1988 DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL CONVENTION : Reagan’s Staff Gathers to Plan End of Tenure : Western White House Preserves Low Profile; Fitzwater Breaks Ranks

For White House spokesman Marlin Fitzwater, a relaxed fellow under less trying conditions who easily resists the entreaties of a baiting press corps, the temptation Wednesday was too great.

“Where was George,” asked a reporter, taking up the refrain that had echoed Tuesday night at the Democratic National Convention in Atlanta when Sen. Edward M. Kennedy demanded to know where Vice President George Bush had been at the junctures of crises during the Reagan Administration.

Fitzwater paused not a second--despite his admonition to reporters just a moment earlier that he would have no response to the Democrats’ goings-on because “in the course of the convention you’re going to see all kinds of hyperbole and outrage and silly statements from all the candidates and party members and that’s what the conventions are all about.”

Yes, but where was George?

Rises to Bait

“George was cutting taxes, not raising them. George was defending America, not tearing it down. George was leading the drug interdiction effort, not blowing smoke. And George was pushing arms control, not cutting defense,” said Fitzwater, a proud smile crossing his round face.

But for that “spontaneous” response--”spontaneous about 15 minutes ago when I thought of it,” Fitzwater conceded after snapping through his rejoinder--this is a week for President Reagan and his staff to escape the stifling heat and humidity of Washington, plan the final six months of his tenure and do their best to keep out of the way of the Democrats.

Wednesday, near the hour when--in six months to the day--a new President will be sworn into office, much of the White House senior staff was on its way to California to join the skeleton crew already here.

Their mission: to plot the agenda and themes, the legislative strategy and campaign activities, of the President’s dwindling days in office and then return to Washington today to begin carrying out their final plan.

Eyes on Election

While officials maintain that the beating of the clock does not permeate all their activities and that the correctness of policy, not politics, drives their actions, some are willing to concede that an underlining concern in all they do is the fall election campaign and how they can assist Bush’s effort to win the presidency against Michael S. Dukakis.

As for Reagan, ensconced at his beloved ranch this week with its spectacular views of the Santa Ynez Mountains and the Pacific Ocean, each day is much like the day before. He has spent about a year at the ranch, all told, during his 7 1/2 years in office.

Each day, word comes down from the ranch, much as it did Wednesday: “The President and Mrs. Reagan had breakfast together at their residence at Rancho del Cielo. They’ll have lunch there and (the President will) trim trees this afternoon, clear brush, and (they’ll have) dinner this evening on the ranch,” Fitzwater said.

Indeed, the report has changed so little over the years that Fitzwater, giving in once again to temptation, added: “There’s still a few trees left.”

Routine Journey

The disappearing brush notwithstanding, there is little on the surface that distinguishes this White House trip to Santa Barbara--one of the final presidential journeys here--from the dozens that have preceded it since 1981.

A dark blue Chevrolet Suburban bearing District of Columbia license plates and sprouting a half-dozen antennas is still parked between the tennis courts and the cottages of the Biltmore Hotel, the White House headquarters here. It is part of the communications network that accompanies the White House staff wherever the President travels.

Army sergeants from the White House motor pool ferry staff members quietly around town in discreet-blue Chrysler New Yorkers. And each morning, the staff members gather as they would in Washington for daily meetings--their shorts, knit sport shirts or pastel trousers the most visible concession to the change in scenery.