Did Bill Clinton’s presidential role during Oklahoma City tragedy help him politically? Yes, says columnist Bob Novak, but not enough to affect election, still 18 months away. In any case, it doesn’t solve basic problems like choosing which political guru to go with. D.C. all abuzz about latest entry into Clinton’s inner circle of campaign consultants—GOP consultant Richard Morris, who has worked in past with conservative stalwarts like Sen. Trent Lott (R., Miss.). Does this suggest sharp turn to Right by Clinton in ’96? . . . Media speculation also on again about possible bid by Sen. William Bradley (D., N.J.) to oppose Prez. . . . On GOP side, Bob Dole and Phil Gramm jockeying for position in nomination process frontloaded with early primaries in critical states. Gramm’s campaign advisor, Charles Black, sees Iowa and New Hampshire going to Dole but Gramm getting much larger blocks of delegates in Arizona, Louisiana, South Carolina, Georgia, and Texas. Black adds: “We’ll have the de facto nominee” as early as California primary (March 26) and “The conservative in the California primary always wins.” . . . But Gramm’s recent meeting with two influential religious conservatives—Family Research Council’s Gary Bauer and Focus on Family’s James Dobson— was a disaster. Gramm reportedly told both men that social issues were not particularly important to his agenda . . . Pat Buchanan gloating after unexpected victory over Gramm in Arizona Republican Assembly straw poll. Gramm supporters dismiss vote by saying group is one of few GOP outfits that joined Buchanan in opposing NAFTA trade bill with Mexico. Buchanan also won 66 per cent in straw poll by California State Sovereignty Coalition, a Perot group.
Despite focus on presidential drive, GOP leaders keeping eye on ’96 Senate races. Announcement of retirement by Clinton’s strongest Whitewater defender, Sen. David Pryor (D., Ark.), means five Democratic incumbents from states with significant GOP strength have now said they won’t run again—others being Paul Simon (Ill.), Howell Heflin (Ala.), James Exon (Neb.), and J. Bennett Johnson (La.). Early speculation about GOP candidate for Pryor seat is attractive conservative Lt. Gov. Mike Hauckabee, who won current job in upset victory in 1993.
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