BAILY ADOPTS CAMPAIGN SLOGAN: `NOT FOR HIRE'

In 1988 when he was seeking re-election as state treasurer, Wendell Bailey campaigned around the state in an antique armored car. Now, as part of his campaign for the Republican nomination for governor, Bailey is waging a three-week tour of Missouri in a 1972 Checker taxi cab to emphasize that "this candidate is not for hire."

Bailey is using the slogan and taxi to emphasize he will not accept any contributions of over $100 from any individual or group between now and the primary election next August.

Bailey announced for governor earlier this year and is the first candidate to formally declare his intentions. For the past six months, Bailey said he has been talking with people about campaign contribution limits and has gotten a good response.

"I'm not positive it's going to work, but I am positive it is what I want to do in the governor's race," declared Bailey, who has about $105,000 in his account now.

"I've been running for office since 1972 and don't want to spend my time in this campaign dialing for dollars of heavy hitters," he observed. "I want to lead people, and if this works, it will change the way we do elections in the state of Missouri."

Bailey announced his $100 contribution limit at an airport news conference in Cape Girardeau Wednesday, one of eight stops on his schedule. Later, he attended a barbecue at the city park in his hometown of Willow Springs.

He planned to take his checker cab - which has over 200,000 miles on it - on the road today beginning at 8 a.m. in Mountain Grove. He will stop in Cape Girardeau on the last day of his 18-day campaign swing, when he holds a breakfast on Aug. 16 at the Holiday Inn.

Bailey, whose career includes eight years in the Missouri House, two years in Congress, and now seven years as state treasurer, said many people have complained to him they have no say in government and cannot make a difference.

But he declared, "People gave me an opportunity to serve and I am going to give the people a chance to win an election. When we win, it will give the state of Missouri a fresh new look at leadership."

Bailey said if he seeks large contributions as other candidates do, then he will have the same obligations to those people and groups that many elected officials do now. Those kinds of commitments make change hard to make, he pointed out.

"You can't change if you do everything the same old way," said Bailey. Instead of seeking the $5,000 contributions, Bailey said he will go after the $50 and $100 contributors.

Bailey explained that his $100 contribution limit applies to any calender year, beginning Sunday, which is exactly one year from the 1992 primary. That means an individual or corporation could contribute $100 between now and the end of this year, and another $100 next year prior to the primary.

In addition, Bailey said he will accept no contributions from political action committees that receive more than $100 contributions from any individual or company.

Bailey will, however, accept in-kind contributions such as airplane rides, food for campaign events, and volunteer assistance.

If he wins the primary, Bailey said he is unsure whether he would continue with the contribution limit through the general election. But he said he probably would.

Bailey said that some have suggested the limit will restrict his ability to campaign. But Bailey maintained, "I think this will improve my ability to campaign. I'm excited about this campaign; this election will change politics in Missouri."

As treasurer, Bailey is in a position to seek large contributions from financial institutions. Bailey said a lot of what he has raised so far has come from those institutions, including his largest donation which was $5,000 from Boatmen's Bank.

Attorney General William Webster and Secretary of State Roy Blunt are also campaigning for governor, although neither has formally declared.

By law, Gov. John Ashcroft cannot seek a third term; Bailey is also prohibited from seeking a third term as treasurer.