(5 of 5)
None of this agitation seems to trouble poultry's millionaires, who include James ("Red") Hudson, the affable 68-year-old chairman of Hudson Foods (1991 sales: $765 million). During an interview, Hudson invited a reporter into his Mercedes for a tour of his country club. "The poultry industry is the greatest example of the free-enterprise system on earth. We should be applauded for our economics," he declared, noting the low price of chicken. Reminded that his state's per capita income is $14,600, he exclaimed, "I'd be shocked if anyone in our company was making that little." But Hudson's own plant in the town of Hope -- where Bill Clinton grew up -- starts laborers at $5.90 an hour, or less than $12,300 a year.
During the campaign, the Republicans have accused Clinton of being biased against business and too partial toward government regulations. But if he wins the presidency on a pledge to create jobs across America the way he did in Arkansas, his real challenge may be to make sure that those jobs are better, safer and more lucrative than the ones he nurtured as a Governor.