Quayle Details List of Clinton ‘Flip-Flops’ : Politics: Vice president says reversals reflect ‘the triumph of convenience over truth.’ Democratic camp cites changes in Bush’s positions on issues.

FT. WORTH — Opening a new line of attack on Democratic nominee Bill Clinton’s record and his character, Vice President Dan Quayle on Wednesday detailed a list of what he called Clinton’s “flip-flops” on 10 key issues.

In a breakfast speech to a Republican audience in Ft. Worth, Quayle accused Clinton of changing course on abortion, taxes, health care, the Persian Gulf War and his draft record. He said the reversals indicate deep personal flaws that disqualify Clinton for the presidency.

“As the case of military service makes most clear, these differing positions are, in fact, more than mere flip-flops,” Quayle said in his harshest personal attack yet. “They reflect a fundamental element of Gov. Clinton’s character: the triumph of expedience over principle, of convenience over truth. Gov. Clinton says he is the candidate of change, but he truly is the changing candidate.”

The Clinton camp responded immediately with its own list of 45 alleged flip-flops by Bush on issues including crime, arms sales, abortion, minority quotas, the environment and--of course--taxes.

“For Dan Quayle to talk about flip-flops is laughable. George Bush and Dan Quayle are the biggest flip-floppers of all time, given their ‘read my lips, no new taxes’ pledge of 1988 and then two years later they signed the biggest tax increase in history,” said George Stephanopoulos, Clinton’s communications director. Actually, it was the second biggest; Ronald Reagan signed the largest.

Stephanopoulos said that most of the alleged flip-flops in Quayle’s list were distortions or outright falsehoods. “I don’t feel a real need to go through it point by point,” he said.

In the Ft. Worth speech, Quayle tacitly acknowledged that Bush had gone back on his word on at least one major issue--taxes. But he put a statesmanlike spin on it.

The President’s policy reversals, Quayle averred, were for the good of the nation, while Clinton’s were nothing more than slimy political self-interest.

“If you are in public life, sooner or later some variations will creep into the record. Sometimes leaders genuinely change their minds, or they may alter course in the best interests of the nation,” he said.

“It is one thing to take a political risk in the hope of helping your country; but it’s another matter to change your position to avoid political risk in the hope of helping yourself,” he added.

Quayle specifically charged Clinton with contradicting himself on these issues:

* In 1990, when he was running for reelection as Arkansas governor, Clinton pledged to serve his full four-year term and not seek any higher office. He broke that promise to launch his bid for the presidency less than a year later.

* During the primary campaign, Clinton proposed a tax cut for the middle class; in June, he denied that such a tax cut was the “center” of his economic package. (He does still propose a middle-class tax cut, but a smaller one.)

* In 1990, Clinton appeared to endorse the right of parents to choose among public and private schools for their children, with a system of tax breaks or vouchers to assist them; this summer, he said that spending public funds on private schools was wrong.

* In January, Clinton said he “wouldn’t rule out” limiting the terms of members of Congress; in July, he said he opposes term limits.

* In a written description of his health care plan, Clinton said that a tax increase would not be needed to fund the program; in an interview with USA Today last month, he acknowledged that the plan would require a payroll tax for most employers.

* Earlier this year, Clinton said he opposed a New Jersey bill limiting welfare benefits for each child born to a recipient; in May, he said as President he would allow such a program.

* In a July television interview, Clinton said he would only appoint to the Supreme Court judges who would uphold the right to abortion; 10 days later, he said he would apply no such “litmus test” to judicial nominees.

* Clinton has said repeatedly that he supported President Bush’s decision to go to war against Iraq; at the time of the vote to authorize the use of force, Clinton said he agreed with those who opposed the war. (Clinton’s exact quote was: “I guess I would have voted with the majority if it was a close vote. But I agree with the arguments the minority made.”)

* Clinton’s story on his draft record has changed repeatedly over the years. He denied ever receiving an induction notice or a deferment because of his promise to join the ROTC; this year, he acknowledged receiving both.

Today on the Trail . . .

Gov. Bill Clinton campaigns in Rahway, N.J., and New York City.

President Bush is at Camp David, Md.