IN HIS PUSH TO LEAVE OFFICE WITH A CHINA TRADE DEAL, CLINTON IS HAVING TO RELY ON REPUBLICANS

Even when President Clinton tries to do the right thing, it gets all balled up. That's certainly the case with his effort to expand trade with China.

The bill to establish permanent normal trading relations between China and the United States won House approval last week, but most Democrats didn't support it. Now the bill is in the Senate, where Democrats again are promising to delay a final vote while tacking on numerous amendments.

It's way too early to say whether or not open trade with China is a good thing for American manufacturers and farmers. But the intent is to open up a marketplace that has the potential for strengthening U.S. products abroad.

Unfortunately, Clinton's overall bumbling in foreign affairs has spilled over to this effort. He has been unable to corral senators and representatives in his own party. As a result, he has had to rely totally on the Republican leadership and its ability to produce votes.

The Senate, in the end, will overwhelming approve the China trade bill. But it won't be a victory for Clinton alone. Republicans will claim a large portion of the prize.