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

DATE: WEDNESDAY, September 28, 1994                   TAG: 9409280068
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL                    PAGE: A-9   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: WASHINGTON                                LENGTH: Medium

GOP SIGNS VOTER CONTRACT TAX CUTS, TERM LIMITS AMONG PLEDGES

The Republican candidates, two-thirds of them running as challengers or seeking open seats, gathered in bright sunshine on the Capitol steps to sign a ``Contract with America.'' They pledged speedy action on a 10-point platform if voters give their party a House majority for the first time since 1954.

A band of retired military musicians played as the candidates filed past a table draped in red, white and blue, then lined up on a stage erected for the occasion.

``This is a first step toward renewing American civilization,'' said Rep. Newt Gingrich, R-Ga., the House minority whip who would become speaker if his party picks up 40 seats in November. Most observers predict a GOP increase in the range of 25 seats.

Kevin Vigilante, a doctor running against Democratic state Rep. Patrick Kennedy in Rhode Island, said ``people ... have really lost their faith in government. This is all about open government and accountability.''

But Democrats counter that Republicans have failed to specify how their proposed tax cuts and new spending would be funded.

``This is a fraud, and I think the American people need to know that,'' said White House Chief of Staff Leon Panetta.

As the event went on outside, Rep. George Miller, D-Calif., said on the House floor that Gingrich was leading ``blindfolded candidates'' to sign a pledge that will lead to mammoth new deficits.

``I would hope Americans will read this contract before they decide whether they will sign it or not,'' Miller said.

The contract declares: ``A campaign promise is one thing. A signed document is quite another.''

``It's really not a gimmick,'' Haley Barbour, chairman of the Republican National Committee, said on ABC. ``We're trying to make very plain the difference between a Republican House and a Democratic House.''

Steve Fast, who is running against six-term incumbent Rep. Rick Boucher, D-Abingdon, in the 9th District, is one of the contract's supporters. Fast, a mathematics professor from Tazewell, last week highlighted term limits and congressional reform as an important part of his campaign.

Fast, 33, is a long shot to unseat Boucher, who holds a significant advantage in fund raising and name recognition.

Also in Washington for the announcement was George Landrith, the Republican who is challenging Rep. L.F. Payne, D-Nelson County, in the 5th District.

The event, designed to capitalize on what is shaping up as a bad-news election season for Democrats, also holds risks. Its unveiling was linked to a $500,000 fund-raiser that could be a public reminder of the insider politics that polls show voters disdain.

Frank Luntz, a Republican pollster who worked on the plan, said each of its 10 items registered at least a 60 percent public-approval rating.

``The more Democrats draw attention to the contract, the better we will do,'' he said.

Staff writer Brian Kelley contributed information to this story.