THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, September 9, 1995 TAG: 9509090287
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY WARREN FISKE, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: WASHINGTON LENGTH: Long : 111 lines
The Christian Coalition came to town on Friday and Republican presidential hopefuls began lining up to curry the group's favor.
About 4,100 members of the Chesapeake-based political organization founded by religious broadcaster Pat Robertson crowded into a hotel ballroom to kick off a three-day ``Road to Victory'' conference. They were wooed by GOP presidential front-runners Bob Dole and Phil Gramm, who in speeches stressed their anti-abortion sentiments and their support for the Christian Coalition's ``pro-family'' agenda.
``I read in this morning's paper how all these candidates are coming here to court you,'' Dole said. ``Well, maybe we are. What's wrong with that?''
Dole, the Senate majority leader from Kansas, boasted that since 1993 he has had a perfect voting record in support of 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 on Friday. He repeatedly professed his faith in Jesus Christ and suggested that 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 growing sway within the Republican Party and its 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.
``Thank you from the bottom of my heart,'' he said. ``You helped us win the elections last year. You helped us pass the Contract for America. And next year, you're going to help us get America on the right track.''
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. ``. . 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'' that 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 the issues.
Reed said the purpose of the meeting is to advance the coalition's agenda and find out where the candidates stand. But critic 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,'' he said. ``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, is already feeling that wrath. The coalition refused to offer Specter a chance to address its members, citing the senator's frequent criticism of the group as extremist.
The only other Republican presidential no-show was California Gov. Pete Wilson, who claimed a prior commitment. 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 that it has become the voice of at least 30 million evangelicals in the nation. He said Christian right candidates used to be labeled as ``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.''
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.
Although the coalition is promoting a widespread social agenda, abortion was the issue that roused the most passion. A group of about 80 abortion-rights advocates staged a protest outside the meeting.
Gramm criticized Dole for failing to sign a pledge to support an anti-abortion plank at next year's GOP national convention. Many members of the coalition waived copies of the pledge at Dole as he took the podium to speak. The senator did not acknowledge them.
``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 members of the coalition said they have not decided whom to support for president and want to keep their options open. They voiced 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 of the coalition, ``then we risk the temptation of thinking that a balanced budget is as important as protecting the life of the unborn.'' ILLUSTRATION: Associated Press color photo
House Speaker Newt Gingrich thanked Christian Coalition members
Friday for playing a key role in the Republican takeover of
Congress. Ralph Reed, left, Coalition president, warned Republican
candidates to not take his group for granted.
KEYWORDS: POLITICS AND RELIGION CHRISTIAN COALITION by CNB