GRAND RAPIDS - The last time John Engler and prominent governors from across the country convened in Michigan, they hyped an economic plan and a presidential ticket they said would rebuild America.
The Republican Governors Association opened its annual conference yesterday without Bob Dole and Jack Kemp - but with the same message of tax cuts and decentralized government. The conference, which runs through Tuesday, kicked off with a reaffirmation of Republican ideology and a new analysis of Democratic victories in the campaign.
"Republican ideology won this election," said New Jersey Gov. Christine Todd Whitman.
President Clinton adopted "Republican" ideas of tax cuts and welfare reform to defeat Bob Dole, governors said.
"Bill Clinton did a very good job of neutralizing Bob Dole's tax message," said conservative economist Stephen Moore. "It was hard for people to decipher between who wants to cut taxes most. When the Democrats have to use your rhetoric ... that shows something good is happening."
Moore touted supply-side tax cuts and conservative economic policies at a panel discussion where states whose Republican governors had reduced taxes to boost the economy were the stars of the show.
"Almost every state, like Michigan, that has enacted supply-side tax cuts has had very positive consequences," Moore said.
The governors said states with high tax rates are losing investments and citizens to states with lower taxes, less business regulation and growing economies.
JONATHAN SUMMER/Daily
Gov. John Engler speaks during a meeting of the Republican Governor's Association at the Amway Hotel in Grand Rapids yesterday.