POLITICAL BREIFING

AD WARS: The first commercial for a 1992 presidential candidate has been broadcast in New Hampshire, but the nature of the impending media battle in that key state remains something of a mystery.

Former Massachusetts Sen. Paul E. Tsongas fired the opening salvo with an advertisement that, in part, addresses one of his apparent liabilities--questions about his health. The ad shows Tsongas, whose bout with lymph cancer caused him to pass on a Senate reelection bid in 1984, swimming the butterfly stroke alone in an indoor swimming pool.

Tsongas broke the ad silence, consultants say, for the publicity of being first and in hopes of solidifying his already strong name recognition in his neighboring state. But with campaign contributions scarce, his competitors for the Democratic nomination are holding their fire. None want to spend precious media dollars before New Hampshire voters are focused on politics.

Aides to Arkansas Gov. Bill Clinton say to expect nothing from their man until January. Aides to Virginia Gov. L. Douglas Wilder say that, to save money, he will do “something completely out of the ordinary”--such as sending videocassettes to groups of voters. And Iowa Sen. Tom Harkin’s ads likely will feature passages from his speech announcing his candidacy.

Since the candidates generally are not well known, a spate of biographical ads is expected. Nebraska Sen. Bob Kerrey’s spot is expected to be especially powerful, thanks to his telegenic style and record as Vietnam War hero. Said one political consultant, “I could do his bio this afternoon and it would blow your socks off.”

WOMEN WANTED?: Anger over the treatment of law professor Anita Faye Hill by the all-male Senate Judiciary Committee in the October hearings on her allegation that she was sexually harassed by Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas inspired feminist groups to intensify their recruiting of women candidates for Congress. But a Nov. 21-24 survey by The Times Poll raises doubts about whether the public shares the belief that the hearings showed a need for more women in the legislative branch.

Just 14% of those polled said the hearings--which featured sharp attacks on Hill from Republicans--would make them more likely to support women candidates. Three-fourths said it would have no effect on their future votes, while 8% said it would make them less likely to back a woman.

Even among women, just 18% said Hill’s experience would increase the likelihood of them supporting women candidates; 8% said it would diminish the possibility, and 72% said it would have no effect. Moreover, nearly three-fourths of those surveyed--including 70% of women--said a candidate’s position on Thomas’ confirmation to the Supreme Court would not affect their vote.

DUKE ALLY: James Meredith, a one-time hero of the civil rights movement, has offered himself as a running mate should former Ku Klux Klan leader David Duke launch a presidential campaign. Duke is expected to announce his plans on Wednesday.

“His positions are my positions,” said Meredith, who endorsed Duke in the recent Louisiana governor’s race.

Meredith gained fame in 1962 when, with troops standing by to protect him, he enrolled as the first black student at the University of Mississippi.

Meredith, 58, currently is unemployed, a condition he blames in part on his political philosophy. Speaking from his home in Jackson, Miss., he said: “Every day is a holiday for me. My liberal elite friends have seen to that.”