FRANK SESNO, CNN ANCHOR: President Clinton's powers of persuasion are being put to the test on the China Trade vote, obviously, even as he is fighting an attempt in his home state to strip him of his right to practice law. CNN White House correspondent Major Garrett joins us now with more -- Major.</s>MAJOR GARRETT, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Good afternoon, Frank. Well, the president right now is meeting with House Speaker Dennis Hastert. They're about to announce a deal here at the White House that will provide new tax credits and new tax cuts for 80 communities across the country that are economically depressed. These are in rural and urban areas. It's a sign, White House officials say, that there is no distraction affecting the president right now, whether it's from Arkansas or anywhere else, that he's working on important legislation and striking deals with House Republicans. As a part of that strategy, the White House is also emphasizing its increasing sense of confidence about tomorrow's vote on the China Permanent Normal Trade Relations matter. As Mr. -- as Bob Franken said, that there are a few member who are expected to announce in favor of the deal today, private White House officials' counts show that they are very close if not over the top in reaching that magic number of 218 to prevail in the House tomorrow. They are very confident they are going succeed -- Frank.</s>SESNO: All right, Major Garrett, thanks very much. And we're going to be going to the president when he takes some questions at that event.
President Clinton, Speaker Hastert Mull Deal to Aid Economically Depressed Communities