THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, March 17, 1996 TAG: 9603170087
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A20 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: THE NEW YORK TIMES
DATELINE: CLAWSON, MICH. LENGTH: Medium: 72 lines
At a ``God and Country'' rally here Saturday, two of the foremost leaders of the country's Christian conservatives sternly warned Sen. Bob Dole, the presumptive Republican nominee for president, not to veer from his party's opposition to abortion.
It was a telling demonstration that the Republican right, divided during the primary season, is likely to cause headaches for Dole by speaking with one voice as he prepares for the Republican National Convention in August and the general election campaign.
The speakers were Ralph Reed, the executive director of the Chesapeake-based Christian Coalition, which is supporting Dole's candidacy, and Pat Buchanan, who is still pounding away at Dole.
Going into the primaries, Buchanan's firmest base was among anti-abortion voters, many of whom continue to suspect Dole's commitment on the issue partly because he has not ruled out choosing a running mate who supports abortion rights.
Before about a thousand people at a rally of the Michigan Christian Coalition, Reed made clear what he expects from the Republican Party in exchange for his support.
``If you want to retain the majority that you won in 1994, and you want to add to it in 1996, then you cannot, you should not, and you must not retreat from the pro-life and pro-family stand that have won you that majority in the first place,'' Reed said to a standing ovation.
Buchanan then took his turn. ``I don't care what they say,'' he said. ``We are going to San Diego, and we are going to stand up and keep our party pro-life, and keep our ticket pro-life. Will you stand by me?'' The crowd responded with cheers and shouts of ``Go, Pat, go!''
When it comes to protecting unborn children, Buchanan said, ``There can be no compromise. That is not extremism, my friends, that is what we are sent here to do!''
In a nod to Buchanan, Reed, who spoke first, defended the conservative commentator against persistent charges that he is an extremist. ``When you attack those candidates who stand up for our values, you are attacking us,'' Reed said.
While Reed blamed the ``liberal media'' for having branded Buchanan an extremist, it was actually Dole who applied the label in a television advertisement. Indeed, Buchanan's bitterest complaint against Dole is that he called him extreme.
But Buchanan did not answer directly when asked whether Reed should have criticized Dole along with the media. Instead, Buchanan applauded Reed for having ``condemned those who called me an extremist.''
At a later campaign stop, Bob Utych and Amy Wilsher said they hoped Dole would support abortion rights.
Utych said he had supported Sen. Phil Gramm and now reluctantly supported Dole.
``It's the same thing with religion,'' Utych said, and referring to Dole, added, ``He scares me in the sense he's too wishy-washy.'' ILLUSTRATION: Phots
Ralph Reed
ASSOCIATED PRESS
At a rally of the Michigan Christian Coalition on Saturday, Pat
Buchanan pounded away at Bob Dole. During his speech to the crowd of
about 1,000, Buchanan vowed: ``We are going to stand up and keep our
party pro-life, and keep our ticket pro-life.''
KEYWORDS: REPUBLICAN PARTY CANDIDATES by CNB