John Engler, president of the National Association of Manufacturers, seems to be angling for a bigger role for his group as the jockeying for influence begins on K Street on the eve of the election.

In late October, NAM sent an invitation  to numerous other trade groups inviting "thought leaders in the business association community" to attend a summit at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center on December 18 "for a discussion on how we work together with the new Congress and Administration to strengthen and sustain the U.S. business economy and create American jobs."

The event, billed as a "Summit on Economic Stabilization and Growth," looks to some association leaders as Engler's gambit to raise NAM's profile. "It's really surprising that NAM would anoint itself as the leader of the business community," said one top trade group executive. "Most folks in town look to the Chamber of Commerce and the Business Roundtable to play that role."

                                                                                                 -- Peter H. Stone