American Notes GOVERNORS

The Governors of the economically beleaguered Northeast are calling it quits. First Michael Dukakis, surveying Massachusetts' shattered miracle, announced he would not seek re-election this fall. Then Connecticut Democrat William O'Neill said he had no taste for the difficult campaign he faced after hiking the sales tax to 8% and chopping $600 million out of the state's $7 billion budget.

The latest dropout is Democrat Madeleine Kunin of Vermont, who announced last week that she will not seek a fourth term. She has been forced to cut ; social programs and propose a 3% income tax hike. Kunin blames Washington for "telling the American public they can have it both ways: no tax increases and increased social services. Unfortunately, Governors can't play by these rules."