September 13, 1996

The Race For President: The South, describes Pres Clinton's turnaround in region that spurned him only two years ago; not only is Clinton is leading Bob Dole, or running neck and neck with him, in polls in Tennessee and four other Southern or Border states Clinton won four years ago, Arkansas, Georgia, Kentucky and Louisiana, he is also competitive in Florida and North Carolina; Clinton is even threatening Dole in Virginia, which no Democrat has captured since 1964; Clinton's ability to stay competitive in South demonstrates his success in repositioning himself as cultural conservative after being vilified throughout region early in his term for raising taxes and promising to end military's ban on service by homosexuals; many Republicans fear that Dole has not given voters reason to back him, and that, in states like Virginia, Dole is burdened by heavy baggage from Republican platform; graphs; map (M)

Bruce Weber article on his canoe trip down Hudson River, from Catskill to Marlboro; photo; map; quotes advice from John Cronin of Hudson Riverkeeper Fund; Peter Lourie, who canoed entire 315-mile length in 1990, notes that Indian name for famous river is Muhheakunnuk or 'great waters constantly in motion' (M)

Fleet Financial Group announces that it will lend $500 million in poor neighborhoods in New Jersey to mollify community groups that object to its acquisition of NatWest Bancorp; Fleet agrees to make loans to businesses and homeowners over three-year period (S) (New Jersey Daily Briefing)

Yeltsin Doctors Seek Advice Playing to nationalist sentiment, President Yeltsin has insisted that his heart operation will be performed by Russian surgeons. But Russian officials say foreign doctors will play an important role. Page A5. Work Proceeds on Welfare Federal and state officials said the resignations of three welfare officials would not disrupt or delay the transfer of responsibility for welfare programs to the states. Page A26. Busing Eyed in Overcrowding New York City school officials said they were exploring ways to bus children from overcrowded districts to schools in other areas. Page B1. No Comprehending Anytime Parking signs are New York City's totem poles: cryptic symbols one atop the other, defying comprehension. There may be hope. Page B1.

Michael Kimmelman reviews works by Giorgio de Chirico, at Hunter College gallery; photos (S)