Wilson defends use of police bodyguards

By DARREN GARNICK
Telegraph Staff

   Threats on California Gov. Pete Wilson's life during his brief time 
on the presidential campaign trail has nec essitated traveling with state 
police bodyguards six months before the New Hampshire primary, the 
Republican candidate said Wednesday.
   Wilson's stop at The Telegraph for a meeting with editors and reporters
was prefaced by a visit from the California Highway Patrol, checking the
security of the newspaper building. "We have encountered not just
protesters almost everyplace, but some who are violent," said Wilson, an
ex-Marine.  "Sean (campaign aide Sean Walsh) can bear witness to that. He
has a torn suit from an encounter we had in Tucson." 

   The governor said most threats are related to his stance on illegal
immigration and Proposition 187. There have been no incidents related to
his pro-choice position on abortion, he said. "The CHP has an intelligence
unit. We get a lot of threats, most of which are bogus. But they are
unwilling to take chances, an attitude which I have to commend even though
it means a loss of privacy," he said. 
   Wilson said he considers the bodyguards for his presidential campaign
to be a legitimate use of California tax dollars. He said state law
requires the California Highway Patrol to protect him wherever he goes.
Wilson said he did not need to travel with bodyguards while he was a U.S.
senator from 1983-91. 
   The California governor officially announced his candidacy Aug. 28 on
the steps of the Statue of Liberty. 
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