2004 political presidential cartoons about Iowa primary precinct caucus and caucuses news, reports information on 2004 Democrat and Republican candidates, campaigns issues
"Bill Thrill overshadows Wannabes"
Bill Clinton political cartoon.
… “Former President Clinton stumps for candidates in Iowa” – headline in this morning’s New Hampshire Sunday News. Coverage – an excerpt from Indianola report – by AP’s Mike Glover: “Former President Clinton touted a field of Democratic contenders he said was the strongest in decade, and launched a spirited assault Saturday on a Bush administration he said governs through ‘ideology, enemies and attacks.’ ‘The last election was tight as a tick,’ Clinton told a party rally. ‘That election was not a mandate for radical change, but that was what we got.’ Clinton brought thousands of activists huddled on a rain-soaked field to life, repeatedly by assaulting Bush. He ripped into Bush's tax cut and handling of foreign policy and joked he was now the beneficiary of tax cuts for the wealthy. ‘Don't tell me about class warfare,’ Clinton said. ‘I'm all for wealth and business. I just think we all ought to go up together.’ The former President told activists that he has become rich since leaving the White House, largely based on a big book contract: ‘I never had a nickel until I left the White House.’ The tax cuts Bush pushed were a prime target. ‘What's the sacrifice that's being asked of people who make more than $1 million a year?’ Clinton asked. ‘It's the energy they have to expend opening the envelopes containing their tax cuts.’ Clinton spoke after seven of the Democratic Presidential contenders on hand praised him. He said Bush was given great opportunities but has largely fumbled them. ‘Instead of uniting the world, we alienated it,’ he said. ‘Instead of uniting the country, he alienated it.’ While some have warned that the field of nine Democratic candidates will have a tough time ousting Bush, Clinton dismissed those worries. ‘I like this field, and I'm tired of people saying that this field can't beat an incumbent President,’ he said. ‘This is the best field of candidates we have had in decades.’ Clinton urged the candidates to hammer home their differences with Bush, differences he said haven't penetrated with most voters. ‘The American people, not 5 percent of them know they gave me a tax cut and then kicked children out of after-school programs,’ said Clinton. ‘They are not putting those things together. All we have to do is make it clear what our differences are.’ The exchanges came at Sen. Tom Harkin's annual steak fry Saturday at Indianola, 20 miles south of Des Moines. Republican National Committee spokesman David James said Clinton's presence ‘clearly overshadowed a weak field of candidates.’ He said Clinton campaigned for several candidates who lost in the last election, adding; ‘With that kind of track record we hope to see him on the campaign trail early and often.’”