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Subject: POLITICS=By Michael Abramowitz, Eric Pianin and John E. Yang=Braun Reaches
Date: Sat, 31 Oct 92 08:47:18 EST
Message-ID: <18.1992Oct31.084718@AmeriCast.com>

POLITICS=By Michael Abramowitz, Eric Pianin and John E.
Yang=Braun Reaches Agreement On Illinois Medicaid Payment<

Democrat Carol Moseley Braun agreed yesterday to pay more than
$15,000 to settle a dispute with the Illinois Medicaid program
that has sidetracked her Senate campaign.

The controversy was about a $28,750 inheritance royalty received
in 1989 by Braun's mother, who lives in a Chicago nursing home at
state expense. Instead of reporting the windfall, as required by
Medicaid, Braun desposited the money in her bank, then disbursed
sums to herself and her siblings. Braun has denied wrongdoing,
saying the money covered debts owed them by her mother.

But according to Braun campaign officials, the Illinois Depart-
ment of Public Aid has determined that some of the family's ex-
penditures were "impermissible" because the money should have
been used to offset nursing home costs.

However, department officials have assured the campaign they will
not refer the matter to another agency, suggesting that because
of yesterday's payment, Braun will not be prosecuted.

Neither Braun's campaign staff nor the public aid department of-
fered comment on the accord, reached after meetings between
lawyers for both sides.

Braun's GOP opponent, former White House aide Rich Williamson,
lost no time trying to capitalize on the new disclosure, first
reported in Chicago newspapers yesterday. Earlier in the day, he
said Braun has "cheated" Illinois taxpayers.

But it seemed doubtful the new reports would have further impact
on the campaign, in which Williamson has been trying desperately
to catch Braun. "It hurts . . . no doubt about it," said Paul
Green, a political scientist at Governors State University. But,
he added, "She still looks like a fairly safe bet."<

<

Whitten Enters Campaign Fray<

In a year when many incumbents are running scared, House Ap-
propriations Committee Chairman Jamie L. Whitten (D-Miss.), the
ultimate incumbent, is taking no chances.

Whitten, 82, who was elected more than 50 years ago, for the
first time is spending considerable sums on television and radio
ads and billboards to ward off an aggressive challenger.

Republican Clyde E. Whitaker, 56, a real estate broker and the
former mayor of Tupelo, has hammered Whitten on term limits, a
congressional pay raise and drug testing for government workers.

Mississippi Gov. Kirk Fordice (R) also has attacked Whitten as a
prime example of why term limits are necessary. Earlier this
year, Whitten had to relinquish day-to-day responsibility for his
committee because of illness, fueling speculation that he might
be stripped of his chairmanship next year.

State and national Democratic party operatives said yesterday
that Whitten holds a comfortable lead in his predominantly Demo-
cratic district, adding he remains popular because of the water
and rural electrification projects he has brought to the state.
But Whitaker supporters, citing a three-week-old poll, insisted
that Whitaker was within striking distance.

<

Idaho Race for Symms's Seat Widens<

Boise Mayor Dirk Kempthorne (R) appears to be widening his lead
against Rep. Richard H. Stallings (D) in the final days of the
closely contested race to succeed retiring conservative Sen.
Steve Symms (R).

Polls had shown Kempthorne holding a narrow but consistent edge.
This month, however, he has widened his lead in a race that has
focused more on personalities than on substance.

"It's been a debate without any significant issues," said Boise
State University political scientist James Weatherby.
Kempthorne, a former public relations executive who has presided
over Boise during a time of economic growth, has sought to por-
tray Stallings, a four-term House member, as a Washington insider
who is a captive of the Democratic congressional leadership.

Stallings has tried to link Kempthorne with Symms, whose messy
divorce from his wife of 30 years and his marriage to a former
aide hurt his popularity. Symms's top Senate chief of staff is
running Kempthorne's campaign.

Both candidates are running as conservatives.  Stallings
represents eastern Idaho, one of the most Republican districts in
presidential elections. A member of the Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-day Saints, he is antiabortion, as is Kempthorne.<02:16
10-31C9999-----

Copyright 1992, The Washington Post.  This story is from the
Washington Post's Capitol Edition On-Line and is not to be ar-
chived or redistributed.

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