Topic No. 1: Urban Policy : Huge challenge for the presidential candidates

What is President Bush really going to do in response to the Los Angeles riots? Where is he going to boldly lead this nation? Is he going to forcefully persuade the America that knows no hunger, no inequity and no unrest that it is in its interest to help the other America?

Crisis is a true test of leadership. The riots represent the worst domestic crisis in the Administration of a President who does not know his way around the cities. Will Bush and those who would be president rise to this challenge with plans to make this country live up to its promise as one great nation? At least this week there are signals that Bush and the Democrats may be willing to compromise.

In the wake of the Rodney King verdict and its violent aftermath, Bush must be the same man of action that he was in response to the crisis in Kuwait. He--and his challengers--must stop waffling. Waffling may avoid irritating constituencies but surely it also aggravates polarization.

The challenges of how to create jobs, improve education, reform welfare, boost public safety and rebuild the inner cities are the same for Bill Clinton, the likely Democratic presidential nominee, and Ross Perot, who may mount an independent campaign. Clinton has given many speeches on domestic policy that merit more scrutiny as the campaign continues.

But the heat is on Bush, the man who now holds the reins of power. Other candidates need only give speeches; Bush must act to close fissures based on race, ethnicity and class.

These gaps have grown wider since the Watts riots, according to a Los Angeles Times analysis of recent census data, because of a surge of poor immigrants and an economic tide that enriched the elite. To promote urban peace and prosperity, the President must address the issues of poverty and the unique needs of immigrants.

Polls suggest that Americans want leadership in improving race relations; but no polls were needed after the Rodney King verdict to quantify the gaping racial divisions in America.

There is no consensus on how to heal these divisions. The Democrats would spend billions of dollars for public works and jobless benefits and for disaster funds to aid Los Angeles and flood-damaged Chicago.

Bush is expected to articulate his vision before congressional leaders today. That vision must build on the promises he made in Los Angeles to enact urban enterprise zones and increase funding for law enforcement and social programs.

The President must make the case to the American people for rebuilding the cities. He must lead.