The Griffin: volume 55, issue 01 - Sept. 14, 1984

              "The Democratic candidate contends that working Americans would not be hurt by his tax increases. That's a Fairy Tale. His plan would hurt working Americans by raising taxes and stifling economic growth," said Regan as the crowd interrupted him to applaud. Reagan pointed to his administration's economic growth, and attacked Democratic nominee Walter Mondale for his plan to raise the taxes of working class Americans while destroying growth. Speaking on a wooden podium in front of the towers, the president reached a crowd of several thousand supporters who were basically responsive, and supportive during his 20-minute speech. Following a series of introductions by top local and state G.O.R officials and candidates including Sen. Alphonse DAmato and Hamburg Congressman Jack Kemp, Reagan called for "a stronger America that moves forward" and pointed to the Santa Maria Towers as an example of the heart of America being ood, the spirit of America strong, and the future of America great." The president used his four hours spent in the city to court the very vital ethnic vote and reach out to the Democratis and independents who will play a vital role in his possible re-election. Using his traditional themes and re-election rhetoric, the president emphasized the importance of his administration's objectives which included: reducing the growth of spending, lower tax rates, economic and investment opportunities, a strong national defense, and strong anticrime stands. Reagan's visit followed a Buffalo appearance by former South Dakota senator George McGovern on behalf of the Mondale-Ferraro ticket Sunday, and proceeded tonight's visist by Democratic vicepresident nominee Geraldine Ferraro. President Reagan highlighted a week of ongoing campaign activity by both parties in the Buffalo area Wednesday afternoon by dedicating the Santa Maria Towers, a West Side home for the elderly and handicapped, and by speaking before a luncheon with community leaders sponsored by the Federation of Italian American Societies and the St. Stanislaus Community Organization. by Kevin Smith Closing the speech and his trip to Buffalo, Reagan returned to traditional values and said that he would like to build an American Opportunity Society that will give every person a much better chance to pursue the American dream. "We need people in the House who recognize when opportunity knocks We don't need people who knock opportunity." Reagan accused liberals in the House of Representatives for talking about compassion for the needy, but failing to pass the Urban Enterprise Zones. "You have a great congressman here in Jack Kemp," said Reagan. 'Take his and our ideas of opportunity and Urban Enterprise Zones and apply them to the distressed parts of Buffalo. Imagine those parts of your city blooming again." Reagan took time in his speech to praise Hamburg Congressman Jack Kemp for his belief in opportunity and the push to create Urban Enterprise Zones where distressed parts of the city are utilized for special economic opportunity.As evidence of the recovery he pointed to the creation of 6 million jobs in the last 20 months and the incorporation of over 600,000 new businesses. He stated that inflation is a thief while once again reminding the audience that inflation is down. The president made it clear that he is comfortable with the economy as the central campaign issues, as he told the luncheon group that he failed to understand his opponent's plan for raising taxes when the economy is "not only on the right track, but chugging along like a big strong locomotive." Understanding the ethnic makeup of his audience, Reagan occasionally referred to Buffalo being the "City of Good Neighbors" and the fact that the city was settled by waves of immigrants making it a melting pot. Seated at a head table with GOP dignitaries, Bishop Edward D. Head and Buffalo's Mayor James Griffin, the president ate a brief meal amidst a barrage of media photographers, and then spoke briefly, by reiterating some of his earlier comments. Following the official dedication of the Santa Maria Towers, Reagan was whisked across the street to DYouville College as the crowd members who were eligible to enter the school followed the Secret Service down a blocked off street. On both sides of the streets, there were a variety of people carrying anti-Reagan signs, but who were relatively calm. "It says, 'Peace is our Profession'. Well, as far as we're concerned, that's America's message to the world," said Reagan as he contradicted the Democratic argument that he is a war monger who "shoots from the hip." have a military can be symbolized in one sign over the Fairchild Air Force Base in Washington State. The greater audience response to Reagan was in the small confines of the ethnic luncheon at DYouville where the audience was composed of an unusually large number of supporters along with some registered Democrats who support Reagan despite their