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Political Insider Live
With Charles Babington
Staff Writer and Chief Political Correspondent for washingtonpost.com
Friday, May 4, 2001; 1 p.m. EDT
Ken Mehlman, political director at the White House, will be this week's special guest on Political Insider Live with Charles Babington.
Babington is a Washington Post staff writer and chief political
correspondent for washingtonpost.com. Babington writes Political Insider, one of washingtonpost.com's Online Extras and is live online with the inside scoop on Washington politics, Fridays at 1 p.m. EDT.
The transcript follows.
Editor's Note: Washingtonpost.com moderators retain editorial control over Live
Online discussions and choose the most relevant questions for guests and hosts;
guests and hosts can decline to answer questions.
Charles Babington:
Welcome all. My guest today is Ken Mehlman, political director for the White House. Ken, thanks for joining us. We're ready when you are.
Annandale, Va. 22003:
I think the best move we can do is to dump all Democratic senators. They are not only so obsessed with blocking every issue Bush has made, but make sure every issue fails. Well, they are dead wrong because no matter what they do this president will succeed. I predict we will lose a lot of Democratic senators in the next election, what do you think?
Ken Mehlman: President Bush does not look at problems in Democrat or Republican terms. He listens and then develops solutions based on principles that help everyone. As Texas Governor, he worked closely with Democrats who shared his commitment to improving education, reducing taxes, fighting crime, and reforming welfare. And by the end of his first term, Governor Bush was endorsed for re-election by the top Democrat in the state.
Now as President, he's working to change the tone in Washington. Already, 15 Democratic Senators supported the President's commitment to real, meaningful tax relief. He's brought Democrats and Republicans together on education. And his Social Security commission is chaired by Senator Moynihan, a lifelong Democrat.
Alexandria, VA:
During the campaign, candidate George W. Bush proposed a tax cut based on tax surpluses from a booming economy. Now President Bush insists that tax cut will fuel economic recovery. In your opinion, can a tax cut make any difference now? Or will it seem too little, too late for those making less that six-figure incomes -- while estate tax reform and other perks widens the gap between rich and poor?
Ken Mehlman: A tax cut can make a big difference, and President Bush's tax relief plan will improve the economy. Cutting taxes puts more money into consumer's hands so they buy more products and services, which creates jobs. Cutting taxes also promotes investment, leading to innovation and a better living standard.
President Bush's tax cut is aimed at middle class Americans, and those trying to enter the middle class. Today the waitress who earns $22,000 pays taxes at a higher marginal rate on each dollar she earns than a corporate lawyer who earns $250,000 per year. That's not fair and President Bush will change this.
Americans pay too much in taxes. That's why after meeting key priorities, and paying down debt, President Bush provides all Americans who pay income taxes with a tax cut.
Bethesda, MD:
How did you meet the president, and come to work for him?
Ken Mehlman: I first met the President through a mutual friend when he was running for Governor in 1994. Like many Americans, I followed his campaign and his career. A few years later,I came to work on Capitol Hill for Texas Congresswoman Kay Granger. In this position, I got to see firsthand his successful and strong leadership and got to know some of his staff. So I was honored to be hired in May of 1999 as one of his Regional Political Directors.
Charles Babington:
Ken, What exactly do you do as WH political director? Do you deal a lot with the Republican Party and its various arms for House, Senate, gubernatorial races, etc.? Also, Karl Rove gets a lot of notice as a political adviser to President Bush. How do your duties differ from Rove's? Thanks
Ken Mehlman: As White House Political Director, I help to educate the public about the President's agenda, and look after his political interests in the states. I work closely with the Republican National Committee, and also with our leaders in Congress and at the state and local level. Karl Rove is my boss, and is a great guy to work for.
Springfield, Va.:
I think the President is going the wrong way with many things. I am no tree hugging hippie, but I do feel we should put a little consideration into our environment. We should at least try to look after it, instead of just saying that we have an energy crisis and disregarding nature. I know both the president and the VP made money from oil, and you don't have to be a rocket scientist to put one and one together. So my question is, Ken, how much damage will they cause in this term of office to our country?
