BIG VOTE-GETTER MCKEON VIEWS GOP'S LOSSES; LOCAL CONGRESSMAN EASILY WINS AGAIN.

Byline: Teresa Jimenez Daily News Staff Writer

U.S. Rep. Howard P. ``Buck'' McKeon celebrated his fourth congressional victory by spending Wednesday in meetings and telephone conversations to plan for the changes ahead.

McKeon, a Republican, noted that his party still holds the majority of seats in the Senate and the House, but expressed concern about the loss of several seats to the Democrats.

The post-Election Day discussions zeroed in on leadership for the Republican party. Many political analysts speculated about Majority Leader Newt Gingrich's future after the loss of conservative seats.

``We still have a majority, which is great. But it's a smaller majority, which makes it difficult to get things done,'' said McKeon, R-Santa Clarita. ``There has been talk about a change in leadership. I think it's unlikely, but anything can happen.''

McKeon, who won re-election handily, said he will aim for tax cuts, education reform, increased military spending and local concerns, such as building more roads for Santa Clarita and bringing the joint strike fighter project to Edwards Air Force Base.

``We need a stronger defense,'' McKeon said. ``We cannot do another Desert Storm right now.''

McKeon, who has chaired the House subcommittee on higher education, said he is considering switching to the subcommittee that focuses on elementary and secondary education. On that subcommittee, McKeon said, he could work for voucher and school-choice proposals.

Regardless of party, focusing on issues such as education and taxes has become crucial in tight races, McKeon said. He credited Democrat Gray Davis with running a more focused campaign than Republican Dan Lungren in winning the governorship.

McKeon had been among Republicans who anticipated that his party would pick up more congressional seats, mainly because of the sex scandal surrounding President Clinton. McKeon said his office received hundreds of calls from constituents angry about Clinton's behavior.

But at some point, the tide turned, McKeon said.

``I thought we were going to win 10 to 15 seats,'' McKeon said. ``A lot of people said that Democrats weren't going to show up to vote. But they showed up in large numbers.''

McKeon said he also was surprised at what appeared to be support for the president or irritation at Independent Counsel Kenneth Starr.

McKeon said he had expected voters' dissatisfaction with Clinton to be reflected in congressional elections.

``People were heavily against the president,'' McKeon said. ``I thought it would be like 1994. But I guess a lot of people thought that it was overdone. Some were mad at Starr. They've done a masterful job of making Starr out to be the bad guy.''

But the main message from voters may have been that they are satisfied with the direction of the country and the economy with Congress and the White House under different parties.

``I think people are happy with the way things are,'' McKeon said. ``They like the divided government.''