Deukmejian Gets Forum in Texas, Blasts Dukakis’ Spending Policies

Looking toward the November presidential elections, California Gov. George Deukmejian Friday lobbed a few shots at Democratic front-runner Michael S. Dukakis, labeling him a big spender who nonetheless wants to cut the defense budget.

“As a fellow governor I know (Dukakis) personally, and I have a lot of personal respect for him. But I reject his policies and positions,” Deukmejian told a group of Texas GOP contributors here before attending a private fund-raising dinner at the Texas governor’s mansion.

“Michael Dukakis is really a Walter Mondale on taxes, a Teddy Kennedy on crime, a Tip O’Neill on spending and a George McGovern on defense,” Deukmejian said in attempting to link Dukakis to prominent Democrats whose names are anathema to conservatives.

Featured Speaker

Deukmejian was the featured attraction at a conference for 200 “key” donors, who paid $1,000 each to attend the two-day event. It was estimated that the event brought in $135,000 for the Texas GOP.

It was the first time Deukmejian has traveled out of state to raise money for the party. He is scheduled to make four other fund-raising trips--to Washington state, Florida, Ohio and New York City--according to Steven M. Kinney, regional political director of the Republican National Committee, which is coordinating the events.

The trips are part of the governor’s recent efforts to become better known outside his home state.

Much of Deukmejian’s brief speech was aimed at churning up enthusiasm for Vice President George Bush’s presidential bid.

“They tell us he can’t win without Texas and California,” Deukmejian said, noting that together the two states represent 76 electoral votes, nearly a third of those needed to win the presidency. Both states voted heavily for Ronald Reagan in the last two presidential elections.

Man of Integrity

Deukmejian praised Bush as a man whose “integrity is beyond reproach” and as a leader in “the effort to take the regulatory shackles off of our private enterprise economy.”

“The Reagan-Bush team has brought pride, prosperity and strength back to our country,” he said.

Deukmejian drew laughs with a one-liner that poked fun at both himself and the probable Democratic nominee. Referring to their common image of dullness, Deukmejian quipped: “You’ve probably heard that Gov. Dukakis is looking for a running mate who will make him look exciting by comparison. But I want to assure you I have no intention of switching parties.”

Both governors have more in common than a less-than-charismatic public persona. Both have strong ethnic roots--Dukakis is Greek, Deukmejian Armenian--and both have tried to cultivate reputations for strengthening their respective states’ economies.

Using His Nickname

They also have the same nickname, giving Deukmejian a chance for a jab at his Massachusetts counterpart.

“He’s called Duke, and I’m called Duke in my state. I tell you that has got me a little worried. . . . I’m afraid the people in my state are going to get a little bit confused, especially if they start seeing headlines that say ‘Duke opposes the death penalty,’ ‘Duke proposes big spending programs,’ or ‘Duke wants to cut national defense.’

“All those positions are totally opposite to me but those are policies that Mike Dukakis holds.”

The Texas Republicans received Deukmejian’s remarks warmly, laughing at his jokes and showering him with applause and a couple of standing ovations.

George Strake, the party’s state chairman, said in an interview that it was a “great morale builder to have a man of his talent come to us.” And he said he thinks it is “helpful for him politically” to venture beyond California. The governor’s aides have long been encouraging him to cultivate national recognition, if only to keep his options open when his term is up in 1990.

Repeated His View

Deukmejian repeated his oft-stated view that joining the GOP ticket in the vice presidential slot is “not in the cards” for him, in part because if Bush won, Deukmejian would have to turn the governorship over to the Democrats.

That sentiment was reiterated by both Strake and Texas Gov. William Clements, who said he “would be happy to sponsor” Deukmejian for vice president, but “unfortunately, I can’t do it.”

Still, Friday’s Texas speech and the preceding press conference gave the California governor some wider exposure and a chance to talk about national, instead of state, issues.

In response to reporters’ questions, he said he has no doubt that Bush’s role in the weapons-for-hostages deal with Iran was entirely proper. Noting the “expensive inquiry” into the Iran-Contra case, Deukmejian said: “If there had been any negative role . . . that would have been clearly established by this time . . . all the indications are that there is nothing. I think that issue is way beyond him and the Republican Party.”

Nor did he think the controversies surrounding Atty. Gen. Edwin Meese III and other Reagan Administration officials would rub off on Bush.

“He (Meese) hasn’t been charged with anything . . . he hasn’t been indicted” Deukmejian said.

“I don’t see that in the minds of the public they’re going to hold anything against George Bush because some members of the Reagan Administration have been criticized.”