European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - March 19, 1992, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Thursday March 19, 1992 the stars and stripes a Page 13 commentary David s. Brode Clinton still can t take anything for granted the victories Bill Clinton won tuesday in Illinois and Michigan were nomination Pinchers in any Ordinary election year. But because this 1992 democratic presidential race has so thoroughly defied conventional Wisdom the Arkansas governor still finds himself a step or two Short of certainty that he will deliver the acceptance speech in Madison Square Garden in july. After previously establishing his supremacy in the South and Border states Clinton a big victories Over his two major rivals in two vital Midwest states cemented his claim to being the a very Strong front runner a As democratic National chairman Ronald h. Brown put it. But eager As he has been to reach consensus on the nominee and launch the Battle against president Bush Brown a like other party leaders a said a it is too Early to declare it  unsurprisingly that was also the View of Clinton a remaining challengers. Former California governor Edmund g. A a Jerry Brownjr. Was in Wisconsin where he Hopes to tap the same wave of anger among displaced Industrial workers and their families that carried him to second place in Michigan. And former senator Paul e. Tsongas of Massachusetts was in Connecticut where next tuesday he will wage what Many outside his Camp a and a few inside it a say will be a last ditch Battle against elimination. Fueling the Hopes of Tsongas and Jerry Brown a and feeding the caution of Many party leaders about proclaiming Clinton their Standard bearer a is the continuing evidence of deep seated voter doubts about Clinton a character. Among the returns from his Illinois Triumph a an impressive welding of big majorities among Core democratic constituencies and pluralities among the previously pro Tsongas Well educated upper income Independent a politicians found warning signs. Exit polls showed Clinton trailing Tsongas badly among those Illinois voters a 20 percent of the primary electorate a who said the candidates honesty was very important to them. A Chicago Tribune Survey last week found Clinton a approval score among a Sample of All Illinois voters trailed his disapproval score 47 to 43 percent. Similar studies by lbs new York times and Abc Wall Street journal also have shown Clinton a negatives outpacing his positives. Citing these polls Tsongas has told friends that he believes a you can to be elected carrying the baggage Clinton does from allegations about extramarital affairs and manipulation of the Vietnam Era draft Laws. Brown has opened yet a third front in the Clinton credibility War by questioning the propriety of dealings Between the Clinton administration and the Little Rock Law firm in which his wife Hillary Clinton is a partner. Asked about Clinton a showings in the polls rep. Vic Fazio of California chairman of the democratic congressional Campaign committee said tuesday night a a it a impossible to go through this process and All the scrutiny without acquiring some negatives. But in a not convinced they re politically  but sounding a typical note of caution Fazio joined Ronald Brown in pointedly not calling on Jerry Brown and Tsongas to fold their tents. A people still have questions they want answered a Ron Brown said. Added Fazio a it wont Hurt Clinton to be tested  the next test comes tuesday in Connecticut where polls taken before Clinton a super tuesday sweep of the South showed him trailing Tsongas by 2 to 1. But state democratic chairman Edward Marcus said tuesday a a its probably neck and neck  As in other states Clinton has corralled most of the big name endorsements in Connecticut. A loss to Clinton in a neighbouring state would break Tsongas string of new England victories and in the eyes of natural observers possibly drive the last Nail in his campaigns coffin. Meantime Brown a who moved from last Placo in the crowded new Hampshire primary to runner up in Michigan a is viewed by the democratic chairmen As Clinton a main opposition now in the two states following Connecticut but California democratic chairman Phil Angelides said Clinton should not make the mistake of taking Jerry Brown for granted a especially in the june 2 California primary. A going up against Jerry wont Hurt him but he better take him seriously because Brown has a solid Core of support in the state Angelides said. A Clinton will need to be out Here. A c Tho Washington Post David Wiessler Bush can now focus attention on Congress breathing room. That a what the candidates and the voters get Over the next few weeks after a month of hectic primary and caucus campaigning. For some of the presidential candidates the break will give them a Chance to rest from the non Stop Breakneck Pace. For others it will be time to regroup and reconsider their campaigns. While Connecticut holds a primary next tuesday and there Are several Small caucuses on the horizon the next big primary Day does not come until april 7 when new York Kansas and Wisconsin hold their primaries. For president Bush who added to his unbeaten record tuesday by taking the Illinois and Michigan primaries it Means he can temporarily Stop thinking about conservative commentator Patrick Buchanan and focus his attack on his favorite foe a the democratic controlled Congress. Bush was Well on the Way to the 1,105 delegates needed to Clinch the Republican nomination for president. While he has no need to fear losing his party a nomination the president has been hard hit in recent weeks by a constant barrage from Buchanan Buchanan still wingless in the Republican race faces a period when there Are few High spots for him. On tuesday he fell below his previous Levels of protest vote and states where he might be considered the strongest do not hold primaries until May. Buchanan will Likely spend the next few Days deciding on where to focus his resources and what message he will try out on the voters. On the democratic Side Arkansas gov. Bill Clinton also was coming off two big victories tuesday that showed he could win outside the South and made some believe he is the inevitable party nominee. While he has shown an ability to build a Strong coalition of voters Clinton tuesday night stressed Harmony and his next chore will be to bring Over voters from his opponents Camps to his Side. The Arkansas governor also will Welcome what could be a slight breather from the attacks on him about his past. While questions of his marriage problems draft record during Vietnam and his wife a business connections Are not Likely to go away he May briefly be spared from having to answer questions about them on a daily basis. Former California gov. Edmund g. A a Jerry Brownjr. Was coming off a Good second place finish in Michigan based in part on picking up labor Union support that was Suppo Secl to have gone to Iowa sen. Tom Harkin before he dropped out of the race. Now Brown will try to spend his time building on that Union support and expanding it into making him the candidate of the left in the democratic party. Former sen. Paul Tsongas of Massachusetts faces the process of getting his Campaign Back on track. Just a Short time ago he was the Democrat of the hour but now he must broaden his Appeal while at the same time making sure his financial backing does no to dry up. Fortunately for him Connecticut is in his Back Yard and new York May be a state where he could rebound. C United press International