WHEAT TRAVELS STATE ASSESSING CHANCES FOR U.S. SENATE BID

After serving three terms in the Missouri House and now in his sixth term in the U.S. House, Congressman Alan Wheat is spending part of his August recess traveling the state to assess a possible run for the U.S. Senate next year.

At 41 years of age, the Kansas City Democrat has been identified as a rising young leader in Congress. He is regarded by political leaders as a formidable potential candidate to succeed retiring Sen. John Danforth.

In his travels, Wheat said he intends to talk with a cross section of people to hear what they have to say and what some of their concerns are about government. On Monday, Wheat embarked on a 2-week tour of outstate Missouri with a visit to Cape Girardeau. He said the trip will be "a good training ground and testing ground."

If he decides not to seek the Senate seat, Wheat maintains the experience assessing the race will help make him a better representative.

With filing not until next year, Wheat contends he does not feel any pressure to make a quick decision on a Senate race. He also believes that political campaigns are far too long.

"I'm not trying to get people to focus on the Senate race ... campaigns are too long now," said Wheat. "I want to talk to people about their concerns and values, about what government is doing and what government ought to focus on."

Wheat said he recognizes that people have a low faith in government right now, but hopes his visits around the state will help give them an impression that there are elected officials who are sincere and trying to do a better job.

Other Democrats looking at the Senate race next year are St. Louis County Councilwoman Geri Rothman-Serot, who lost a close race to U.S. Sen. Christopher Bond last year, Jackson County Executive Marsha Murphy, and State Rep. Steve Carroll of Hannibal.

Several other Democratic members of Congress and statewide officials have been mentioned as possible candidates, but Wheat said all of them have encouraged him to explore the race.

On the Republican side, former governor John Ashcroft is regarded as the likely Senate nominee. But 8th District U.S. Rep. Bill Emerson is also investigating the race. Wheat has kind words for Emerson, who he regards as a friend, and said the two have talked about what it would be like running against each other for the Senate.

Such a race would be a positive, issue-oriented campaign, Wheat predicted.

In a Senate campaign, Wheat said he would work hard to get to know people of Missouri better and attempt to be "an aggressive advocate for the state of Missouri."

Wheat stressed the importance of supporting programs that lead to a growing economy, good jobs with stable wages, reinvesting in the nation's infrastructure, and increasing the nation's investment in children and education.

Wheat added that health care is another issue that is long overdue on action, and suggested a program is needed that stops short of universal health care but that provides access to care for everyone.

Said Wheat: "I accept the fact government can't solve all problems in this country, but there are some we can't continue to ignore."

Campaign finance reports filed last month show that Wheat had raised $230,000 during the first half of 1993, more than anyone else considering a Senate race. The funds were raised through his federal campaign committee, which could be used for either a Senate race or re-election to the House.

The congressman did, however, recently change the name of his committee from "Wheat for Congress" to "Friends of Alan Wheat," so there is no misunderstanding. "If they ask for Congress or Senate, I just tell them: `I don't know.'"

Besides surveying a statewide race, Wheat is also using his trip to gauge the effectiveness of federal flood relief efforts. So far, Wheat believes the Federal Emergency Management Agency has done a good job, performing its duties in a professional way.

But Wheat believes the problems may come several months from now when additional funding is needed to provide relief. Wheat handled the rule that provided funding for the first phase of flood relief recently, and said he was surprised by the number of no votes and a desire by some members of Congress to make cuts in other programs to pay for the assistance.

Wheat voted for President Clinton's deficit reduction plan, which has drawn a lot of criticism. Wheat was among the final House members to decide to vote for the plan.

Said Wheat: "There has been some opposition to it, but that is matched by the sense the president ought to have a chance to put his economic plan in place."

Wheat termed the package "a start" but admitted it doesn't solve the massive deficit problem. "It reduces the debt by $496 billion from what it would have been," he observed.

Wheat added, "There could have been other spending cuts."

Although there are tax increases in the package, Wheat said that except for a 4.3-cent hike in the gas tax, middle income people will not be affected by the taxes. He said the bill also provides an earned income tax credit that encourages people to move off welfare and work.

Wheat said he was concerned at first by the proposed BTU tax, which was removed from the final bill. He suggests some of the opposition to the bill from the public is based on things that are no longer part of the plan. The congressman said there are parts of the plan he does not like, but overall believes it is a step that will bring positive results.

"Fear of what this plan will do to the individuals and the economy is a problem," admitted Wheat. "But it won't cost jobs, it will make jobs."

He believes once individuals discover the full impact of the Clinton plan, they will be pleased with it.

Wheat said he is aware that some side deals were made by members of Congress with the president to get votes for the plan, something he believes is unfortunate.

"I am disappointed that members of Congress used this opportunity to do petty horse trading on a major national issue like this with the president," said Wheat.

Asked whether strong public resentment toward the president could have an impact on his decision to run for the Senate, Wheat said it would not. He noted that Clinton's standing in the polls will likely change several times over the next year.

"I think people will take the opportunity to be informed about the candidates and issues in a Senate campaign," said Wheat. "The Senate race will be decided on its own merits."