Bush Warns of His Own Attack if Democrats Raise Meese Issue

INDIANAPOLIS â€”  If Democrats tar him with the controversy surrounding Atty Gen. Edwin Meese III, Vice President George Bush threatened Friday to unleash his own accusations of “guilt by association.â€�

“You know, we’ve got some cannon fodder if they want to get into that,� Bush said.

The GOP presidential nominee-apparent was asked in a series of interviews with Indiana reporters whether the legal troubles plaguing the attorney general and other Administration figures would affect Bush’s presidential campaign.

“I don’t think as far as my fortunes are concerned, one iota. I think the American people are fair,� Bush said.

But he added: “I know the Democrats, I read them talking about it. But there is plenty of evidence to kind of go into a guilt-by-association mode.�

Cites Massachusetts Politics

He mentioned, in particular, “Massachusetts politics, campaign staff or things of that nature.�

“I hope we don’t have to,� Bush insisted.

However, if Democrats persist, Bush told another reporter, “we will have some fun too trying to look into what is going on in Illinois or Massachusetts, depending on who wins.�

Michael S. Dukakis is governor of Massachusetts and his chief rival, the Rev. Jesse Jackson, has been a leading figure in Illinois poverty programs and politics.

Bush was not asked to be more specific, although the reference to campaign staff appeared directed at Dukakis, who dismissed two top aides early in the race when it was determined they misled the public over their roles in distributing a videotape critical of an opponent.

The vice president’s day of campaigning overall was a sweeping attempt to define the upcoming November race in old-fashioned liberal vs. conservative terms. Judging by his tone and vigor, one might have assumed the election was only weeks away, not months.

“I don’t sense a return to what I now see as a Jacksis,� Bush said, apparently mixing the names of his rivals purposely. “A . . . philosophy that we have to go and break the backs of the taxpayers and return to that old concept that led to 21.5% interest and double-digit inflation. I don’t think the country wants to go back to that old liberal Democratic approach.�

See Taxes as Key Issue

Bush said he believed the No.1 domestic issue in November will be a favorite of Republicans: to tax or not to tax.

“I think the Democrats are going to have to go for a tax increase,� he said. For his part, Bush has pledged to oppose new taxes and, in fact, has proposed a reduction in the capital gains tax for investors.

“The liberals--Dukakis and Jackson--their answer is, hey, if you really believe in education, double the spending,� Bush complained. He said the same was true on the environment and health care--�double the spending.