PARTY-HOPPING POLITICS.

• Author: Berke, Richard L.

WITH THE REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS BOTH MOVING TO THE MIDDLE, IS THERE ANY DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THEM?

The Democratic presidential nominee blasts Holywood for glorifying "violence and indecency." His Republican opponent speaks feelingly of a 15-year-old juvenile offender's doubt that "a white man in a suit" really cares about him. Wait a minute. Isn't it supposed to be the other way around?

Democratic Vice President Al Gore and Republican George W. Bush, Governor of Texas, are borrowing themes from each other's parties this fall. In so doing, both are borrowing the game plan of a master: President Bill Clinton.

Eight years ago, Clinton arum captured the White House by venturing away from the historic liberal policies of his party. He called for placing limits on the federal welfare program that provides assistance to the poor, and opposed quotas--set numbers of jobs reserved by companies for minorities in order to boost diversity in the workplace.

Now Bush, too, is moving toward the center. He sounds like a Democrat when he talks of reaching out to the dispossessed, lavishing more funds on public education, and protecting Social Security, the federal assistance program for the elderly and the disabled. He is also making an appeal to African-Americans and Latinos, who have a history of voting for Democrats.

LOOK-ALIKES?

Bush has even adapted Clinton's mantra from 1992, "a different kind of Democrat." He tells audiences he is "a different kind of Republican."

Both Bush and Gore are trying hard to prove that they are not beholden to the extreme wings of their parties. That is because the battle for the White House will turn on who can win the independent and suburban voters, who are not particularly loyal to either side. As a result, the two parties--at first glance, at least--appear so similar that voters may have trouble telling them apart.

Bush can afford to reach out to moderates this year because conservative Republicans, hungry to reclaim the White House, are willing to compromise. Not since Ronald Reagan's re-election campaign in 1984 have Republicans appeared so harmonious.

Gore faces a more difficult time, because his party is not as united behind him. He has the tricky task of appealing to liberals, the most loyal Democrats, while also proving to moderates that he is the true heir to Clinton's middle-of-the-road philosophy.

Actually, Bush and Gore do hold different positions on some key issues, including taxes, health care, abortion...