Maine Democrat, Mitchell, Wins Senate Majority Leader Election

WASHINGTON--Sen. George Mitchell of Maine was elected Senate majority leader yesterday by Democrats seeking a forceful new spokesman during yet another Republican reign at the White House, and he quickly promised President-elect George Bush his initiatives will be met with "interest and enthusiasm."

Mitchell, a 55-year-old former federal judge, easily defeated Sens. Bennett Johnston of Louisiana and Daniel Inouye of Hawaii. He succeeds Sen. Robert C. Byrd of West Virginia, who stepped aside after 12 years as the Senate's Democratic leader.

Asked if he would cooperate with Bush, Mitchell said he plans to meet with him soon and "We hope to move forward on a broad range of issues," including the federal deficit, health care, day care and the environment.

Mitchell also planned to meet tomorrow with Sen. Bob Dole of Kansas, re-elected by Republicans to a third term as their leader earlier yesterday.

Mitchell received congratulatory calls from Bush and Vice President-elect Dan Quayle, as well as President Reagan.

"The Democrats await with interest and enthusiasm the proposals of the next administration," Mitchell said.

Mitchell, who was just elected to his second term in the Senate, has a liberal voting record but promised "to work with all the Democrats in developing a broad agenda."

Within minutes of his election, Mitchell emerged from the party caucus in the historic old Senate chamber of the Capitol to meet with reporters. Quickly turning aside suggestions he would be a partisan fighter, he said, "We hope to cooperate with the new administration to deal with the serious problems and important challenges facing our nation."

Mitchell fell only one vote short of winning the Democratic leadership post on the first ballot, picking up 27 votes. Inouye and Johnston tied for second at 14 votes each, and quickly agreed to give Mitchell a unanimous victory.

Perhaps Mitchell's greatest claim to public fame was his performance last year during the Iran-Contra hearings. In a quiet but nationally televised confrontation with Lt. Col. Oliver North, who had testified with great patrioticfervor, Mitchell looked at the witness and spokeinto the microphone:

"Please remember that others share thatdevotion and recognize that it is possible for anAmerican to disagree with you on aid to theContras and still love God and still love thiscountry just as much as you do."

Massachusetts governor, and former Democraticpresidential nominee, Michael S. Dukakis yesterdayhailed the selection of Mitchell, praising him asa friend of the region.

"The Northeast is alive and well," said thegovernor, who is depending on federal aid forcritical transportation projects in Boston'sCentral Artery and the building of a new tunnelunder Boston Harbor.

"George Mitchell is not only an old friend andcolleague, but as decent and able a person as I'veever worked with. He's going to be a greatleader," Dukakis said.

The governor said he hoped to meet withMitchell on Friday when he travels to Washingtonfor a meeting with President-elect George Bush.

Mitchell's campaign for the post was buoyed inrecent days by the public endorsement ofMassachusetts' two senators, Democrats Edward M.Kennedy and John F. Kerry.

A Kerry spokesperson said yesterday that thejunior senator considers Mitchell's victory "veryexciting" for Massachusetts.

"Senator Mitchell knows the region. When you'rein a powerful position and you know the region'scares and concerns, it makes a difference," Kerryaide Larry Carpman said.

Specifically, he said, Mitchell could beexpected to press for action on acid rain,affordable housing and other issues of concern tothe region. Carpman also said Mitchell appreciatedthe significance of the multibillion-dollarCentral Artery and Harbor Tunnel project.

The Democratic caucus also elected Sen. AlanCranston of California to another term as partywhip, despite a challenge from Wendell Ford ofKentucky.

Byrd was elected president pro tempore of theSenate, and also will serve as chairman of theAppropriations Committee when the 101st Congressconvenes next January