For the Record

■ What was going on with Marlin Fitzwater’s statement that George Bush’s “I’m not going to do it again— never, ever” was not a pledge not to raise taxes? Beltway sources say President was ad-libbing, and that Fitzwater and others in campaign were desperate to avoid “pledge trap.” . . . Some interesting local departures from nationwide polls: In California, where Ross Perot is still on ballot, Political Media Research found Bill Clinton leading Bush by only 4 points—39 to 35—with 15 per cent opting for Perot. . . . Favorable media reaction to Bush’s economic plan (even New York Times praised it) gave him a boost— but not in New York. Daily News tally showed Clinton with a statewide lead of 57 to 30, with 13 undecided. … If President carries Illinois, it will be no thanks to GOP Senate nominee Rich Williamson, who complains that Bush is a “drag” on his campaign against Woman of the Year candidate Carol Moseley Braun and talks openly about his need to “distance” himself from Bush. Great Lakes Republicans contrast Williamson’s wimpdom with sterling efforts on President’s behalf by Govs. John Engler of Mich., Tommy Thompson of Wisc., and Ji8m Edgar of Ill. . . . Dan Quayle got in his licks over Emmy Award: “Murphy Brown, you owe me a big one.” Dialogue may continue: as Susan Spencer of CBS noted, “She still has to name the baby.” . . . Looking ahead to ’96, Washingtonian straw poll of state party chairmen shows Jack Kemp way ahead with 18 votes; other contenders far behind: Phil Gramm 8; Dan Quayle 6; Bill Bennett and Dick Cheney 3; James Baker 2; Pat Buchanan, Carroll Campbell, Bob Dole, Pete du Pont, Warren Rudman, and William Weld 1.

■ In New York, Republican Sen. Al D’Amato hoping for a Democratic recount: In primary for nomination to oppose him, Robert Abrams nosed out Geraldine Ferraro (whom D’Amato would rather run against), but absentee ballots have not yet been counted. Last weeks of campaign had featured radical Al Sharpton taking high road, reprimanding Abrams and Liz Holtzman for bringing up Ferraro’s reputed mob ties. . . . Wrong choice: Long-time Rep. Stephen Solarz, done out of safe seat by redistricting, chose to run in district gerrymandered for Hispanics rather than challenging popular Rep. Ted Weiss. Weiss died one day before primary; Democratic bosses pleaded with his constituents to vote for him anyway, lest Arthur R. Block, member of a psychotherapy cult, win the nomination for almost-can’t-lose election. They did, returning a dead man by 88 per cent (bosses will name a successor). Meanwhile, Solarz lost to one of the 5 Hispanics in race, Nydia Velazquez. … In the Bronx, Mario Biaggi—who left Congress for jail in 1989 when he was convicted for graft—failed in throw-the-rascal-back-in campaign. … In more normal parts of the country, incumbents have had hard times, with 17 representatives so far defeated in primaries, including conservative Mickey Edwards (R., Okla.). But Jay Rhodes (R., Ariz.), who had written 32 bad checks, held on to nomination for fourth term in seat his father had held for thirty years, and GOP Sens. Frank Murkowski (Alaska), Robert Kasten (Wisc.), and John McCain (Ariz.)— one of Keating Five—won renomination easily. . . . Henry Hyde—whom many Illinois Republicans wish had Senate nomination instead of Rich Williamson—announced he would run to succeed Edwards as chairman of Republican Policy Committee.

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Presidential Election

■ What was going on with Marlin Fitzwater’s statement that George Bush’s “I’m not going to do it again— never, ever” was not a pledge not to raise taxes? Beltway sources say President was ad-libbing, and that Fitzwater and others in campaign were desperate to avoid “pledge trap.” . . . Some interesting local departures from nationwide polls: In California, where Ross Perot is still on ballot, Political Media Research found Bill Clinton leading Bush by only 4 points—39 to 35—with 15 per cent opting for Perot. . . . Favorable media reaction to Bush’s economic plan (even New York Times praised it) gave him a boost— but not in New York. Daily News tally showed Clinton with a statewide lead of 57 to 30, with 13 undecided. … If President carries Illinois, it will be no thanks to GOP Senate nominee Rich Williamson, who complains that Bush is a “drag” on his campaign against Woman of the Year candidate Carol Moseley Braun and talks openly about his need to “distance” himself from Bush. Great Lakes Republicans contrast Williamson’s wimpdom with sterling efforts on President’s behalf by Govs. John Engler of Mich., Tommy Thompson of Wisc., and Ji8m Edgar of Ill. . . . Dan Quayle got in his licks over Emmy Award: “Murphy Brown, you owe me a big one.” Dialogue may continue: as Susan Spencer of CBS noted, “She still has to name the baby.” . . . Looking ahead to ’96, Washingtonian straw poll of state party chairmen shows Jack Kemp way ahead with 18 votes; other contenders far behind: Phil Gramm 8; Dan Quayle 6; Bill Bennett and Dick Cheney 3; James Baker 2; Pat Buchanan, Carroll Campbell, Bob Dole, Pete du Pont, Warren Rudman, and William Weld 1.

■ In New York, Republican Sen. Al D’Amato hoping for a Democratic recount: In primary for nomination to oppose him, Robert Abrams nosed out Geraldine Ferraro (whom D’Amato would rather run against), but absentee ballots have not yet been counted. Last weeks of campaign had featured radical Al Sharpton taking high road, reprimanding Abrams and Liz Holtzman for bringing up Ferraro’s reputed mob ties. . . . Wrong choice: Long-time Rep. Stephen Solarz, done out of safe seat by redistricting, chose to run in district gerrymandered for Hispanics rather than challenging popular Rep. Ted Weiss. Weiss died one day before primary; Democratic bosses pleaded with his constituents to vote for him anyway, lest Arthur R. Block, member of a psychotherapy cult, win the nomination for almost-can’t-lose election. They did, returning a dead man by 88 per cent (bosses will name a successor). Meanwhile, Solarz lost to one of the 5 Hispanics in race, Nydia Velazquez. … In the Bronx, Mario Biaggi—who left Congress for jail in 1989 when he was convicted for graft—failed in throw-the-rascal-back-in campaign. … In more normal parts of the country, incumbents have had hard times, with 17 representatives so far defeated in primaries, including conservative Mickey Edwards (R., Okla.). But Jay Rhodes (R., Ariz.), who had written 32 bad checks, held on to nomination for fourth term in seat his father had held for thirty years, and GOP Sens. Frank Murkowski (Alaska), Robert Kasten (Wisc.), and John McCain (Ariz.)— one of Keating Five—won renomination easily. . . . Henry Hyde—whom many Illinois Republicans wish had Senate nomination instead of Rich Williamson—announced he would run to succeed Edwards as chairman of Republican Policy Committee.