Lucas Foes Risk Rift, Justice Dept. Warns

Atty. Gen. Dick Thornburgh’s chief spokesman warned civil rights groups Friday that they are jeopardizing “a cordial relationship” with the attorney general by opposing the confirmation of William Lucas as the nation’s chief civil rights enforcer.

In another hardball response to Lucas’ mounting difficulties, the spokesman, David Runkel, also accused Rep. John Conyers Jr. (D-Mich.) of caving in to intense pressure from civil rights organizations by withdrawing his endorsement of the former FBI agent.

Runkel challenged the claim by Conyers that he was “astounded” by Lucas’ acceptance of recent Supreme Court decisions that are regarded as disastrous setbacks by civil rights groups.

Conyers met with Lucas two weeks ago and the “subject (of the Supreme Court decisions) was raised,” Runkel said. “My understanding is that Mr. Conyers knew the views of the President, the attorney general and the position Mr. Lucas would take.”

Runkel said he had been told that civil rights group lobbyists “started beating on” Conyers as soon as he emerged Wednesday from a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing where he had introduced Lucas with warm praise. The nominee’s two home-state senators had broken with tradition by refusing to introduce him to their Senate colleagues.

A spokesman for Conyers denied that he had responded to pressure, contending that the congressman had not spoken with civil rights lobbyists after his testimony Wednesday until his turnaround Thursday. Michael Hill, the spokesman, also said that Conyers did not know of Lucas’ stance on the Supreme Court rulings until the nominee testified Wednesday.

Thornburgh, who is vacationing in New Hampshire, issued a statement hailing Lucas’ five hours of testimony before the Senate committee, saying that he “ably demonstrated his ability” to head the civil rights division.

‘Lead the Charge’

“In keeping with President Bush’s commitment in this area, Mr. Lucas pledged to serve as the Administration’s lead official in the close monitoring of the impact of recent Supreme Court decisions on civil rights,” Thornburgh said. “He accurately reflected my views when he said he would ‘lead the charge’ in seeking legislative changes if these cases do, in fact, hamper effective civil rights enforcement.”

At the White House, spokesman Marlin Fitzwater underscored President Bush’s support of Lucas, declaring him “an excellent candidate.”

Runkel cited the possible cost to civil rights organizations of their opposition to Lucas after a reporter asked why Thornburgh was risking his pledge to rebuild relationships with civil rights leaders who had been repeatedly at odds with the Ronald Reagan Administration.

“Because we have full confidence we have the votes to get the guy confirmed,” Runkel initially responded.

Asked again if it was worth the risk, Runkel said: “You ought to address that question to civil rights groups. They’re the people who . . . I think have the most to lose. . . . What they have to lose here, it would seem to me, is a cordial relationship with the attorney general and with the head of the civil rights division.”

Vote Not Scheduled

Runkel said he is hopeful that the Senate committee will vote on Lucas’ nomination before recessing Aug. 2. The vote has not yet been scheduled, and some members of the panel submitted written questions for Lucas Friday.