Clinton's "In Your Face" Southern Strategy

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (Oct. 24) -- President Bill Clinton's aides say they were always confident Ross Perot would not drop out of the race and endorse Bob Dole.

In fact, they believe the decision to send Dole campaign manager Scott Reed to Dallas to meet with Perot was, in the words of one senior Clinton adviser, "stupid, political malpractice at its worst." Clinton aides insist there's been no similar outreach on their part to Perot.

"Hello, Alabama," Clinton called out to an enthusiastic crowd of 40,000 at Birmingham-Southern College, as he stumped there today. "It is such a beautiful day, and the crowd is so large, maybe Alabama is going to come along with me on that bridge." (160K WAV sound)

For his part, the president is continuing to show his confidence. The latest example is what his aides describe as an "in your face" southern strategy designed to further rattle Dole.

This is his first visit to Alabama since taking office. And the fact that it drew a huge crowd and came only 12 days before the election underscores Clinton's belief that he can score an upset in a state that hasn't voted for a Democratic presidential candidate in two decades.

The other surprise: Democratic candidates for the House and Senate are lining up to appear with him. Two years ago, they were running away from him; now they're joining the bandwagon.

Democratic Senate candidate Roger Bedford enthused: "Mr. President, we are so glad you are here because you are the man from Hope that brought hope to so many average Americans."

The latest polls in Alabama still show the president slightly behind Dole, but analysts say that win or lose, the former southern governor is having an impact on the region's political landscape.

"Virtually all the south is in play," noted Hastings Wyman, editor of The Southern Political Report. "It's the most fought over since the 1860's."

The Clinton team's non-stop offensive continues to bombard the airwaves with yet more negative attacks against Dole.

"You work your whole life and hope for a secure retirement," says a new ad entitled "Safe." "That's why it's so wrong that Dole and Gingrich tried to slash Medicare $270 billion. Dole even voted to make it easier for corporations to raid our pension funds."

The president is still campaigning aggressively but increasingly, behind the scenes, his aides are quietly beginning to plan for a second term.

This story originally appeared on CNN's "Inside Politics."

Clinton's "In Your Face" Southern Strategy

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