Second Term for McCarthy

The California lieutenant governor’s office has been something of a joke in recent decades, but in the past four years, Leo T. McCarthy has brought some credibility and meaning to the office. McCarthy, a San Francisco Democrat, clearly has earned a second four-year term and The Times warmly endorses his candidacy.

The state Constitution sets no particular agenda for a lieutenant governor, especially when that official is not of the same political party as the governor. But, drawing on his experience in the Legislature, McCarthy has developed a vigorous and effective program, often filling in the gaps left by wrangling between Republican Gov. George Deukmejian and Democratic legislative leaders.

Most notably, McCarthy spearheaded reform of California’s nursing home industry following a Little Hoover Commission study, which McCarthy directed, into allegations of abuse and neglect of nursing home residents. Deukmejian vetoed the nursing home bills in the fall of 1984, but the reaction was so intense, he signed virtually identical legislation into law just six months later.

McCarthy played a similar role this year with legislation dealing with toxic wastes. He also has been active in promoting child care, law enforcement and trade issues. In the critical area of trade, he has issued a number of specific proposals for a second-term effort, including development of a unified California trade strategy and establishment of a California trade representative.

McCarthy’s Republican opponent is Mike Curb, who held the same office for four years before McCarthy, giving it up in 1982 to run for governor. Curb’s tenure as lieutenant governor was marked by his bickering with Democratic Gov. Edmund G. Brown Jr. and his childish and mischievious attempts to demonstrate that he was in charge during Brown’s absences from the state.

When Curb set out to reclaim the lieutenant governorship this year, he went to extraordinary lengths to apologize for his antics of 1979-85, claiming he was forced to engage in such tactics because of Brown’s prolonged absences from the state. But in the meantime, McCarthy has demonstrated that reasonable politicians can cooperate for the good of the state in spite of differences in party labels.

Curb now says he has matured; that “George Deukmejian and I agree on everything,” and that he would not do or think anything contrary to the governor’s wishes, assuming the governor is re-elected. But as long as the Constitution directs that the lieutenant governor be elected independently, California deserves to have someone who is willing to think for himself. So far in this campaign, it is difficult to determine if Curb has any original thoughts other than his proposal--prompted by burglaries of his own home--that thrice-convicted house burglars be sent to prison for life.

In its incumbent lieutenant governor, California has a skilled and seasoned official who truly matches up to the definition of public servant. Leo T. McCarthy has worked adeptly with both Republicans and Democrats to promote the longterm interests of California and Californians. One of the best decisions California voters can make on Nov. 4 is to reelect, with enthusiasm, McCarthy to a second term.