INSIDE A BIG TENT

"There was a time when the welfare state made sense. But now, federal handouts just make people lazy. We experimented in the Depression and the '60s. But now it's almost 2000. It's time to come home," she said.

While many Southerners call themselves "yellow dog Democrats," meaning they would sooner vote for a yellow dog than any Republican, the region has gradually swung behind the GOP in presidential elections.

"We were just quiet, and we let some radicals take over in the '70s and '80s," said 33-year-old delegate Sara Bailey King, a special education teacher in east Texas. "Eighty percent of us call ourselves Democrats because we're working people who want to keep the safety."

Southerners and other moderates soundly rejected past Democratic presidential candidates like George S. McGovern, Walter F. Mondale and Michael S. Dukakis, who were perceived as extreme leftists on economic and social issues.

AFL-CIO President John McSweeney stood with Clinton during the Democratic Convention, symbolizing their partnership, which Clinton solidified with a minimum wage hike and additional tax credits for the working poor.

His moderation is more visible on social issues.

Family values are in, and Clinton has used the presidential bully pulpit to wage war against television violence, to call for teen curfews, and to support the use of school uniforms.

King, describing her part of Texas as "church-going, family values country," said Clinton must continue these moves to the center--but in doing so must maintain his distance from Congressional Republicans.

"People in my world want moderation, not rollback. Republicans want to turn back the moral clock to 50 years ago, banning books and all, and that don't sit right," she said.

A Family Man

Despite his commanding lead in the polls, some Democrats privately fear that Clinton may fall prey to familiar, yet potent, attacks on his character.

The hint of scandal has hung over the White House since the first days of the Clinton Administration.

From Whitewater to Paula Jones to Filegate, scandals have seemed to always be part of this administration.

Polls show character is where the "I didn't inhale" president is most vulnerable.

When voters raise questions of character, it's people like Arkansas delegate Sheila Bronfman, 47, a member of the Arkansas Travelers, who try deflecting them.

The Travelers, a group of 400 Arkansas natives, has toured 22 states, spreading the Gospel of Bill.

Bronfman has known Clinton since 1977, when he first ran for governor of Arkansas. Despite personal attacks made by his opponents, friends extol Clinton's moral fiber.

"He's a parent. He takes his daughter to ballet lessons," Bronfman said. "He's the only candidate with an understanding of the day-to-day pressures faced by families."

Clinton is a movie buff, a decent Hearts player and an avid reader. The Rhodes Scholar also has a decent memory, Bronfman said.

"I remember in 1977, we were signing thank you notes after an event," she said. "He came across a note addressed to Christopher."

"He crossed it out and put Chris. Then he wrote a personal note. When he looks you in the eye and seems sincere, it's because he is sincere. Some say he's a compromiser. But sometimes you have to take small steps and take what you can get. That's how you make progress," she said.

Few voters, though, become acquainted with presidential candidates on a personal level. They're influenced by party labels, the mass media and issues critical to their lives.

The rap on the Democrats is that they try to be all things to all people. In the yin-yang of politics, that's nearly impossible, for any proposal engenders some opposition from somebody.

It's been 60 years since a Democratic president was re-elected--proof that it's tough to unite a big tent.

While the Democrats disagree vehemently on certain issues, they left Chicago in agreement that a centrist Clinton is better than a Dole-Gingrich combo.

"On the whole, we are better off than four years ago," Bronfman said. "There might be some areas of dissent, but you've got to focus on the entire package."