[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1996, Book I)]
[February 11, 1996]
[Page 228]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



[[Page 228]]


Exchange With Reporters in West Des Moines, Iowa
February 11, 1996

    The President. Did you see that woman with the button out there that 
said, ``President Clinton and national media, thanks for promoting Iowa 
tourism''? [Laughter]

1996 Election

    Q. President Clinton, everyone keeps asking, why are you out here 
campaigning? You don't really have any opposition in the primary; why 
bother--I mean, in the caucuses here--why bother?
    The President. Well, because we will hold caucuses, the Democrats 
will, and people will come. And I want them to know that I would 
appreciate their support. I want them to know what I am trying to do, 
what I intend to do in the future, and because I want to validate this 
process. I think this is--I want this to work the way it's supposed to. 
I want Americans to believe they make a difference if they go to town 
meetings, if they go to forums for candidates, if they ask questions, if 
they try to make some connections. And also because this is the 
beginning of a long process. I mean, all these--I've come to Iowa a lot 
in the last 5 years, and I expect I'll be here again before November.
    Q. Yesterday Bob Dole said he's the candidate that can beat you; he 
ought to get the nomination. How would you feel about running against 
Bob Dole?
    The President. I want the Republicans to select their nominee. 
That's their job, not mine now. One of the things that I have found 
about this is that no one knows who can beat someone else before the 
actual event occurs. No one knows. It's futile to speculate.
    I think the Republicans will pick the person they believe is the 
best qualified to represent their party, and then we'll have an 
election.
    Q. And there's nobody who you'd rather run against, sir? There's no 
candidate out here who you'd say, ``Yeah, I can beat this one''? 
[Laughter]
    The President. Well, if they wrote me a letter and asked me to 
nominate someone, I'd--[laughter]--I'd be happy to accommodate them. 
But----
    Q. Who would you suggest?
    The President. ----since they're not going to do that, I don't see 
that I should speculate.

Note: The exchange began at 11:17 a.m. at A.K. O'Connor's Restaurant. A 
tape was not available for verification of the content of this exchange.