Ambitions Hinder Wilson, Brown Says : Politics: Assembly Speaker says the governor is too concerned with how positions will affect his future.

Gov. Pete Wilson’s national political ambitions are making it difficult to negotiate critical issues with Democrats in the state Legislature, dimming the aura of good feeling that followed Wilson’s inaugural, Assembly Speaker Willie Brown complained Friday.

In some ways, trying to negotiate with Wilson is “far more complicated” than dealing with his conservative GOP predecessor, George Deukmejian, the San Francisco Democrat said in a breakfast meeting in Los Angeles with Southern California reporters.

Deukmejian didn’t bargain often, Brown said, but when he did, the deal was struck quickly without concern for political ramifications. With Wilson, “you get a full dose of politics,” Brown said. “I have no clue of what he intends to do” in getting the Legislature to accept a solution to California’s fiscal crisis.

The Assembly leader said he didn’t want to “throw cold water” on the prospects of working with Wilson, noting that the governor’s willingness to propose a major tax increase to help cut the state’s budget deficit is a good sign--”something a Republican governor’s never done.”

But Brown quickly added: “So far, we have not had one item on which the cooperation could demonstrate itself. That is not to say it won’t be forthcoming. But all I can tell you is the jury is still out.”

Other responses by Brown to reporters’ questions Friday could spark controversy within his own party, particularly his suggestion that several potential Democratic candidates for two U.S. Senate seats should not run. Brown said he will be accused of trying to play the role of party kingmaker, but is merely being practical.

Less competition in the Democratic primary will conserve campaign funds and avoid the sort of intraparty name-calling that could hurt the surviving Democrats when they face Republicans in the fall, he said.

Brown also said he is virtually certain California’s presidential primary will be moved from June to March, 1992, enhancing the state’s impact in the nominating process. And he said he would endorse New York Gov. Mario Cuomo for president if Cuomo runs.

In January, Brown, a Democratic liberal who has chafed most of his 26-year legislative career under budget-cutting governors, was virtually euphoric at the prospect of a governor willing to propose new programs and to work with the Legislature.

Brown had described Wilson’s inaugural address in January as “far more progressive and liberal” than any that would have been given by Democrat Dianne Feinstein, whom Brown strongly supported for governor against Wilson.

But Brown said his frustration level has risen as he and Wilson have increasingly differed over issues such as resolution of the fiscal crisis and financing education.

In Sacramento, Wilson spokesman Bill Livingstone dismissed Brown’s comments as “political statements.” He said Wilson has no political ambition beyond serving two terms as governor.

Brown knows that he will be at a meeting with the governor Tuesday when the proposed Democratic legislative budget plan is expected to be discussed, Livingstone said. That, the aide added, “will be the beginning of the process.”

Although Brown applauded Wilson for backing a tax increase, they differ on what form it should take. Brown supports a new tax on services rather than a higher sales tax and wants to raise the income tax for wealthy Californians. Wilson has vowed to veto any income tax increase.

While talking with reporters Friday, Brown fashioned a possible compromise that would eliminate the annual indexing of the income tax on the wealthiest Californians. “That may be a great alternative as I think about it,” he said. “Maybe we ought to both move away from his advocacy of the sales tax 100% and me advocating a tax on upper-bracket income. He may be more able to live with that.”

In contrasting Wilson with Deukmejian, Brown said Deukmejian did not often bargain with the Legislature because he was interested in few issues and cared little about his political party or his own political future.

But when Deukmejian took a position on a legislative issue “you could bank on it,” Brown said. “Pete Wilson, we’ve not been able to get to the point where he’s even willing to talk.”

Brown said Wilson is concerned with his image, very concerned about how he is viewed by the Republican Party and “overly concerned” with the effect his positions will have on his political future.

As for doings within his own party, Brown said state Controller Gray Davis should not challenge Feinstein in the June, 1992, primary for the U.S. Senate seat held by Republican John Seymour. Democrats have the best chance of capturing the Senate seat if Feinstein is able to win the nomination without a challenge in the primary, Brown said.

Davis said Brown’s comments were predictable because he is a Feinstein supporter.

“We’re going through a traditional Democratic mating ritual,” said Davis, who is said to be leaning toward challenging Feinstein. “We (Democrats) tend to disagree in the primary and come together in general.”

Brown said that former Gov. Edmund G. Brown Jr. is the favorite to win the Democratic nomination for the Senate seat held by Democrat Alan Cranston, but that he should consider not running if opinion polls indicate he would have trouble beating a Republican in the fall election. Reps. Barbara Boxer (D-Greenbrae) and Robert T. Matsui (D-Sacramento) also should consider not running unless they enjoy a dramatic rise in opinion polls by Jan. 1, he said.