Deukmejian to Address the GOP

Gov. George Deukmejian, who told interviewers last week that he has no great desire to hold national office and no interest in federal issues, still intends to play a prominent role in next month’s Republican National Convention, he indicated Monday.

Deukmejian, who will chair California’s 175-member delegation, disclosed that he will join Govs. Carroll A. Campbell Jr. of South Carolina and John H. Sununu of New Hampshire in addressing the convention on prime-time national television.

Deukmejian, whose career was largely built on a tough law-and-order platform, said his speech will deal with criminal justice issues.

The California governor had been mentioned as a possible running mate to Vice President George Bush. But he firmly took himself out of the running last week by declaring he could not accept the nomination if offered since he would have to turn over the office to Democratic Lt. Gov. Leo T. McCarthy.