Do They Mean What They Say?

By Andrew Goldstein

Bush uses such slogans as "Prosperity with a Purpose" and "Compassionate Conservative" to distance his campaign from the hard edge of Bob Dole and the anger of Pat Buchanan. But do his and Cheney's records match the kinder, gentler rhetoric?

THE COMPASSION

CIVIL RIGHTS

It's hard to find a Bush photo shot without minorities in the background. Last month Bush said apologetically to the N.A.A.C.P., "The party of Lincoln has not always carried the mantle of Lincoln."

HEALTH CARE

"Every low-income working family in America must have access to basic health insurance--for themselves and for their children," says Bush. He boasts that Texas was first to let patients sue HMOs.

EDUCATION

It's America's "solemn pledge to educate every child," says Bush. Citing the 51% increase in kids' passing Texas' test during his tenure, Bush says he has the record to start an education "crusade."

ECONOMY

Bush says a goal of his $1.3 trillion tax cut is to "ensure the American dream touches every willing heart...the greatest help for those most in need." And he says he can do it using only 25% of the surplus.

SOCIAL SECURITY

"This President will save Social Security," says Bush about himself. Future payouts will increase, he claims, by letting people invest part of their payroll taxes, so "even low-income workers" can "build wealth."

GAY RIGHTS

In April, Bush became the first presumptive Republican nominee to meet with a group of gay Republicans. He said it made him a "better person." He later added, "I welcome gay Americans into my campaign."

ENVIRONMENT

Bush speaks of "our calling as stewards of the earth" and believes "prosperity is meaningless without a healthy environment." He boasts that Texas is No. 1 in the U.S. in reducing toxic pollution.

GUN CONTROL

Bush points out that he is willing to buck the N.R.A. He supports background checks at gun shows, the ban on automatic weapons and increasing the minimum age for owning a handgun from 18 to 21.

THEIR CONSERVATISM

CIVIL RIGHTS

BUSH He pledges "strong civil rights enforcement" but studiously avoids issues that matter most to minorities--police brutality, racial profiling, affirmative action, the death penalty.

CHENEY In Congress he voted against the Equal Rights Amendment, and he opposed sanctions against South Africa, using federal funds to pay for busing and strengthening fair-housing laws.

HEALTH CARE

BUSH In Texas he opposed expanding the Children's Health Insurance Program. He fought the Patients' Bill of Rights. His federal plan will cover less than half the insurance costs for most poor families.

CHENEY In Congress he voted to cut Medicare spending, and he opposed grants to states to fund insurance for the unemployed. He says he is considering supporting Medicare drug benefits.

EDUCATION

BUSH The Texas test scores are Bush's best claim to results. His federal plan is tough on standards (schools that fail lose funds to vouchers) but limited on resources: only $13.5 billion over five years.

CHENEY His record here is consistent: keep the Feds out of schools. He voted against creating the Department of Education, and he opposed funding student loans, adult education and Head Start.

ECONOMY

BUSH Millions will no longer pay income tax under Bush's plan, but more than 60% of the cut goes to the richest 10% of Americans, only 10% to the poorest 60%. His figures on the plan's costs may be low. CHENEY He defends his record in Congress as an effort to control spending. He voted to contain the costs of social programs but in favor of most weapons systems. He supported a balanced-budget amendment.

SOCIAL SECURITY

BUSH His plan could worsen the system's long-term deficit by diverting funds into private accounts. This could mean either benefits cuts or higher taxes; Bush is hoping high stock yields soften the blow.

CHENEY His record shows a desire to contain the program's costs. He voted to raise the retirement age from 65 to 67 after the year 2000 and to limit the annual cost of living adjustments.

GAY RIGHTS

BUSH While the Log Cabin Republicans credit Bush for "reaching out," he opposes hate-crime laws, gay marriage and gay adoption, and has defended Texas' sodomy statute.

CHENEY In Congress he voted against a federal hate-crimes bill and funding for AIDS counseling and testing, and in favor of cutting AIDS research. He has defended the military's ban on gays.

ENVIRONMENT

BUSH Critical of Washington's history of "mandate, regulate and litigate," Bush says voluntary cleanup may be best. In Texas, one of the most polluted states, he let oil and gas write an antipollution measure.

CHENEY He has opposed funding the Safe Drinking Water Act, the Clean Water Act and the Endangered Species Act. He has supported Wyoming wilderness, but also drilling in the Arctic Wildlife Refuge.

GUN CONTROL

BUSH In Texas, Bush made it legal to carry concealed weapons and illegal for cities to sue gunmakers. He believes tougher enforcement of existing laws is better than increased regulation.

CHENEY In Congress he was a staunch critic of gun laws: he opposed the seven-day waiting period to buy handguns and the bans on "cop-killer" bullets and imports of plastic "terrorist" firearms.

--By Andrew Goldstein