Rubin Inc.--The Balance Sheet A moderate on economic policy and a liberal on social issues, Rubin is a strong centrist force in the Administration. He ''reigns supreme''--with allies like Bowles and Budget Director Raines. ASSETS THE STATURE THING: Rubin is first among equals in the Cabinet. He dazzled Clinton in 1993 by correctly predicting that a deficit cut would produce a bonanza in the form of lower interest rates. He's been golden ever since. BULLISH ON BUSINESS: Wall Streeter Rubin has crafted moderate economic policies, pushing free trade, encouraging Clinton to reappoint Alan Greenspan as Fed chairman, and muting antibusiness rhetoric by Administration liberals. DOLLAR DIPLOMAT: His strong-dollar campaign has been so successful that he now is having trouble capping the dollar's rise. He helped push through the successful Mexico bailout of 1995. LIABILITIES THE VISION THING: Rather than attempt bold reform of the tax code and entitlement programs, Rubin favors small-scale tinkering and rarely proposes major innovative policies. DEFICIT DOVE: Rubin, a Keynesian, pays lip service to the goal of a balanced budget by 2002 but privately has scorned the idea. Republicans smell a rat in his budget plan, which defers politically difficult cuts for three years. SOFT SPOKESMAN: Introverted and camera-shy, Rubin has not always been a forceful public advocate for Administration economic policies. Nor has he cut a big swath among the Group of Seven finance ministers. Return to main story

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