Governor Strikes Up the Band Against Critics

Brushing aside criticism that he is improperly using public school students at partisan political functions, Gov. George Deukmejian enlisted the support Monday of yet another high school marching band and drill team for a campaign rally.

More than 60 students from Orange High School skipped classes in the afternoon to perform outside Deukmejian’s Anaheim headquarters. “We love Duke,” the drill team cheered as red, white and blue balloons rose into the Orange County atmosphere.

The rally was the second Deukmejian event in less than a week to which high school students were bused during school hours to provide music and cheers for the candidate.

Last week, after a similar event in Walnut, Los Angeles Mayor Tom Bradley, the governor’s Democratic opponent, charged that the use of public school students demonstrated a “lack of integrity” on Deukmejian’s part. He also accused the governor of deceiving school officials into thinking they were participating in a civic event.

In Anaheim, as the band played in the background, Deukmejian defended the practice of using high school musicians to accompany his campaign.

“It’s a voluntary exercise. No one is forced to participate,” the governor told reporters. “I do think it’s good that young people have some active exposure to the political process. . . . It’s probably a very good educational experience.”

Jeri Means, a 17-year-old member of the drill team, said the students were not given a choice of whether to attend. But she added, “Everyone wanted to go.”

Before Deukmejian addressed more than 200 supporters at the parking lot rally, band director Tom Schenk said he was uncertain precisely what the nature of the event was.

“It ‘s not a rally. It’s a dedication for something, isn’t it?” he said.

Noting that the Deukmejian campaign had paid for the band’s expenses, Schenk said the governor’s event was a good opportunity for the group to perform. “If Bradley wants us we’re available. We play no favorites,” he said.

Before the rally, Deukmejian told reporters that as the campaign entered its final two weeks he would emphasize his “leadership” in areas where he perceives Bradley to be weak.

Highlighting his campaign charges, Deukmejian again attacked the mayor for refusing to take a stand on the death penalty, opposing the death penalty in the past, approving plans to drill for oil in Pacific Palisades and mismanaging the city’s sewer system.

“I think that all of this is coming through now to the voters,” Deukmejian said. “They are determining that he has not got the capacity for the kind of leadership he has to have if he is going to be governor.”