October 7, 1987

Hit by the X factor

A few weeks ago we wrote of the unexpected X factors that pop up in every major political campaign. Since then Xs have reached epidemic proportion.

The latest gaffe is an off-the-cuff remark by Vice President George Bush at Brussels, Belgium, as he concluded a tour of Europe. Busch praised Soviet tank mechanics, intimating they could teach Detroit auto workers a thing or two.

Owen Bieber, president of the United Auto Workers, took umbrage. He would have taken Bush's head also had the Republican candidate for the presidency been handy.

Bush had met with NATO ministers to brief them on what he learned during his swing through the Soviet Union. His principal observation was that the Soviets really wanted an arms control treaty.

As he emerged from the meeting, reporters also wanted to know what Bush had discovered. "Well, I learned of a Soviet military maneuver involving 305 tanks, and not one of them broke down. We could use mechanics like that in Detroit."

Bieber declared that Bush "should apologize to our members and to the American people for his foolish comments."

A spokesman for Congressman Jack Kemp, N.Y., one of Bush's rivals, called the vice-president's remarks "insulting to the People of Michigan."

Wounded feelings by union members towards a Republican is understandable. It goes with the territory. Also, Democrat cannibalism of Democrats have been standard operating procedure for years.

What surprises is Kemp's violation of the GOP Eleventh Commandment: "Thou shalt not speak ill of a fellow Republican." Apparently X-it is is catching.

Earlier, Gary Hart, Joe Biden, and Pat Schroeder succumbed to X factors - otherwise known as foot-in-mouth disease. Gov. Mike Dukakis has been infected by disclosure that his campaign manager had leaked plagiarism tapes about Biden. Prognosis for Dukakis is bleak.

Fun and games along the campaign trail has 'always been a part of the American political process. Yet, modern communications techniques have multiplied and intensified the temptations to dirty tricks.

The speed and impact of television seems to have polarized the nation. Everybody has a chip on their shoulder. Truth, particularly, is offensive.

There are still many presidential hopefuls remaining in both parties to go test the waters and challenge the X factor. If the sight of blood upsets you, or strife gives you ulcers, better sing up for a leisurely around-the-world cruise. X has not yet run its course.

Author: Lindsey Williams