In 1992, Bill Clinton promised to decrease the size of the White House staff. In fulfilling his promise, Clinton cut the Office of National Drug Control Policy from 146 people to 25. Dole cites this action as a cause for the recent upward trend in drug use. However, Dole has not mentioned that the increase in drug use began during the Bush administration. The president has since restored the Drug Control Policy office's staff. Furthermore, the Clinton appointed Barry R. McCaffrey - a retired four-star army general - as a new "drug czar." He also elevated the position to cabinet-level status.
Dole's attacks on Clinton lack validity. Under Clinton's administration, the portion of the national budget devoted to fighting drugs has increased from $13.3 billion in fiscal year 1995 to $15.1 billion for the fiscal year 1997. Furthermore, Clinton used his first legislative veto to prevent Congress from slashing appropriations to the Safe and Drug-Free Schools Act. Dole is grasping at straws.
But Clinton's responses to Dole's accusations are not exactly truthful. In response to Dole's attack, the Clinton campaign ran commercials stating that "Bob Dole even voted against creating the drug czar." Again, this political mud-slinging lacks substance. Although Dole initially voted against the creation of the position, he later changed to support it. Clinton never mentioned this in the ad, thereby relaying misleading information.
Rather than focusing on more substantive issues - such as the economy or welfare reform - Clinton and Dole have taken a stand on an issue on which they essentially agree: Both candidates oppose drug use. Instead, the candidates are using the drug issue to cloud more controversial issues. Clinton is seizing the issue to take a stand that has strong bipartisan support, instead of issues on which he might have trouble taking action because of a Republican Congress.
Dole also sees a chance to create a stir. Clinton appears to be coasting to re-election, leading by about 20 percentage points in most polls. The economy is in good shape and crime rates are dropping. Dole is trying to undercut Clinton's lead; however, focusing on the drug issue is not compelling enough to win an election - or even save Dole's losing face.
Yesterday, Dole continued to promote his anti-drug message, and Clinton continued to defend himself. But the words are becoming hollow. If the candidates wish to discuss drugs, they should introduce solid proposals - not the empty "Just say no" slogans that populated Reagan's election.