Tsongas, Behind Hostile Lines, Still Upstages Clinton : Politics: The former Massachusetts senator impresses audience in Atlanta, deflecting steady drumbeat of criticism leveled at him.

Former Massachusetts Sen. Paul E. Tsongas forcefully planted his flag behind enemy lines Friday night with a surprisingly well-received speech that upstaged Arkansas Gov. Bill Clinton at a gathering of thousands of Georgia Democrats.

Tsongas took direct aim at the steady drumbeat of criticism that Georgia Gov. Zell Miller and other Clinton supporters here have leveled at him since his victory in last Tuesday’s New Hampshire primary.

“George Bush is the enemy,” he told a crowd that included both Miller and Clinton, “I’m not the enemy.”

Tsongas’ dramatic remarks overshadowed a speech in which Clinton repeatedly emphasized his Southern roots even while insisting he wasn’t playing on them.

“I want you to vote for me,” Clinton told the crowd, “but I want you to do it not because we all talk funny, not because I’ve been here a thousand times, not because I have friends throughout this audience, but because America can win again.”

Much of the state’s political leadership, including Miller and Sen. Sam Nunn, has endorsed Clinton in the March 3 primary. But Tsongas impressed his audience with his nimble deflection of the criticism and firm enunciation of his pro-business platform.

“You cannot be pro-jobs and anti-business at the same time,” Tsongas told an audience that appeared to be expecting a much more liberal message.

Despite the warm reception, Tsongas still faces an uphill battle persuading Georgia Democrats to support another Massachusetts politician. “I think he’s a Ted Kennedy; he can’t win in the South,” said Wayne Grindle of Dahlonega as he left the speech.

But David Williams of Atlanta said: “Tsongas did better than expected in a very adverse situation. He scored some points.” Added Chuck Palmer of Atlanta: “The crowd really warmed up to him. I thought that at the end it was sincere applause, whereas at the beginning it was polite applause.”

Tsongas did not flinch from confronting his hosts, calling “offensive” the attempts by Clinton surrogates in recent days to paint him as an elitist who is out of touch with the region’s conservative cultural values.

On Wednesday, Miller attacked Tsongas in a Clinton rally as an “anti-death penalty, anti-middle class politician.”

On Friday, when he arrived in Atlanta, Tsongas was greeted by a front-page headline-sized quote in the Atlanta Journal delivered by Lt. Gov Pierre Howard as he introduced Clinton to the state Senate earlier in the day.

“I think when the people of the state vote, the message will go out clearly that Tsongas is not Greek for Bubba,” Howard had said.

With Howard in the audience, Tsongas pointedly responded to the gibe.

“It’s not nice,” he said. “And I’m proud of my heritage.”

Speaking to reporters after his speech, Tsongas said he brought up the issue to clear the air. The jabs have clearly grated on Tsongas, in particular, because he bypassed chances to criticize Clinton when accusations of womanizing and avoiding the draft were swirling around the governor.

“All we’re doing is making it easier for George Bush,” he said. “I find this idea of having your staff and others and surrogates attack me inappropriate. I’m asking for the same fair play I gave to him when he was in his difficulties.”

Still, concerned about the political impact of the Clinton campaign’s barrage of criticism, Tsongas also felt compelled to make clear his positions in the disputed areas.

He said he believes the death penalty is “an appropriate measure” for those convicted of crimes against society, like drug dealing or the killing of police officers or judges. The latter is a fairly recent addition to Tsongas’ litany.

For his part, Clinton took the high road at the dinner, praising his rivals for their “contribution to the national debate.” But earlier in the day, Clinton struck back at Tsongas’ suggestion that he was playing “Santa Claus” for supporting a middle-class tax cut.

“When I am trying to help the middle class and reduce poverty, with policies that will change this country, some have said that that amounts to being Santa Claus,” Clinton said. “Well, the American people don’t need Santa Claus but they do need a President who understands their pain. . . . “

Though he was battling a sore throat that sometimes left him nearly inaudible, Clinton also excited several undecided voters in the crowd. “I’m for Clinton because he has done some plain talking here tonight; he has touched my heart,” said Gloria Reid from Warner Robins, Ga.

Times staff writer Sonni Efron contributed to this story.

CAMPAIGN TENSION: Competition for votes strains genial Tsongas-Clinton relationship. A19