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Bush in the News December 28, 1999 Contents: Polling Report CBS News Poll: "Bush, Gore Hold Leads" 12/27/99: "...Texas Governor George W. Bush...continues to lead the Republican pack by a large margin." Among the Democrats, there has been little change in the past month. Gore continues to lead Bradley for his party’s nomination, but Bush, the Republican frontrunner, leads both Gore and Bradley in hypothetical fall contests." ...Bush’s lead for the Republican nomination is still overwhelming. Sixty-four percent of Republican primary voters favor Bush, and just 16 percent would like to see McCain receive the nomination. Forbes and Keyes each get 4 percent, Bauer gets 2 percent, and Hatch 1 percent.REPUBLICAN NOMINATION
PRESIDENTIAL CONTEST "George W. Bush continues to lead both Democratic candidates in the contest for the presidency among registered voters. Now, Bush leads Al Gore by 12 points and Bill Bradley by 16 points. Although Gore narrowed the margin between himself and Bush in November, Gore has not been able to narrow it again this month. Bush’s lead over Bradley, although wider than it was in November, is not as large as the 22 point advantage he held in late October. THE GENERAL ELECTION VOTE
"The Democratic candidates fare much better when paired with John McCain as the Republican candidate.
"Very few Americans consider campaign finance reform as the most important issue. Just 1 percent say it is, a number that has remained consistent. "More important to the public are such things as health care volunteered by 12 percent, and Social Security and Medicare, volunteered by 9 percent. Taxes (7 percent) education and the budget (6 percent each), and a number of other problems including crime and poverty. MOST IMPORTANT PROBLEM FOR GOVERNMENT
"This poll was conducted among a nationwide random sample of 1,558 adults interviewed by telephone December 13-16, 1999. There were 1,224 registered voters. The error due to sampling could be plus or minus two percentage points for results based on the total sample of adults and three percentage points for registered voters. For full question wording and poll findings, please contact the CBS Election and Survey Unit at 212-975-5554. "In The News Seattle Times Editorial, "Bush's Broader Tax Cut A Better Plan For GOP" 12/21/99: "...the GOP [tax cut vetoed by Clinton]...weight[ed] tax breaks to the top end of the income ladder."...Bush[‘s plan] works harder to spread the benefits. "...cut[s] taxes by $483 billion over five years by simplifying and reducing marginal tax rates. "...double[s] the $500 child tax credit and open[s] the credit up to people earning as much as $200,000. He would also increase tax-free contributions to education accounts tenfold. "...eliminate[s] the earnings limit on Social Security pensioners, and allow the 80 million Americans who do not file itemized returns to deduct charitable contributions. "Bush's approach is a deeper tax cut than the Republican plan Clinton vetoed, but the underlying philosophy is much more inclusive. "...Bush's plan is broader than the egregious raid on the treasury by the richest taxpayers found in candidate Steve Forbes' flat-tax proposal and a similar...plan by Gary Bauer. Bush rightly promotes elimination of estate taxes, which hurt families trying to pass along farms and businesses. Current tax laws create perverse incentives to spend now rather than save and invest for future generations. "But Bush has taken a giant step forward with a philosophy that includes the poor and middle-class wage earners in his political and financial calculations. For the full story: http://www.seattletimes.com/news/editorial/html98/bushed_19991221.html Weekly Standard’s Fred Barnes, "John McCain, Winging It" 01/10/00: "...on December 13, George W. Bush asked John McCain why he hadn’t proposed a tax cut for single moms with two kids making $40,000 a year. McCain responded that his plan to extend the 15 percent income tax bracket—all the way to $70,000—would 'go a long way in that direction.' After the debate, a reporter asked McCain for his appraisal of Bush’s scheme for reducing the tax burden on single moms with kids. He reiterated that he, McCain, would help them by boosting the 15 percent bracket."At this point...Robert Novak...[noted] that the single moms in question already paid at the 15 percent rate. Thus they wouldn’t get a tax cut...Well, McCain said, he’d ease their taxes by eliminating the marriage penalty. But we’re talking about single moms, not married mothers, said Novak. Oh, McCain shot back, then I’d cut their taxes by broadening the earned income tax credit for the working poor. "McCain was playing fast and loose with tax policy. He had never called for extending the earned income tax credit...He sounded unserious. So how did the press handle McCain’s trouble in explaining his position on tax cuts? Reporters and commentators didn’t mention his stumbling at all. They gave McCain a free ride...as they have on virtually every substantive issue..." For the full story go here:http://www.weeklystandard.com/magazine/mag_5_16_00/barnes_art_5_16_00.html Bedford Bulletin’s Tracie Stone, "Technology Lets Students Talk To Bush"12/16/99: "...fourth-grade students from Riddle Brook School had the opportunity to attend a teleconference with Texas Gov. and Presidential hopeful George W. Bush."...[the] teleconference...came as a result of the governor's strong emphasis on technology and the strengthening of the country's educational system and standards. "...Bush addressed students from...three [New Hampshire] schools, answering their questions and sharing anecdotes following a tour of [White Pine Software in Nashua], ...which specializes in video and audio communication. "...students took turns asking Bush the questions via White Pine's CU-SeeMe multi-point video and audio software. "‘Who do you think has been the best President so far - besides your Dad,’ was Bedford's first question, asked by Riddle Brook's Kristin Johnson. "Bush responded by naming Ronald Reagan. He added, 'The most important job I'll ever have is not to be the President but to be a dad.’" For the full story:http://www.neighborhoodpub.com/bullarc121699.html#anchor655892 How To Get Involved If you are interested in volunteering your time or contributing to Bush for President, use the following links. To Volunteer! To Contribute! Contribution Form: https://www.io.com/georgewbush/contribute.html Letter From The Governor: http://www.georgewbush.com/contribute/index.html |