Pander Meter

By Janice Castro

When the going gets tough, the incumbent gets generous. Add up the altruism President Bush has demonstrated this month as he tries to close the gap with Clinton:

Miffed China and Israel but mollified angry aerospace workers by okaying the sale of $6 billion worth of F-16s to Taiwan and $9 billion worth of F-15s to Saudi Arabia

Boosted farm-state fortunes $1 billion with the new wheat Export Enhancement Program

Promised to spend $500 million to rebuild marginally important Homestead Air Force Base

Lowered premiums for the 15-year FHA-insured home mortgages favored by upper- income buyers

Promised 100% federal reimbursement of rebuilding costs for hurricane victims in Florida, Louisiana and Hawaii -- up from the 75% usually given to victims of natural disasters, such as the 1989 San Francisco earthquake