Governor Offers GOP Ideological Road Map

Gov. George Deukmejian drew an ideological road map Tuesday for any Republican trying to reach the White House, asserting that a successful candidate must fight against tax increases while battling for a strong national defense.

To triumph, he said, a candidate must also “just say no” to spending demands while making education reform “America’s top domestic concern.” And trade protectionism should be firmly opposed.

Deukmejian urged Republican candidates to spell out in detail the federal programs they would cut. But he himself, as a governor standing on the campaign sidelines, obviously felt under no obligation to be specific as he discussed national issues mostly in generalities with the Heritage Foundation, a prestigious conservative think tank.

The governor seemed uncomfortable in reading from a prepared text to the approximately 50 foundation fellows and policy analysts. But he received warm applause at the conclusion and appeared far more at ease in answering questions afterward from the audience.

Deukmejian’s road map to the White House looked as if it might have been drawn by President Reagan, whom the governor praised for “bold and visionary leadership.” Unlike the President, however, the governor avoided such political land mine social issues as abortion.

Actually, the Republican governor from the nation’s most populous state might have sounded to some like an unofficial candidate for the second spot on his party’s presidential ticket next year. But queried about this, Deukmejian again flatly disavowed any interest in the vice presidency.

“It’s out,” he told reporters. “A, no way are they going to ask me. B, how could I accept a position like that with a Democratic lieutenant governor? I’m not going to allow the executive branch of (state) government to go over to the Democratic Party.”

If Deukmejian were to leave office, Lt. Gov. Leo McCarthy automatically would succeed him--unless McCarthy had been successful in his campaign to unseat Republican U.S. Sen. Pete Wilson in the 1988 election.

On another matter related to California politics, Deukmejian hinted to reporters that he had trimmed his “short list” of potential nominees for state treasurer to two. He did not name them. A top aide, meanwhile, indicated that the governor likely would announce his choice of a new treasurer next Wednesday.

After the governor selects someone to replace the late Jesse Unruh, who died Aug. 4, the nominee still must be approved by the Legislature.

Deukmejian’s speech to the Heritage Foundation was the centerpiece of a two-day Washington trip designed to enhance his national visibility and image. That image may have been tarnished on Monday, however, when the governor was forced because of no-shows to call off plans to host a pre-Christmas public forum of GOP presidential candidates in Anaheim.

Vice President George Bush triggered the unraveling of the forum by sending word that he would not participate. Kansas Sen. Bob Dole then indicated that he might back out, leaving New York Rep. Jack Kemp as the lone committed attendee.

“I’m kind of disappointed,” Deukmejian conceded Tuesday, referring to Bush. “But each candidate has to make his own decision about how to run his campaign and I appreciate that.” The governor said he may try to organize another presidential forum next spring as the June 7 California primary draws closer.

Deukmejian told the Heritage Foundation that his experience in politics and governing may “be instructive” to presidential candidates because, among other things, “it is safe to say that no Republican can win the presidency without winning California.”

“What must the successful candidate do in order to win California?” he asked rhetorically. “The current federal budget deficit is a disgrace. . . . There was a time when a candidate could get into a lot of trouble for talking too specifically about spending reductions. I believe that’s changing. I see increasing respect among voters for public officials and candidates who have the courage to ‘just say no.’

“We have a federal deficit today not because taxes are too low but because spending is too high. . . . Citizens may not be clamoring for tax cuts, but I see no evidence that they are begging for tax increases. The successful candidate in 1988 will be the one who demonstrates the courage and the common sense to tackle the budget deficit by tackling government spending, not by sapping growth and destroying jobs through major tax hikes.”

Deukmejian noted that as California’s governor he has used his veto power more than 2,000 times for a savings of $4.3 billion. And, in answer to a question, he said Reagan should demand line-item veto authority--something most governors have, but the President does not--in exchange for any tax increase during current deficit-reduction negotiations with the Democratic-controlled Congress.

But Deukmejian--adhering to Reagan’s philosophy--did not seem to extend his budget-cutting demands to the military.

“Ultimately, the freedom of the United States depends on our ability to defend ourselves and our allies,” he said. “A strong defense requires personnel, equipment, determination--and money. Waste must be eliminated, but strength must not.

“It is essential,” Deukmejian concluded, “that we not only preserve the Reagan legacy, but that we build upon it.”