George H.W. Bush: “I don't want to compromise. I want them to pass this, and then we'll get into a negotiation on this big baby here. And…”

“I don't want to compromise. I want them to pass this, and then we'll get into a negotiation on this big baby here. And there's a lot of things in there that are very important. I'm all for the provision on the child care credit, for example. But what I think is most important to the country now is to stimulate the economy where it will begin to move forward on jobs. This will restore confidence. One of the problems we've had in this economy is the lack of confidence. And a couple of guys standing over here near this truck said, ``Well, I'm beginning to get a little better feel for it. This will give it a boost.'' And I really think that's the approach we ought to take. Get this done, and then let's have the debate wherever it may be, on taxing the rich or taxing somebody else. Marlin predicted yesterday to you all, they're going to come out with a tax increase. It was 12 hours later that I read in the paper a great big bill that was going to do just exactly that. And so, I'm just going to keep urging and trying to get the support of the American people to go for this stimulative package. I really think that's what's needed.”