REPUBLICANS EYE GOVERNORSHIP

CAPE GIRARDEAU - Three Republican state officials made it clear here Saturday night that they do not believe a primary race for governor next year would have a detrimental effect on the party.

Still, only one of the three - State Treasurer Wendell Bailey - acknowledged he was definitely in the race. Bailey formally announced his candidacy earlier this year.

The other two, Attorney General William Webster and Secretary of State Roy Blunt, left little doubt that their intentions were to seek the state's highest office and that they would eventually be making formal announcements.

Gov. John Ashcroft is prohibited from seeking a third term in 1992, and many Republican leaders have expressed concern about having three current statewide officeholders headed on a collision course for governor. Some have expressed the hope that at least one of the candidates will seek another office or re-election to their present office.

The three were in attendance Saturday night at the 21st annual Cape County Lincoln Day, which attracted about 500 people. Iowa Congressman Fred Grandy was the keynote speaker. He urged Republicans to study their party's 137-year history so they could be prepared to prevent Democrats from distorting the party's record and priorities.

Grandy, who starred as Gopher on the television series "The Love Boat," stressed that because of the Reagan-Bush leadership of the last decade, there has been a changing attitude in the nation that there needs to be less government.

Everyone who spoke from the statewide officials and keynote speaker to Congressman Bill Emerson and State Reps. Mary Kasten and David Schwab expressed a need for Republicans to gain more seats in Congress and the Missouri General Assembly, and predicted this should be the decade of Republicans gaining a majority.

At a press conference prior to the dinner, Bailey said, "I'm a declared candidate and in it until I'm successful or not." Asked about speculation he might seek the lieutenant governor's office, Bailey replied, "I'm either going to be governor or you can find me back home in Willow Springs."

Blunt said, "I am one of those who thinks the party can benefit from a spirited primary." The secretary of state said he was giving the race serious consideration and expected to have an announcement later in the year.

"I'm not an announced candidate either," said Webster. "But we have been looking closely at it." He said an organization called "Team Missouri" has been formed to lay the groundwork for a possible governor's race and that the group has some key staff positions filled.

"The odds are very strong that I will make the race," Webster said.

Bailey conceded that some Republicans were concerned that, with all three vacating statewide offices to run for governor, the party might have difficulty coming up with good candidates for those offices.

While Blunt and Webster appeared to be hedging on their future plans during the press conference, printed materials distributed on tables to the crowd included complete details on supporters each had already lined up for a governor's race, the hiring of key staff, and the results of recent polls that were favorable to them.

In remarks to the crowd later, both Webster and Blunt made subtle references to the need for unity and suggested a primary would not devastate the party.

Webster, after outlining progress that Republicans have made in Missouri the last 20 years, said, "We have an absolute responsibility not to squabble among ourselves to keep this going."

Blunt told the GOP gathering, "It looks like we're going to have a spirited primary in 1992 and that's good for us." He predicted that would get more people involved in the Republican Party and help insure the best candidate is chosen to run in November.

He pointed out that there were tough primary races in 1972, 1980, and 1984, yet Republicans still managed to win the governor's office.

Bailey's only reference to the governor's race was when he introduced one of his newest campaign aides, Ken Allen, who is a grandson of former Missouri congressman Tom Curtis.

The three had different views about a proposal being discussed in the Missouri General Assembly to send voters a tax increase for education. The Senate last week passed a $465 million package that will soon be considered by the House.

"I think the voters of this state ought to have an opportunity, especially on higher education, to decide whether they want to spend more money," said Webster, stressing that the scope of the tax package should be clearly defined.

Blunt said the Senate plan will change considerably as it moves on through the legislative process and he would withhold his comments until after a final package is approved by the General Assembly.

"It is the Legislature's job to look at taxes," said Blunt, who added that lawmakers can approve up to a $170 million tax increase without going to a vote of the people under provisions of the Hancock Amendment. He suggested it might be best for the General Assembly to keep an increase within that limit.

"I think it is unlikely voters will approve any tax increase over $170 million," Blunt said.

Bailey said he supports more money for education, but warned that before additional money is approved there must be some assurance other funds won't be cut back as was done with Proposition C several years ago.

He too was skeptical of a major tax increase and suggested $50 million could be raised by reducing the 2 percent sales-tax receipts merchants are allowed to withhold and taxing large boats and yachts.

Grandy said he believes if the economy remains fairly stable and Republicans work together in Congress, there is a good opportunity to translate President Bush's popularity into addressing his priorities.

"I think there is a core increase in confidence in the president and his ability to make decisions," said Grandy. "The president's ability to lead and his judgment is at an all-time high."

Grandy said that at a time when Democrats are struggling to find their identity, "we as a party have the greatest level of confidence since the height of the Reagan administration."

Grandy told the crowd that the nation saw a good example of the Reagan legacy from the air power shown by the United States in the Persian Gulf.

Discussing the ongoing battle over the capital gains tax, Grandy said: "You cannot help the poor by destroying the rich ... the key to helping the poor is by creating more wealth, not re-distributing the old wealth."

In urging Republicans to study the party's history, Grandy said, "We need a better brand of Republican."

The 1991 Lincoln Day event was dedicated to Virginia Perdue, who was secretary of the Cape County Republican Central Committee for 30 years. She died last year.

Attorney Rush Limbaugh Sr., who will turn 100 this year, was also honored by the party.$E