THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT  
              Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: Friday, August 16, 1996               TAG: 9608160733
SECTION: FRONT                   PAGE: A14  EDITION: FINAL 
SOURCE: Warren Fiske 

DATELINE: SAN DIEGO                         LENGTH:   39 lines

ROANOKE REPUBLICAN SAYS KEMP WAS THE RIGHT CHOICE

Jim Vascik is a Roanoke neurosurgeon who states his commitment to conservative principles in an unshakable voice.

``Clinton has been a disaster,'' he says. ``He's raised taxes, and our military has its lowest rate of preparedness since 1938 and I don't need to remind you that that was three years before Pearl Harbor.''

Vascik is a supply-sider to his very bones. ``The deficit is high because we're spending too much,'' he says. ``The falsehood being spread by Democrats that we have to pay for it with tax increases is ridiculous. If we cut taxes, people will have incentive to work harder because they'll be able to keep more of what they earn.''

Vascik, 45, is attending his first national convention and was worried a few weeks ago that conservatives were not coalescing around Bob Dole. He said those fears have been abated by the enthusiasm at the convention this week and by the nomination of Jack Kemp - an ardent supply-sider - for vice president.

``Kemp appeals to a broad range of people,'' he said. ``He's very comfortable in all sectors of the country, with the rich and the poor. He's an athlete, and I think he's respected by people no matter where they come from.''

Vascik said the most important thing happening at the convention ``is the uniting of the party behind candidates who are committed to the successful programs of Ronald Reagan.''

He said he's concerned that viewers at home aren't seeing the essence of the convention because of limited coverage by some of the networks. ``It really irks me that the networks are picking and choosing what the public can see,'' he said. ILLUSTRATION: Photo

Jim Vascik

KEYWORDS: REPUBLICAN NATIONAL CONVENTION 1996 by CNB