PASTOR: CLINTON OK . . . SO FAR

                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: MONDAY, March 1, 1993                   TAG: 9303010058
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C2   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: JOEL TURNER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium
PASTOR: CLINTON OK . . . SO FAR
DURING LAST YEAR'S campaign, the newspaper reported on how five local households made their decisions on voting for president. Now we're asking them how they think President Clinton is doing. of five parts
The Rev. Edward T. Burton admires the political courage of President Clinton.
"It takes a strong man to say that we need to raise taxes," Burton said. "He has faced the reality that we need to do something to reduce the deficit."
During his first few weeks in office, the new president has shown that he won't shy away from controversial issues such as abortion, gays in the military and taxes. Burton likes that bold approach.
Despite the criticism of Clinton in some quarters, Burton said he has a positive and optimistic feeling about the new president.
Burton, pastor of the Sweet Union Baptist Church in Roanoke, has heard Clinton speak in person since he became president. The minister recently was invited to a prayer breakfast in Washington at which Clinton and Vice President Al Gore spoke.
Burton said that more than 1,000 people attended the breakfast at the Washington Hilton. He doesn't know why he was invited, but he felt honored.
Burton voted for Clinton and stated his intention to the newspaper in a story last fall, but he doesn't know whether that was a factor in his being invited.
Burton said Clinton seems to be a deeply religious person with strong beliefs. "I was impressed with the sincerity of his beliefs," Burton said. "He talked about the importance of the church to him."
He likes the president's economic plan and hopes that Congress will give it a chance to work.
Burton, who decided to vote for Clinton late in the campaign, said he has no reason to regret his decision. "You can always find fault, but I think he has done a good job so far."
The economy was one of the main reasons he voted for Clinton. He said the president's plan is "something that is worth trying."
Burton said he thinks Clinton has taken a realistic position on gays in the military, another controversial issue.
"I'm not a gay-rights person, but I am not one who wants to sit in judgment on homosexuals," Burton said. "I don't like all of the gay-rights demonstrations, but I don't want to condemn them."
Clinton has stopped the military services from asking recruits their sexual orientation when they enter. He has ordered a six-month study of the issue.
Burton, a member of Planned Parenthood's board of directors, applauds Clinton's decision to lift the ban on fetal-tissue research. The government should not be involved in private matters such as abortion, he said.
Despite the controversy over the selection of an attorney general, Burton said Clinton did a good job in choosing a Cabinet.
Burton, 65, said he thinks too much attention has been given to the influence and role of Hillary Rodham Clinton in the new administration. "Every president's wife had had some influence on her husband. I don't think she has too much influence on him," Burton said.
"Eleanor Roosevelt had a lot to say when I was growing up," he said.
Despite the criticism of Clinton for enrolling his daughter, Chelsea, in a private school, Burton said he does not think the president is hypocritical on the issue of his support for public schools.
"Thousands of people send their children to private schools, too," he said.
Burton said Clinton's town meetings are a good idea.
"They will help him to stay closer the people and understand what they are thinking," said. "And it will make the people feel closer to him."
Burton said he believes that the Clinton administration will be more closely scrutinized than any other in recent history.
Not only will he be watched by the Republicans, he said, but Ross Perot will be monitoring him, too.
Perot, who received nearly 20 million votes in his independent run for president, has made several speeches recently and urged voters to join his organization, United We Stand.
"I think [Perot] will be a force to be reckoned with," Burton said.
But Clinton still has Burton's support. At least for now.

by Archana Subramaniam by CNB