By Jill Zuckman and Michael Kranish, Globe Staff, June 15, 1999

NEW CASTLE, N.H. -- Republican presidential front-runner George W. Bush barreled into the first-primary state yesterday and confronted a series of controversial issues, refusing to rule out raising some taxes or to impose an antiabortion litmus test on judicial appointments.

In his first extended questioning by reporters since he announced Saturday that he is running for president, Bush alternately appeared amused and irritated when faced with a range of questions, including demands for details about his early years, when, as he freely admits, he was "young and irresponsible."

"This is a game they played in Washington -- it is called 'Gotcha,' " Bush said. "It's the game where they float a rumor and make the candidate prove a negative, and I'm not playing the game."

Asked how his refusal to elaborate on his own past squares with his call, in his campaign, for a new era of personal responsibility, Bush bristled a bit. "You can ask all the questions you want," Bush said. "That is my answer."

Today, Bush will venture into Massachusetts on the arm of Governor Paul Cellucci, visiting a charter school in Lawrence and attending a luncheon fund-raiser in Boston. He will return to New Hampshire July Fourth to continue campaigning for the Republican nomination.

With fog horns sounding in the nearby ocean and the smell of sea salt pungent in the air, Bush greeted several hundred supporters in this upscale community, gathering under a white, big-top tent to the strains of Aaron Copland's "Rodeo." The audience included several Democrats curious about the Texas governor's campaign trail debut, including state Senator Burt Cohen of New Castle and Democratic National Committee cochairman Joe Andrew, as well as a top Elizabeth Dole supporter, Alec Koromilas.

One nascent controversy Bush sought to squelch concerned taxes, a tender topic in the Granite State. Bush was asked four questions about taxes following his statement last week that he would not raise tax rates, a pledge that echoed his father's memorably broken vow to "read my lips, no new taxes." Bush said that he promised only to cut income and corporate marginal rates and refused to rule out the possibility of raising other taxes and fees.

"It was a pledge on income taxes," Bush said, while declining to provide any details. "I know everybody's waiting with bated breath for the specific tax plan. And I will be laying it out here on my timetable."

In an interview with reporters aboard his bus bound for Manchester, Bush also said he is working on developing a federal budget, with prioritized spending proposals.

Later yesterday, Bush appeared before 900 people at the Manchester Lilac luncheon sponsored by the New Hampshire Federation of Women. Bush, whose top competitor in the polls is Dole, did not use the occasion to speak to women's issues. Instead, he repeated his stump speech calling for "compassionate conservatism."

Toni Pappas, one of the relatively few people at the event who wore a Dole button, said she was confident that a majority of New Hampshire Republican women would end up supporting Dole. "She has all the qualifications to be president," Pappas said. "The country is ready for a female president."

Jim Steiner, another member of the audience, said he is backing Arizona Senator John McCain but added: "If George Bush gets the nomination, I don't have any problem."

Bush was welcomed into the state by a Manchester Union-Leader editorial that declared "beginning today, the free ride is over," calling Bush "unknown and untested."

Sounding a related if more bluntly partisan note, the DNC passed out T-shirts comparing the air of insuperability about the Bush campaign to the Titanic. "The iceberg cometh," the shirt read. Over the past week, DNC officials have been meeting with reporters in New Hampshire, Iowa, and Washington, D.C., trying to pick apart the governor's record and saying they find little to distinguish his philosophy of compassionate conservatism from right-wing conservatism.

"Which part don't they get? Conservatism or compassionate. . . . They must be worried," said Bush, with no apparent concern.

One reason for his confidence may lie in his burgeoning campaign organization here. Before Bush ever set foot in the state, Senator Judd Gregg and his campaign cochairs had signed up 250 people from around the state to organize in every city and county. The list includes activists from every ward in Manchester and Nashua, the state's two largest cities.

Echoing a theme sounded by many of his Republican colleagues, Bush promised to respect the office of the presidency and to conduct himself appropriately if elected.

Holding up his right hand to a bank of 29 television cameras and 150 reporters, Bush said he swore an oath as the leader of Texas to uphold the Constitution and to respect the dignity of the governorship.

"It is a pledge I have upheld, so help me God," Bush said. He added, to applause: "I will not use my office as a mirror to reflect public opinion. . . . I want you to know I do not run polls to tell me what to think."

On abortion, Bush said he would nominate judges who strictly interpret the Constitution. He was asked whether he interprets the Constitution to allow for abortions and whether he would require his judicial nominees to hold the same view.

"There will be no litmus tests, except for whether or not the judges will strictly interpret the Constitution," he said. "I am not a lawyer. My job is to pick judges who are qualified to serve on the bench and that will be my criteria."

During his bus ride to Manchester, Bush said that he respects people who hold a different view on abortion. "I understand good people can disagree," he said. But he said that he believes people can agree on banning the so-called partial birth abortion procedure and the importance of notifying parents of minors who seek abortions.

Bush also took a stab at taking away credit for the flush economy from the Clinton-Gore administration, praising small businesses and entrepreneurs for revitalizing the United States' financial position.

Bush said he favored free trade with no barriers. He said the North American Free Trade Agreement, which has been blamed for job losses in the Northeast, has created more jobs in Texas. He said trade with China should be free, but should be screened to make sure items of national security are not exported.

But he said that his free-trade philosophy stops at the shores of Cuba. Bush said he would oppose opening up trade with the communist nation as long as Fidel Castro remains in power.

"It's important for America to keep the pressure on Fidel Castro," he said.

Throughout his campaign day, Bush blended touches of humility and cockiness, apologizing for his late arrival to New Hampshire and threading his remarks with humor.

Mostly, however, it was confidence that shone through. At one point, during a visit to the Bow fire station, where he faced questions from voters, a voice in the back called out, "You're going to win."

Replied Bush, with a broad smile, "I believe I am going to win."

And while visiting the New Castle library, Bush asked several children how they were doing. "Awesome," one boy said. "I'm awesome, too," Bush replied.