THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, September 14, 1996 TAG: 9609140242
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY WARREN FISKE, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: WASHINGTON LENGTH: 80 lines
Presidential candidate Ross Perot got an icy, sometimes jeering, reception Friday as he delivered his maiden speech to the Christian Coalition but declined to discuss his pro-abortion-rights views.
Perot appeared before about 3,000 evangelicals from across the nation who attended the Chesapeake-based coalition's annual two-day ``Road to Victory'' conference. The Reform Party nominee's emphasis on economic issues rather than social ones won him few new friends.
His strained relationship became evident early in his speech when Perot declared, ``A No. 1 priority is restoring trust in government.'' That prompted shouts from the crowd: ``No, it's protect the unborn.''
Later, Perot characterized balancing the budget as an act of kindness toward future generations that all religions should applaud. ``The core of every religious belief is not to be selfish,'' he said. ``I can't think of anything more selfish than to pass our debts on to our children.''
The catcalls came again. ``What about abortion?'' many in the crowd shouted.
Perot never took the bait. And after his speech, coalition members did not mince their words.
``Mr. Perot just doesn't get it, '' said Michael Smith, an electrical engineer from Bethel, Ohio. ``His message is still `It's the economy, stupid.' But America's problem is that the family is falling apart. And we can't put it together as long as we're killing unborn babies.''
``I don't see a lot of common ground,'' said Ray Downy, a Birmingham, Ala., businessman. ``The pro-life issue is central to us, and he's on the wrong side.''
Perot was the headliner on a long list of otherwise socially conservative speakers appearing before the coalition. They included House Speaker Newt Gingrich of Georgia, Sen. Jesse Helms of North Carolina, former Iran-Contra figure Oliver L. North and former Secretary of Education William Bennett.
Scheduled speakers today include Jack Kemp, the GOP vice presidential nominee; Pat Buchanan, an unsuccessful candidate for the GOP presidential nomination; and Phyllis Schlafly, a noted Christian conservative activist.
Religious broadcaster Pat Robertson, the founder of the coalition, is to make the keynote speech at a banquet tonight.
The coalition says it is a nonpartisan voter education group. But the absence of Democratic speakers at its meeting is certain to renew criticisms that the organization is a tax-exempt front for the Republican party.
The Federal Election Commission sued the coalition this summer, arguing that its actions on behalf of Republicans should be subject to finance campaign laws.
The coalition does not endorse candidates. But its two most visible leaders - Robertson and Executive Director Ralph Reed - made no secret of their personal support for Bob Dole, the Republican presidential nominee.
Mike Russell, a spokesman for the coalition, said the group sought to include Democrats by inviting President Clinton and Vice President Gore to speak.
``They declined,'' said Russell, adding: ``We will work with anyone as long as they take a pro-life, pro-family stand.''
Reed, in his speech, blasted Clinton for providing what he called weak moral leadership and recently vetoing a bill that would have banned certain late-term abortions.
He said the organization plans to register 1 million new voters this fall, contact 3 million people by phone and urge them to cast ballots and distribute 40 million voter guides contrasting candidates' views on social issues important to Christian conservatives.
``We are not measured by our checkbook balance,'' Reed said. ``We are measured by our faith and the moral integrity of our leaders and our commitment to protecting life of the most innocent.''
Perot clearly missed Reed's message. He argued that his commitment to cutting government is consistent with policies the coalition has embraced.
``Can we agree on that?'' he asked repeatedly.
Donald Mott, a coordinator for Perot, said the candidate was hoping to begin a dialogue with conservative Christians. When asked to assess Perot's start, Mott said: ``At least you can say this about Mr. Perot: He doesn't pander to anyone.'' ILLUSTRATION: Color photo
Ross Perot: ``A No. 1 priority is restoring trust in government.''
The audience: ``No, it's protect the unborn.''
KEYWORDS: RELIGION AND POLITICS CHRISTIAN COALITION
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