Arizona Daily Wildcat

This election year is turning into a whirlwind of rhetoric. In a push to get their candidate elected, party officials are making an effort to cater to everyone by moving their views more toward the center of the political spectrum. Republican presidential candidate Bob Dole has migrated away from his party's stance on abortion. Many consider President Clinton's decision to do away with the welfare system very conservative.

Candidates are swaying from their party platforms, but don't think that their party will not try to push these platforms if their candidate is elected. Don't be fooled by the rhetoric. Be informed about the foundation of the party you support and watch ea ch candidate closely. Below are official party platforms reprinted from the Aug. 27 New York Times.

Democrats	Republicans
STATE OF THE ECONOMY
"Today, America is moving forward. The economy is stronger, the deficit is lower and the government is smaller".	"We cannot go on like this. For millions of families, the American dream is fading".
BALANCED BUDGET
Promise to balance the budget by 2002.	Support a constitutional amendment requiring a balanced budget.
HOMOSEXUAL RIGHTS
Support efforts "to end discrimination against gay men and lesbians and further their full inclusion in the life of the nation."	"Reject the distortion" of civil rights laws that would "cover sexual preference."
GUN CONTROL
Support a waiting period for buying handguns and a ban on the sale of certain assault weapons.	"Defend the constitutional right to keep and bear arms" and favor mandatory penalties for crimes committed with guns.
ABORTION
Support a woman's right to choose to have an abortion in all circumstances currently legal. "Respect the individual conscience of each American on this difficult issue."	Support a constitutional amendment that would outlaw abortion in all circumstances. No specific mention of tolerance for other views on abortion.
TAXES
"America cannot afford to return to the era of something-for-nothing tax cuts." Support a "$500 tax cut for children" and additional reductions for college tuition payments, small businesses and the self-employed. Allow money in individual retirement accounts to be used to buy a first home and to pay education and medical expenses.	Support a 15 percent reduction in tax rates, a $500-per-child tax credit, a 50 percent cut in the capital gains rate, expansion of I.R.A.'s and lower taxes on Social Security benefits. These are "interim steps toward comprehensive tax reform." The Internal Revenue Service "must be dramatically downsized."

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