The Morning Line: Aug. 23, 1993

To win the votes of Democrats in Congress who were wavering in their support of his budget plan, President Clinton at the last minute promised them that he would make additional spending cuts in the fall. What are the odds that any major cuts will be made?

PLAYER Sen. Al D’Amato Republican, N.Y.

ODDS 100 to 1

COMMENTS “Bill Clinton hasn’t kept one promise yet. I wouldn’t hold my breath waiting for him to deliver any promised spending cuts.”

PLAYER Hobart Rowen Washington Post

ODDS 30 to 1

COMMENTS “If there were any new substantial cuts to be made, they would have been made in the budget just passed.”

PLAYER Robert Novak Host, Evans & Novak

ODDS 12 1/2 to 1

COMMENTS “Take away the word major. They will be cosmetic and superficial.”

PLAYER Rep. Tim Penny Democrat, Minn.

ODDS even

COMMENTS “We were guaranteed a vote on such measures. There’s no guarantee how that vote will go.”