Advises Bush to Look Elsewhere : Deukmejian Firmly Says No to Vice President Bid

SACRAMENTO — Trying to end all speculation about becoming George Bush’s running mate, Gov. George Deukmejian said Thursday that he could not accept the nomination if it were offered and would not want the “major responsibilities” and workload of the job anyway.

Deukmejian conceded that he has “never had any great desire to hold a national office,” nor has he had “an interest in federal issues.”

If he were Bush, the Republican governor advised, he would choose either Kansas Sen. Bob Dole or New York Rep. Jack Kemp as his vice presidential nominee. Both have run for President, have important constituencies, have built grass-roots organizations and have spoken out on the issues, he noted. And either would give the Bush ticket “more national scope” than Texas Sen. Lloyd Bentsen brings to Michael S. Dukakis’ Democratic ticket, Deukmejian asserted.

Nobody in the Bush camp has even talked to him about any aspects of the vice presidency, Deukmejian said, and he added “that’s really the best evidence” that he is not on Bush’s “short list” of potential running mates, despite widespread national speculation to the contrary. The theory is that Deukmejian would help Bush carry California, which holds the largest bloc of electoral votes--47--and is regarded as a crucial battleground.

Deukmejian was in a reflective, self-analyzing mood as he was interviewed Thursday. The governor talked candidly about his squabbles with the Democratic Legislature and indicated that he was lukewarm to the prospect of running for a third term, although he will not make a final decision until late this year or early next year.

Seated in his Cabinet room, which is dominated by a smiling portrait of Ronald Reagan, Deukmejian, in shirt sleeves, talked about how much he likes his work. “I do enjoy the job, there’s no question about it,” he said. But the governor seemed less enthusiastic than his past public statements would indicate about the prospects of another four-year term in office, conceding that relations with Democratic lawmakers have deteriorated and he has come to feel stymied by the Legislature’s “institutional opposition” to his programs.

“You’re just constantly confronted with (the Democrats) throwing up obstacles in your path and your efforts to try to carry forward what the people elected me to do,” he said. “It’s quite a struggle and you have to deal with it week after week.”

Doesn’t Want the Job

Regarding the vice presidency, Deukmejian often has said that he “couldn’t accept” the post because he would have to turn over the governor’s office to Democratic Lt. Gov. Leo T. McCarthy. But he also recently has been teasing the news media and politicians by adding, “but you never say never.” The 60-year-old governor went beyond those comments on Thursday, however, to indicate that he really does not want the job.

It would be “a very, very high honor,” he said, but “I’m also fully aware that it would bring about a total change in your entire life and that of your family. . . . I wouldn’t be eager to have to take on the kinds of responsibilities that go along with the office--the constant travel, the expections the public has and the party has for a person who holds that position, in addition to the countless major tasks that would be assigned, I think, to whoever the vice president is under George Bush.

“Because with George Bush’s experience in that office, I think he would be relying on his vice president to be carrying on a lot of major responsibilities. . . . I think it would involve a tremendous amount of work. And I have to say, I’m not eager to jump at having to take on those additional burdens.”

Historically, people being considered for the vice presidency have complained about the job’s lack of real responsibility--not that it may have too much.

Asked if being thrust into the national spotlight had whetted his appetite to compete in a bigger political arena, Deukmejian said: “No, I’ve never had any great desire to hold a national 1868981865comfortable and very confident with my abilities, my knowledge about state issues, state government.”

Chose to Stay in State

If he “had had an interest in federal issues,” the governor said, he would have run for Congress when he had an opportunity several years ago. “I chose instead to stay in California, to keep my family here and my entire life style here in this state.”

In somewhat the same light, Deukmejian said the political demands of the governorship, including the problems of dealing with a hostile Legislature, detract from his current job and will weigh heavily in his decision about whether to seek a third term.

Deukmejian has run into strong opposition in the Legislature on a variety of matters, including his ultimately successful effort to locate a state prison in Los Angeles County, his tax rebate proposal and his nominee for state treasurer, Rep. Daniel E. Lungren, who was rejected by the Senate.