Calls Policies Same Ones That Failed : President Fires a Salvo at Gathering Democrats

WASHINGTON — Firing a preemptive shot at Democrats gathering for their national convention in Atlanta, President Reagan said Saturday that the domestic policies that will be at center stage this week are the same ones that “nearly wrecked our economy” during President Jimmy Carter’s term and could do so again if another Democrat wins the presidency.

Reagan, speaking from the Oval Office in his weekly radio address, said the economy will be the central issue in this campaign. Voters must keep the rhetoric “in proper perspective,” he said.

“Before we came to Washington,” he said, “our economy was in a mess” as a result of “taxing, regulating, spending more and more of your dollars. . . . It’s this liberal view that nearly wrecked our economy the last time the Democrats were in charge.”

Cites Economic Growth

By contrast, Reagan said, his own tenure in office has seen economic growth, lower inflation and lower interest rates. He credited the Republican philosophy of “getting the government off your backs and out of your pockets.”

Reagan called on “right-minded” Democratic voters and those who will be watching the convention to be skeptical of the Democratic nominee’s platform and promises.

“Sadly, the leaders in charge of the convention will want to take America back to the failed policies of the past,” he said. “It’s ironic, isn’t it, that just as countries around the world are adopting these same pro-growth policies our Administration put in place, so many in the Democratic Party want to go in the opposite direction.”

Democrats’ Response

In the Democrats’ response to the address, Sen. Tom Harkin of Iowa said his party is “out to repair the damage” done by the Reagan Administration, which he accused of “posturing and pretending” for eight years.

He cited the current investigation of fraud and bribery in the Pentagon contracting process. “Eight years ago, this Administration promised to get government off our backs,” he said. “Instead, they’ve put the government right in the hip pocket of big business and Pentagon consultants. It’s time we put government on the side of ordinary families in this country.”