Election '82: Trimming the Sails

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The South displayed the rest of the nation's mixture of annoyance with the handling of the economy and loyalty to both Reagan and his ideals. The conservative Democratic dominance of the region continued, but not as a rejection of the President or his policies. A typical Georgia voter, who had just cast her ballot for Democratic House and gubernatorial candidates, professed her faith in Reaganomics: "I say let him have the chance for the rest of the four years."

In this election, Texas was a district unto itself. With unemployment at 8.3%, higher than in Frost Belt states like Massachusetts and New Hampshire, Texans were feeling the brunt of a national economic downturn for the first time in more than two decades. Democrats came out in droves to help Populist Attorney General Mark White ambush Republican Governor Bill Clements. White roused the voters not only over the economy but also with the somewhat spurious charge that the Governor should be held accountable for high utility rates. The Texas G.O.P. took a "shellacking," said the defeated Clements, who was one of Reagan's most loyal boosters.

The Rocky Mountains provided a generally safe sanctuary for incumbents of whatever stripe. In Montana, Liberal Democrat Pat Williams, who ran against Reaganomics, and Conservative Republican Ron Marlenee, who defended the program, were returned as the state's two Congressmen. The state's house of representatives, however, switched into Democratic hands, partly because voters blamed Republican members for the cuts in state-run social services, the consequence of reduced federal funds for some domestic programs. Despite the region's Republican leanings, two Democratic Governors were reelected: Colorado's Richard Lamm and Wyoming's Ed Herschler have both been able to balance he requirements of growth and environmental protection, and were helped to third terms because fit.

The Far West was dominated by two races in California. In a convoluted battle of personalities, Republican Gubernatorial Candidate George Deukmejian focused his attacks on the outgoing Democrat, Jerry Brown, despite reminders from Democrat Tom Bradley that he, Bradley, was the opponent. Brown, in turn, aimed most of his attacks at Reagan, except one tactical nuclear assault on Republican Opponent Pete Wilson, who he implied was in favor of the nuclear-arms race. It ended up a G.O.P. sweep.

Many of the nation's Republican losers were on the phone with the White House last week seeking new jobs. Among them: Senator Schmitt, Governor Clements and Clarence Brown, who lost the Governor's race in Ohio. Some asked to be appointed to replace outgoing Energy Secretary James Edwards. But last Friday the President nominated Donald Hodel, a friend and top assistant to Interior Secretary James Watt, to take the Cabinet post.

The Democrats seem to believe that the election is not a mandate to reverse Reagan's policies completely, and do not plan to push for big spending programs this session. Noted Barney Frank of Massachusetts, one of Congress's most outspoken liberals, after beating Republican Margaret Heckler: "We are not asking the Federal Government to spend more money. We are asking that what is spent be spent with a better sense of equity."