Ken Mehlman: Your question assumes that protecting the environment and providing energy conflict. In fact, with strong and creative leadership, we can do both. President Bush will promote new technologies so that we can increase energy supply while also encouraging conservation.
As for his environmental record so far, President Bush is an outdoorsman, and his budget reflects this. He provides historic funding for state and local conservation efforts, including the Land and Water Conservation Fund. President Bush imposed tough new regulations on diesel trucks. He provided funding to restore and maintain federal parks. And he's the first President--ever--to propose mandatory reductions of harmful pollutants from power plants.
Arlington, VA:
My question is about the President's judicial appointments and the apparent battle in the Senate, specifically about the potential veto power of a senator from an appointees home state. Democrats contend that this was standard Republican practice during the Clinton years. Does the Ashcroft-Judge Ronnie White issue refute this claim?
Ken Mehlman: When he appoints judges, President Bush will nominate fair-minded men and women of personal character and integrity who share his philosophy: that judges should interpret laws, not legislate from the bench. Given this standard for selecting judges, we are confident that all U.S. Senators will review our nominees fairly and objectively.
Brookline, MA:
Funny you bring up Bush's approach as governor of Texas. Care to comment on the current state of affairs in Texas as they relate to state finances, education and insurance for the elderly and indigent.
Can we expect the same performance at the federal level?
Ken Mehlman: President Bush is proud of his record as Texas Governor. His proudest accomplishment was in improving education. Under George W. Bush's leadership, Democrats and Republicans came together to overhaul education to improve accountability and insist on high standards. The result: Texas led the nation in improving test scores for reading, math and science for minorities. In addition, Governor Bush left the state of Texas in strong financial health, including a $5.2 billion surplus. This includes $2.9 budget surplus from the last budget enacted under Governor Bush.
New York, NY:
From today's Times:
'Mr. Clinton's associates said the former president also bridled at Mr. Bush's call to change the tone of Washington. They said Mr. Clinton said that, of course, the tone would change now that Republicans in Congress were no longer going after the president with subpoenas.
"It's easy when your party's in power," Mr. Clinton was quoted as saying.'
I don't expect you to answer this question. But don't you agree Mr. Clinton have a great point? The other day, Mr. Armey called Democrats ungracious for not showing up in the photo-op lunch and he forgot that he's the man called Mr. Clinton "Your President" and Mr. Barney Frank "Barney Fag". Almost all the venom came from the Republican side. Remember Bob Dornan, the Republican psycho? or Newt Gingrich, the bomb thrower?
Your man is really good at taking credit. He took credit for a Medicare Bill he refused to sign and he took credit for Brownsfield he knew nothing for. Now he's taking credit for changing tones in DC, give me a break!
Ken Mehlman: President Bush believes that it's time to look forward, not back. He is changing the tone in Washington by meeting with more members of the opposite party than any President in history, by being the first President to attend the opposing party's retreat, and by sharing credit for accomplishment while taking responsibility.
And the result is more bipartisanship: 15 Democrats in the Senate voted for the President's budget. His propsals on education, Social Security, Medicare, and faith and community-based organizations have been introduced by both Democrats and Republican co-sponsors.
boston, ma:
What do you see as the unifying principle among northeastern republicans like Jeffords, Chaffee, Pataki, and Weld, and southern and western republicans like Hatch, Delay, Jeb Bush, etc ... Please don't say something like, "well, they're all for helping people," because I doubt non-republicans are against that.
Ken Mehlman: Our unifying principle is our common belief in limited, but effective government. We all believe in lower taxes and balanced budgets; in improving education by emphasizing accountability and insisting on results; in a strong national defense; in empowering people with more control-- over their retirement, their health care, their pensions and over decisions made in their communities.
Charles Babington:
That's all we have time for today. Thanks to Ken Mehlman, and thanks to all who wrote in.
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