Whistling Dixie

When Tom Murphy, the speaker of the Georgia House, helped invent the Southern regional primary, his purpose was clear: "To bring the Democratic Party back to the mainstream of Southern thinking." With probably 15 Southern and border states selecting about 30% of the 1988 convention delegates during the week of March 8, the field seemed tailored for a moderate Democrat who could tell the difference between kudzu and ivy. But likely Southern entries retreated from the fray: Arkansas Senator Dale Bumpers and former Virginia Governor Charles Robb declared themselves out, and Georgia Senator Sam Nunn has temporized.

But politics abhors a vacuum, and last week there were signs that two of the brightest, and youngest, lights in Southern politics were poised to enter the race: Tennessee Senator Albert Gore, 39, and Arkansas Governor Bill Clinton, 40. Gore acknowledges that he has "agreed to actively consider the possibility of running." Money does not appear to be an obstacle: after meeting with Gore in Washington on Friday, a dozen top Democratic fund raisers anointed him as their candidate if he enters the race by next week. "If Albert Gore runs," promises Developer Nathan Landow, "he will be a well- financed candidate with strong support."

Clinton refused comment until the Arkansas legislature adjourns this week. But he has been telephoning financiers; one of them, Florida's William Crotty, says, "Governor Clinton indicated to me that he's going to take a serious look at running."

In many ways, Gore and Clinton could have stepped down from the same campaign poster. Both are handsome and telegenic, popular with fellow politicians, and have built progressive reputations without being tarred as squishy liberals.

Even with the Southern regional primary, a storybook ending is unlikely, at least in 1988. Clinton and even a well-funded Gore would be starting late with little national following. But with secure local bases, these Cotton Dust Twins have little to lose by whistling Dixie -- making a national name, picking up some Southern delegates and, at worst, positioning themselves for 1992 and beyond.