The President's Hardest Sell

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Only Ronald Reagan could turn a speech on tax reform into a roaring, foot- stomping pep rally. But last week at steamy Reynolds Coliseum in Raleigh, N.C., the President inspired cheerleaders in red miniskirts to strut and squeal as 14,000 North Carolina State students chanted, "U.S.A.! U.S.A. !" Reagan happily egged them on. "Do you want America's tax plan--a fair share for everyone?" he asked rhetorically. The bellowed affirmation brought an election-night grin. Said Reagan: "Something tells me I came to the right place."

Less heartening were the noises coming from Washington, where a steady procession of Congressmen complained that tax reform is the wrong issue at the wrong time. Returning from the barbecues and fish fries of the August recess, the lawmakers insisted that voters were more worried about America's mounting trade woes and the federal budget deficit.

As Reagan launched his much heralded "fall offensive" to reform the tax code, he was faced with the hardest political test of his presidency: how, as an incipient lame duck, to translate his immense personal popularity into congressional support for his policies. Where legislators once feared his power to go over their heads to the voters, many have now grown restive and defiant.

The President "doesn't give a damn" about the issues really bothering the people back home, huffed House Speaker Tip O'Neill of Massachusetts. Even members of the President's own party questioned his political agenda. "Tax reform is certainly not the top priority in Kansas," said Senator Nancy Kassebaum. "There are too many other emotional fights."

The popular clamor, according to most Congressmen, is for legis lation to protect industries--and jobs--threatened by foreign competition. Reagan, an avowed free trader, tried to deflate congressional pressure last week by threatening to retaliate against several countries, including Japan, if they do not curtail unfair trade barriers against various U.S. products, ranging from leather shoes to canned fruit. But Congress will not be easily assuaged. Declares Louisiana Democrat Buddy Roemer: "My district says that America is Uncle Sam, not Uncle Sucker. Lead, Mr. President, or get out of the way."