Bono Opens Senate Race Amid Dreams of Presidency

By the end of his news conference, he was musing openly about the presidency. But that pronouncement will have to wait a while. On Tuesday, the decision occupying singer-restaurateur-Palm Springs Mayor Sonny Bono at he strode into a Century City hotel was whether to run for the United States Senate.

Quickly, before a crowded room of reporters that he confessed he was “surprised” to see, Bono made it official.

“I have decided to seek higher office and go for--um, declare my candidacy for the U. S. Senate,” the Republican said, looking nervous.

Indeed, Bono said later, his decision to trade in his mayoral duties after four years for what can only be described as a long-shot bid for federal office was “somewhat scary.” But he was ready to answer the big question: What makes you think you’re up to the task?

“That’s similar to ‘What makes you think you can write 10 hit songs; you don’t know three chords.’ Or ‘What makes you think you can produce a top-five television show?’ ” Bono said, neatly ticking off his accomplishments.

“ ‘What makes you think you can become a successful businessman? What makes you think you can become mayor of a town?’ All of those, if you will, have been extremely big gradient jumps.”

Bono enters the race seeking the GOP nomination to the seat now held by Democrat Alan Cranston, who plans to retire. Already seeking the Republican nod are U. S. Rep. Tom Campbell of Stanford, a second-term congressman, and radio and television commentator Bruce Herschensohn of Los Angeles.

Before Bono’s entry, the race had stacked up as a clear choice between a social moderate, Campbell, and the conservative Herschensohn, each of whom says that his voice represents the future of the party. Of the two, Herschensohn’s campaign seemed slightly more irritated at the chance that Bono would divert attention.

“We would prefer, naturally, that the focus be upon the difference between Tom Campbell and Bruce Herschensohn,” Herschensohn campaign director Nicholas Thimmesch II said.

“We welcome Sonny Bono and all others into the race,” Campbell said through a spokesman.

Now 56, and thinner in girth and in hair than at the apex of his entertainment fame, Bono made his announcement accompanied by his wife, Mary, and three of his four children. He said he will run as an outsider, attuned to the anger and frustrations of California voters.

“I feel totally qualified,” he said. “I feel that the one attribute that I’ve always had is that I’ve been able to find the bottom line as a common denominator and cut to the chase and go for a long-term solution.

“And I feel that’s what’s really necessary.”

Bono shied away from offering specific positions on several issues, contending that they would be only “short-term” answers and that long-term strategic planning is needed in a host of areas. Nonetheless, he tossed out a few zingers:

* On the refusal of Iraq to comply fully with restrictions on its nuclear weapons program: “I would go in and say it stops or we clean house.” Asked what weapons he would use to clean house, he said “whatever it takes.” He later added that nuclear weapons would “not necessarily” be needed.

* Similarly, Bono said, the United States should hold the Lebanese government responsible for hostage-holding inside its borders: “We know damn well they know who it is and they know what’s going on and at some point, you go, ‘OK, the party’s over.’ . . . I would at some point say, ‘Look, these guys come home or we’re coming in and we’re going to get them.”

* On AB 101, the controversial gay rights bill vetoed by Gov. Pete Wilson: “That’s a personal issue that belongs in somebody’s house . . . something we shouldn’t be sticking our fingers into,” said Bono, who wrote to Wilson and recommended a veto.

* On Supreme Court nominee Clarence Thomas: “I like him!”

Bono, who is scheduled to go to Washington today to court party leaders, said he expects to spend $5 million to $7 million campaigning before the June primary. The campaign’s seed money will be his, he said, but he has yet to set a limit on his donations. “I have my limits,” he said. “I’m not a rich guy.”

While his preparation for running has included consultations with White House officials, Bono said he fully expects to become fodder for smirking late-night talk show hosts. He is hopeful that he can convince voters he is a serious candidate--but he holds out less chance of receiving an endorsement from his ex-partner and ex-wife, Cher.

“We really don’t have much to communicate about anymore,” he said. “We’re on two different planes--probably two different planets.”

There was enough optimism in the air Tuesday to muse about that next political step. With a suitable blush, he confessed that yes, he had thought about the White House.

“You don’t dare to dream,” he said. “But no one can resist dreaming.”