Brown Says Tsongas’ Exit Gives Voters Clear Choice : Campaign: He calls his confrontation with Clinton a ‘battle for the soul of the Democratic Party.’

“The battle for the soul of the Democratic Party is on,” former California Gov. Edmund G. (Jerry) Brown Jr. declared repeatedly Thursday after learning that he suddenly had become Arkansas Gov. Bill Clinton’s lone surviving opponent for the presidential nomination.

“Who is the Democratic Party?” the maverick candidate asked rhetorically, addressing a dozen minority political activists at a downtown Hartford diner upon hearing that former Massachusetts Sen. Paul E. Tsongas had thrown in the towel.

“Is it the party of million-dollar consultants, very sophisticated poll takers who extract language in focus groups that then is distributed out of the mouths of candidates? Or is it an authentic expression of ordinary people who want their country back? It’s a clear choice of values and direction.”

Brown, who has little money for air fare and lodging, let alone consultants and pollsters, later told a packed rally of supporters in Hartford’s Colonial courthouse that “this is a classic confrontation between those who have the power . . . and the people. And now, when there’s just two (Democratic candidates), make the choice.”

“It’s gridlock down there,” he said of the nation’s capital, seeking to link the Arkansas governor with Washington insiders and vowing to continue his vigorous campaign against the Democratic front-runner. “If it takes a crowbar to break the ice, so be it.”

Brown, now the focus of increasing news media attention, zipped around Hartford and later New Haven in a heavy snowstorm for countless interviews while stumping for votes in Tuesday’s Connecticut primary. He particularly concentrated on union members and university students--two cornerstones of his coalition.

“Now we have the chance, with the entire eye of the nation focused on Connecticut, to make a real statement about where we’re (the Brown campaign) going,” Brown said, in words that could come back to haunt him if he should get beaten badly by Clinton here.

Brown was responding to a state Democratic leader, who questioned whether he really could be elected President. “We don’t want to back a loser,” said Larry Charles, echoing a universal sentiment of party politicians.

“I mean, I’ve never had this feeling that Bill Clinton is going to get the nomination,” Brown told reporters, with minority activists listening. “Now, I’m not telling you I’m going to win yet. But I’m getting closer every day.”

Publicly, Brown repeatedly portrayed Tsongas’ exit as “another step forward.” The former governor and his small staff obviously were proud that his candidacy had outlasted four others. “It’s working like it was supposed to work,” said Jacques Barzaghi, Brown’s longtime adviser.

But privately, Brown and his tiny cadre were not quite sure what to think. They realized that a lot more money now would go to Clinton from contributors who regard him as certain to win the nomination. Brown, preaching political reform, has limited donations to $100 apiece and, he reported Thursday, has reached $3 million in pledges--still a paltry sum by major campaign standards.

Barzaghi also speculated that Clinton may refuse to debate Brown, who is regarded by the front-runner as a troublemaker who keeps bringing up the so-called “character issue.”

“We know what he’s going to do--he’s going to try to avoid all debates,” Barzaghi said of Clinton. “That’s out of our hands. We hope there are interests out there who try to keep that from happening.”

Asked whether his strategy would change with Tsongas’ departure, Brown replied in typical fashion: “No, this doesn’t change our strategy. We don’t have a strategy. We have a commitment to give the American people a real choice. . . . We take this campaign day by day.”

He did have one immediate strategy, however, and that was to try to get Tsongas in his corner.

“To Paul Tsongas, I say congratulations on maintaining an honesty and authenticity that is rare in contemporary politics,” Brown said.

Tsongas later reached Brown by telephone to tell him personally of his departure from the race. But Brown said he did not ask for an endorsement. “I said I would do that later,” Brown told reporters.