OCR Text |
Show Amercans doubt Quayle's competency if he were president (ACINUSA) WASHINGTON Almost two-thirds of Americans are uncomfortable with the idea that Vice President Dan Quayle could one day assume the presidency, but both of Mississippi's senators said they're confident Quayle could do the job. Reflecting on a week of renewed questions about Quayle's competency in the wake of President Bush's recent heart troubles, Sens. Thad Cochran and Trent Lort, both Republicans, said they believe Quayle is far more competent than the American public realizes. On Friday, a New York Times-CBS News Poll showed 54 percent of those surveyed think Bush should drop Quayle from the ticket next year something Bush this week said he will not do. Among Republicans only, 47 percent said Quayle should go and 42 percent said the president should keep him. Asked if they were concerned about prospects of Quayle ever ascending to the presidency, 62 percent of those surveyed said "yes." only 30 percent said Quayle would be qualified for the job. Lott and Cochran, however, were supportive. "The guy didn't just arrive on the scene. He was an active senator. He did a good job," said Lott. "And when asked the point blank question, 'Is he prepared to be president?' there's no doubt in my mind that he is." "He is totally honest. He is totally hard-working and conscientious," said Cochran. "He has plenty of ability and intelligence." The New York Times-CBS News poll was taken Tuesday and Wednesday after Bush was hospitalized the previous weekend. Doctors have since determined that Bush has a malfunction of the thyroid gland. Although the president's health is considered good, the situation sparked renewed comments about the man who would replace Bush in the event of death or a debilitating illness. Quayle was a first-term senator from Indiana when Bush tapped him as his running mate three years ago immediately fueling speculation that Quayle was a lightweight who was picked over better-known Republicans because he would never outshine the president. Today, as vice president, he heads the National Space Council. Neither of the senators believe the public ratings of Quayle will affect Bush's chances of re-election next year. "I don't think it is important right now," Cochran said. "It is important only in the context of whether or not it affects the public's willingness to vote for Bush." He said it would be a mistake for Democrats to try to make that an issue in next year's campaign. Two Gallup polls released this week show the president's public approval rating is about 81 percent. Lott said he called Quayle on Monday to encourage him "just to hang in there, not let it get to him." Lott said he believes the attacks on Quayle are "unfair and completely unfounded," but agreed Quayle needs to find some niche that allows him to prove himself to the public. "Dan has got, in some way or another, to find a crest of a wave on some issue that he can ride. He needs that," Lott said. Cochran said Quayle suffers from "a technique problem," an awkwardness in the way he handles himself publicly. "The problem is not so much in his ability or innate intelligence or anything like that as it is the manner in which he expresses himself the way he appears to be unsure of himself and seems to be nervous a lot before a camera or a group," Cochran said. "That's just a fact. He does seem to be uneasy, unsure of himself. And so he creates this impres sion of someone who is not really competent, not really confident about his own abilities. That's unsettling to the American people. They don't want a leader who is that way." Unlike Lott, Cochran doesn't think an issue or new responsibility will help Quayle. "I don't think there is any kind of job that he can be given by the president that's going to solve the problem. He's still going to look the way he looks and act the way he acts until he changes that," Cochran said. Cochran does, however, believe the administration was wrong to put Quayle in charge of the Space Council. "I personally think the decision of getting him involved in the space program was a bad one. It just adds to the suggestion that he's just out of touch in some way or other, out in the ionosphere," Cochran said. By SUSAN TRAYLOR U.S. CHANGES REFUGEE POSITION: U.S. military officials admitted Sunday they are growing impatient with Kurdish demands for protection across northern Iraq. "The