Daily News from New York, New York • 5

Friday, November 10, 1989 if mm Calls itt factor' io close election By ADAM NACOURNEY Datty News Saff Wnter WASHINGTON Mayor-elect David Dinkins said yesterday that racism was a factor behind his surprisingly slim defeat of Rudolph Giu liani. A If And he pledged to visit neighborhoods that voted -against him to "persuade that this government cares about them, too." Dinkins nodded when asked at a Capitol Hill news conference attended by congressional Democratic leaders and victorious Demo-, cratic candidates whether racism was a reason his contest turned from a walkaway into a close battle. "I think that racism is, a factor," Dinkins said. "It's just a question of degree. Dinkins said, however, that 4 his election as New York's first black mayor was proof that "tremendous progress has been and that "racism is on the wane." "I think that I could not have succeeded had racism been so overwhelming as to deny me that of white votes that I was able to Dinkins said.

"Things are not perfect in our land to be sure," he said. "But they have vastly im proved." But later, in an interview, the mayor-elect -pointed to Election Day exit polls of voters that showed him winning by a double-digit margin with one-third of the white vote. He defeated Giuliani by bare-, ly two points. "One cannot help but notice that the exit polls showed one thing and reality would say something else," GAIL COLLINS About that election. SEE PAGE 12 Dinkins said.

In day-after explanations of the disparity, Dinkins pollster Bill Johnson said, "It's obvious that some Giuliani voters were saying they voted for Dinkins because that was the socially acceptable answer." Dinkins' remarks were at odds with those of Virginia rGovI-elect Douglas Wilder, alsoa black Democrat At the same Washington news conference. Wilder was asked what role racism played in the Virginia election. He said it was not a factor. Dinkins, looking weary as he sat in the Trump Shuttle in a blue state Court Officers Association warmup jacket, said he planned to visit neighborhoods that voted against him. He singled out Bensonhurst, Brooklyn.

"People (have) got to understand I'm going to be mayor for four years, so let's talk about working together," he said. He said that he would not be rushed into making any decisions on his transition. But Dinkins emphasized that his top priorities were appointing a budget director, an investigations commissioner and a first deputy mayor "somebody that runs government pretty much." "'ii i mm tiiit ii'titeWiiifTiBa' VICTORS David Dinkins and Douglas Wilder, Virginia governor-elect, meet on Capitol Hill yesterday. I DAILY NEWS gladly joyce5 oty iemm, By MARCIA KRAMER Daily News City HaU Bureau Chief it Jl ir. said.

"I'm going to be a supporter. I plan to be David's hostess. But I would also like to travel through the five boroughs to learn the concerns of people and let David know about them." Though her husband wants to get a dog for Gracie Mansion, Mrs. Dinkins isn't wild about the idea, even though the dog would be for grandson Jamal, 3- "I want him to feel he can take the dog home with him," she said. Great expectations Although she regrets losing her privacy, Mrs.

Dinkins is excited by "all "the changes that will happen in. my life. I'll have an opportunity to make a contribution to the city. I'm a native New Yorker and I love New York City." subsidized apartment on Riverside Drive West She said that on the morning after Dinkins' election victory Jamal, with a little coaching, burst into their hotel suite and shouted: "Good morning, Mr. Mayor." Many interests Mrs.

Dinkins likes to swim, bike and relax by reading "light" novels, ing museum and going to the ballet Her taste in home furnishings runs to modern, but she won't redo Gracie Mansion that way. She does want the mayoral bedroom to be modern, however. Purple is a favorite color on Election Night she wore a purple dress that was created especially for her by designer Alvin BelL Goodbye gluttony, hello low-cal. When Joyce Burrows Dinkins takes over as the city's first lady Jan. 1, the Gracie Mansion chef will have to get a new recipe book.

Forget about all those rich dishes that Mayor Koch adores. Mrs. Dinkins favors a light menu that doesn't add to one's "I like low-calorie food. not that it works, but I try," Mrs. Dinkins confided in an interview 5 Major changes V-' A distinctly private person who has stayed in the background during her husband's political career, Mrsr Dinkins said that she will quit her.job: with the New York State Department -It vT, She and her husband haven't decid- of Taxation to be a full-time first lady.

And, like every other woman," she be Btradvisershe" ed whether they'ttVkeep-' their Yent-- saitM'I'likeio -1 Joyce pinMns.