Remarks at a New Democrat Network Dinner June 28, 2000
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Administration of William J. Clinton, 2000 / June 28 1533 about 120 years. All of us that don't, like Remarks at a New Democrat meÐ[laughter]Ðdo things like, too much Network Dinner stress, or we don't eat right, or whateverÐ June 28, 2000 this is going to change everything. And it is, I think, a stern test of our judg- Thank you very much. I have here in my ment and our character what we do with this hand a Mont Blanc pen left on this platform, prosperity we've got. And I think one of the I presume by Simon,Ð[laughter]Ðwho things that we have to do is take care of the could not afford one of these when he aging of America, the baby boom generation worked for me. [Laughter] I am really proud is getting older. And we can't do it unless of youÐ[laughter]Ðand I thank you, you've we do the prescription drug program. been great. This is really wonderful. You know my first love is education. I've Now, I don't know how well the rest of you know Senator Lieberman. I think I know worked hard on it. There is plenty of money Senator Lieberman reasonably wellÐ30 left to do education. Should we give some years worth of reasonably well. And normally of the money back to the people in a tax he's so laid-back and so buttoned-down and cut? Absolutely, there is plenty of money left so controlled. And that's the image of the to do that. But we have no higher priority, whole New Democrat crowd. But when he in my judgment, than making sure that we gets in front of a New Democrat group, he have done right by the seniors in this country becomes positively ebullient. [Laughter] I and that we have paved the way with the mean, you could mistake him for Chris Dodd prescription drug program. This man sym- up here, the way he was talking. [Laughter] bolizes that. There are a thousand other It was amazing. issues that we'll be voting on. Listen, this deal he did tonight is a big But you just remember this. When you talk deal. Getting the disclosure of these secret to people about the elections, say, ``Well, you committees is a big deal for America, and know, I went to this party for this fellow, we thank you. This is great. And this could Schweitzer. He's from Montana, and he's really influence the outcome of some of the doing these crazy things for these people to elections this year, and more importantly, it prove to them we're getting the shaft on pre- could ratify a principle that we all, in both scription drugs for seniors. But what it says parties, say we believe in, which is full disclo- is, he wants to do something with our pros- sure. So now we're going to be given our perity. He wants to do something for people chance, and it's a great thing. who need help, not just for those of us who Let meÐI thank all the rest of you for can afford to come to an event like this. And coming. I want to say, Joe, of all the nice he wants to do something to make America things you said about me, you know, when a better, stronger, more united place.'' we started in '93, we carried the economic plan by a voteÐjust a vote. As Al Gore says, If he wins, it will go like a rifle shot across whenever he voted, we wonÐin both America. And if we don't succeed in getting Houses. And I want to pay special tribute this done between now and November, be- to those of you who were there then and who cause they think their phrases that the poll- were part of the whole idea base of the New ster gives them will substitute for deeds, you Democratic movement. And I want to say can be sure if he gets elected, it will happen, a special word of appreciation to my friend and it will be a much better country. and neighbor of many years Dave McCurdy, Thank you very much. who was a big part of that. I thank you so much. Thank you. NOTE: The President spoke at 8:08 p.m. at a pri- We have all these people running for office vate residence. In his remarks, he referred to re- today. I guess I want to say a few words about ception hosts Beth and Ron Dozoretz. Mr. all of them. And I'll come back to that. But Schweitzer is a candidate for U.S Senate from let me begin by saying that I hope this group Montana. will stay together after this election. And I 1534 June 28 / Administration of William J. Clinton, 2000 hope that it will become a constant vehicle to pass the China trade bill. We have the to merge politics and policy in the best way. bill to help Colombia, which I strongly be- In Washington, we have too many people lieve is a New Democratic measure. We took who do policy but don't do politics. And then the earnings limit off Social Security. And we have people who do politics but don't do we still have a chance, in addition to passing policy. And really it only works if you do both. this campaign finance measure, to expand There's nothing wrong with politics. I've al- the earned-income tax credit again; to pass ways sort of enjoyed it. [Laughter] And I the new markets legislation, which has broad think I've embarrassed a lot of people be- bipartisan support; to do more to close the cause I'm not ashamed of it. I love politics. digital divide and reduce hate crimes in our I love the system. If it weren't a pretty good country; to pass Senator Landrieu's great ini- system, we wouldn't be around here after tiative to permanently set aside massive over 200 years. It's really nothing more than funds to protect precious lands along our saying you like people. You're interested in coasts and throughout the country forever. what they have to say, and you think every- And we've got this possibility for paying the body counts. But we need a place where peo- country out of debt, for the first time since ple can be brought together with their ideas 1835. That's pretty good. That's pretty good. and their legitimate political aspirations. But what I want to say to you is our contin- And I said this when the DLC had its sort ued progress depends upon ideas, continuous of every-decade meeting to figure out the movement, and good politics. And that charter for the organization up in Hyde Park means, among other things, that the people the other day. But let me just remind you who are here tonight who are up for reelec- what the New Democrats have wrought in tion have to be helped. And you're helping the last 7 years. them here, but I don't want you to stop here. In addition to the dramatic turnaround in I'll just mention a few. the fiscal picture of the country that Senator First of all, Governor Nelson from Ne- Lieberman mentioned, we had the family braska back there. Most people say we and medical leave law; welfare reform; couldn't hold Bob Kerrey's Senate seat, but 100,000 police; the Brady bill; doubling the he's going to hold it. And I served with him earned-income tax credit; going from one to for many years as Governor. I have enormous 1,700 charter schools in this country; all the respect for him. He will be a genuine New trade initiatives, including now over 280 sep- Democrat in the Senate. He needs your help arate trade agreements; the empowerment to win. zone program and the reinventing Govern- I think in some ways, the ultimate test of ment program, both of which were strongly whether you can combine fiscal conserv- pushed by the New Democrats, which the atism, social liberalism, and astonishing per- Vice President led; and of course, my per- sonal courage, will be whether Chuck Robb sonal favorite, national service, where now will be reelected in Virginia. And I think you 150,000 young people have followed Alan can help him. Khazei and City Year's lead to go out across Debbie Stabenow is going to give us a seat this country. in Michigan. But she's in a hard race, and And they built a great, broad bipartisan she needs your help. Cal Dooley has to fight support. Former Senator of Indiana, Repub- in every election he ever runs in. [Laughter] lican Senator Dan Coats had a great article And he spent a lot of time with this New in the Hill newspaper yesterday talking about Democratic Network. I just want to say one how he changed his mind about AmeriCorps, thing about Cal. that we were never interested in supplanting He spends a lot of time that he doesn't the civic sector of our society but wanted to have to spend, working on getting us all to- strengthen it and support it. And that's ex- gether for trade, working on getting us all actly what the national service has done. So together for the New Democratic Network.