Byron Dorgan: “I heard a Senator come to the floor of the Senate a while ago and say, ``For this President to claim credit for the good…”

“I heard a Senator come to the floor of the Senate a while ago and say, ``For this President to claim credit for the good news about the economy is like a rooster claiming credit for the sunshine.'' There are some here who are unwilling to give this President credit for anything. I read this, a few moments ago, in Money magazine, who understands. Barron's, Business Week, and Reuters give the President credit. Do you think this President would not have been given the blame for an economy that was faltering and failing? Let me read, if I might, a comment by the Chairman of the Federal Reserve, Alan Greenspan. He said: The deficit reduction in President Clinton's 1993 economic plan was an unquestioned factor in contributing to the improvement in economic activity that occurred thereafter. That is language from an economist. It could be clearer, I suppose. But he said ``unquestioned factor.'' The President's plan is an ``unquestioned factor'' in contributing to the improvement in economic activity that occurred thereafter. Paul Volcker, former Chairman of the Federal Reserve Board, said: The deficit has come down, and I give the Clinton administration and President Clinton himself a lot of credit for that. I think we are seeing some benefits. The Philadelphia Inquirer, in a series they did, said: What the GOP won't admit is that the President also helped the economy grow.…”