Clinton embarks on second term stressing unity

The Associated Press Arizona Daily Wildcat A parade watcher dressed in red, white and blue salutes as President Clinton's limousine passes during the presidential inaugural parade yesterday in Washington, D.C.

''We will not just celebrate our democracy. We must renew it,'' he told an enthusiastic audience of well wishers Sunday. ''Then together, we get on with the good work of preparing our country for a brand new century.''

The first Democrat in 60 years to win two terms planned to savor his political triumph: Church in the morning, coffee with congressmen, a parade down Pennsylvania Avenue and 15 inaugural balls that will keep him dancing until nearly dawn.

At noon, Clinton was putting his hand on a Bible and reciting the same 35-word oath taken by every president since George Washington. Vice President Al Gore was sworn in minutes before.

It was sure to be a poignant moment for Clinton. His beloved mother, Virginia Kelley, stood nearby as he was sworn in as president four years ago; she died a year later.

''The president and I miss Virginia very much, particularly at a time like this,'' said Dick Kelley, the president's stepfather.

For thousands of visitors to the capital, it was a moment of celebration - or at least a chance to witness history.

''It's a thrill of a lifetime, probably a once-in-a-lifetime thing,'' gushed Jean Leboff, who had just arrived from Pennsylvania.

While gloves and mittens might still mute inaugural applause, Washington was thawing out yesterday after a weekend blast of arctic air. Temperatures were expected to rise into the lower 40s.

Throughout the day, Clinton was paying tribute to Martin Luther King Jr., the slain civil rights leader whose birthday was honored yesterday.

Casting a shadow over the second-term celebrations are legal and ethical problems lingering from the first term: Whitewater, questionable fund raising, the piles of FBI files and the sexual harassment allegations of Paula Jones.

Four years ago, Clinton swept in from Arkansas promising bold action and cleaner government. The economy was weak, the federal government was $4 trillion in debt and a world of foreign policy problems awaited his attention.

The economy recovered since that wintry day in 1993, budget deficits have ebbed and hopes for stability have grudgingly taken root in Bosnia, the Middle East, Haiti and Northern Ireland.

Still, Clinton lost his Democratic majority in Congress, saw his plan to revamp health care fail and learned to repress the part of his nature that demanded ''dramatic change'' in his first inaugural address. He won re-election on a platform of bite-sized , low-cost initiatives, such as helping schools require student uniforms.

And so, the president spent the weekend with paper, pad and a tape recorder - in search of an inaugural address that fosters civility in Washington and indicts racial and ethnic divisions throughout the country.

Left for later will be details of his other goals: balance the budget, move millions from welfare to work, help improve schools and strengthen campaign finance laws.

While lobbyists courted congressmen and administration officials at scores of unofficial parties Sunday night, Clinton; his wife, Hillary; and daughter Chelsea attended a star-studded, televised gala at the USAir Arena in suburban Maryland.

''You're three of the coolest people I know,'' co-host Whoopi Goldberg cooed.

Gathered with supporters earlier Sunday, Clinton recalled ''the darkest days of '94 and '95'' after Democrats were devastated by Republican victories that gave the GOP control of Congress. Even then, he believed his presidency would get a second chance, h e said.

''Maybe this will be better the second time around,'' he mused.

Clinton, the first Democrat since Franklin D. Roosevelt to be elected to two White House terms, plans to meet with economic advisers on Tuesday and issue a call for Republicans to work with him to balance the budget.

He also will use a Democratic National Committee meeting today to issue a call for tougher campaign-finance rules, then fly to the Chicago area tomorrow to highlight his education initiatives.