The Michigan Daily - Friday, January 21, 1994 - 3
'I have fought more
damn battles ... than any
PreWsident i n 20 years'
HEALTH CARE
Last Jan. 26, Clinton began aC
season of controversy by naming
First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton F
to head a national task force to formL
a health care plan.
Clinton said, "My principles are two: universal cover-
age, without which you will never slow the rate of cost
increase and stop the cost shifting; and a package of com-
prehensive benefits."
So far, students seem skeptical that Clinton's plan will
help the nation.
"I just don't see how we can spend less money, cover
0everyone, and yet not have quality go down," said Susan
Kite, an Engineering senior.
This issue is expected to highlight the agenda this year,
with opponents ranging form Republicans in Congress -
who generally are against the bigger government that the
plan would create - to several medical associations who
cite their concern that first-rate medical care could diminish
under a new system.
Clinton said he will compromise, but added, "How do
you justify leaving in place a
~system that costs 40 percent YEs A
more of our income than any No 56%
other system in the world and
does much less?" DON'T KNOW 9%
BRADY BILL-
Among students surveyed,
Clinton scored his highest
marks on his handling of the
Brady Bill- which mandates
a five-day waiting period on
!handgun purchases.
"He needed to address the
problems of crime, drugs, andt
gangs and give them attention,"
said Mike Kraft, an LSA sopho-
more.
Clinton has said his administration will work on a crime
bill in 1994 to increase the number of police officers on the
streets. Also on the agenda are proposals to expand regula-
tions on assault rifles.
Crime was the issue cited most often (41 percent) when
students were asked to name what they see as the greatest
problem the country faces today.
"If Clinton really wants to do something for this county,
he can start be ridding the inner cities of crime," said
Melissa Brandt, an LSA
sophomore. YES 670
"Gun control might not No
solve many problems, but it 15%
is a start," she said. DON'T KNOW 18%
REINVENTING GOVERNMENT
In February, Clinton announced he had placed Vice President
Al Gore in charge of a six-month National Performance Review.
The plan was to "invent a government that puts people first,"
through such methods as cutting unnecessary spending, serving
the customers better, and empowering employees to make their
own decisions in an effort to cut red tape.
"We must reward the people and ideas that work and get rid of
those that don't," Clinton said.
Administration officials expect the commission's suggestions
to save the government $108 billion over the next five years.
Pledging action, Clinton said, "This Performance Review
will not produce another report just to gather dust in some
warehouse. We have enough of them already."
However, the issue has been on the back-burner since the1
report was issued in September.
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THE BUDGET
Clinton's budget package passed
both the House and Senate by one-
vote margins.
The budget included higher tax
rates for many Americans.
"He made so many compromises
that I don't think it will help re-
duce spending," said Sara Smith,
Bill Clinton took office as the
42nd President of the United
States a year ago yesterday. In that
year, his administration has set sail on a
fantastic voyage, and has weathered the
peaks and valleys that come with the lease
on the Oval Office.
The new president's first order of busi-
ness was to clean out some items left
behind by the previous tenants. Saddam
Hussein was up to his old tricks, as he saw
an opportunity to test the resolve of the
young American leader. The Iraqi military
targeted two American fighters
with its defense missiles -a
violation of a United Nations
resolution. Clinton was
tic agenda as he stepped into the ring with
President Bush's old sparring partner and
launched a few blows, cruise missiles to be
precise, through Hussein's homeland.
Throughout the year the story remained
the same. Clinton said he was elected to fix
the economy, yet other problems always
appeared. His agenda was full - too full
critics say - but he managed to complete
a busy season.
According to a survey of University
students conducted by the Daily, Clinton
finished his first year with victories on
NAFTA, the Brady Bill, and his
gays in the military policy. How-
an LSA first-year-student.
Clinton often says he was elected to fix the economy,
and he cites his progress on the issue to ward off critics.
"The economic plan which passed earlier this year has
resulted in lower interest rates, lower inflation, booming
home construction, and the creation of more private sector
jobs in this year than in the previous four years, and the
highest level of consumer confidence now in 17 years,"
Clinton said.
Clinton was criticized for making so many compro-
mises to get his budget passed.
However, Clinton said his $14.6-billion stimulus pack-
age didn't pass Congress be-
cause he didn't compromise.
ES 1% "Nobody can say that the
NO 63% president didn't hang tough,
but what do I have to show for
DON'T KNOW 20% it," Clinton said.
