State Delegates Put Emphasis On Values Convention Less About Dole Than Group’s Stand On Abortion, Families

Washington’s delegation to the Republican National Convention, dominated by religious conservatives and staunchly anti-abortion, sees the party gathering less as a coronation of Bob Dole than a chance to reaffirm its “pro-family” faith.

A few indicators of the delegation’s rock-ribbed nature:

The 36-member group is headed by the state director of the Christian Coalition, Dave Welch, and is viewed as one of the most conservative in the nation.

A majority identify themselves as religious conservatives. They’re pressing for the strongest possible anti-abortion language in the platform and a Dole running mate who shares their values.

Conservative commentator Pat Buchanan, who has assailed Dole’s positions on abortion, taxes and trade policy, has a big delegation following.

State Republican Chairman Ken Eikenberry, a fiscal conservative who doesn’t share the social conservatives’ zeal for anti-abortion politics, was not included after he barred Buchanan from addressing the state GOP convention.

Many delegates are still unsure how effective Dole will be as the nominee, says Welch. Dole has a duty to outline a clear, compelling conservative message and to reassure skeptics among social conservatives, he says.

The usually circumspect Eikenberry says the delegates do not represent rank-and-file Washington Republicans. He says the anti-abortion activists “come down here like flamethrowers. It drives me nuts.”

Lynn Schindler, a delegate from Otis Orchards, said “I don’t think that bears a response. I don’t know where he’s coming from.

“When he ran for governor, Eikenberry talked about family values.”

Schindler said she backs Buchanan in part because Dole is “confusing on the abortion issue. I am pro-life and I am one of those people for who there is no exception on the issue.”

Charlotte Karling, chairman of the Spokane County Republican Central Committee, said, “I hope these are people who are out to learn, not take over and control the party.

“We have to learn how to work together. It takes everyone in the party to win the election.”

Karling, who opposes abortion, said she also hopes the delegation will send Dole a message. “Maybe their presence will awaken Dole to the fact that there are a lot of people out there that believe abortion is taking a life.”

Richard Kuhling, a Spokane attorney and former chairman of the local GOP central committee, said the convention attracts hard-liners by virtue of the process used to select delegates.

“It’s an ultra-conservative delegation, but you have to explain how that occurred.”

Only the most committed will take the time for local caucus meetings and additional gatherings that get them elected as delegates.

The result is often a delegation more extreme than the party, Kuhling said.

The pre-convention talk leads state Democratic Chairman Paul Berendt to gleefully predict “tremendous divisions among the Republicans, particularly on social issues - some tremendous schisms and disunity.”

Only a carefully scripted convention can keep the delegates from careening off into fringe politics, he says.

“We all know that the delegation that is being sent to San Diego doesn’t truly represent the voters who supported Dole in our precinct caucuses and primary,” says Mark Gardner, director of an organization of pro-choice moderate Republicans, Mainstream Republicans of Washington.

Members must be wary of alienating key swing voters with “embarrassing, extremist speeches” and far-right positions, he said.

“I would hope they won’t use the convention as a way to promote their own agenda,” Gardner said.

Though Dole is guaranteed nomination on the first ballot, only 25 of Washington’s 36 delegates are committed to vote for him. The other 11 are for Buchanan, who has not withdrawn from the race or endorsed Dole.

Rob McCallum, state Dole chairman and a delegate, said the nominee-to-be needs a unified convention - and the spotlight, so Washington voters and all Americans can get their first clear, unfiltered look at him.

“Dole has 100 percent name ID, but people still don’t know who he is,” said the Bellevue attorney.

From his war wounds and small-town values to his new tax-cut plans and “his vision for a better America,” voters will get a new picture of the man at this week’s convention, McCallum said.

The Washington delegation also plans a yachting party, a reception at a sports club, a breakfast and other events during its stay.

It’s largely a no-name delegation, with conservative foot soldiers winning the seats at the state GOP convention. In addition to Eikenberry, state legislative leaders and most members of Congress were excluded - all more moderate than the majority at the state gathering.

U.S. Rep. George Nethercutt, the Spokane lawyer who toppled House Speaker Tom Foley in 1994, is the lone member of the state’s congressional delegation included. Vern Smith, the railroad engineer husband of U.S. Rep. Linda Smith, is a delegate.

Greg Tripp, a Spokane attorney and alternate delegate to the convention, said he was disappointed the delegation shaped up the way it did.

“It’s divisive and inappropriate any time you don’t send the leadership that has dedicated their lives to the good of the party.”

A pre-convention survey of the delegation found no consensus on a running mate for Dole, but strong backing for a federal constitutional amendment banning abortion.

, DataTimes MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: WASHINGTON DELEGATES Here is a list of Washington delegates to the Republican National Convention: Floyd Brown, Tacoma Ted Chol, Seattle Cathey Colley, McCleary Don Davidson, Bellevue Dennis DeFries, Olympia Kathryn DeFries, Olympia Stephen Dole, Soutworth Philip Erickson, Bothell Darrel Gordon, Auburn L. Dale Gress, Yakima Keith Groen, Arlington Brad Hall, Bremerton Marion Holcomb, Wenatchee Bertabelle Hubka, Bothell Sy Iffert, Seattle Suzanne Jenkins, Sedro Wooley John Magee, Clyde Hill Robert McCallum, Bellevue Olga Miller, Napavine Rep. George Nethercutt, Spokane Mark Oglesby, Maple Valley Kay Regan, Kirkland Jim Robison, Otis Orchards Bernadine Rogstad, Bellingham Sharlyn Schimmels, Yakima Lynn Schindler, Otis Orchards Vern Smith, Vancouver Chris Sorensen, Richland Sandra Swanson, Yakima Ronald Talcott, Tacoma Diane Tebelius, Bellevue Leo Thorsness, Indianola Monica Tracey, Seattle John Vasko, Jr., Seattle Dave Welch, Olympia Kirby Wilbur, Kirkland