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Bush, Cheney Go on the Offensive
President Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney launched a two-man offensive against the Democrats on Friday, with Bush suggesting the opposition party would stall the economic recovery and Cheney portraying Democratic leaders as weak on combating terror. Bush, trying to regain his political footing ahead of this year's critical midterm elections, told a GOP audience in Indianapolis that "the difference is clear" between the two parties on how to sustain the U.S. economic recovery. "If you want the government in your pocket, vote Democrat," Bush said. "If you want to keep more of your hard earned money, vote Republican." Cheney, speaking at a GOP fundraiser in Orlando, Fla., denounced Senate Democratic leader Harry Reid and party chairman Howard Dean by name. And he asserted that "leading Democrats have demanded a sudden withdrawal from the battle against terrorists in Iraq, the very kind of retreat that Osama bin Laden has been predicting."
Story Continues Below "And with that sorry record, the leaders of the Democratic Party have decided to run on the theme of competence. If they're competent to fight this war, then I ought to be singing on American Idol," Cheney said, referring to the top-rated Fox amateur talent show. The remark drew robust laughter. "I don't know why that's funny," Cheney said. Both Bush and Cheney spoke at fundraisers for incumbent House Republicans, Bush for Rep. Mike Sodrel of Indiana and Cheney for Rep. Ric Keller of Florida. Bush made one of his strongest appeals yet for making permanent various tax cuts due to expire within a few years. He tried to draw a sharp contrast between the two parties' economic policies. "We've got a record to stand on," Bush said.
The Democratic record, he said, consisted of "loud noises" and votes against tax cuts. "In 2001, more than 90 percent of the congressional democrats voted against cutting income tax rates," Bush said, referring to votes on his initial package of tax cuts. He told the Republican audience that, by overwhelming margins, Democrats also voted to reject his legislation - which eventually passed - to provide tax relief for married couples, double the child credit and cut taxes on dividends and capital gains. Noting that the economy is still recovering from the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks and a recession that lasted most of that year, Bush said, "The fundamental question in Washington is, 'How do we keep this recovery going?"' "The first thing is make the tax cuts permanent," Bush said to applause. Weighed down by dismal approval ratings that polls put in the 30s, Bush went on the road to bolster the campaigns of Sodrel and Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum. Bush's attendance at a fundraiser for Sodrel was to raise more than $500,000 - cash that the freshman Republican needs to beat Democrat Baron Hill. The race is considered a toss-up in the GOP quest to retain control of the House. The president also acknowledged the stakes are high in Iraq and that he understands Americans who are anxious when they see the turbulence on TV screens. "I know it's troubled times," he said. But, he added, "The only way we can lose is to lose our will."
© 2006 Associated Press.
Editor's note:
Read more on this subject in related Hot Topics: Inside Cover Stories
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