President Will Televise Train Trip To Chicago

President Clinton will try to whip up excitement at the Democratic National Convention next week with televised appearances each night from his six-state, four-day train trek to Chicago.

Showing off the powers of incumbency, Clinton also will roll out a series of initiatives dealing with crime, education and the environment in what the White House hopes will be a contrast with the Republicans’ convention in San Diego. A convention goal is to project a “presidential” look.

“In our convention, it’s safe to say, there will be one thing that was lacking from the convention in San Diego,” said spokesman Mike McCurry. “There will be some news.”

The president will fly to West Virginia on Sunday to begin a whistlestop train trip carrying him to Kentucky, Ohio, Michigan, Indiana and Illinois. He will arrive in Chicago on Wednesday evening.

The Democratic convention opens Monday.

While Clinton rides the train, Vice President Al Gore and the president’s wife, Hillary, will spend the week in the convention city, and both plan to address the delegates.

Each day, the convention will see large-screen videos of Clinton on the road, campaign officials said. Some appearances will be live, others will be taped, showing highlights of the president’s day, officials said.