Dodd Negotiates Rules on New Party Post

CONNECTICUT Sen. Christopher Dodd, the president's choice as Democratic party chairman, discussed a proposed power-sharing arrangement in a White House meeting yesterday but left without nailing down the job. ``Maybe tomorrow,'' he said after the meeting. ``We're still working out the details.''

Administration officials have said Clinton wants Dodd to head the party under a dual responsibility system that would have a veteran party strategist handle day-to-day affairs.

Several Democratic officials said the strategist the White House has in mind, South Carolina's Donald Fowler, had voiced reservations about the arrangement and wanted assurances from Clinton and senior White House aides that he would have a significant voice in party affairs. Fowler also had discussions at the White House yesterday.

Press Secretary Mike McCurry said Dodd met with White House aides Wednesday to discuss how to structure the party leadership role. The press secretary said he believes Dodd talked to Clinton about the post Tuesday.

``This is a role that is not customary in the Democratic Party ... so it requires a little bit of thinking through,'' McCurry said of the power-sharing proposal.