Fallout on George Bush’s abandonment of “no new tax” pledge: President’s approval rating, according to Gallup poll, has dropped to 63 per cent, down from 69 per cent in June, 80 per cent in January. Survey found 54 per cent disapprove of willingness to raise taxes. From 1989 to 1990, belief in Bush tax pledge among Americans had risen from 24 to 54 per cent. Wirthlin survey finds President’s “strong” support has fallen to 22 per cent. . . . John Sununu is being blamed for failing to warn anti-tax GOP members of Congress beforehand. . . . Jack Kemp seems to disagree with President’s new stand. Just prior to Bush bombshell, Kemp said: “Let the Democrats raise taxes. I say it’s time for a tax cut.” . . . Heritage Foundation labeled Bush’s change of heart “a deplorable flip-flop” and compared it to burning a flag or furloughing Willie Horton. . . . Dan Quayle reassured attendees of summer RNC meeting that his boss did not kick away GO P’s major issue. The VP argued: “The reaction of some Democrats to the President’s June 26 announcement was a useful reminder of this fundamental difference between our two parties. The President reluctantly announced that he would consider tax revenue increases to get the negotiation going.”
Election Updates: Gallup showed list of potential presidential candidates for 1992 to Democratic voters; no clear front-runner emerged: Mario Cuomo, 15 per cent; Jesse Jackson, 14; Michael Dukakis, 13. . . . Human Events reports only 31 per cent of electorate now admits voting for Dukakis, though he received 46 per cent of the vote. . . . Hottest senatorial race this year shaping up in North Carolina, with Jesse Helms trailing in polls against black former Charlotte Mayor Harvey Gantt. Among groups supporting Gantt is “North Carolina Senate Vote ’90,” whose director, Mandy Carter, describes it as a “coalition of arts advocates, peace and justice activists, people of color, gays and lesbians.” . . . Possible GOP takeover in Nebraska. Republican former Rep. Hal Daub is just nine points behind Democratic Sen. Jim Exon. … In Washington State, Rep. Rod Chandler announced in late June his candidacy against Democratic Sen. Brock Adams. AP has Chandler early frontrunner. … In California, Dianne Feinstein holds slight (40 to 37 per cent) lead over GOP Sen. Pete Wilson in race for statehouse, reports L.A. Times. … In Massachusetts gubernatorial primaries, Boston Globe/WBZ poll shows, among Democrats, Francis Bellotti: 32 per cent; John Silber: 32; Evelyn Murphy: 27. Among GOP, Steven Pierce: 43; William Weld: 23. . . . Evans & Novak reports Rep. Barney Frank has no formidable opposition for re-election, though he could lose seat in 1991 redistricting.
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