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On
Saturday night Feb. 6, 1999, the New Hampshire Christian Coalition put
on "The First in the Nation Primary Gala Celebration." One of the biggest
events to date in the nascent campaign, it drew a crowd of 1,100 New Hampshirites
and activists from Vermont, Maine and Massachusetts to the Center of New
Hampshire complex in downtown Manchester.
After
a lengthy video tribute to Christian Coalition founder and chairman Pat
Robertson, and after Robertson's speech, Steve Forbes, Gary Bauer and Alan
Keyes spoke to the audience. Former Vice President Dan Quayle put in a
video appearance; he will be in the state later in the week (Feb. 11 and
12). Sen. Bob Smith's wife Mary Jo appeared on his behalf. Smith, who will
formally announce his candidacy Feb. 18 in Wolfeboro, was tied up with
the impeachment trial in Washington.
Two
of the top GOP presidential prospects were notably absent. Elizabeth Dole
is set to speak to the Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce Monday night
(Feb. 8); she was originally scheduled to speak on volunteerism, but the
speech has assumed political overtones since her resignation from the American
Red Cross one month ago. Meanwhile, Texas Gov. George W. Bush, who is seen
by many national observers as the frontrunner, has not set foot in the
state since the Republican Governors Association meeting in November 1995.
Speaking
to the news media prior to the event, Christian Coalition founder and chairman
Pat Robertson said the time has come to "turn our eyes from the Bill Clinton-Monica
Lewinsky axis and begin focusing on the future of America in the next millenium."
Robertson, who himself spent a fair amount of time in New Hampshire as
a candidate for the Republican presidential nomination back in 1988, said
he wanted to "lay out some of the challenges that face this nation and
what could be at stake in this next election." Over the last year Robertson
had been backing Sen. John Ashcroft (R-MO), but Ashcroft ruled out a presidential
bid on January 5. Robertson nonetheless pronounced himself satisfied with
the field of candidates.
The
four candidates appearing at the gala are all competing for the support
of social conservatives. Gary Bauer has been fighting for their causes
for a decade as head of the Family Research Council. He seems to be attracting
some former Buchanan supporters, although one woman at his reception expressed
the concern that he is "too nice." Steve Forbes has been assiduously wooing
the Christian Right during the past two years. Alan Keyes' fiery speeches
never fail to stir up the crowd, but some have concerns that he is not
electable. John A. Simmons, an attorney and former state representative
from North Hampton, said Keyes is "highly qualified" and "eloquently speaks
to people's hearts." Simmons said the question voters should ask is not
"Have you been elected?" or "Do you have money?" but "What do you have
to offer the American people?" Former Vice President Dan Quayle can be
thought of as the father of "family values;" it was his speech that put
the topic on the radar. |
