Path: bloom-picayune.mit.edu!snorkelwacker.mit.edu!americast.com!americast.com!americast-post Newsgroups: americast.twt.news From: americast-post@AmeriCast.Com Organization: American Cybercasting Approved: americast-post@AmeriCast.com Subject: Clinton upbeat on Congress but frets over deficit Date: Sat, 21 Nov 92 17:35:41 EST Message-ID: \SE A;NATION \HD Clinton upbeat on Congress but frets over deficit \BY Ronald A. Taylor \CR THE WASHINGTON TIMES \DT LITTLE ROCK LITTLE ROCK - President-elect Bill Clinton returned here buoyed at the prospect of a cooperative Congress but still nagged by the possibility of an increased deficit. "There was a general agreement in principle that we had to have a program that addressed economic stimulus and job creation and long-term deficit reduction," Clinton communications director George Stephanopoulos said yesterday. But he would not rule out the prospect that government-induced efforts to create jobs could result in a short-term increase in the $300 billion budget deficit. "OK, I'm not ruling it out," Mr. Stephanopoulos said under repeated questioning about the possible impact of what are sure to be the first actions of the Clinton administration. But, he said, "There can be some job creation which does not necessarily call for an increase in the deficit." The most likely actions to create jobs and stimulate the economy are accelerating spending from the federal highway trust fund. "I just can't say yet whether or not there will be any short-term increase in the deficit made up in the long term," Mr. Stephanopoulos said. Deficit problems aside, Mr. Clinton's maiden trip to Washington as president-elect offered a preview of his honeymoon with Congress. "What he was most encouraged by in the wide range of meetings was the general consensus on an approach to the economy and also the extreme willingness on the part of members of Congress from both parties to really get to work and to get something done," Mr. Stephanopoulos said. "That was really the most gratifying thing to come out of the last two days." During his two-day Washington visit, Mr. Clinton also set in motion efforts to avoid the potential legislative and administrative land mines by talking to former Washington insiders. Yesterday, transition board chairman Vernon Jordan met with key members of the administrations of Presidents Kennedy, Johnson and Carter for what Clinton officials called "historical perspective and advice on White House organization." The group included former Carter spokesman Jody Powell and Health Education and Welfare Secretary Joseph A. Califano, former Kennedy speechwriter Theodore Sorenson and former Johnson aide Jack Valenti. Mr. Jordan plans to hold a similar meeting with top officials from Republican administrations. All this is part of an effort by the president-elect and his aides to build on the good will that greeted him from both sides of the aisle in Congress. Mr. Stephanopoulos said there will be "continuous consultation with the Congress about all of our legislative proposals and make sure that things don't end up dead on arrival when they arrive on Capitol Hill." After returning home, Mr. Clinton resumed work on selecting key members of his administration and crafting strategies for implementing his program. He plans to take a vacation during the Thanksgiving holiday. Mr. Stephanopoulos said details of where the president-elect will travel and for how long have not been set yet. After the vacation, the pace of transition is expected to hit high gear, he said. The first Cabinet appointments are expected immediately after the Clintons return from their vacation. At the same time, policy position and strategies will have been set. "Governor Clinton hopes to have some policy option papers delivered to him by the middle of December on a variety of subjects most importantly his economic program," Mr. Stephanopoulos added. This article is copyright 1992 The Washington Times. Redistribution to other sites is not permitted except by arrangement with American Cybercasting Corporation. For more information, send-email to usa@AmeriCast.COM