Bill Clinton

When Lloyd Bentsen agreed to serve as Secretary of the Treasury, it is safe to say I succeeded.

I’m going to work my heart out with these people to construct a strong, long-term plan for economic growth, for jobs, for incomes, and to reduce our national debt.

Bob Rubin has enjoyed a brilliant career at his firm, and has throughout manifested concern for the welfare of all Americans.

Leon Panetta brought a unique combination of strong leadership and superb technical skills.

Our nation faces two deficits, a budget deficit and an investment deficit.

I think that if you go back to the campaign structure that we tried to provide, which really did defy past organizations because it was less hierarchical and more teamwork oriented, that’s what I expect to provide here.

Today, I have asked you here to announce the first members of our economic team.

I think that the clear mandate of this election, by the way, from the American people was an end of politics as usual, an end to the gridlock in Washington, an end to finger-pointing and blame.

I think the American people understand that these problems are of long duration, and there won't be any overnight miracles, but I think they expect aggressive and prompt action, and I'm going to give it to them.

If I catch anybody using the State Department like that when I'm President, you won't have to wait till after the election to see them gone.

My concern here is to do it in a way that is most appropriate for the management of the whole national security and military interests of the country.

I campaigned on a theme of economic hope and creating jobs and increasing income.

I hope that both Senator Gore and I would be able to maintain some greater level of ongoing personal contact with folks than is typically the case.

I don't believe in the gag rule and I think it should be repealed.

I want a secretary of state who understands that we have obligations of continuity and obligations of change.

I am going to move forward on that.

I'm going to do better if we have the courage to change.

I disagree with Mr. Perot that the answer is to put a 50-cent gas tax on the middle class and raise more taxes on the middle class and the working poor than on the wealthy.

I favor strict controls on how much you can spend running for Congress.

I think we can bring it down by 50 percent in 4 years and grow the economy.

We need more police on the street.

I believe experience counts, but it's not everything.

I want to bring that change to the American people, but we must all decide first we have the courage to change for hope and a better tomorrow.

Mr. Bush, for 12 years you've had it your way. You've had your chance, and it didn't work.

When we pull together, America will pull ahead.