UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
Thursday, August 29, 1996
7A
Democratic delegates evaluate Clinton's skills
By Mike Feinsilber Associated Press Writer
CHICAGO — The devotion that Democratic delegates express for the president seems genuine. They like Bill Clinton. But they see weaknesses in him, too — a tendency to vacillate, to incope in too soon, to see all sides.
"When he says, 'I feel your pain,' I think he does," said Carol Donovan, 59, a delegate from Massachusetts to the Democratic National Convention. "I see it as a real plus." But some people, she concedes, "think that's phony."
"He's gotten something of a reputation of being a flip-flopper," said state Democratic chairman Dan Hannaker of Fargo, N.D.
Clinton has turned out to be a divisive personality.
Some Americans dislike him as intensely as some hated Richard Nixon and Franklin D. Roosevelt.
Others find him warm, honest,
open, not presumptive.
"Bill Clinton is my generation's J.F.K.," said James McGuigan, 31, a delegate from Brown Dean. Wis.
But some delegates refused to discuss Clinton's weaknesses or admit that any could exist.
Others sprinted party-line boilerplate when asked about his strengths, citing the economy or his stand against tobacco.
Clinton's vacillating tendencies came up often.
And some tried to give a candid evaluation — if it could be done without hurting the Democratic cause.
"He does like to have people approve of him a little more than I would prefer," said George Krumem, an oilman from Bristow, Okla. "That is a weakness. I would prefer him to stand on principle."
Joseph Perry of Searsport, Maine,
said, "Too damn nice. He tries to
satisfy everyone."
But even this view is two-sided. Some see Clinton's empathizing as a plus.
Wilfred Caraballo, 49, of Newark, N.J., said, "He does agonize over things. I think his strength is that he is real. But at the same time that's his weakness. To the extent that he winds up taking a position and not explaining the metamorphosis, it's a valid criticism."
From Andrew Romanoff of Denver: "He can empathize with all sides, which can make him seem indecisive. But in some ways, it's the source of his greatest strength." Clinton's other strengths?
"He is a people person," said Sharon Barrett, of Piedmont Mo.
Sharon Bearden, of Piedmont, Mo. Susie Jablinske, a teacher from Annapolis, Md., said, "I think that he genuinely cares about the children of America."
Whitewater and Clinton's character were mentioned by some delegates talking about Clinton's weaknesses. "I know people take shots at his character, but he's human," said Frank Prevedel of Rock Springs, Colo.
The Associated Press
Dole expects Clinton to agree
Candidate claims that president is stealing Republican stances
VENTURA, Calif. — In advance of President Clinton's arrival yesterday at the Democratic convention, Republican Bob Dole said he expected Clinton to endorse Dole's call for tax cuts and stiffer drug control.
"If they agree with me on everything, why shouldn't I be the president?" Dole asked at a campaign appearance meant to score Clinton for surrendering the fight against drugs.
Addressing a school-yard crowd perched on picnic tables, Dole appeared to lump drugs and cigarettes together: "You shouldn't use drugs, you shouldn't smoke cigarettes, let's just throw them all out at the same time."
Asked later whether he was suggesting a ban on tobacco, Dole said, "Oh, no, come on. You know better than that."
Of the Democrats' convention
proceedings, Dole said: "Last night was liberal night. ... That was just to satisfy the liberals. Tonight they'll bash Republicans, and tomorrow night the president will sound for everybody, 'If you're for
"If they agree with me on everything, why shouldn't I be president?"
Bob Dole
Republicanpresidentialcandidate
it, it'm for it. If Bob Dole's for it, it'm for it. ... I don't have any commitment, I just want to be-elected because I like it here."
Amid reports that Clinton would announce a tax-cuts package, including a reduction in capital gains taxes on home sales, Dole said, "Well, welcome to the club.
We've had it out there for weeks and weeks and weeks."
In a written statement directed at Clinton, Dole added: "Please let me know in your acceptance speech Thursday if you are willing to endorse my proposal to give homeowners much-needed tax relief. And please accept my best wishes on the occasion of your becoming your party's nominee."
Dole went to a small Christian school playground to upbraid Clinton for nationwide statistics that indicated a doubling of adolescent drug use since he took office.
"I know when President Clinton speaks tomorrow, he's going to mention kids 55 times if he talks for 10 minutes . . . and he'll probably mention his war on drugs, which he's going to start next year.
"It's too late, Mr. President," Dole said.
Democrats, in turn, point out that Dole voted when he was a senator to cut back funds for anti-drug education and treatment programs.
Princess Diana's role is unclear after royal divorce is completed
Dole has proposed deployment of the military, CIA and National Guard to help fight the drug problem.
After split with Charles she starts her new life retaining some perks
The Associated Press
LONDON — No more royal husband, no more Her Royal Highness — no more role for Diana?
Officially divorced yesterday from Prince Charles, the newly styled Diana, Princess of Wales, is rich, beautiful, independent and effectively jobless.
The 15-year marriage ended yesterday when a legal clerk issued a decree that their divorce was now "absolute." Buckingham Palace said.
a long-standing date to attend the Endlish National Ballet.
Neither Charles nor Diana appeared in court, but Diana later glared at photographers as she kept
The divorce does not affect Charles' position as heir to the throne, but the lengthy and very public decline of the marriage — and his admission of adultery — has deeply damaged his standing with the public.
In British newspapers, attention already has turned to whether Charles should marry Camilla Parker Bowles, who was blamed by Diana for breaking up the marriage.
The verdict of statistically meaningless phone-in polls organized by some tabloids is that Charles should stay single. Or, as The Sun put it: "Bed Her Don't Wed Her."
papers, the princess was at her apartment in Kensington Palace, and the
The end of the marriage came six weeks after Charles was granted a preliminary decree of divorce.
As the clerk stamped the final
everyone is very sad at the end of the marriage."
Prime Minister John Major
end of the marriage," Prime Minister John Major told reporters.
prince was secluded at Balmoral Castle in Scotland with their sons, Prince William, 14, and Prince Harry, 11.
"It has ended. People think that was the right thing to happen."
"I think everyone is very sad at the
With the divorce, Diana lost her chance of becoming queen and will no longer be called "her royal highness." But there is no precedent for her new role — there never has been an ex-wife of a Prince of Wales.
Buckingham Palace has promised to invite her to the odd state or national event.
There will be outings with her sons and a dinner here and a ball there for the few charities she still represents. But the dizzying whirl of public royal duties is gone, and a person can spend only so much time in glitzy restaurants or honing her muscles in the gym.
so what will she do?
Since her declaration in a television
So what will she do?
interview last year that she aspired to be "a queen in people's hearts," Diana has said little about her plans. Many people have theories.
"What she wants is to travel abroad for Britain, highlighting children's issues," said Dame Barbara Cartland, the romantic novelist whose daughter Raine was Diana's stepmother.
"But the queen is being very difficult about it. She has said no," Cartland said.
Diana needs the OK from Queen Elizabeth II for any new public role. So far, it appears, this is lacking.
Her financial settlement from Charles has not been revealed, but news reports put her lump-sum payment at $26.35 million.
Charles reportedly also will provide $620,000 a year to run her office at Kensington Palace.
Di'ssettlement
Limited and supervised role in the public.
Joint custody of her sons, Prince Harr, 11, and Prince William, 14.
Lump-sum payment of $26.35 million.
Her Kensington apartment and $620,000 a year to run her office.
■ Flights on royal airplanes at taxpayers' expense.
Occasional invitations to the Royal family's functions.