Path: bloom-picayune.mit.edu!snorkelwacker.mit.edu!americast.com!americast.com!americast-post Newsgroups: americast.twt.news From: americast-post@AmeriCast.Com Organization: American Cybercasting Approved: americast-post@AmeriCast.com Subject: Court seen determining who succeeds Clinton Date: Fri, 6 Nov 92 11:28:29 EST Message-ID: \SE A;NATION;ELECTIONS '92 \HD Court seen determining who succeeds Clinton \BY Jerry Seper \CR THE WASHINGTON TIMES A battle looms over who will succeed President-elect Bill Clinton as governor of Arkansas. The contenders are both Democrats: Lt. Gov. Jim Guy Tucker, who has run the state in Mr. Clinton's absence, and Attorney General Winston Bryant, who says the law requires a special election to determine the next governor. The state's constitution, which has been amended repeatedly, is not clear on the subject. It calls for no fewer than three methods of naming a successor. Pulaski County Circuit Judge John B. Plegge will rule today in Little Rock on whether a special election is warranted or whether the constitution assures appointment of Mr. Tucker. His ruling - no matter how it goes - is expected to be challenged, according to a spokeswoman for the judge. Mr. Clinton's term runs through 1994. "It's an open question as to what happens," Mr. Bryant said. "Our constitution is confusing and has conflicting language. It's a matter that should be resolved by the court." Mr. Tucker said his reading of the constitution shows that the lieutenant governor is to be appointed to serve a remaining term. He told reporters, however, he would be "delighted" to run in a special election if necessary. "We will have an indication tomorrow on how the court will rule and we will proceed from there," said Neal Turner, spokesman for the lieutenant governor. "We believe the ruling will be favorable [to] us and that we can begin an orderly transition of power." But others expect to challenge Judge Plegge's ruling if it calls for Mr. Tucker's direct appointment. They include Mr. Bryant; Republican Sheffield Nelson, a Little Rock lawyer who was defeated by Mr. Clinton in 1990; and Asa Hutchinson, state Republican Party chairman. "I have looked at the constitution and I think there's a good argument to be made that there should be a special election," said Mr. Hutchinson, a Little Rock lawyer. "It's probably something that should be resolved by the courts." Mr. Tucker, who has been acting governor 85 percent of the time since Mr. Clinton's candidacy began, seems to have the inside track. He has been aggressive in handling mounting budget problems and has won the editorial support of the Arkansas Democrat Gazette, the state's largest newspaper. The newspaper said in a recent editorial, "Mr. Clinton is running for president of the United States and Mr. Tucker is taking care to see that the state treasury survives the experience." Some political leaders believe Mr. Tucker was forced to "show some bold moves" in dealing with a budget crisis during Mr. Clinton's absences. "As you might expect, he's walking a very fine line in trying to exert the necessary leadership to resolve the crisis and, at the same time, not step on Bill Clinton's toes nationally," said one Democratic Party official, who asked not to be identified. "But much of what he has done has been to quietly reverse some of the economic policies that got us into trouble." Mr. Tucker, who succeeded the late Rep. Wilbur Mills in the House in 1977 and lost a Senate bid in 1978, put a financial plan together after several meetings with Mr. Clinton's Cabinet and agency heads. Whoever is the next governor will face a budget crunch that could result in a $120 million health care deficit by the end of the fiscal year. Some Arkansas legislators, both Democrats and Republicans, suggested that tax increases, coupled with program reductions, may be necessary next year to salvage the state's Medicaid program. This article is copyright 1992 The Washington Times. Redistribution to other sites is not permitted except by arrangement with American Cybercasting Corporation. For more information, send-email to usa@AmeriCast.COM