Convention-Bound Clinton To Push Crime Issues

Train Campaign Tours Midwest

(AllPolitics, Aug. 26) -- As his made-for-television train trip rolled through the Midwest, President Bill Clinton set the tone for the Democratic National Convention opening Monday in Chicago: "Stay on the right track."

"Shall we keep going on the right track or should we turn around?" Clinton asked as he campaigned in West Virginia, Kentucky and Ohio.

At a stop in Columbus, Ohio, aides said, Clinton will propose an expansion of the so-called Brady Law, which requires a five-day waiting period for handgun purchases.

The president's proposal -- to keep guns out of the hands of convicted wife beaters and child abusers -- will be coupled with a renewal of his call for a ban on "cop-killer" bullets, which can penetrate bulletproof vests.

Republicans take a breather

Republican presidential candidate Bob Dole and running mate Jack Kemp plan to take it easy while the Democrats hold their convention, but they don't intend to remain silent. Both men will be taking working vacations in California.

Dole plans policy meetings with economic and other advisers, as well as some public appearances. Kemp says he plans to visit areas of South Central Los Angeles that were wacked by racial rioting in 1992.

Opening speakers

Clinton's focus on crime was designed to tie into the opening session of his party's convention, which features a speech by Sarah Brady, wife of the former White House spokesman who inspired the gun law. James Brady was shot and partially paralyzed during the 1981 assassination attempt on former President Reagan.

Also due to speak at the convention Monday is actor Christopher Reeve, who's paralyzed and confined to a wheelchair because of a horse-riding accident.

Other speakers include Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle, House Minority Leader Dick Gephardt, and Alma Brown, whose husband, Commerce Secretary Ron Brown, was killed earlier this year in a plane crash in Croatia.

'Have to have Ohio'

Clinton plans to announce more initiatives as his campaign train approaches Chicago, including a new plan for reducing illiteracy, an environmental proposal and a plan for finding jobs for poor people most affected by changes coming in welfare programs.

Aides are hoping the proposals will solidify his support in middle America, especially Ohio, which gave Clinton a narrow victory four years ago. Clinton told an audience Sunday night: "We have to have Ohio."

Chelsea with Dad

First lady Hillary Rodham Clinton and Vice President Al Gore were already in Chicago, but 16-year-old Chelsea Clinton was traveling with her father aboard his campaign train dubbed the "21st Century Express."

The four-day ride began Sunday in Hungtinton, West Virginia. On Monday morning, before his crime speech, Clinton jogged and shook hands in suburban Columbus.

After a day of campaign appearances in Ohio, Clinton was due to be in Michigan on Tuesday and Wednesday before moving on to Indiana and finally Chicago, where he is to be nominated Wednesday night for a second term.

Chelsea is not expected to make any speeches on the train trip, and she won't have a formal role at the convention.

The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report.