Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1992. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
San Francisco Chronicle - Friday, October 30, 1992
Susan Yoachum, Chronicle Political Writer
Clinton's policy address, which was unusual so close to election day, was in contrast to comments made Wednesday by President Bush, in which he stressed the need for "behavior modification" to control the spread of AIDS.
In his half-hour speech, the Arkansas governor appeared to be trying to stress the mainstream nature of AIDS as he spoke of the "many faces of AIDS." He referred only once to homosexual men, saying the disease is "not just one of gay men and IV drug users."
Clinton seemed to be attempting to shatter AIDS stereotypes, in part to educate his national audience and in part to play down the political risks of appearing to champion gay and lesbian rights when he is still trying to woo conservative voters.
He walked the line carefully, giving other health needs, such as women's health issues, special mention. And he stated flatly that he does not think AIDS research financing should come at the expense of diseases such as breast cancer, which kills about 45,000 women annually, ovarian cancer and osteoporosis.
Clinton did not give dollar figures in his speech, and he did not say where he plans to find the money in a federal budget that has a deficit approaching $300 billion a year.
He promised to appoint a single person, a so-called AIDS czar, to oversee all AIDS programs and have direct access to a President Clinton. He also promised to "dust off" the reports of the National AIDS Commission and institute their recommendations, including federal financing for prevention, research and treatment. He also pledged to accelerate research and guarantee that all HIV-positive patients have access to affordable treatment.
Clinton, who made the speech to fulfill a promise he made to AIDS activists months ago, took a political gamble on the timing, but he also elevated AIDS to a high level of concern in the presidential race.
AIDS activists who populated the audience were overjoyed that Clinton would speak out on AIDS, even if specific dollar figures were lacking.
Bush, on the other hand, has been criticized for not moving aggressively enough to combat AIDS -- a charge which he denies.
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