THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, July 7, 1994 TAG: 9407070496
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: NORTH CAROLINA
SOURCE: BY PAUL SOUTH, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NAGS HEAD LENGTH: Medium: 62 lines
House Majority Leader Richard Gephardt's scheduled appearance at an Outer Banks Chamber of Commerce breakfast this morning has raised the ire of local Republican officials.
They claim the chamber is providing a campaign stump for Democratic congressman Martin Lancaster, while not inviting his Republican challenger.
Chamber officials, as well as Dare County Democratic Party Chairman Gervis ``Bo'' Taylor, flatly deny the charge. Lancaster faces Republican challenger Walter Jones Jr. in the November general election.
Gephardt, a Missouri Democrat, is scheduled to speak at 8:30 a.m. at the Ramada Inn in Nags Head.
``The concern is that the speech will be used as a campaign platform for Congressman Lancaster,'' said Dare County Republican Party Chairman Danny Gray. ``The chamber is supposed to be non-partisan. We're going to attend the meeting to see what's going on.''
Outer Banks Chamber of Commerce Executive Director John Bone, however, said the congressman will speak on health care and other issues of concern to business, and not as part of a political campaign.
``We asked Rep. Gephardt to come here for two reasons,'' said Bone. ``First, he is a powerful member of Congress and a nationally known figure who owns property here in the Outer Banks, who can speak to our members about issues that are important to them. Also, we wanted to be able to cover our costs and generate money for the chamber. Congressman Gephardt was here on vacation, and was gracious enough to come and speak to us. If Mr. Gray can get a nationally known Republican to come and speak to us, we'd be glad to have them.''
Gephardt, who owns a vacation home in Corolla, is expected to play a pivotal role in the ongoing health care debate in Congress. With the loss of Illinois Democrat Dan Rostenkowski as chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, Gephardt's legislative ability will be critical for the Clinton administration.
``Congressman Gephardt is going to talk about health care,'' said Bone. ``That's an issue that's important to everyone, especially our members.''
Gray said said his intent is not to stir up a political controversy.
``I don't want to create any trouble,'' he said. ``I just want to remind people that we do live in a county where there are 5,000 Republicans, and they deserve to be represented.''
Taylor said Gray's contentions were ``a stretch.''
``I don't think this is going to be a rally for Congressman Lancaster,'' he said. ``We're proud that Rep. Gephardt is a Democrat, and we're proud of the job he does in Congress, but the chamber has certainly not signed on as part of the Lancaster campaign. I'm sure that if the Republicans were able to get a nationally known speaker, the chamber would be glad to have them.''
Gephardt, a former candidate for his party's nomination for president, was a key member of the Democratic Leadership Conference. Gephardt, along with then-Arkansas Gov. Bill Clinton and other moderate Democrats, formed the DLC to help bring the party back to the political center. ILLUSTRATION: Gephardt
by CNB