Assistive Technology Journalist Interviews George Bush, Presidential Candidate

Following is an introduction by journalist John Williams to his June 21 interview with George Bush about the candidate's plans regarding disabled Americans:

It took six months for the Bush for President campaign to deliver. But finally, it happened. On June 15 in Portland, Me., Republican Governor George W. Bush of Texas sat down with me in the offices of Alpha One, a local assistive technology provider, to detail his positions on disability issues. Before the interview, Bush unveiled his "New Freedom Initiative" -- a set of policy proposals that he promised to implement if he is elected President in November.

Here's the surprising part: His initiatives for Americans with disabilities look positively Democratic in their sweep and scope. Bush would provide an additional $880 million over the next five years to fund programs that would provide special education for children with disabilities, computer training for disabled workers, and research-and-development funds for bringing new assistive technology products to market. His proposals go far beyond what Bush's opponent, Vice-President Al Gore, has put forward (see Business Week Online, 1/5/00, [1] "Q& A with Al Gore: Using Technology to Connect the Disabled").

Frankly, I was taken back. Bush and his campaign clearly did a lot of homework in developing these proposals. And in person, Bush was charismatic, down to earth, well-briefed, and determined to put a positive spin on his "compassionate conservatism" philosophy (see accompanying Q& A: [2] "Bush: 'The ADA Is a Good Law'"). He seemed to take relish in breaking ranks with many of his fellow Republicans on everything from enforcing the American with Disabilities Act ("Let me lay out a principle: The ADA must stand") to increased funding for federal special-education programs. [table omitted]

While the national press traveling with Bush seemed perplexed by his detailed prescriptions, my impression was this is one more way for Bush to delineate a "New Republican" message in the same way that Bill Clinton wrote the "New Democrat" blueprint eight years ago. After months of avoiding any discussion of disability issues, Bush was playing offense in the face of hostility from many disablity-rights groups. He was determined to turn a lemon into lemonade.
 

To read the interview and accompanying story online:
[1] http://www.businessweek.com/bwdaily/dnflash/jan2000/nf00105a.htm
[2] http://www.businessweek.com/bwdaily/dnflash/june2000/nf00621d.htm