THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, September 16, 1994 TAG: 9409160562
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY ESTHER DISKIN, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 82 lines
The Christian Coalition wants the rousing speeches and workshops on grassroots organizing at its fifth ``Road to Victory'' conference to launch it with explosive force toward the November elections.
The conference, which starts today in Washington, headlines a bevy of possible presidential candidates, from former Vice President Dan Quayle to William J. Bennett, former federal drug czar and author of the best-selling ``Book of Virtues.'' Organizers expect a crowd of 3,000.
One speaker who says he's not running is Virginia Beach broadcaster Pat Robertson, who founded the Chesapeake-based group after his failed 1988 presidential bid.
For the coalition, all this is just the warm-up show. The real work takes place in mailboxes and churches across the nation. This year, the group plans to churn out 57 million voter guides and congressional scorecards in what spokesman Mike Russell calls ``the largest voter education drive in the nation's history.''
The guides rate national, state and local candidates on issues designed to hit home with families and evangelical Christians, including abortion, prayer in public schools, and health care reform. To keep its tax-exempt status, the coalition may not endorse candidates.
``It's huge, no doubt about it,'' said Mark Rozell, a professor at Mary Washington College who is writing a book on the rise of the religious right in Virginia. ``They try to be studiously nonpartisan-appearing, but it's quite clear to people reading the guides who their candidates are.''
The coalition has flexed its political muscle this year, with mixed success. It has dominated Republican Party organizations in several states, including Texas and Virginia. But favored candidates in some visible races - from the Virginia Beach School Board to the Minnesota governor's race - have been beaten decisively.
This fall the GOP is hoping for its best showing across the country since Ronald Reagan was president, and the coalition plans to be a factor in conservative victories. ``It's a year where we are being recognized as being a permanent fixture on the political landscape,'' Russell said.
A $20 million annual budget and a database of 1.4 million members demands attention. As they did last year, conservative politicians have lined up to speak at this weekend's convention. Nearly all are Republicans, with the exception of Pennsylvania Gov. Robert Casey, a Democrat and abortion opponent.
In November, the coalition will try to show that its grassroots organizing can propel conservative candidates into the Senate and House of Representatives.
The showcase race is Virginia's U.S. Senate battle, where conservative religious activists are solidly behind Republican Oliver L. North and against incumbent Sen. Charles S. Robb. Their task got tougher on Thursday, when former governor L. Douglas Wilder dropped out of the race. The absence of Wilder, a Democrat running as an independent, may send his supporters to Robb's camp.
The coalition's clout will also be tested in a U.S. Senate race in Minnesota that pits Republican U.S. Rep. Rod Grams, a conservative former TV anchor, against Ann Wynia, a state legislator.
Religious conservatives control the state's Republican Party, but they received a drubbing this week. Allen Quist, their nominee for governor, was beaten 2-1 by incumbent Gov. Arne Carlson. ILLUSTRATION: [Color Photo of Quayle]
TODAY
Dan Quayle, former vice president, keynote speaker.
William J. Bennett, former drug czar and author of ``The Book of
Virtues.''
Mike Farris, former candidate for lieutenant governor of
Virginia.
SATURDAY
Elizabeth Dole, president, American Red Cross.
G. Gordon Liddy, Watergate figure and radio talk show host.
Dick Cheney, former secretary of defense.
KEYWORDS: CHRISTIAN COALITION VOTER GUIDES CONFERENCE by CNB