Gop Calls Clinton’s Move Cynical Ploy

Determined not to be outmaneuvered by the White House on one of their core issues, Republicans condemned President Clinton’s welfare reform proposals on Sunday as misguided and riddled with loopholes.

House GOP leaders wrote a letter to Clinton the day after he countered Republican criticism of his welfare stand by endorsing a welfare-to-work program initiated by Wisconsin Republican Gov. Tommy Thompson.

They accused Clinton of a cynical ploy to steal the thunder from Sen. Bob Dole, his presumed opponent this fall, who is to address the welfare issue in Wisconsin on Tuesday.

Newsweek magazine reports in its upcoming issue that Dole is expected to propose mandatory drug testing for welfare recipients.