Bush riles tobacco farmers

Bush riles tobacco farmers

Dismissal of buyouts startles GOP allies, gives Democrats an opening

MARC KAUFMAN

Washington Post


WASHINGTON - A campaign swing comment by President Bush opposing a buyout for hard-pressed tobacco growers has set off a political firestorm in North Carolina and other generally Republican states where relief for the farmers is a potent political issue.

Although many in his party strongly support the tobacco grower buyout, the president said in Ohio earlier this month he did not.

"They've got the quota system in place -- the allotment system -- and I don't think that needs to be changed," Bush said.

The president's comments could be especially damaging in North Carolina, Kentucky and Tennessee, where tobacco growers and the many businesses that depend on them are still a potent political force.

In North Carolina, Erskine Bowles -- the Democratic candidate for Senate and former chief of staff to President Clinton -- has promised that passing a buyout, coupled with Food and Drug Administration regulatory authority over tobacco products, would be one of his top priorities


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http://www.charlotte.com/mld/charlotte/news/politics/8684469.htm

when you piss of the tobaco farmers in NC, KY and TN, yu're this much closer toheaded ack to Crawford :evilgrin: Just magine if, IF John Edwards is selected thee VP slot, he can really hammer * and Unca Dick on this one--2 fake city slickers telling te folks to get by on their own.

"Get over it". There, that should help.

First time in more than fifty years that I have lived here, that have I heard some republicans saying they aren't going to vote republican.This state has been hit hard with unemployment. White Collar feeling the Bush heat.