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Dole paints a different economic picture
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July 13, 1996: 6:50 p.m. ET
GOP says strong data not reflected in attitude of most voters
From Correspondent Kelli Arena
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WASHINGTON (CNNfn) - With the lowest unemployment rate in six years, an economy that's growing and inflation under control, President Clinton's campaign has reason to beam.
So how can Bob Dole campaign against such strong economic statistics? The answer: Call on the spin masters.
"Even as more people were finding jobs last month, a stunning 70 percent of Americans believed the country was heading in the wrong direction. So Bill Clinton faces a serious problem," jabbed Nelson Warfield, Dole's campaign press secretary.
That political punch came after the June jobs report showed more evidence of growing economy. But the statistics don't appear to impress voters.
Political consultants say for Dole to win the presidency, he'll have to successfully tap into the economic anxiety spreading through America.
Kevin Phillips, a GOP consultant, said Dole needs to prove to voters that the Republican economic view differs from Wall Street's preference for limited growth. (337K WAV) or (337 AIFF)
Republicans are starting to put their own spin on the economy, painting a far different picture than the Democrat's.
"Layoffs are up and that very much affects families who are worried about whether or not they are going to keep the job they have now," Suzy DeFrancis of the Republican National Committee said. "Bankruptcies are up. We are going to have a million bankruptcies in America this year. And the income gap between the rich and the poor seems to be getting worse."
And then there's the tax issue. Republicans call it the "Clinton Crunch." Voters are now paying the highest percentage of their income in taxes in more than half a century, and Dole is not likely to let them forget that. 
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