GAYS IN THE MILITARY
Days after the inauguration, Clinton
took the first steps to lift the 50-year-old
statute banning homosexuals from serv-
ing in the armed forces.
However, since then Clinton has
drawn criticism from two different fronts
on the issue.
"I was optimistic at first, but Clinton's
follow through on removing the rule has
been terrible," said Mike Hayes, an LSA
junior. "I feel a bit like he sold out."
However, others are angry that Clinton has taken up the
issue at all.
"Gays do not belong in the military. There has to be a
certain moral standing that remains in place," said Rob
McDonald, a first-year Rackham student.
Clinton apparently disagrees.
He said, "Americans who are willing to conform to the
requirements of conduct in the military service, in my
judgement should be.able to serve in the military."
He has ordered the mili-
Y°s 50% tary to stop asking recruits their
No 41% sexual orientations, but theban
can only be officially removed
DON'T KNOW 9% by Congress.
NAFTA
Possibly the most publi
cized political battle last year
was the debate over the North
American Free Trade Agree-
Sment, which will gradually
Seliminate trade barriers be-
tween Canada, the United
States and Mexico.
Ross Perot got into the action with his "giant sucking
sound," predictions.
Some students were surprised by Clinton's ability to
marshal Congress into eventually supporting the bill.
Wen Min Chao, an LSA senior, was impressed by
"Clinton's overall drive to get the bill to pass."
Others were happy that NAFTA passed, but attributed
much of the work to Bush, not Clinton.
"It's good to see he didn't destroy all his predecessor's
accomplishments," said Randy Schwemmin, an Engineer-
ing senior.
However, many students still fear the treaty will hurt the
auto industry.
"Our jobs will be heading South, and then people will be
sorry that this thing ever passed," said Rob McDonald, a
first-year Rackham student.
NAFTA is an issue that could carry over to this year via
the Congressional elections.
YEs 46% Some opponents of the bill
O40% have pledged to campaign
against any member of Con-
DON'T KNOW 14% gress who voted for it.
FridayFOCUS
by ANDREW TAYLOR
DAILY STAFF REPORTER
GORE PER
RMfNV NTING
GOVERNMENT;
.Ks
FOREIGN AFFAIRS
Clinton had hoped to spend his
year dealing with domestic issues,
but to his dismay, international prob-
lems kept finding their way into the
Oval Office.
The president has just concluded
a European tour to discuss the future
of NATO. He also met with Russian
President Boris Yeltsin, who is fac-
ing rising opposition from legisla-
tors like Vladimir Zhirinovsky, who
intends to run against Yeltsin in the
1996 election.
'EWe will create new
Hiroshimas and
*Nagasakis. I will not
* hesitate to deploy
nuclear weapons.
?ES
No
DON'T KNOW
42%
29%
29%
NATIONAL SERVICE PLAN
Last spring, Clinton unveiled his idea of "the American way to change America," through
national service. The plan allows college students to perform community service to help pay
off educational loans.
The plan was originally to be offered to 30,000 students in 1994, and to 100,000 students
in 1997. However, due to funding constraints, the program has been scaled back to include less
than 20,000 students this year.
"The plan didn't pay enough to entice most college graduates into some of the jobs offered,"
said Melissa Brandt, an LSA sophomore.
In our survey, 50 percent of those polled had no opinion on
the National Service Plan. Among college students, the program YEs 29%
should be well known since the plan affects college students. No 21%
However, the lack of interest shows that it has not had the impact
*Clinton had hoped for. DON'T KNOW 50%
If the election were today
...
Since day one of the Clinton administra-
tion, some challengers have been anxiously
awaiting 1996 in hope that the president
will be weak enough to be bumped off his
ride to a second term.
However, Clinton scored an overall 59
percent approval rating in our survey.
It is not surprising then, that our sample
shows Clinton would get similar support
against several possible opponents includ-
ing Bob Dole, Ross Perot and Jack Kemp.
All three of these men have expressed
interest in running for President and eniov
However, if long-shots are your game,
then here are a few names to consider.
Some analysts suggest that Quayle may
be eyeing the Oval Office. Not Dan Quayle,
but rather his wife Marilyn.
While the former vice president is also
considering a campaign, another possibility
is Elizabeth Dole, a former Transportation
Secretary under Bush and President of the
American Red Cross.
Many Americans say they would like to
see talk-show host Rush Limbaugh take a
shot at the iob, but he has said he's not