Interim Home for Clinton Still Up in the Air

Just when President-elect Clinton thought he had his housing problem resolved, a circuit judge put the arrangements in limbo Friday.

Lt. Gov. Jim Guy Tucker, who is to take over Clinton’s duties when he resigns, said Thursday that the president-elect could live at the governor’s mansion until he moves to the White House upon his inauguration Jan. 20.

Based on a circuit judge’s ruling Wednesday that Tucker would inherit the governor’s powers, duties and perquisites, Tucker figured he could lend Clinton use of the mansion while he remains in his own home.

But the judge said Friday that he would amend his order next week to drop any reference to the perks. In a telephone interview, Judge John Plegge said the question of whether Tucker inherits use of the mansion “would have to be resolved later.”

The issue arose because of a lawsuit filed to determine how Clinton’s successor will be chosen.

Clinton does not own his own home. He has lived in the mansion 12 of the last 14 years, longer than any other house in his life.

Aides wondered where Clinton would live between the time of his resignation as governor and his inauguration as President. Some suggested he might rent or borrow a house in Little Rock.

Bruce Lindsey, a close Clinton friend who is helping on the transition, said housing has not been a major topic of discussion with Clinton and his wife, Hillary.

“Moving in the short term would not be a major problem, but it would just be one more thing to deal with,” Lindsey said.

On Thursday, Tucker said that “the mansion is designed not only for the governor, but also for guests of the state, and I think the president-elect of the United States is an appropriate guest for us to have staying at the mansion.”

“My family wants to spend Christmas at home, and I’m sure the Clintons want to enjoy Christmas at home, too,” he added.

Clinton is expected to resign as Arkansas’ governor soon. If he lives in the mansion while no longer governor, he probably would have to reimburse the state, Tucker said.

The Georgian-style mansion near downtown is one of the big perks of being governor in Arkansas. It comes with a $50,000 budget for food and entertainment.