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Republicans hammer Gore over U.S. policy toward ChinaBy Wolf Blitzer/CNN
March 10, 1999 WASHINGTON (March 10) -- Republicans are hammering the Clinton Administration, including Vice President Al Gore, over China. They smell political blood, especially Gore's. The issue is the Clinton Administration's policy of working with China despite allegations of human rights abuses, unfair trade practices, illegal missile transfers and now, nuclear espionage. 
Gore is seen as especially vulnerable, in part because he has been out front for several years, defending the policy of so-called "constructive engagement" with China. "We can show that when our nations walk side by side in common cause, we can make real progress in improving the well-being of our citizens and our planet," Gore said last fall. But beyond Gore, Republican presidential hopeful Lamar Alexander is calling for National Security Adviser Samuel Berger's resignation, accusing him of ignoring initial allegations of Chinese espionage at the Los Alamos National Laboratory. "It is ironic that Mr. Berger learned of this espionage in exactly the same month that Mr. Gore was attending his now famous fund-raiser with Buddhist nuns in Southern California," Alexander said. The White House denies any connection and it notes the alleged espionage occurred in the 1980's, during Republican administrations. But when it comes to China, other Republican candidates are piling on, including Gary Bauer, Steve Forbes, John McCain and Dan Quayle. "Even though I'm skeptical that this kind of issue is going to pull the rug out from Al Gore, I think it's a plus for the Republicans to be able to talk about foreign policy, to talk about national security and to talk about the failure of the administration of Bill Clinton and Al Gore in this one area," said political analyst Stuart Rothenberg. What goes around comes around. During the 1992 election campaign, then-candidate Clinton similarly lashed out at President George Bush. "The administration continues to coddle China despite its continuing crackdown on democratic reforms," Clinton said in December 1991. But Gore and other administration officials insist it would be reckless for the United States to walk away from the biggest country in the world, given the economic, military and political stakes involved. That, of course, was the same argument President Bush made. |
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MORE STORIES:Wednesday, March 10, 1999
• House to debate sending troops to Kosovo • GOP leaders pledge to lock away Social Security trust fund • Republicans hammer Gore over U.S. policy toward China • Opening statements begin in McDougal trial • White House names new communications director • Lamar Alexander kicks off second GOP bid without the plaid • Justice seeks to overturn recent Miranda ruling • Gore: Campaign will 'be about the American people' • Senate hears divergent views on Cuba policy • Committee sends steel imports quota bill to House • House panel overwhelmingly approves ATM fee disclosure measure • Campaigns under way to influence Social Security overhaul debate • Alabama's Senate standoff moves to state Supreme Court • Appeals court upholds charges against Cisneros • Arkansas lawmakers reject money for Clinton museum • Reno, lawmakers wrangle over anti-crime funds • Gov. Bush's abortion stance challenged • House votes to protect nursing home patients | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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