Clinton Blasts Republicans as Obstructionists : Politics: The President says GOP’s tactics threaten the government’s business. He makes a pitch for his five-year economic plan.

President Clinton condemned congressional Republicans Monday for obstructionist tactics that he said threaten to halt the government’s business on a variety of fronts.

“I mean, you know, this gridlock thing is amazing,” Clinton told an audience of about 500 at a “Workplace of the Future” seminar organized by the Labor Department and private foundations.

He said Congress should not hinder his five-year economic plan, which may come up for a vote as soon as the end of next week. “Hanging out there, debating it, dragging it out for weeks and weeks will only make it worse,” he said. “There comes a time when delay to get a slightly better decision is worse than action to get a pretty good decision.”

Aides said later that the President’s remarks, while directed primarily at Republicans, were also aimed at congressional Democrats who opposed his budget.

The President’s comments are part of an Administration effort to frame the budget debate on its terms: a contest between the advocates of change and those who would block progress.

Since the budget fight began six months ago, the Republicans have often succeeded in painting the contest as a battle of taxers versus tax opponents. But as House and Senate conferees negotiate a final agreement, the Administration has stepped up action to generate political support.

Later, in remarks to reporters, Clinton said that the reason many Americans appear to be opposed to his budget plan is because it involves difficult decisions.

“The truth is this country’s out of control financially,” he said.

Clinton’s speech was interrupted once when a heckler denounced the President’s claim that the Republicans are to blame for the government’s inactivity.

“The Democrats have controlled Congress,” said the heckler, conservative activist William J. Kelly of Chicago.

Clinton, after scolding Kelly for a lack of “civility,” asserted that the Democrats do not control Congress “when 41 Republicans want to vote to keep anything from being voted on in the Senate.” Senate rules require 60 votes to cut off debate.

Clinton also complained that Republicans have tried to stall the confirmation of surgeon general nominee Joycelyn Elders, who has been criticized by conservatives for outspoken stands on abortion rights and sex education. He also charged that the GOP has blocked his national service legislation and Midwestern flood aid.

Clinton also cited the Republican filibuster against the Administration’s national service legislation, which would set up a volunteer corps of young people and help them defray college expenses through grants and loans. He said that the Administration has “worked our hearts out” and has been joined by some Republicans as sponsors of the legislation.

“They want to delay it,” Clinton said of the Republicans. “Why? Why shouldn’t we send a signal to America’s young people that we want you to work in your community to make it a better place?”

Clinton attacked his opponents as well for their effort last week in Congress to delay the Administration’s $3-billion emergency aid program for the flood-stricken Midwest. He said that there is “ample precedent” for such aid.

“Here are these people out here up to their ears in tragedy, wondering when Congress is going to get around to passing the flood relief,” he said.

The workplace seminar was organized to promote the Administration’s views on the need for better worker training and labor-management collaboration to increase the nation’s competitive position.

In an interview later with reporters from Indiana, Clinton said only one election this year--a special election for the California congressional seat of Leon E. Panetta, director of the White House Office of Management and Budget--could be considered a referendum on his performance in office.

In that election, Democratic candidate Sam Farr of Santa Cruz County “explained the budget proposal” and “won by nine points,” Clinton said.