Democrat Hopefuls Urged to Adopt Western Strategy

Thirty-eight Democratic lawmakers representing Western states today released a letter urging their party’s presidential candidates to make Western issues a basic part of their campaign strategy.

“We believe that our region could be the key to winning the White House this year,” the congressmen said in letters intended for Massachusetts Gov. Michael S. Dukakis, the Rev. Jesse Jackson and Tennessee Sen. Albert Gore Jr.

Signing the letter were House and Senate members from California, Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Arizona, Colorado, Montana, Hawaii and New Mexico.

The Democrats’ letter asked the party’s remaining candidates to meet with Western lawmakers in the next few weeks to discuss a Western agenda that includes such issues as Pacific Rim trade, energy policy, natural resources, environmental protection and regional economic development.

‘Winning Coalitions’

“The agenda would also include a discussion of how Democrats in our region have managed to forge a winning coalition that attracted independent voters,” the letter said.

The next Western primary is Oregon on May 17, although several states will have conventions to pick delegates before that date. The nation’s largest primary, California’s with 314 Democratic delegates, is June 7.

House Majority Leader Thomas S. Foley, House Majority Whip Tony Coehlo and Assistant Senate Majority Leader Alan Cranston are among those supporting the effort.

“In light of current polling data, as well as Democratic statewide victories throughout the region, 1988 could be a breakthrough presidential election year for the Democratic Party in the West,” the letter said.

‘Taken Off Like Wildfire’

“The Republicans know this too, and are already talking about a Western running mate,” the congressmen noted.

Earlier this week, GOP chairmen from 18 Western states urged Vice President George Bush to select a Westerner as his running mate. Both Secretary of the Interior Donald P. Hodel, a native of Oregon, and California Gov. George Deukmejian were mentioned as possible Republican candidates for vice president.

“It’s taken off like wildfire,” said Oregon Rep. Ron Wyden, who along with California Rep. Vic Fazio in the House and Cranston in the Senate have been the ringleaders of the Western campaign.

Wyden said that while President Reagan may be personally popular in Western states, his policies are not.