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Clinton Optimistic on China Vote
U.S. President Clinton expressed optimism Monday about winning a House vote to grant China PNTR, our staff correspondent reported from Washington D.C.
''I'm hopeful,'' the president said. ''We're making progress.'' He made the remark to reporters in the East Room at the conclusion of a ceremony welcoming South African President Thabo Mbeki.
The House vote is expected at midweek. Senate passage is nearly assured.
''It's really been tough to get the votes in on this. But we're doing real well,'' said House Republican Whip Tom DeLay, R-Texas. ''We're moving towards that magic number of 218 votes'' to pass the trade bill, DeLay said on ''Fox News Sunday.''
Secretary of State Madeleine Albright and other supporters of the trade deal were more circumspect. ''I think we're working very hard, and I don't want to say that we do'' have the votes to pass it, Albright said on ABC's ''This Week.''
DeLay, usually one of Clinton's most reliable critics, predicted eventual victory and credited Clinton personally.
''The president's been working very hard,'' DeLay said.
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