GOP: White House Open to Tobacco Buyout (flip-flop)

[maddezmom]

WASHINGTON - In an election-year switch, the Bush administration is willing to consider multibillion-dollar legislation to end the government's Depression-era tobacco program, congressional Republicans said Thursday. Only last month, President Bush (news - web sites) said he does not believe the current system "needs to be changed."


But Rep. Richard Burr, R-N.C., said in an interview that administration officials had "communicated very clearly" a willingness to consider signing a tobacco buyout bill that satisfies several conditions.


Burr, who is locked in a competitive race for the Senate, said that among those conditions was a requirement that the buyout mark the end of the program and that the cost be limited and offset so the plan does not worsen federal deficits. In addition, he said the administration does not want the measure to give the Food and Drug Administration (news - web sites) the power to regulate the tobacco industry.


Several other House Republicans, speaking on condition of anonymity, also said the White House has made it clear it is willing to consider the legislation as long as its conditions are met. They said administration officials are aware of possible plans to bring the issue to a vote in the House and have pointedly refrained from telling lawmakers the administration opposes a buyout.

~snip~
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=536&ncid=536&e=6&u=/ap/20040603/ap_on_go_co/congress_tobacco

[Bandit]

1. Why do the right-wingers not want the food and drug administration to

oversee such a potent dangerous drug? D'oh they get money from the drug (tobacco) company. They couldn't concern themselves with health risks if they get money from it now could they? How could any thinking person support such sleeze and corruption?

[mom cat]

2. $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ That's why.

[Frodo]

3. Not this time. It's state polling.

The White House is starting to worry about the Senate (where they thought they were going to pick up a 2-4 seats). Now they may only pick up one (and many think there's a good chance they will lose control). The NEED to win NC - a state that they should have every advantage in, but where Bowles is leading.

Burr NEEDS to be able to show he has influence with the White House. That if he is elected, NC's needs will be well represented.