CAMPAIGN WATCH : A Good Issue, but the Wrong Man

Because Dianne Feinstein and Pete Wilson both are instinctual political moderates, few genuine differences over issues have emerged in their gubernatorial campaign.

However, as she demonstrated in the Democratic primary, Feinstein has a shrewd sense of the electorate’s anxieties and an ability to make her opponent their focus. In that race, she managed to link women’s apprehension about reproductive rights to John Van de Kamp’s personal reservations about abortion. Now, she has sensed the voters’ anger over the savings and loan debacle. As a result, her campaign is attempting to imply that Wilson is particularly culpable in the matter because he received unusually large contributions from S&L; interests.

Neither point is supported by facts. A recent Common Cause report said that Wilson had received more money, $243,000, from thrift-related contributors than any other senator. It did not point out that during the period analyzed, Wilson ran for office twice, while many of his colleagues had run only once. Moreover, his funds were reported as direct contributions, while S&L; gifts to his colleagues often were disguised. For example, Alan Cranston, who ran only once during the period, is listed by Common Cause has having received only $143,700. No mention is made of the $1 million he got for a voter registration drive.

Finally, there is no evidence that Wilson, whose S&L; contributions account for less than 1% of his total campaign funding, ever intervened on behalf of the thrifts.