Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, September 9, 1995 TAG: 9509110098
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: A1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: WARREN FISKE STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: WASHINGTON LENGTH: Long
\ Bob Dole and Phil Gramm stressed their anti-abortion sentiments and their support for the "pro-family" agenda Friday as the Christian Coalition came to town and Republican presidential hopefuls began lining up to curry the group's favor.
Although the coalition is promoting a widespread social agenda, abortion was the issue that roused the most passion.
About 80 abortion rights advocates staged a protest outside the meeting.
Gramm criticized Dole for failing to sign a pledge for an anti-abortion plank at next year's Republican convention. Many coalition members waved copies of the pledge at Dole as he took the podium. Dole did not acknowledge them. ``Don't look at pledges - look at the record, folks,'' he told the crowd.
That didn't quite satisfy some. "I think Dole should either sign the document or explain to us why not," said Joseph Schlegel, a Coalition member from Pottstown, Pa. "I'm a little bit disappointed."
But like Schlegel, many coalition members said they have not decided whom to support for president and want to keep their options open. They mentioned a wide range of values, but many said a candidate must express a strong anti-abortion stand to receive any consideration.
"If we lose sight of our faith," said Gary Bauer, president of the Family Research Council and an influential member in the Coalition, "then we risk the temptation of thinking that a balanced budget is as important as protecting the life of the unborn."
Gramm made a stirring speech to the Coalition, going point by point down its agenda and declaring his support. Dole was more reserved, spoke in broader terms and asked the evangelicals to judge him by his 35-year voting record in Congress. Dole also criticized Hollywood for producing movies and television shows that he complained are lurid with sex and violence.
About 4,100 members of the nationwide political organization founded by religious broadcaster Pat Robertson crowded into a hotel ballroom to kick off a three-day "Road to Victory" conference.
Dole of Kansas, the Senate majority leader, boasted that since 1993 he has had a pefect voting record on the coalition's legislative agenda. "Men and women of faith do not represent a threat to America," he said. "Rather, you are the glue that holds America together."
Sen. Gramm of Texas, who sought to distance himself from the Christian right earlier this year by declaring "I'm running for president, not for preacher," changed his tone Friday. He repeatedly professed his faith in Jesus Christ and sugested he is a tougher foe of abortion than Dole.
"There's only one person who's ever lived whose values were good enough to impose on America and, when he comes back, he's not going to need the government to help him impose his values," Gramm said.
The speeches underscored the coalition's clout in determining next year's presidential nominee. House Speaker Newt Gingrich credited the group - which boasts 1.7 million contributors across the nation - with playing a key role in last year's Republican takeover of Congress.
But Ralph Reed, executive director of the coalition, warned Republicans not to take the organization's support for granted. "We do not seek to be a wholly owned subsidiary of the Republican Party or any party," he said. "We will not become just another special interest. Politics to us is a mission. The question to us is not who we will endorse, but who will endorse our agenda."
That agenda is spelled out in a 10-point "Contract with the American Family," which would restrict late-term abortions and pornography, permit greater religious expression in schools and other public places and eliminate the Department of Education. It also calls for a $500 per child tax credit, tax-free retirement accounts for homemakers and requiring criminals to make restitution to victims.
The coalition does not endorse candidates, but it makes its sentiments known by distributing millions of scorecards at churches each year denoting candidates' stands on issues.
Reed said the purpose of the meeting is to advance the coalition's agenda and find out where the candidates stand.
Barry W. Lynn, executive director of Americans United for Separation of Church and State, said there is a deeper intent:
"This has nothing to do with Christianity or restoring family values. It's all about hardball politics. ... The message Pat Robertson is giving to these candidates is that if they don't embrace his agenda, he's prepared to defeat them."
One GOP presidential hopeful, Sen. Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania, already is feeling that wrath. The Coalition refused to offer him a chance to address its members, citing Specter's frequent criticism of the group as extremist.
The only Republican no-show was California Gov. Pete Wilson, who claimed a prior committment. Four White House hopefuls - Lamar Alexander, Alan Keyes, Robert Dornan and Pat Buchanan - are scheduled to address the group today.
Reed was unabashed about the coalition's influence, claiming it has become the voice of at least 30 million evangelicals. He said Christian right candidates used to be labeled "extremist, right-wing Christian Coalition types."
"We have new names for them today," he added. "We're calling them senator, congressman, governor and city councilman."
Keywords:
POLITICS
by CNB