FREE ESSAY ON CLINTON VS. LAZIO

CLINTON VS. LAZIO

Many of the upcoming November elections this year create much friction and competition
between the candidates. The New York State Senate race between Hillary Clinton and Rick
Lazio has proved to very close and heated. eEach candidate has strong views on issues and
puts up a good debate about each one. Hillary Clinton is the Democrat and Rick Lazio is
the Republican in this election. This is a very close race and the winner will determine
many of New York's views on future issues.
Hillary Clinton, never having a legislative record, has been the First Lady to the
President for 8 years. Clinton has been a resident of New York State for only a few
months previous to the time she began running for office. Clinton is challenged by her
opponent because radio and television ads seem to turn the public against Clinton. This
is an example of Lazio criticizing her because of his negatively directed ads towards
Clinton. Because Clinton has never been involved in a legislature before, she has no
voting record. This could prove to be a disadvantage for Clinton because voters cannot
see what she has previously supported. Hillary has an advantage in the election because
the New York Times endorsed her. Being the most prominent newspaper in New York, this is
a sign of success as the last two politicians endorsed by the NYT have won their
elections. Another disadvantage that Clinton has is that she is not a born New York
citizen. She has been "carpetbagging", or buying property in a state just so she can run
for office in the state. Hillary takes a firm stand on many of the issues facing New York
State and the Congress today. Hillary Clinton's views on abortion are that she supports
the Roe vs. Wade ruling. This act was passed in 1973 when the US Supreme Court legalized
abortion. She would vote to ban late-term abortion, unless the mother or child was
threatened by the birth. Clinton would reject Supreme Court jurors who are opposed to
abortion rights. Hillary also agrees with federal funds spent on abortions at military
hospitals. Hillary acknowledges the competition between her and Lazio by retaliating to a
comment he made by saying, "My opponent [Lazio] is wrong. I have said many times that I
can support a ban on late term abortion including partial-birth abortions, so long as the
health and life of the mother is protected". Clinton states this at a Senate Debate in
Manhattan on October 8, 2000. Another issue that Hillary has brought up is her supporting
of the death penalty, involved with capital punishment. Clinton also consents counsel and
forensics testing for death row defendants. In addition to these issues, Clinton is
opposed to a constitutional amendment banning flag desecration, or the burning of flags.
Hillary supports a number of other issues, including smaller classrooms, and more federal
funds towards the hiring of new teachers and school construction. Clinton supports the
importing of cheaper prescription drugs from Canada and the ability to sue HMO's. Also,
Hillary's tax plan shows an increasing number of tax dollars going towards high-speed
Internet access and high tech research. As stated, Hillary has quite a few views on
certain issues facing the nation.,
Rick Lazio, Clinton's Republican opponent, is putting up a good fight for a NYS Senate
position. As Lazio states in the Republican Convention on May 30, 2000 in Buffalo, "I
begin this race with no illusions. I am the underdog in this race. My opponent is better
financed and better known...but as I've said before: 'bring 'em on'...I have one
advantage she will never have...I am a New Yorker". Lazio opens his campaign here with
brutal honesty about his place in the election. Clinton challenges him with her money and
power, but he overcomes this by equalizing himself to her by stating his state of
residency, New York. Lazio proclaims his advantages by saying, "I have a solid, pro-NY
voting record. I have a legislative record to stand on- unlike my opponent". Lazio's
former legislative record has not strayed far from the issues he is against and supports
in the upcoming election. He steadily remains a Republican through the issues he votes
for and against. As far as the issue of abortion goes, Lazio, like Clinton, supports the
Roe vs. Wade ruling, and bans all late term abortions. He also would vote to restrict
federal funds to abortions. As Lazio remarks in the October 8, 2000 Senate debate, "I had
a pro-choice record in the House...I support a ban on partial-birth abortions". This
passage clearly states Rick Lazio's views on abortion. Capital punishment is an issue
that has caused much debate in government. Lazio's stance on this issue lies with
Clinton's in that he supports the death penalty. Also, Lazio wishes to make it more
challenging for people to appeal state death sentences in federal courts. Lazio is in
favor of a constitutional amendment banning flag burning. Lazio is also in favor of
giving vouchers to children in failing schools, plans a tax cut to revive the economy,
and is for a limit of a twelve-year term in the Senate and the House. Overall, Lazio's
views clash with Clinton's.
Lazio and Clinton both have strong, in-depth views on each issue they are dealing with.
There is not yet an obvious winner in the election, although Clinton is currently ahead
by a few points. Each of these politicians will stand to their respective views of these
topics in the future. Clinton and Lazio both defend their positions on key issues.