FROM BRONWEN MADDOX IN WASHINGTON
PRESIDENT CLINTON yesterday told Americans that the "United States has an absolutely inescapable obligation to lead" the world out of financial crisis, as he hit the lecture and party circuit in an attempt to repair his image and fill his party's coffers.
His remarks came as he, his wife Hillary, Vice-President Al Gore and his wife Tipper descended on Manhattan.
It was the first time that the quartet, once dubbed the party's "fabulous foursome", had appeared in public together since President Clinton's confession of an adulterous affair with Monica Lewinsky.
Mr Clinton told Americans that "we cannot forever be an oasis of prosperity" during global financial upheaval, "the biggest challenge facing the world in a half century". He warned Congress that it would be failing its "responsibilities" if it failed to give more money to the International Monetary Fund.
In remarks widely seen as an implicit call for lower interest rates, he said that inflation "was a good thing to be preoccupied with" but that battle had been won. A cut in rates could boost the slowing economy, the extraordinary strength of which has underpinned Mr Clinton's popularity.
He called for ministers and central bankers to meet in the next month to come up with urgent responses to the crisis afflicting more than a third of the world economy.
After Mr Clinton's speech at the Council on Foreign Relations, the first stop was a $50,000-a-head fund-raising gathering at the Fifth Avenue home of Denise Rich, a Manhattan socialite and song writer.
Her former husband Marc Rich is one of the world's most successful commodity traders.
Later the Clintons and Gores were set to attend a $10,000-a-plate dinner at The Supper Club, a regular venue for cabaret shows, and patronised for its air of old-fashioned indulgence.
The Clintons and Gores were due to rush through that in order to reach a special performance of the Disney musical The Lion King. Mr Clinton, who has been nicknamed "The Lyin' King" in recent
headlines, was due to make a final speech before heading back to Washington. The fund-raisers are needed to drum up money for Democratic candidates across the country who are running for the Senate and the House of Representatives.
Yesterday, the first working day after the explosive publication of the Starr report, there were signs that the President was making headway in the pitch for Americans' support.
Despite widespread public distaste for the President's behaviour, opinion polls showed his already high approval ratings rising further, with strong resistance to the suggestion that he should go.
The latest Gallup/CNN/USA Today poll showed that 64 per cent thought he was doing a good job, slightly higher than in recent weeks. Crucially for Mr Clinton, Americans do not want him to leave - 66
per cent are opposed to impeachment and 62 per cent to resignation.
His support among women, which has been central to his political rise, appears to be holding strong. |
