Clinton Edges Closer, But Doubts Persist

THE STREET FIGHT IN NEW YORK PRODUCED NEITHER the knockout for Arkansas Governor Bill Clinton that pundits had once predicted nor the upset for former California Governor Jerry Brown that seemed possible in the heat of the ugly brawl there. As both candidates limped back to their corners, only Massachusetts Senator Paul Tsongas had reason to grin: he came in second by staying away.

When it was over, Clinton was left standing but bloodied with 41% of the vote against 26% for Brown and a stunning 29% for Tsongas, who had suspended his candidacy last month. Clinton's trifecta in New York, Kansas and Wisconsin , did little to assuage fears within his party that his nomination could lead to disaster in November against George Bush. Two-thirds of New York Democrats said they wanted another candidate in the race, and only a dismaying 27% of eligible voters bothered to show up at the polls, the lowest turnout since the current primary system has been created in 1980.

The New York primary showcased once again Clinton's astonishing ability to take punches and keep coming back. Clinton emerged with a near insurmountable lock on the Democratic nomination, with 1,273 of the 2,145 necessary delegates in hand. Tsongas has 528 delegates, Brown 264.

Brown had vaulted into the New York klieg lights after his upset of Clinton in the Connecticut primary on March 24. But he alienated Jews, almost a third of New York's Democratic vote, when he flirted with Jesse Jackson as his choice for Vice President. His association with Jackson, who had referred to New York City as "Hymietown" during his presidential bid in 1984, did not produce a commensurate jump in support among black voters. Brown's fuzzy plan for a 13% flat tax bothered almost everyone. A bad week got worse when unnamed former security guards claimed on an abc newscast that there had been rampant marijuana and cocaine use during parties at Brown's Los Angeles home while he was Governor. Brown himself was not accused of drug use, and he vehemently denies all charges.

Tsongas remained on the New York ballot after he suspended his campaign on March 19. For anyone who wanted to lodge a protest vote against Clinton but couldn't stomach Brown, or vice versa, Tsongas' sober message of economic growth offered an appealing alternative. "Tsongas is Greek for 'none of the above,' " quipped political analyst Kevin Phillips. Buoyed by his showing, Tsongas weighed a possible re-entry into the race for two days before deciding to stay out. He saw no real chance of winning the nomination and refused to be a spoiler, a term that bothered Brown not at all.

Tsongas' Lazarus performance in New York uncovered the depth of dissatisfaction with Clinton, whose immediate concerns are the primaries in delegate-rich states like Pennsylvania on April 28 and California, Ohio and New Jersey on June 2. He must also woo the 772 "super delegates" -- party and elected officials -- whose support he will need to secure the nomination. On doctor's orders, Clinton repaired to Arkansas at week's end to rest, his voice reduced to a croak. By the end of the New York campaign he was ) exhausted. So were the voters. (See related story on page 38.)

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