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97/12/2697

1997's biggest story may last until 1999

By MICHAEL HOLMES Associated Press Writer

AUSTIN (AP) - Someday, it could be a national bestseller. But the final chapter of 1997's biggest political story in Texas - a mystery, by the way - may not be written until 1999.

Our tale so far:

The son of a former president, who operates a major league baseball team, decides to run for governor of a really big state. He wins.

During his term, his popularity at home remains high. His popularity outside the state grows, too.

He's in demand for Republican Party functions across the country. He goes. He makes speeches. Pundits take note. They start mentioning him as presidential timber for 2000.

Then comes the "dramatic" announcement.

On Oct. 30, George W. Bush stood on the lawn of the white-columned Governor's Mansion. First lady Laura Bush was by his side. His top political adviser, Karl Rove, was looking on.

The topic was politics. The non-announcement, though, was more politic than dramatic.

The governor of Texas said he hadn't made up his mind about a White House try - and won't until after the Legislature next gathers, in January 1999.

"I can promise I will always do what is best for Texas, and it is not in the best interests of Texas for me to say right now that I will not run for president in the future," Bush said.

It's the kind of plot twist authors use to keep those pages turning.

If he wants to be president, Bush first must convince Texans to keep him on as governor.

The Republican likely will face four-term Land Commissioner Garry Mauro in November 1998. A November 1997 Texas Poll gave Bush a 52 percentage point lead over the Democrat, but Mauro says he's not about to play dead.

Offering what he calls a "families first" program, Mauro said, "Why do I seek this office? It's not because George Bush is not a nice man. He is. It's simply because he and I have a different vision for what's important for this great state."

Bush said he delivered on his promises. "I've been true to my philosophy, which is conservative and compassionate and full of hope. I've made decisions based on our core Texas values: limited government, local control, strong families and individual responsibility."

Bush got the endorsement of the state's top elected Democrat, Lt. Gov. Bob Bullock, who called Mauro's campaign "almost a kamikaze" mission.

Compounding the Democratic candidate's challenge is a nearly unprecedented turnover in the state's top elected jobs.

Except for Bush, no top statewide elected official is seeking re-election to his current job.

Bullock is retiring. So is Democratic Attorney General Dan Morales. Comptroller John Sharp, a Democrat, wants to be lieutenant governor. So does Agriculture Commissioner Rick Perry, a Republican.

Texas Republicans see 1998 as an opportunity to sweep all six top races. Texas Democrats aren't ready to surrender their century-long grip just yet.

The battle for control of the Texas Legislature goes on, too. The GOP began the year with 17 Senate seats, their first majority in either chamber in 120 years.

A number of powerful House committee chairmen - mostly Democrats, - have announced their retirements as Republicans push to erode or eliminate the Democrats' 82-68 edge in that chamber.

All of which will bring us to January 1999 and back to our mystery: Will Bush run for president?

Texas Democratic Party Chairman Bill White says Bush owes it to voters to answer that question now.

"The honest and decent thing to do is to level with the people of Texas," White said. "If he will not seek or accept the nomination, he should just say so."

But as any reader of mystery novels knows, you never get the answer until you get to the last page.