Bush Finds Split in Policy Among Opposing Ticket

Maintaining that Democratic momentum would be “gone with the wind” after the close of the Atlanta convention, Vice President George Bush tried Thursday to underscore differences between the men on the opposing ticket and questioned the public show of unity demonstrated this week by the usually turbulent Democrats.

Without detailing the myriad policy differences between Democratic presidential nominee Michael S. Dukakis and his running mate Lloyd Bentsen, Bush joked at an airport press conference here:

“I can’t wait for the debate--Dukakis vs. Bentsen,” the vice president said. “I think it’s going to be wonderful.”

Bush’s campaign manager, Lee Atwater, later stoked the comparison, remarking that “Bentsen is much closer on the issues to Bush than to Dukakis.”

Dukakis’ selection of Bentsen was startling in part because of the contrasting positions held by the men on issues such as support for the Contras in Nicaragua and the Reagan Administration’s tax cuts, which Dukakis opposed and Bentsen supported, as well as gun control, which Dukakis supports and Texas Sen. Bentsen opposes.

Doubts About Unity

The vice president and Republican presidential nominee-apparent also tried to throw cold water on the harmony emanating from the Democratic National Convention in Atlanta, publicly proclaiming his doubts that the unified front forged by Dukakis, Bentsen and former candidate Jesse Jackson was indeed solid.

“I’m not sure what’s bubbling under the surface of unity,” he said. “There’s a lot of bubbling discontent on the side. . . . I just have a feeling there’s some discontent out there, and I hope that helps us.”

Later Thursday, when he stopped in Greenville, S.C., for a Republican Party fund-raiser, Bush declined to list specific signs of a Democratic breach, adding: “Look, that’s their problem.”

On another subject, Bush on Thursday implicitly criticized Atty. Gen. Edwin Meese III for his controversial activities but said he had yet to read an independent counsel’s report on Meese that was made public Monday. Bush returned Wednesday from a 4 1/2-day fishing trip in Wyoming.

In the report, independent counsel James C. McKay concluded that Meese “probably” violated four federal laws but said he would not prosecute the attorney general because there was no evidence Meese acted for personal gain.

Not Up to His Standard

Bush, who has been reluctant to appear critical of President Reagan’s ally, said news accounts he has read indicate a “perception of impropriety” on Meese’s part that “would not meet the high standard I have tried to bring to public life.”

“I don’t like that,” Bush said, “because I’ve said the Justice Department should be beyond any perception of impropriety.”

Asked if he was pleased that Meese has announced his intent to resign, Bush replied: “I didn’t say that. . . . But I said earlier that he made the right decision, and I think he did.”

Bush, relaxed and loose after his vacation, traveled to the Carolinas Thursday to attend two party fund-raisers and he appeared to be trying valiantly to stay in the news and out of controversy.

His efforts to drive home the differences between conservative Bentsen and his more liberal running mate were meant to keep the focus on Dukakis’ positions, which Bush advisers believe are a Democratic weakness.