61833    President Clinton was elected to take office under the banner of "change."

61834    The US economy has recovered during the past two years and the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) has been running smoothly.

61835    His efforts in reducing the fiscal deficit can be highly praised.

61836    Despite this, why has his national approval rating not gone up?

61837    The people's disgust towards the endless scandals and bungled foreign policies has been cited as the reason.

61838    Additionally, the welfare reform that had been formally promised was pushed into a situation where it has become difficult to realize.

61839    The American people say that they do not feel their income has actually increased.

61840    However, American public opinion is extremely fickle, as seen in the plunging popularity of President Bush, who once boasted an overwhelming approval rating thanks to the Gulf War.

61841    Therefore, if President Clinton can make the income growth be felt by the American people and demonstrate diplomatic skills, it is still possible for him to recover his popularity.

61842    "The fall of the Liberal Democratic Party from power was the result of continuing corruption scandals and its arrogance, and the first prerequisite for them to return to power is to have the public accept the fact that 'the LDP is remorseful.'"

61843    In September of the year before last, the 38-year "one-party rule" ended and, at the extraordinary party convention assembled immediately after becoming the opposition, Yohei Kono, the party president, made a point of reinforcing the party's "self-purification" capability in addition to making a pledge to start all over again from scratch.

61844    For Mr. Kono, who was not a factional leader, to be made the leader as the banner man of the party revitalization gave a true account of the sense of crisis within the LDP, and numerous issues to be discussed concerning party reform such as the review of the fundamental direction of the party, the strengthening of self-purification capability, the elimination of factions, and whether or not to adopt a mandatory retirement system, were brought up at the convention.

61845    One year and five months have passed since then.

61846    During this period, the LDP has returned to power after only 10 months of being the opposition party and is currently supporting the Murayama administration as a ruling coalition.

61847    That LDP will hold the annual party convention on the 19th of this month.