May 26, 1999
Web posted at: 6:17 p.m. EDT (2217 GMT)

WASHINGTON (May 26) -- Republican presidential contenders lined up to score political points after the Cox report made its official debut.

In an unusually detailed response, Republican front-runner George W. Bush took a tough line on China.

"Presented with detailed information about China's espionage, this administration apparently did not take it seriously, did not react properly and is still trying to minimize the scope and the extent of the damage done," Bush said. "The current administration calls China a 'strategic partner.' China is not America's strategic partner. China is a competitor, a competitor which does not share our values, but now, unfortunately, shares many of our nuclear secrets."

Bush's strong words stand in contrast to the foreign policy of his father, who favored greater engagement with China while he was president, a policy conservatives criticized.

Other Republicans weighed in as well.

"I think it's a legitimate question, but I think it's part of the overall conduct by this administration of a feckless, photo-op foreign policy that is going to cost us a great deal in the future, perhaps in American blood as well as treasure," said Arizona Sen. John McCain.

In a written statement, Elizabeth Dole said: "The Clinton-Gore Administration needs to get a grip on the gravity of the crisis. They should be less concerned with spin and more concerned with national security."

Steve Forbes also weighed in with a written statement saying: "The Clinton-Gore Administration's national security policy of hear no evil, see no evil and speak no evil has deeply wounded the U.S.'s ability to defend itself."

Forbes also called for an immediate suspension of military cooperation with China but that idea is a little late. Military cooperation has already been suspended by the Chinese in protest of the NATO bombing of the Chinese embassy in Belgrade.

Republicans tied Vice President Al Gore to the allegations made in the Cox report, placing blame not on the president, but on the "Clinton-Gore Administration." Gore had no immediate comment, but his advisers were quick to point out that the allegations made in the Cox report go all the way back to the Reagan Administration.

Bill Bradley, Gore's sole rival for the Democratic nomination, had no comment on the Cox report. A Bradley aide called the allegations of espionage "a bipartisan problem."

Wednesday, May 26, 1999

•Clinton's polls: Damaged by Kosovo -- but hardly plunging
•Republican presidential candidates attack White House on China
• Democrats push Republicans to pass gun control legislation, now
• Gore urged to officially announce presidential bid
• Poll: Majority of Americans would vote against Gore in 2000
• Lott offers China spying legislation
• Publicist wins GOP gubernatorial primary in Kentucky
• Rubin not worried about possible delay in Summers' nomination
• Five Republicans side with Democrats, push for campaign finance vote
• Quayle: Bush backers making mistake
• Mississippi governor's tumultuous private life back in news
• New York Democrat says first lady is running
• Unhappy conservatives slow House work on spending bills
• Clinton takes vacation but gets no break from Kosovo
• A penny for your thoughts on the Clinton presidential library
• Presidential candidates in Texas
• Missing hiker, grandson of politician, found in good shape
• Senate rejects administration attempt to close more military bases
• Republicans eyes estate tax relief
• Book discloses secret documents from Clinton presidency
• Nebraska governor vetoes execution moratorium

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