The Clinton administration is determined to break congressional-executive impasse at the national level, but it will prove more difficult than merely announcing the end of gridlock, as House Majority Leader Richard Gephardt did this week after a conference among Democratic leaders in Little Rock.

Sending the signal, however, is a good start.

Neither Gephardt, nor President-elect Clinton, who declared an end to the Cold War in the capital, believes that political inertia can be overcome simply by wishing it away. Their statements are significant because they acknowledge the gnawing destructiveness that continues in the economy and in the attitude of the American people. It will continue so long as there is lack of action in Washington.

The challenge for the administration, and the danger to the country is the perceived urgency for action and the choices the new leadership will make.

To launch the new administration with an easy winner in the new era of Democratic compromise, action and good-will, what better issue to resolve than that of the line-item veto?

By passing this legislation, the Democratic Congress, before it votes on a single appropriation, would be making a public commitment to fiscal responsibility and restraint.

A Democratic chief executive would have the trial run with the authority to use this new tool (backed by the full support of the people), but presumably with restraint, given the source of this new power.

It would be a forceful, prudent response to a demanding situation. Everyone would win.