Governor Miffed at Bradley Ads, Says He Won’t Debate : Remarks on Toxics Singled Out

Gov. George Deukmejian will spurn debates with Los Angeles Mayor Tom Bradley, his Democratic challenger, because of distortions in Bradley’s campaign commercials, the governor’s campaign press spokeswoman said today.

“I don’t think he’s seen any evidence that Mayor Bradley is eager to discuss in a forthright fashion the facts and record,” Kristy Flynn said.

“His campaign has focused more on distortions of the truth than a clear examination of the record. That doesn’t lend itself to productive and useful debate.”

TV Commercials Cited

The governor’s campaign director, Larry Thomas, indicated that Deukmejian has been particularly offended by Bradley television commercials that have accused the Republican governor of selling out to toxic waste polluters.

Thomas said in a letter to the Sacramento Bee that Deukmejian would spurn all invitations to debate his Democratic opponent.

“The manner in which the mayor has been conducting his campaign should not give anyone any confidence about our willingness,” Thomas said.

“At this point, I would counsel you to proceed under the assumption that the mayor’s widely criticized tactics of distortion will continue and that we will have no interest in pursuing any further joint appearance.”

Letters to Others

Similar letters were sent to other groups that, like the Bee, had sought to arrange a televised debate in September or October.

Tom Quinn, Bradley’s campaign chairman, said he hoped Deukmejian could still be persuaded by public pressure to agree to a series of debates. The mayor initially had suggested 14 debates between the two, which Deukmejian had countered would put political reporters to sleep.

Quinn said Deukmejian’s reason for shunning appearances with Bradley was “nothing more than a smoke screen” to hide the governor’s failure to “provide the kind of leadership that California needs.”

Deukmejian has little to gain by risking his standing in debates with Bradley. The latest California Poll showed him with an 18-point advantage in a survey among voters shortly before the June 3 primary.

Meanwhile, the governor’s campaign today released the names of more than 350 Californians, including a number of GOP legislators, who will manage volunteer campaign activities in all 58 counties.