Date: Tue, 29 Aug 1995 12:02:55 -0400 (EDT)

Alexander attack ad welcomes Wilson to race
Republican Lamar Alexander using radio to attack the campaign 
newcomer's voting record.
By KEVIN LANDRIGAN
Telegraph Staff

PORTSMOUTH -- Republican Lamar Alexander launched the first attack ad of 
the presidential campaign Monday, criticizing California Gov. Pete 
Wilson over his stances on taxes, affirmative action and his decision to  
run.
   The assault on Wilson's voting record as governor and a former U.S. 
senator comes nearly six months before the first-in-the-nation primary.
These radio advertisements, which will cost the Alexander campaign  
$25,000 over the next two weeks, coincided with Wilson's formal entry 
into the race Monday. Wilson's stop in Portsmouth was attended by 
Alexander staff members and supporters.
   "Pete Wilson is a political chameleon who will say and do 
whatever it takes to get elected, and his record proves it," said 
Alexander media consultant Patrick Griffin.
The 60-second commercial warns primary voters that:
    Last fall, Wilson had pledged to serve out his four-year term as 
    California governor and has broken that promise with this candidacy.
    Wilson now opposes affirmative action but has a record of supporting 
    preferential treatment for minorities as a former mayor, governor and 
    U.S. senator.
    Back in 1976, Wilson had called former President Reagan the worst 
    governor in the history of California while campaigning for 
    then-President Ford.
    Wilson signed the largest state tax increase in history in 1991.
    Wilson supported a ban on assault weapons.
   "We don't think Pete Wilson's real record -- which has got him 
into so much trouble in California -- should be a secret in New Hampshire 
and across the country, "said Alexander campaign manager Dan Pero in a 
statement.
   Brian Grip, a Wilson spokesman in New Hampshire, said Alexander is 
showing signs of desperation that could backfire on him among primary 
voters.  "I think that really gives the appearance of a candidate who is 
not doing well in the state so he lashes out at another opponent," Grip 
said. Wilson and Alexander are the only two candidates in the Republican 
primary field who have served as governors.
   And many political observers view Wilson as a major threat to 
Alexander's plan to emerge as a chief challenger to the GOP front-runner, 
Senate Majority Leader Bob Dole of Kansas.
   Both Wilson and Alexander frequently refer to the "top three" 
candidates in this race, leaving the other one out. The two others 
are U.S. Sen. Phil Gramm, R-Texas, and Dole.  They also omit conservative 
commentator Patrick Buchanan, who finished second in the latest survey 
of New Hampshire primary voters this summer.
   Griffin said Alexander is perfectly willing to compare his record as  
former governor of Tennessee with Wilson's two terms as California's 
chief executive. "In Pete Wilson, you have a guy who has given his word, 
then breaks it. The trouble is he's undertaking a $1 million ad campaign 
right now to define himself as the greatest anti-taxing, crime fighter 
to come down the pike," Griffin said.  "This is a `Welcome to New 
Hampshire, Pete' ad campaign."

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P.O. Box 1008               Southern New Hampshire since 1832.
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