December 3, 1999
Web posted at: 11:29 a.m. EST (1629 GMT)

CONCORD, New Hampshire (NHPrimary.com) -- U.S. Sen. Paul Wellstone, D-Minn., accused Vice President Al Gore’s campaign Thursday of engaging in the "politics of distortion’’ against the health-care plan of Democratic presidential primary rival Bill Bradley.

Wellstone came to the first-primary state to insist this will be the election in which voters reject attack politics and back Bradley, who he said has a more positive message.

"You guys are lucky in New Hampshire. You can light a candle for the people in the whole nation. Say, ‘We reject the politics of distortion. We are absolutely going to reject politicians who distort,’’’ Wellstone said during a news conference with state Sens. Mark Fernald, D-Sharon, and Clifton Below, D-Lebanon, both Bradley supporters.

"People are sick of politics about what you are against. They want a politics about what you are for.’’

Gore New Hampshire press secretary Doug Hattaway said Gore’s criticism of Bradley’s health-care plan is on target because it would eliminate Medicaid and leave those other than the disabled to search for affordable, private insurance with taxpayer subsidies.

"Al Gore is for preserving and strengthening Medicaid and protecting Medicare while making health care more affordable for everyone,’’ Hattaway said.

"The fact is Senator Bradley has proposed eliminating Medicaid and has not devoted a dime to protecting Medicare – distortions my foot.’’

Below scolded Gore’s campaign.

"Democrats should agree to leave negative attacks, distortions and misinformation to the Republicans. Our Democratic candidates have too many good ideas to stoop so low,’’ Below said.

Fernald said Gore’s attack strategy is similar to the "Harry and Louise’’ ads sponsored by the insurance industry that helped kill the Clinton health care plan in 1993.

"In this debate here in New Hampshire in 1999, the Gore campaign has stooped to ‘Harry and Louise’ tactics,’’ he said.

Fernald said Medicaid recipients in wheelchairs were paraded by the Gore campaign with supporting Sens. Sylvia Larsen, D-Concord, and Katie Wheeler, D-Durham.

The event gave the impression that Bradley’s plan would end Medicaid and leave them with no option, Fernald charged.

"This is utter fabrication, and the Gore campaign knows it. The Bradley plan would give Medicaid recipients better coverage and better access to health care. Where Vice President Gore was the victim of ‘Harry and Louise’ tactics in 1993, he should know better than to use them himself,’’ he said.

Clearly, the Thursday event was a payback by the Bradley campaign for the Larsen-Wheeler event, which echoed charges Gore has made against the Bradley health care plan.

But Hattaway said many citizens are worried that the Bradley alternative to Medicaid won’t be as good a safety net.

"It’s surprising Senator Wellstone supports a plan that eliminates Medicaid since he’s a passionate advocate of poor people in America,’’ Hattaway said.

Below said Gore wants to avoid direct comparisons between the two plans because Bradley’s is better.

"Distortion and misinformation will never change the major differences between Bill Bradley and Al Gore. Bradley guarantees health coverage for all children. Gore does not. Bradley guarantees choice and access to all adults for quality and affordable health care. Gore does not. Bradley guarantees that people can transport their health care from job to job. Gore does not,’’ Below said.

During an interview, Wellstone also refuted the Gore campaign criticism that Bradley is too close with the major pharmaceutical companies given his 18 years representing a state where many have corporate headquarters.

Wellstone said Bradley’s plan is better because it does not contain a cap on reimbursement as Gore’s plan does.

"If I thought that was the case, I certainly would not be supporting Bradley,’’ Wellstone said. "This (pharmaceutical) is an industry I have no use for. They despise me.’’

Wellstone is championing legislation that would permit pharmacists to charge in the United States the same low price for drugs residents of New Hampshire, Minnesota and other states are getting across the border in Canada.

"The drug companies are dead set against it,’’ he said.

The senior Minnesota Democrat and former college professor seriously explored his own White House run in 2000. But he decided against it due mainly to a ruptured disc in his back, which would have made it difficult for him to campaign across the country.

"I’m really passionate in my support for Bill Bradley. He is always going to stay with what he believes in, but I think also having gone from the Senate had a positive impact on him,’’ Wellstone said.

Today, Wellstone is expected to hold a news conference to welcome past Gore supporters to the Bradley campaign.

Gore is expected to return to the state Saturday to receive the public endorsement of Gov. Jeanne Shaheen and then meet Sunday with a small group of voters about family issues in Milford.

Friday, December 3, 1999

• Forbes raises questions about Bush's past; Texas governor calls for 'clean' campaign
• Appeals court judge questions court assignment rule
• Clinton raises money for outgoing Philadelphia mayor
• Analysis: The GOP debate
• Quick takes from the GOP candidates' forum
• Sen. Wellstone, two NH state senators scold Gore for 'distortion'
• Democrats make sport of Republicans before cameras start rolling
• Gore continues focus on Bradley
• Hillary Clinton names campaign manager

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