THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, September 23, 1994 TAG: 9409230572
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B3 EDITION: NORTH CAROLINA
SOURCE: BY PAUL SOUTH, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: CAMDEN LENGTH: Medium: 76 lines
U.S. Sen. Jesse A. Helms of North Carolina and U.S. Rep. Newt Gingrich of Georgia are two of the heavy hitters who the Republican party already has dispatched to support Walter B. Jones in his drive to defeat incumbent Democrat Martin Lancaster in North Carolina's 3rd District congressional race.
As the final full month of the campaign approaches, the GOP is sending three more of its biggest names - and a king - to campaign for Jones.
Senate Majority Leader Robert Dole of Kansas, former Education Secretary Bill Bennett, and former Housing and Urban Development Secretary Jack Kemp each will speak on Jones' behalf next month.
But the biggest name on the list of high-profile campaigners has never sought political office: Richard Petty - the king of stock car racing.
Jones made the announcement Wednesday night at a rally at the Elizabeth City Shrine Club.
``I don't say this to impress you,'' Jones told the crowd of about 150. ``But this is just to let you know that this campaign is operating at a high level. Probably the biggest draw we're going to have is Richard Petty. It's very special to have him come in for us.''
Jones hammered on familiar themes in his Wednesday night speech, concentrating on traditional values and trying to link Lancaster with President Clinton.
Jones also announced that he will join other Republican congressional candidates in Washington next Tuesday to sign a ``Contract With America.''
In the document, prepared by the Republican National Committee, the candidates pledge that if the GOP becomes the majority party in the House, they will ``change the direction of this nation.''
Among the reforms promised by the contract is requiring that members of Congress abide by the same laws that apply to other citizens. The document also promises an independent audit of all congressional accounts in an effort to find graft, fraud or abuse. The contract also calls for major cuts in congressional staffs, and in the number of House committees.
On policy issues, Jones said the contract calls for passage of a balanced budget amendment and a line-item veto as well as term limits. Also, the Republican pledge calls for a middle-class tax cut, ``common sense'' legal reform and welfare reform. It lays out the party's position on crime, national defense and other issues.
Jones addressed welfare reform, crime and defense in detail.
``The welfare reform proposal will be called the Personal Responsibility Act,'' he said. ``This is aimed at ending dependency on AFDC (Aid to Families and Dependent Children). It will attack illegitimacy and teen pregnancy. It will require work, not welfare, and it will expand flexibility to the states.''
On defense, Jones called for passage of a bill removing U.S. troops from the command of foreign generals, and strengthening U.S. missile defenses and NATO.
Later, Jones was asked how he would reconcile increases in the defense budget coupled with a middle-class tax cut. ``First of all,'' Jones responded, ``you've got to cap spending. We're going to start with cutting House committee staffs. But if the Democrats stay in power, you're not going to see a lot of changes.''
While he does favor cutting entitlements, Jones said he would not cut Social Security.
``I don't consider Social Security as an entitlement,'' he said. ``People have paid into the system. The entitlements are welfare-type programs.''
Jones also said many incumbents are in danger of defeat in November because they have forgotten their roots.
``When you stop listening to your people back home,'' he said, ``then you're in trouble.'' ILLUSTRATION: Photo
Jones
KEYWORDS: ELECTION NORTH CAROLINA by CNB