affiliation.Following his two speeches at the Santa Maria Towers and the a D'Youville College luncheon, the general consensus among those in the audience was shock over the excellent physical and mental fitness of someone who is 74 years old, and the impression that Mr. Reagan is just a friendly, charming man who is a very strong leader, particularly symbolically. President Reagan, who is known for being the "Great Communicator," proved his skills are still in fine tune as he entered a Democratic stronghold on the West Side of Buffalo Wednesday and displayed his wide appeal by working his way into many residents hearts. by Kevin Smith Following the Polish dancing, the ethnic food, and the music, Mr. Reagan took the podium, grinned, and smiled his way into the hearts of many, while at the same time having these people truly believe in the substance of his policies. The major opinion compiled was that most people this reporter spoke with were totally impressed with the presence of Reagan and his strong leadership. Others were people who agreed that Reagan has built up America, and agree with him on many of his social agenda issues. Here is a random sample of opinions some people Great Communicator Image Reaffirmed (Top Left): President Reagan stands in silence with Rep. Jack Kemp (R-Hamburg) for the closing statements after speaking to Polish-Italian luncheon Wednesday. (Top Right): A Chicago Sun-Times reporter breaks away from the pack of congested journalists to gain a moment of solitude while filing his story. (Lower Left): Former Senator George McGovern blasted Reagan's policies during a press conference at Buffalo Airport Sunday. Photos by Kevin Smith and Mani Chiilanbaram is obvious that the president is extremely sincere, and his work is proof of everything, he says. Fred Gioia of Buffalo was truly amazed at how Mr. Reagan looks so good for his age. He felt that Mr. Reagan provided a very positive speech and image, and that he obviously pointed to the final Her friend, Mrs. Dillapo, also of Buffalo, agreed but added that it Mrs. Elsie Pantano, a Buffalo resident, felt that Mr. Reagan was tremendous, and that he is the greatest and most wonderful president that has ever lived. "It was an honor to have him here," she said. expressed immediately following the speech. Speaking on other issues, Mr. McGovern described Reagan's for- "If we get another four years of Ronald Reagan, we'll be at the point where to be an American, you will have to turn in your union card and sign up as a Republican," said the senator. VOLUME LV, NUMBER 1 TUT? /°D JT7T7T1KT IritL LjKlrrlrs "OVER A HALF CENTURY IN PRINT" Srr\in<> Hie ('ollciit- \iul (!ommiiiiil\ Reagan Lures Ethnic Vote in Buffalo Friday, September 14, 1984 To demonstrate what he calls Reagan's ineptitude in dealing with Unions, McGovern said Mr. Reagan praises Solidarity leader Lech Walesa, but tries to bust unions in the United States. McGovern Denounces Reagan eign policy theories as "screwball," and added that he feels the electorate is being wronged when Republican campaign strategists try to paint liberals as bad Americans. "I don't think it makes you a good American to send marines to Lebanon without knowing what you're doing, and wait until 265 of them are slaughtered before you decide that they do not belong there," he said. Mr. McGovern then accused Reagan of catering to the whims of the Pentagon while ignoring the need for social security and medicare for the people of this country. To close his press conference, McGovern appeared to be extremely upset with comments of President Reagan that politics and religion are inseparable. "I was outraged. The American people are essentially religious and we have always believed in the separation of church and state. The Republicans think that God is a right wing Republican, and the rest of us are out in the cold." McGovern will make additional national appearances for the Mondale-Ferraro ticket this fall. I cont'd on page 4) McGovern, who was defeated by Republican candidate Richard Nixon in the 1972 presidential election in the largest electoral landslide ever (520-17), spoke at a press conference at Buffalo International Airport prior to addressing a local labor picnic at an area amusement park. by Kevin Smith Former United States Senator George McGovern, stopped in Buffalo last Sunday to attack the Reagan administration on a variety of issues, particularly for ignoring the plight and needs of labor unions. Reagan then brought the war and peace issue to light and said that "our nation is the most peaceful, lest warlike nation in modern history," and that the reason we The president called his term the greatest era of economic expansion in -40 years, and reminded the audience that inflation is all the way down from 12.4 percent four years ago to 4.1. Relating his arguments to Buffalo, he said, "We must remove the remaining roadblocks to growth and jobs so a city like Buffalo will finally enjoy all the warmth from the sunlight of prosperity."