Clinton To Make Case For Four More Years

President Clinton arrives by rail in Chicago this week to collect his nomination at the Democratic Convention and set the nation’s economic course for another four years - if he’s re-elected.

While the president has successfully avoided a national recession - the kiss of death for an incumbent - he has not always endeared himself to white-collar America.

Business people, who worry that a nothing-to-lose second term president might be tempted to embrace the socialism of the Democratic far left, will be scouring his acceptance speech and the party’s platform for clues to how powerful federal agencies will govern in the future.

The convention begins today, ending Thursday with Clinton’s acceptance speech. The Democratic platform will be presented Tuesday.

Clinton last week offended tobacco interests with a proposal to strictly regulate sales and advertising of cigarettes. And insurance and medical professionals have not forgotten the first lady’s failed attempt to adopt a national health insurance plan early in the first term. Some people are still fuming about Clinton’s 1993 tax hike.

But Clinton also has signed the minimum wage hike bill, welfare reform bill and helped open new export markets, such as Washington apples to Japan.

To counter Republican nominee Bob Dole’s proposed $548 billion tax cut, Clinton is expected to propose expanding the way families can deduct capital gains when they sell their homes and giving subsidies or tax breaks to employers who hire welfare recipients in the inner city.

In other events this week:

Today

Japanese Food Agency representatives visit Idaho wheat shipping facilities and farms.

National Association of Realtors releases July existing home sales.

London financial markets closed for holiday.

Federal trial in Dayton, Ohio, on civil suit filed by residents who claim they’ve been harmed by radioactive emissions from the Mound nuclear weapons plant.

Tuesday

First of four satellite teleconferences on new federal farm programs is broadcast at 8 a.m. on Satcom, C-1, Channel 22 on the C-band, or at local Washington State University Cooperative Extension offices. Call 335-5290.

Spokane Falls chapter of the American Business Women’s Association meets at 5:30 p.m. at Contempo Spokane, 1205 E. Lyons. Call Diana West at 534-1554.

Conference Board releases results of its monthly survey on consumer confidence.

Wednesday

Energy ministers from the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum nations hold multilateral meeting in Sydney, Australia.

Thursday

U.S. Department of Commerce releases second quarter gross domestic product.

Commerce Department releases July new home sales.

Friday

Commerce Department releases June personal income and spending.

Commerce Department releases July factory orders.

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Graphic: Total employment

MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: ON THE SHELF Money, September issue: Money’s 1997 college guide lists the magazine’s picks as the best value for a four-year education. Northwest schools fail to make the top 10, but the University of Washington is No. 17. Business Week, Aug. 26: After a decade of downsizing to boost profits, strategic planning is back in vogue, the magazine’s cover story says.

Getting a head start Growing numbers of smart kids have found a way to beat the soaring costs of higher education. They’re starting college in high school. More than 200,000 students will begin college this fall with academic credits on their records, the College Board says. About 33,000 have enough credit to enter as sophomores, and 750 could enter as juniors.