Beilenson-Marmillion : Leaflets Flying in Final Days

Rep. Anthony C. Beilenson insists he is not taking his race in Tuesday’s primary against West Hollywood businessman Val Marmillion for granted. But until this week, it appeared the Tarzana Democrat viewed Marmillion as the equivalent of a political fly: more buzz than bite.

Beilenson unleashed a flurry of campaign letters and leaflets to registered Democrats last week to counter Marmillion’s waves of brochures. For the incumbent, the mailings represent the first significant activity of his campaign as he seeks nomination to a seventh term.

Reinforcing his renown as a political maverick, Beilenson held no fund-raisers, news conferences or campaign events in his affluent, moderately Democratic 23rd District. His paid campaign staff consists of one consultant, and he sent out no mailings until last week.

On the other hand, Marmillion, a political unknown, is spending about $130,000, has fielded a volunteer army of 300 that has knocked on tens of thousands of doors, and sought to build a grass-roots coalition of interest groups from gays to animal-rights activists to feminists. His campaign also sent an unusually detailed, 36-page issues booklet to 100,000 households.

The contrasting campaign styles of the two liberal Democrats reflects the view of political professionals: Beilenson, who generally wins reelection by large margins, is heavily favored to thwart Marmillion’s insurgent bid. The 23rd District contest is not considered one of the state’s most hotly contested races, a point Beilenson underscored when the pair met Friday in the only debate of the campaign.

Popularity or Inertia?

“If Tony Beilenson were an unknown or a new congressman, maybe we’d be more concerned about the discrepancy in spending,� said Craig Miller, Beilenson’s campaign consultant.

“Over the years, people in his district have come to know him, trust him and appreciate the kind of independent leadership he provides. That’s the kind of popularity that money can’t buy.�

Marmillion, meanwhile, insists that Beilenson’s success is a product of political inertia rather than popularity. He says his campaign’s aggressive door-to-door stumping--reaching 100,000 households, some two and three times--will lead to victory. Neither campaign has done any public-opinion polling.

If he succeeds, Marmillion will win more than a stunning political upset: He will make history. He will be the first openly homosexual candidate to be elected to Congress as a freshman. Two members, Reps. Barney Frank and Gerry E. Studds, both Massachusetts Democrats, came out of the closet after they were in office.

Moreover, Marmillion would be the first candidate in at least a decade to knock off an incumbent congressman in California not discredited by a scandal. Nationwide, only six congressional incumbents lost in 1986.

Beilenson, 55, is banking on his reputation as a thoughtful lawmaker who has sought money for the Santa Monica Mountains Recreation Area, warned early and often about the skyrocketing federal deficit and opposed President Reagan’s “Star Wars� initiative and military aid to the Nicaraguan Contras . He has represented parts of the district in the state Legislature and Congress for 26 years and is supported by the party establishment.

Money Refused

In a low-key letter to registered Democrats last week, Beilenson also noted he is one of a handful of House members who won’t take campaign contributions from single-interest political action committees. His campaign has stepped up its activity with several mailings in the last week but still expects to spend a modest $75,000 or so.

“Instead of running a campaign financed by special interests, I’m relying on my record of service and on the support of individual voters,� Beilenson wrote to voters.

Marmillion, 38, has sought to make an issue of Beilenson’s low-profile campaign. He charges it

reflects the incumbent’s failure to return to California often enough and to be a leader on local issues. Beilenson is “out of step, out of touch and out of town,� Marmillion says.

To underline this point, Marmillion’s recent campaign leaflets include a sketch of a figure under a magnifying glass with a question mark for its face. Beneath the drawing are the words: “Who is Your Congressman?�

Marmillion has also highlighted Beilenson’s proposal to boost federal gasoline taxes 25 cents a gallon and some of his votes on Social Security and veterans issues in a bid to convince major voter groups that the incumbent doesn’t represent their interests. Even when he does not differ with Beilenson’s votes--such as on AIDS-related issues--Marmillion claims Beilenson hasn’t been outspoken or active enough.

