This Is No Popularity Contest : Clinton must re-establish an image of courageous leadership

President Clinton wants to be a popular guy, and who can blame him? His job security depends on voters liking him. But governing should not be a popularity contest. Instead of trying to curry favor when he delivers his State of the Union address tonight, Clinton should define his vision for America and then stick to that vision.

Putting money into people’s pockets is one way to win friends. In the battle to gain the fickle allegiance of voters, the new Republican majorities in the House and Senate are offering what they call a middle-class tax cut; so are Clinton and other key Democrats.

Who in America doesn’t want a tax cut? But Clinton should not be just another politician offering a “sound-bite” program. He often complains he is judged differently than other Washington politicians are, and he is--because only he is the President. Thus his desire to win a second term must not be the prime driving force behind his words and his actions. He is the President first, and then a politician. He cannot afford to lose sight of the overwhelming need to reduce the nation’s budget deficit and thus give America a better chance at long-term prosperity.

Early in his term, Clinton wisely put deficit reduction first. Although he was raring to spend money on new and existing programs, he produced a disciplined budget that didn’t sit well with many of his liberal friends. He led with courage. He shouldn’t stop now.

Armed with the veto, Clinton should draw a firm line in key areas. For example, the assault weapons ban must remain sacred and the Brady gun-control bill must remain untouchable.

Welfare reform is a high priority on both sides of the aisle. Clinton supports reasonable reform that would impose a time limit for receiving benefits, encourage personal responsibility and provide the education, training and other support that poor parents need. Those elements are important because the ultimate goal is self-sufficiency--not punishing people for being on welfare. If people are to get off and stay off welfare, they must have skills and jobs. Clinton must remind Congress--and everyone else--of that fact.

In his quest to redefine himself, President Clinton might start with remembering why voters elected him two years ago. It couldn’t hurt. And it just might help.