Thurmond praises, criticizes Clinton

WASHINGTON, Dec. 1 -- The likely new chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee (Thursday) had both praise and criticism for President Clinton's announcement that he would seek a $25 billion increase in defense spending over the next six years. Sen. Strom Thurmond, R-S.C., called Clinton's announcement 'a step in the right direction,' but said it validates GOP complaints that Clinton cut the Pentagon budget too quickly.