HEY BIG SPENDER...

Democratic analysts wary of '04 proposals: Fear spending war among candidates, losing an advantage (Ronald Brownstein, 5/26/2003 , Los Angeles Times)

Even with the federal government facing record budget deficits, many of the 2004 Democratic presidential contenders are advancing much larger spending programs than Al Gore was willing to risk as the party's 2000 nominee.

Some Democratic analysts are increasingly concerned that the substantial new proposals may threaten the party's ability to challenge President Bush in next year's election on what could be a major vulnerability: the federal budget's sharp deterioration, from record surplus to massive deficits, under his presidency.

''At some point, the Democrats will be called to task to see if their own programs meet the fiscal test they are holding up for the Bush administration,'' said Elaine Kamarck, senior policy adviser to Gore in 2000. [...]

Health care is only the beginning of the Democrats' spending plans. Without yet providing specifics, Gephardt has also promised a teacher corps, a homeland security trust fund, a new federal effort to rebuild ''crumbling schools,'' and new tax credits to encourage conservation and the use of renewable energy sources.

Kerry has proposed a $50 billion, five-year increase in homeland security spending and a $3-billion-a-year plan to expand Clinton's AmeriCorps national service program. Kerry's website also promises programs to expand access to preschool, reduce class sizes, and subsidize school construction.

Dean hasn't laid out many specific programs beyond his health care plan. But he has promised to increase spending on homeland security, ''provide incentives'' for young people to teach, fund a ''serious investment in our children,'' and increase federal infrastructure spending ''as a last resort'' to stimulate the economy.

Although moving more cautiously on health care, Edwards, Lieberman, and Graham are accumulating other obligations. All have pledged significantly more spending on homeland security.

There's always the Fritz Mondale approach: promise to raise taxes. Posted by Orrin Judd at May 27, 2003 8:34 AM