NHPrimary.com: Bush promises 'feisty' fightBy Kevin Landrigan
Staff Writer, The Telegraph of Nashua
December 21, 1999
Web posted at: 11:41 a.m. EST (1641 GMT)
HUDSON, New Hampshire -- Texas Gov. George W. Bush said voters in the next six weeks will see key differences between Republican presidential rival John McCain and him on tax cuts, campaign reform and education.
"It's now time to get after it," Bush said in an interview after speaking to a packed gymnasium at Manchester West High School.
"There's a feisty side of me you haven't seen yet."
Bush stressed the dispute will remain over issues and not get as fierce as it already has between Democratic contenders Al Gore and ex-N.J. Sen. Bill Bradley.
"It sounds like it's (the Democratic race) getting a little ugly. I do hope we can, I think we can keep (the Republican race) positive," Bush said.
On Sunday, McCain said Bush would be a capable vice presidential choice if he wins the nomination, but Bush said he won't play a running mate name game.
"I'm not going to insult John McCain that way. He doesn't want me talking that way," Bush said.
"I will treat John McCain with respect; he deserves my respect."
Bush opposes McCain's campaign finance reform bill because it doesn't give union workers enough power to prevent their dues money from being used in political campaigns.
McCain has called Bush's five-year $483 billion tax cut too "aggressive."
On education, aides to Bush said their candidate has a more comprehensive plan and doesn't like McCain,s suggestion of raising pay for teachers.
"There are differences, I haven't started drawing them yet. I intend to do so between January and the Election Day," Bush vowed.
Bush refuted a report in The New York Times that quoted some prominent Republicans as questioning who controls campaigning in New Hampshire, site of the first-in-the-nation primary.
These officials said they worried Bush's inner circle in Austin, Texas, wasn't giving up enough power to those really running the New Hampshire campaign here, led by U.S. Sen. Judd Gregg, R-N.H.
"I think we're on track," Bush said.
"The decisions are the result of all of us working together."
U.S. Rep. Charles Bass, R-N.H., said there's no rift or lack of cooperation.
"I've never seen an operation that was more coordinated, fewer arguments and disagreements between Austin and New Hampshire," Bass said.
Bush Communications Director Karen Hughes said she worked on past presidential campaigns from Texas.
"I know what those campaigns are like that nationally don't listen to what is happening in the home states," Hughes said.
"That's not the case here. We're in touch every day planning everything that goes on here."
Former Attorney General Tom Rath said Bush's team takes the counsel of supporters here.
"I've seen it both ways, top down and bottom up and this one is not being dictated by Austin or anywhere," Rath said.
Bush criticized the challenge that Gore made to Bradley on "Meet the Press," that the two should debate every two weeks and end all TV and radio ads between now and the primary.
"I agree with Senator Bradley, that was a stunt," Bush said.
And Bush took a shot at both Bill Clinton and Gore's reliance on polling during a speech to the Nashua Children's Association at the Tara Hotel in Nashua.
"I don't need polls and focus groups to know what to think. I think the thing about polling where you are going to vacation, polling what you are wearing is not good for America," Bush said.
The sold-out reception sponsored by the New Hampshire Women's Forum was to benefit the Nashua Children's Association.
The event came on the four-month anniversary of the shotgun killing of social worker Mark Rowland on a street in Nashua.
"I wish I knew the law that would make people love one another. I wish I knew the law because I would sign it," Bush said.
Earlier, Bush spoke to a reception at the home of former Republican State Chairman Rhona Charbonneau in Hudson.
Throughout Monday, Bush tried on an emerging theme in his campaign - someone outside the Washington culture is needed to solve tough problems, such as preserving Social Security and Medicare, cutting taxes and strengthening the military.
"If there are problems in Washington and I agree there are, it seems that we ought to have someone outside Washington addressing them," Bush said.
The line works not only to draw a contrast with McCain, but also with Gore and Bradley. The trio have spent at least 15 years each in Congress.
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