Democratic Faithful Convene in Chicago

Clinton Rides Campaign Train to Convention

CHICAGO (AllPolitics, Aug. 24) -- Democrats descended on their convention city Saturday as President Clinton prepared to embark on a campaign train ride to Chicago to accept his party's nomination for a second term.

Vice President Al Gore was among the early arrivals, joining delegates and Democratic activists for pre-convention festivities. The convention formally opens Monday.

The president's "21st Century Express" is meant to be reminiscent of his successful cross-country bus tours of four years ago. Aides hope the whistle-stop campaigning will keep attention focused on Clinton at his face-to-face best, rather than what may be a fairly dull convention hall.

At the convention itself, at Chicago's United Center, delegates will see daily snippets of Clinton's trip. He will emphasize themes along the way that will be highlights of his acceptance speech Thursday.

Clinton's trip begins Sunday in Huntington, W.Va., and takes him to Kentucky, Ohio, Michigan and Indiana en route to Illinois.

Crime will be one focus, administration sources said. On Monday, they said Clinton will propose to expand the Brady bill to bar those convicted of domestic violence crimes from buying guns, as well as convicted felons and stalkers.

Clinton targeted crime in his weekly radio address Saturday, announcing the first step in his plans to create a national registry of sex offenders. He said a temporary data base will be up and running in six months.

"Deadly criminals don't stay within state lines, so neither should law enforcement's tools to stop them," he said.

"Study after study tell us that they often repeat the same crimes. That's why we have to stop sex offenders before they commit their next crime, to make our children safe and give their parents peace of mind."

Some Republicans quickly pointed out that they had proposed the federal registry earlier.

Gore was greeted Saturday at a welcoming rally in Chicago's Grant Park with chants of "Four More Years." The slogan was emblazoned on a hot air balloon flying overhead. (153K WAV sound)

"I am confident of victory," Gore said. "The American people are not buying what the other party is offering."

Republican nominee Bob Dole was not to be left out of Chicago's political scene. He was expected to outline a new anti-drug initiative at a GOP picnic Sunday.

At the convention hall Saturday, workers making final preparations checked the sound system and hoisted a half-dozen giant nets filled with red, white and blue balloons to the rafters for the traditional finale.

A handful of demonstrations were scattered across the city, including one where 22 people were arrested after a scuffle that left two police officers with minor injuries.

Police said bricks and other objects were thrown at officers about two miles west of the convention hall, where protesters decried racism and welfare reform.

But elsewhere in the city, most people went about their normal summer weekend business, having barbecues in the park and relaxing in the bright sunshine.

Clinton heads to Chicago after a week packed with visible initiatives. He signed legislation raising the minimum wage, making it easier to obtain and keep health insurance and requiring welfare recipients to work -- all passed by a Republican-controlled Congress

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