Darman’s on The Perk Patrol

JUST WHEN IT SEEMS THAT RICHARD DARMAN CAN’T GET ANY less popular in Washington, the White House budget chief goes ahead and very publicly renounces his privileged use of the chauffeured car that comes with the job. What’s more, Darman is advising fellow Cabinet appointees to give up “portal to portal” service and restrict the use of motor pools in their agencies, or else his Office of Management and Budget will do it for them. Presidential aides agree that the push against perks is a smart move that will allow Bush to continue railing against congressional excesses. Says a senior campaign adviser: “Complimenting Darman makes me sick, but he is far ahead of everyone else on this issue.”