European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - December 17, 1991, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Page 4 b the stars and stripes tuesday december 17,1991 democrats Heap blame on Bush presidential hopefuls offer economic remedies Washington a six democratic presidential hopefuls sparred Over tax cuts and fiscal policy in the campaigns first nationally televised debate but United to blame president Bush for the anaemic Economy. The 90-minute Campaign curtain Raiser brought few surprises from the candidates on substantive issues but their infighting sharpened distinctions within the Field on taxes Trade and Campaign finance. A George Bush does no to understand Ordinary hard working americans a Iowa sen. Tom Harkin said at the outset of sundays Abc to forum. A the has no concept of what a going on. He a isolated from the american  Domestic policy Wasny to the Only Issue that brought attacks on Bush the democrats also criticized Bush for being too slow to respond to the crumbling of the soviet Union and too close to China a communist leadership. A the let his Friendship with the leaders in China obscure our Devotion to Freedom and democracy when those kids stood up in Tiana men Square a said Arkansas gov. Bill Clinton. Joining Clinton and Harkin were Nebraska sen. Bob Kerrey Virginia gov. L. Douglas Wilder former Massachusetts sen. Paul Tsongas and former California gov. Jerry Brown. All said they supported abortion rights and would appoint judges who shared that View All backed some form of Universal health coverage and All promised a Tough line on Trade particularly with Japan. The candidate who got the most air time a and caused the most confrontations a was Brown who broke the debate ground rules by twice giving his toll free fund raising number. Ironically Brown spent most of the night criticizing his rivals Tor spending too much time raising Money. The big debate of the debate was whether the Middle class should get a tax break. Clinton Wilder and Kerrey said yes while Harkin and Tsongas said no. Brown said sort of a he favors a Cut in the social Security tax that would Benefit All income groups. A i want to restore fairness and use this boost to Consumers to get the Economy going again in the Short run a Clinton said. But Harkin pulled a Dollar Bill from his pocket to disagree saying the tax Cut plans would give $1 a Day to most families. A a it a a Way of saying give me your vote and ill give you $1 a Day a he said. A a that a not going to solve our  Tsongas sided with Harkin and said the Best Way to revive the Economy was with incentives for business to invest in new equip waiting for the Start of sunday s televised debate in Washington Are from left to right six democratic candidates for president Arkansas gov. Bill Clinton former Massachusetts sen. Paul Tsongas Iowa sen. Tom Harkin Nebraska sen. Bob Kerrey former California gov. Jerry Brown and Virginia gov. L Douglas Wilder. Ment and More workers. But Tsongas took Harkin to task a Short time later saying he and Kerrey should Stop accepting contributions from political action committees. With new Hampshire a Kickoff primary two months away the debate offered the Little known candidates a prime Opportunity to introduce themselves. Missing was new York gov. Mario Cuomo who was watching at Home while he decides whether to join the Field. Clinton got a boost even before the debate began winning a Straw poll at Florida a democratic convention. Clinton got 54 percent to harking a 31 percent and Kerrey was a Distant third at 10 percent. The vote has no direct Impact on the states March 10 primary but is viewed As a test of organizational muscle. But Clinton was subdued through most of the debate staying out of Many squabbles. He promoted himself As the Champion of the Middle class and said that As the nations longest serving governor he was Best qualified to be president. Kerrey who has appeared Flat at several recent candidate forums asserted himself sunday recalling his service in Vietnam and promoting his plan for National health insurance. Harkin was in Vintage form comparing Bush to a King George Iii a and saying it was time to revolt against the president As the settlers had rebelled against the British Monarch two centuries ago. Foreign policy is Bush a greatest strength in Public opinion polls but the democrats went after his performance on the world stage. Kerrey disagreed with the decision to go to War with Iraq saying he did not believe americans vital interests were at stake. A when and if i Send Young americans into combat a and in be sent men into combat a there will be no mistake what its for a Kerrey said. A Well be fighting for  Wilder said that once Bush sent american troops into combat he should not have stopped the fighting until Saddam Hussein was out of Power. Court agrees to Settle reapportionment debate Washington a the supreme court on monday agreed to decide whether Congress must change the formula for reallocating House seats among the states after each National census. The justices will review a ruling that the system used since 1941 for apportioning the houses 435 seats violates the constitutionally required a one person one vote principle. That ruling by a three judge Federal court in Montana last october threw into doubt the redrawing of congressional districts now under Way in Manv state Leeis futures. _ the Bush administration asked the High court to assign top priority to the review to minimize the resultant confusion. A decision by the justices is expected by summer. The Case will be argued in february. In other action the court a ruled that military reservists Are entitled to return to their former civilian jobs no matter How Long their absence due to military duty. The justices voting 8-0 in favor of a reservist from Alabama said a Federal Law protecting the Job rights of veterans places no limit on the length of leave for reservists. A said the Federal government May prevent illegal immigrants facing deportation from working. The justices voted 9-0 to revive a regulation struck Down by a lower court. A agreed to decide whether states May impose licensing and training requirements for hazardous waste cleanup Sites where Large cranes and hoists Are used. The justices said they will review a Federal appeals court ruling that said Illinois attempt at such regulation is preempted by a Federal Law the occupational safety and health act. A let stand a ruling one appeals court judge said could be used to condone drug tests for All people who apply for Federal government jobs. The justices without comment turned Down an Appeal by a Man whose refusal to take a drug test resulted in his not being hired As an antitrust lawyer with the Justice department. A ruled that the Bush administration May conceal the names of haitians forced to return to their native land after being denied Refuge in the United states. The 8-0 ruling expanded the governments Power to withhold information sought under the Freedom of information act. In the reapportionment Case Montana sued the department of Commerce and its Bureau of census last Lay a the first time the nations system for allocating House seats had Ever been challenged in court. Montana a had been due to lose one of its two House seats As a result of the 1990 census. The three judge court by a 2-1 vote ruled that Congress must adopt an apportionment system that cuts to a minimum the difference Between numbers of people per representative. A by complacently relying for Over 50 years on an apportionment method which does not even consider absolute population variances Between districts Congress has ignored the goal of equal representation for equal numbers of voters a the lower court said. Administration lawyers urged a reversal arguing that the apportionment system a presents a political question beyond the jurisdiction or any court to resolve. A based on the latest census the Ideal congressional District would have 570,000 voters. If Montana loses one of its House seats it would be left with a statewide District of 800,00qvoters. One of the of fixate allocation formulas Montana officials support would retain Montana a two House seats and assign eight rather than nine seats to Washington state. No other state would be affected