said Americans, rich and poor, need low interest rates and more money for education and health care.

Clinton dismissed Bush administration accusations that Democrats against the tax cuts were engaging in class warfare.

“When I was president, we had more millionaires and billionaires than ever before, but we took 100 times as many people out of poverty as were taken out in the previous 12 years,” he said.

“So I’m all for people getting rich -- and I’ve enjoyed it,” said Clinton, referring to the millions of dollars he has been paid in speaking fees since leaving office. “But I think we ought to pay our fair share. I’m telling you, we wouldn’t have these policies if people under 30 voted in the same percentages as people over 55.”

Earlier Tuesday, Clinton said on NBC-TV’s “Today Show” he did not believe war in Iraq was inevitable as long as Iraqi President Saddam Hussein opts to disarm.