Beilenson told Marmillion he resented his attacks concerning acquired immune deficiency syndrome and its related issues during their spirited hourlong cable television debate on Friday. The pair also tangled over support for programs for the elderly and veterans and the federal budget deficit.

Marmillion is an ex-congressional aide and highly respected Louisiana campaign consultant who co-founded a public relations and marketing firm in Westwood that he recently sold to the Ogilvy & Mather advertising company. He has previously been active in the Los Angeles artistic community but not politically.

Win or lose, Marmillion says his agenda includes forging a Westside political coalition that will remain active on local issues. And he has indicated he may capitalize on the name recognition, support and experience of this race to run again in two years if he fails this time.

“I wouldn’t rule out anything,� Marmillion said last week. “We’ve brought too many people together. We have a commitment to build this new politics.�

Beilenson maintains that Marmillion has cited insignificant issues from among the 8,000 or 9,000 votes he has cast in Congress or distorted his positions. “Obviously, you can pick a dozen or several dozen votes out of context,� he said.

He points to his proposed gasoline tax increase as an example. It is part of a series of tax increases that Beilenson maintains are necessary to eliminate the $150-billion federal deficit. In addition to raising $25 billion, he says, it would cut America’s dependence on foreign oil by encouraging conservation.

He also favors a 0.5% tax on the sale of securities, a broad consumption tax, exempting food and clothing, raising income taxes for those earning more than $150,000 and higher taxes on cigarettes, beer and wine to raise a total of more than $100 billion annually. He advocates a one-year spending freeze on increases for all programs other than means-tested benefits for the poor as well.

Beilenson returned to the district 10 times last year. He says that he is accessible to constituents through a combination of town hall forums and meetings with local groups and individuals.

“Anyone who wants to talk to me any time can talk to me,� he said.

How They Stand on the Issues

The Times asked the two candidates seeking the Democratic nomination for the 23rd Congressional District in Tuesday’s primary to supply written answers to a questionnaire on national and foreign policy. Selected re s ponses by Rep. Anthony C. Beilenson and Val Marmillion follow.

* Do you believe a tax increase is necessary to reduce the federal deficit significantly?

Beilenson: Yes

Marmillion: No

* Would you agree to drop SDI in exchange for deep mutual cuts in long-range offensive weapons?

Beilenson: Would drop development and testing but not research.

Marmillion: Yes

* Would you reduce U.S. defense spending to cut the deficit?

Beilenson: Yes

Marmillion: Yes

* What is your position on continued humanitarian aid to the Nicaraguan Contras?

Beilenson: Against, except as necessary to encourage the peace process.

Marmillion: Against

* Do you favor exploratory drilling for oil along the coastline in your district?

Beilenson: No

Marmillion: No

* Do you support Secretary of State George P. Shultz’s proposed Middle East peace plan calling for Arab-Israeli negotiations to work out Palestinian autonomy on the West Bank?

Beilenson: Yes

Marmillion: No

* Do you support federal funding for abortions for the poor through Medi-Cal?

Beilenson: Yes

Marmillion: Yes

* Do you favor federally financed day care for the poor?

Beilenson: Yes

Marmillion: Yes, but a national day care program for all, not only the poor.

* Do you favor mandatory AIDS testing? If so, for what groups?

Beilenson: No

Marmillion: No

* Should the President put more pressure on the South African government to abandon its policy of apartheid?

Beilenson: Yes

Marmillion: Yes

* Do you favor imposing automatic penalty tariffs on other countries that amass huge trade surpluses with the United States?

Beilenson: No

Marmillion: Yes

* Briefly summarize your program for dealing with the national drug problem.

Beilenson: Attack demand with programs for drug abuse education, prevention, treatment and rehabilitation; work with foreign governments to end dependence of their farmers on growing drugs; bolster law enforcement and drug interdiction efforts and improve coordination among law enforcement agencies.

Marmillion: Economic sanctions against drug-producing nations; make it a foreign policy priority to stop trafficking; impose restrictions on banks that trade drug money; focus law enforcement on drug providers; increase drug education at the user level and incentives for student anti-drug campaigns; establish a national office on drug enforcement and convene a summit on drugs with key allies.