THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, February 25, 1995 TAG: 9502250237
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A6 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS
DATELINE: OTTAWA LENGTH: Medium: 56 lines
In a remarkable sign of changing racial politics, President Clinton hinted Friday that he may discard some federal affirmative action programs after a full White House review of the dozens of such programs now in force.
Faced with a rising national debate on affirmative action, Clinton declared that it is time to find out which programs work, because ``we shouldn't be defending things we can't defend.'' The wholesale review will ask, ``Do they work? Are they fair?''
But Clinton insisted that ``it's not true that I'm backing off'' the commitment to affirmative action that has been all but obligatory for top Democratic leaders. In a press conference at the end of a state visit to Canada, he asserted that minority preference programs have helped the disadvantaged.
While he wanted a ``national conversation'' on the topic, he said he was going to ``try to keep this from being a cheap, political, emotional wedge issue.'' Clinton said the review followed conversations over ``months'' about the subject.
Clinton's order for the review came at a time when some allies have been warning Clinton that the the issue may be turning into a weapon that the Republicans can use to divide potential Democratic voters against him.
Even as Clinton has in recent weeks sought to strengthen his appeal to traditionally liberal voters, increasing ferment over this issue has threatened to alienate the white male voters the White House desperately wants to have on its side. Clinton may be particularly vulnerable in vote-rich California, where an initiative to eliminate government preference programs has given special visibility to the issue.
Two possible GOP presidential candidates, Sens. Bob Dole of Kansas and Phil Gramm of Texas, have begun hammering the issue relentlessly.
Clinton told House Democrats this week that he wanted to foil Republicans' efforts through a strategy of defending worthwhile programs, while arguing for modification of those that don't work.
On Friday, as proof of the value of affirmative action, Clinton pointed to the military - a government effort that most Americans probably don't associate with minority preference programs. Clinton said the armed services offered the ``best example of all'' because of the way its egalitarian structure has allowed the disadvantaged to rise.
Rep. Robert Matsui, D-Calif., said that while a ``vast majority'' of House Democrats had agreed with Clinton's move, a smaller number of black and Latino members feared it could mark a ``dangerous throwback'' on civil rights.
But Matsui said Clinton's call for a candid discussion was essential, because ``this has been off limits - you couldn't even talk about abuses.'' by CNB