THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, November 4, 1995 TAG: 9511040026
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A12 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Short : 39 lines
I was a staunch Republican until the 1992 election, when I felt compelled to vote for Ross Perot. Quite simply, George Bush represented out-of-touch business as usual. I believe my presidential vote rather triggered the revolution in the 1994 elections. Does the Republican leadership wish to continue the revolution or merely retain its status as the majority party?
The enthusiasm for the revolution was triggered by the Contract With America. For the most part those elected under that banner delivered. But the current crop of Republican presidential candidates looks like a turtle race, with Dole ahead by a stretched neck. Their banner is not one of revolution, but rather one of ``vote for me, I've paid my dues.'' Its like George Bush all over again!
The revolution was in 1994 and played out in 1995. But Republicans need something better to sell than ``we did our part, but the White House blocked us on this or that.''
The Virginia Republican Party has tied itself this election season to another contract. I applaud the idea even if it lacks specifics. On the national level the revolution appears to be stalling. Any hint in 1996 that Republicans are returning to ``business as usual'' sets the stage for another sweep nationally, as the Democrats sweep them out of power. The party leadership needs to stop focusing on the presidency and begin generating a ``Revolution II'' game plan for the 1996 congressional elections. The Republican presidential candidate had better be part and parcel to Revolution II. Otherwise the election of 1992 will be repeated next year.
JAMES A. GRACE
Virginia Beach, Oct. 26, 1995 by CNB