Bullock splits with Clements, vows to fight re-election bid DALLAS TIMES HERALD MAK 8 '80 By DAVE MONTGOMERY Austin Bureau AUSTIN — State Comptroller Bob Bullock abruptly severed his once- friendly relationship with Gov. Wil- liam P. Clements Jr. Friday by calling for Clements' defeat and accusing the Republican governor of inconsistent , policies and Watergate-style campaign tactics. "I think we've got a vacancy in the .governor's office," said the outspoken Democratic officeholder. "It may be filled but it's not fulfilled." Bullock unleashed his attack during an interview in which he sharply de- nounced Clements' recent stands on state fiscal matters. He accused Cle- ments of "living in a dream world" and promised to. work with other Democrats in sending the multimil- lionaire Republican governor "straight to Mexico" if he seeks re- election in 1982. "He bought him an office but he can't keep it," Bulloc.k declared. "He's long gone. Send him some roses. He's through. At the way he's going at this rate. I don't even think the people of Dallas will talk to him." Bullock, who was once complimen- tary of Clements, describing himself as "the best friend he had in state government," said he is reversing his position because of .Clements' insis- tence on predicting a $1 billion budget surplus to fund a tax rebate in 1981. The comptroller, who has projected a much smaller surplus of no more than $300 million, joined House Speaker Billy Clayton in raising the "distinct possibility" of a tax increase next year, despite Clements' assertion Friday that he would veto any tax bill. Contending that "Billy Clayton is exactly right," Bullock said his office has attempted to explain to Clements that there won't be enough money next year to fund a massive surplus. "All you can do is explain some thing," Bullock said. "You can't make him onderstand it." In becoming the first statewide of Ii ceholder to openly- call , for Clements. defeat, Bullock accused the governor of being "completely inconsistent" by embracing tax relief while reportedly endorsing efforts to grant a one per cent sales tax to hospital districts Bullock said Clements endorsed the hospital tax during a recent speceh in San Antonio. -Pall Clements has got six barrels and he spe..aks out of all six." Bullock declared. "I can't figure him out. It would take Houdini. He's like Alice in Wonderland or Mary had a little lamb." Bullock also said the multimillion- aire fornier 'Dallas .drilling contractor is "more oncerned about the Mexican oil spill than state affairs" and main- tained that the governor's past and present campaign finance tactics have the "ring of Watergate." "When I saw that he was going to raise.. $50,000 to defeat Carter in Tex- as. that reminded me of Watergate," Bullock said. Clemenes' record-setting $ti million outlay to finance his 1978 gubernatorial race also smacked of a similar "money-buys-all" attitude., The comptroller further maintained that Clements has politically "black- mailed" some of his appointees by forcing them to become Republicans before naming them to state posts "I'm one fellow who Hasn't forgot- ten Watergate," Bullock said, alluding to Clements' past record as deputy Defense secretary during the Nixein- F'ord administration. '•I le Wa, 111) there at that time Bull(ick predicted that voters rebel- against Clements "beeause of his inability to know what he's talk- ing about" and his failure to delivei his promised tax rebate. Texas twople ought to get A good damned dose of it and they're going to see what kind of rehate they gee" he declared. Uriless Clements changes lir- style. Bullock said, he vill ‘vork Actively agaiiea.the governor in thele.2, rice and added "I don't think there will he another Democrat in of lice. who wont do the same thing." Although, he, has ear lieu. expressed an interest in running for governor,. the ailment-ridden 50-year-old comp- troller declined to include lams( If as a potential challenger. However. he cited Lt. Gov. William P. 1 lobby Jr., Atty. Gen. Mark White and State Sen Peyton McKnight of T> ler as
