Obstacle Course

By getting snarled in a battle over gays in the military, Clinton has lost valuable momentum. How long will it take him to get back on track?

THE WHITE HOUSE STAFF FILED INTO THE EAST Room last Friday at 5 p.m. for what had been regarded internally as a badly needed "pep rally." Chief of staff Mack McLarty opened with some keep-your-chin-up remarks. Then came some encouraging words from Tipper Gore and a circumspect comment from Hillary Rodham Clinton. "It's just the first week," she said. Al Gore spoke next, making a joke about his dancing ability. The mood grew lighthearted, reminding several in the audience of what one called "the whole campaign bus-tour thing."

But when President Clinton began to speak, the atmosphere changed. Clinton laid into...

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