CUOMO LETTER MAKES IT OFFICIAL: HE DOESN'T WANT HIGH COURT SEAT

                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, April 8, 1993                   TAG: 9304080052
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL                    PAGE: A11   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: WASHINGTON                                LENGTH: Medium
CUOMO LETTER MAKES IT OFFICIAL: HE DOESN'T WANT HIGH COURT SEAT
Mario Cuomo, the best-known candidate for the upcoming Supreme Court vacancy, formally withdrew Wednesday from consideration before President Clinton had narrowed his list of prospects.
In a letter to Clinton, Cuomo said he wanted to remain governor to help New York's economic recovery. He said staying in the political world would allow him to "continue to serve as a vigorous supporter of the good work you are doing for America and the world."
The letter was sent to confirm an earlier telephone conversation with Clinton, but it does not say when the call was made.
Clinton declined earlier in the day to confirm reports of the withdrawal, but said, "I think he's terrific."
Cuomo's decision removes the only candidate with celebrity quality from the long list of names earning speculation in Washington. It would appear to be an indication that Cuomo may run for a fourth term as governor.
Aides said Clinton is at least a month away from making his choice. There is no hurry, because Justice Byron White will not retire until the end of the court's term, usually late June or July.
Among the candidates being mentioned by administration officials are Judge Judith Kaye, chief judge of New York's highest state court; Judge Patricia Wald, who sits on the U.S. Court of Appeals in Washington; and Judge Richard Arnold of Little Rock, who sits on the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. Arnold is a long-time friend of Clinton.
Clinton has by no means limited his choices to those three people, White House officials say.
But the loss of a celebrity candidate could rob Clinton of one of the qualities he is seeking in a nominee. Another White House official familiar with the search process said Clinton wanted "someone who will make people say, `Wow,' whether they agree with the person or not."
Clinton has said only that he wants a justice who will respect the right to privacy, an argument that is the underpinning for a woman's right to an abortion.

by Bhavesh Jinadra by CNB