Kurds are going to have to be more realistic: Either go somewhere else or settle in a place they may not feel secure," said Marine Maj. Gen. Jay Garner. His warning reflected the apparent change in the position of the USA ; toward refugees. BUSH, GORBACHEV SUMMIT DISCUSSED: President Bush and Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev "definitely" will hold a summit this summer and the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty will be ready for them to sign, said Gorbachev aide Sergei Grigoriev on ABC-TV's 'This Week with David Brinkley." The White House has been reluctant to reschedule the summit until the treaty is ready. USA RECONSIDERS AFGHAN AID: The Bush administration is unsure whether to : continue covert U.S. aid to Afghan rebels in the next fiscal year, said deputy White House press secretary Judy Smith. The New York Times suggested Sunday that the omission from the '92 budget plan may be part of a larger strategy to get Moscow to agree to a timetable for cutting off its aid to the Afghanistan government. CIVIL WAR FOR THE ARMENIANS: The scene along the border of the southern Soviet republics of Armenia and Azerbaijan appears idyllic. Armenians have been fighting the mostly Muslim Azerbaijanis for centuries. Their conflict has begun again over disputed territory. ZULUS RAMPAGE ONCE AGAIN: About 1 ,000 Zulus armed with spears and clubs rampaged through a squatter camp at dawn Sunday, hacking and burning to death at least 27 people. The attack in the black township of Kagiso outside Johannesburg came at a time when the government and the African National Congress are deadlocked over how to stop growing violence in the townships. MANDELA DECISION EXPECTED SOON: The judge who heard the three-month trial of Winnie Mandela on kidnapping and assault s charges is expected to begin delivering his decision Monday. Mandela, wife of African National Congress leader Nelson Mandela, and two others are each charged with eight counts in the 1988 abduction of four youths. mm J t t-1 mm 7 he Grand Canyon of Yellowttont YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK AND JACKSON HOLE WYOMING GEOGRAPHY EXPEDITION TUNE 12-16, 1991 Spend four days and five nights enjoying the natural beauty of Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks. Karri two hours of Weber Slate University (k'ngruphy credit. Lcam from an cxjx-Tl and former Ranger of Yellowstone National Park. Spend two nights camping and two nights in hotels. You have never fuitl this much fun going to school! ACTIVITIES i lorsenack riding Swim at Lava Hot Springs White water raft trip Jackson Alpine Slide Shop in Jackson Hole See Wildlife such as Buffalo, Elk, and Moose Enjoy the natural wonders of Yellowstone and Teton National Parks Explore Old Faithful Geyser Basin PRICES The price of the trip is S375 which includes: All transportation All lodging n ilcls, tcnu provided. sie,wig bags available, S4 dry cleaning fee required for sleeping bags) All meals Entry Fees lo Parks and all activities including rafl trip and horseback riding Instruction from WSU Professor OTHER INFORMATION Instructor: Dr. Don Murphy, WSU Geography Professor Sponsored by Weber Stale University Continuing Education International Programs Minimum course sie: 15 participants Application Deadline is May 25, 1991 Return application and fee lo: Weber State University, Continuing Education, Intcrnalional Programs, Ogdcn.lft'8440R-401Q. If you have any questions, please contact John Dullimorc at 626-7320. FUTURE PROGRAMS Southern Utah, Southern California Adventure. August 23 - September 2. 1991 (3 hrs. Geography Credit) Eastern United States Tour including New York City and Washington. D.C.. Deccmler 12-20. 1991 (3 hrs. History Credit) Fn koc kaphy exi'kijition-I APPLICATION i I Name ,SS , I City. .Zip . Phone Check enclosed for S375 Geography credit desired 393-5933 or 476-0452 Rental Space Available: Two full-size dance studios Rooms for music & drama instruction Conference rooms & kitchen Great for clubs, meetings & special events J XU lb Cheeseburger MI AL OFF Va lb Cheeseburger Large Fries Large Soft Drink n n u Limit 1 1 ill . Please present th.s coupon before ordering One coupon per customer, per visit, please Customer must pay any sales tax due. Coupon not good in combination with any other offers Cash Value 1100 of 1e Offer good at participating Hardee, Restauranls after regular breakfast hours. |