Assessments of Clinton

Your editorial, “Clintonomics, Drip by Drip” (Feb. 2), doesn’t explain how the President is supposed to gather and process the opinion of the country’s citizens if he produces a fully thought-through plan. The incremental unveiling of parts of the plan allows people to consider its goals and impacts relatively independently. Based on measurements of the general response to these tidbits, President Clinton could, if he chose, determine priorities, and could then make compromise proposals as consistent with people’s desires.

The ultimate plan will not please everybody, no matter what Clinton does. The opportunity for debate that the incremental approach provides may also lead to before-the-fact clarification of the pains and gains in whatever is enacted. It seems an approach worth a try.

KARL G. BALKE

Westlake Village