CAMPAIGN DATELINE : <i> A weekly window on the California Elections.</i> : Perot: Billionaire’s Backing Spans Economic Spectrum

For better or worse, unannounced presidential candidate Ross Perot’s support in California appears to cut across the lines of voters who feel they are doing better and voters who feel they are doing worse.

The telling point is that even those who feel they’re better off personally under President Bush still lean toward the Texas billionaire. A Los Angeles Times Poll last week showed Perot besting Bush and Arkansas Gov. Bill Clinton in a three-way race in California.

Independent Perot was supported by 44% of the state voters who view themselves as worse off than four years ago, with Clinton backed by 31% and Bush by 16%. But even among those who consider themselves better off, 42% favored Perot, 32% backed Bush and 20% were for Clinton.

THE CALIFORNIA SCENE

Seeing Green: California’s newest statewide political party--the Greens--may have trouble winning any elections this year. But the environmentalist-focused party is making small strides toward changing the way government works.

The secretary of state’s office, for example, has decided that because of the emergence of the Green Party, none of the state’s election ballots can any longer be green.

“We retired the color green so as not to give some sort of appearance of some kind of support for the party,” said spokeswoman Melissa Warren.

Instead, June 2, Republican ballots will be blue, Democratic ballots pink, Libertarians ballots brown, Peace and Freedom ballots lavender, American Independent ballots gray and Green ballots orange.

Another green wrinkle: Green Party voters in next week’s primary election will be able to vote for “None of the Above” in each race on the state ballot.

The party asked for the designation even in races where there are no candidates running.

It is the first time in modern California history that the “None of the Above” designation has been available on state ballots.

What’s their line: Some candidates across the state in next week’s primary may stick out as a result of the occupations they listed on the ballot. Among the more original ones: Peon, Lobbyist and Female Impersonator.

No-shows: Rumor has it that some incumbent candidates are shying away from Memorial Day parades to avoid exposing themselves as incumbents--and the possible taunts that status could confer.

Fund-Raising Report

Candidates for California’s two U.S Senate seats have filed reports on campaign receipts and expenditures for the period between April 1 and May 13. The reports are an indicator of a candidate’s ability to finance an expensive statewide campaign. Candidates listed are Barbara Boxer, Mel Levine, Leo T. McCarthy, Sonny Bono, Tom Campbell, Bruce Herschensohn, Gray Davis, Dianne Feinstein, William E. Dannemeyer and John Seymour: SIX-YEAR SENATE SEAT:

DEMOCRATS April-May 13 Total April-May 13 Cash Receipts Receipts Expenses on Hand Boxer $684,567 $4,691,113 $1,589,299 $335,001 Levine $711,099 $4,376,928 $543,024 $1,477,481 McCarthy $406,344 $2,518,034 $407,909 $1,006,376 REPUBLICANS Bono $38,810 $296,605 $64,196 $16,567 Campbell $684,522 $3,943,622 $2,326,802 $479,979 Herschensohn $564,675 $2,376,592 $798,667 $196,938

TWO-YEAR SENATE SEAT

DEMOCRATS April-May 13 Total April-May 13 Cash Receipts Receipts Expenses on Hand Davis $204,921 $2,381,058 $1,193,356 $711,770 Feinstein $605,789 $3,642,881 $1,263,741 $513,039 REPUBLICANS Dannemeyer $324,076 $2,874,954 $302,667 $50,557 Seymour $545,932 $3,309,806 $692,260 $317,956

THE NATIONAL SCENE

Dreaming of Jeannie: As they mull potential running mates on the independent presidential ticket Ross Perot is expected to launch, associates of the Texan tycoon have been sounding out friends of former United Nations Ambassador Jeane J. Kirkpatrick.

Several Perot advisers see her as an ideal ticket balancer. They contend Kirkpatrick’s foreign policy credentials and background as an ex-Democratic stalwart who loyally served the Reagan White House would help broaden and strengthen Perot’s appeal.

And, of course, she could help close any gender gap Perot might face. One key issue that both sides are trying to resolve: How much clout would Kirkpatrick carry in shaping Perot’s foreign policy positions?

Help wanted: In Washington State, the Democratic U.S. Senate race is causing party leaders headaches.

After Democratic Sen. Brock Adams decided against running for reelection amid charges of misconduct toward women, state Democrats scrambled to find a brand-name candidate to enter the race. But after considering such a step, Gov. Booth Gardner and Seattle Mayor Norm Rice both have said no. That leaves little-known state legislator Patty Murray and former congressman Don Bonker as the party’s two contenders to try to keep the seat in the “D” column.

Republican Rep. Rod Chandler is the front-runner for the GOP nomination.

EXIT LINE

“I don’t run anything. I’m used to running things. All legislators do is run their mouths.”

--Frequently loquacious Assemblyman B.T. Collins (R-Carmichael) explaining to the Political Pulse, a newsletter for government insiders, why he does not particularly enjoy the job for which he is seeking reelection.

California Dateline appears every Monday.