GOP-CHIEF CANDIDATES TAKE MODERATE TONE

                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: FRIDAY, January 29, 1993                   TAG: 9301290051
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL                    PAGE: A-3   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: ST. LOUIS                                LENGTH: Medium
GOP-CHIEF CANDIDATES TAKE MODERATE TONE
Republicans gathered to chart a course back from their presidential defeat Thursday, listening to final entreaties from five men vying to become national chairman and lead the critique of the Democrats.
From the candidates and members of the Republican National Committee flowed hopes and promises of a more inclusive party with less confrontational attitudes on abortion and other social issues, a shift from the tone of last summer's Houston convention.
Indeed, all five candidates for chairman promise to promote a "big-tent" position on abortion rights and to take other steps to mollify moderates who were alienated by the conservative rhetoric of the convention.
The simmering tensions between the religious right and Republican moderates were a factor in the chairman's race, which is to be settled today.
The candidates are:

Haley Barbour, 45, a national committee member from Mississippi and a Washington lawyer-lobbyist who was political director in the Reagan White House.

E. Spencer Abraham, 40, co-chairman of the GOP congressional committee, former Michigan state chairman and an adviser to former Vice President Dan Quayle.

Former Missouri Gov. John Ashcroft, 50, a key architect of the 1992 Republican platform and a late entry into the chairman's race.

Howard "Bo" Calloway, 65, a former Georgia congressman and Colorado GOP state chairman.

Craig Berkman, 51, a high-tech businessman and former Oregon GOP chairman who is the only candidate in the race who openly supports abortion rights.

by Bhavesh Jinadra by CNB