Bush Says He’ll Make First Move on Trimming Deficit

President-elect George Bush told new Senate Majority Leader George J. Mitchell today he will take the lead in attacking the deficit, as Democrats have urged, but the two men avoided the troublesome budget issues of taxes and defense spending.

Emerging from a breakfast meeting in Bush’s vice presidential office, the pair, who will be political adversaries next year, were cordial. Nonetheless, the Republican Bush acknowledged that he expects some difficult times with the Democrat-led Congress once he succeeds President Reagan in January.

“I’m not naive about it, nor is he. There will be different approaches on some of these major problems facing this country,” Bush said. He added, however, that he is confident he and Mitchell can work together.

Mitchell agreed there will be squabbles, but said he hopes they will be minimal. “We both recognize that we will from time to time differ, but we hope to do so in a cooperative spirit,” the Maine Democrat said.

Mitchell was selected earlier this week by Senate Democrats to be their leader next session and today’s meeting with Bush was the first opportunity the two men had to discuss the budget deficit, which they both agree is the most critical problem facing the country.

“I heard Senator Mitchell say very clearly (that I) should take the lead on the budget deficit question,” Bush told reporters after the discussion. “I assured Senator Mitchell that is exactly what I intend to do.”

House Speaker Jim Wright (D-Tex.) also has said Bush must take charge on the budget and Democrats in Congress insist they will not begin negotiations until his Administration moves first.

Senate Finance Committee Chairman Lloyd Bentsen of Texas, the defeated Democratic vice presidential candidate, echoed that point on NBC’s “Today” show this morning, saying his party is willing to discuss tough fiscal matters with Bush but only if Bush determines “the priorities from his point of view.”

“That’s part of the price of leadership, the job of the presidency, and I think he’ll fulfill that,” Bentsen said. Bush must present “something that’s major and forthright, that sets the course, impresses investors in this country and foreign investors, helps stabilize the dollar and brings interest rates down, to make us more competitive on an international standpoint,” Bentsen said.

Bush and Mitchell did not discuss the budget specifics that are sure to spark battles next year, such as new taxes or defense spending.

Bush insisted during the campaign he will oppose any tax increases.