Pataki Happy With Dole's 'Big Tent' Abortion Tactic

Aired June 7, 1996

GENE RANDALL, Anchor: New York's George Pataki is one of several GOP governors who have said they were ready to lead a fight to change their party's anti-abortion plank. As we've reported, at least one member of that group, New Jersey's Christine Todd Whitman, has given Dole's 'big tent' maneuver a thumbs-up.

I interviewed Pataki earlier on the issue. I began by asking him whether Dole's position - keeping the anti-abortion plank of 1992, but adding a 'declaration of tolerance' to the platform document - is enough.

Gov. GEORGE PATAKI (R-NY): I think it's a very positive statement. The Republican Party has to be a party that is tolerant and inclusive. It has to recognize that within the country and within the Republican Party there is a broad range of opinion on the question of abortion. And I think this is a very positive development, and I'm confident language can be worked out along the lines of what Senator Dole said, so that we can have an inclusive and tolerant party and we can all feel comfortable supporting his candidacy for the presidency this fall.

RANDALL: Well, governor, the Republican Coalition for Choice is calling this a 'constructive first step.' But is says 'you don't solve so difficult an issue with one press statement or in one day.' Now, does this group have a point?

PATAKI: Well, I think we do have to make sure that the language is worked out along the lines of what Senator Dole said. But I think the fact that he has committed to a tolerant, open, inclusive Republican Party on the issue of abortion is very, very positive. It's exactly what we were calling for. There will be litmus test on abortion in the Republican Party, nor should there be.

I'm pro-choice; Senator Dole has a different position than I do. But I think we can both feel confident when the language is worked out that we belong in the Republican Party, working towards out common goal of reducing the size and the power of government, particularly centralized government, reforming a failed welfare system, and putting the rights of innocent Americans ahead of the rights of criminal defendants. And I just think it's a very positive step that will allow us to focus on those core issues.

PATAKI: Well, Governor Weld, Governor Whitman, myself, Governor Wilson - all are pro-choice and have made that very plain. And I think now with the steps that Senator Dole has taken, we can all feel very comfortable, not just in the Republican Party - obviously, we have felt that way - but with Senator Dole leading the ticket in November.

RANDALL: But Governor, on the matter of language- excuse me- on the matter of language, should this issue accord similar respect for both sides on the issue?

PATAKI: Well, let me say, Senator Dole is going to be the Republican nominee. That's clear. I'm pro-choice, Senator Dole is pro-life. Senator Dole obviously is entitled to run on a platform that reflects his positions. The important thing from my standpoint is to recognize that there is a very broad range of opinions in the country and in the Republican Party on the issue of abortion, that there are pro-choice Republicans like myself and Governor Weld and Governor Whitman and Governor Wilson, and many others, and that we have a right to be considered to be a part of an open, tolerant, inclusive Republican Party.

In the past, if you take a look at some of the rhetoric, particularly the rhetoric of Pat Buchanan, some of the others, there seemed to be an effort to narrow the appeal and the tolerance of the Republican Party. Senator Dole has clearly said that he's not going to put up with that, that he wants this inclusive language to be a part of the platform he runs on. And I think it's just a very positive development.

RANDALL: Should this 'declaration of tolerance' be devoted solely to the issue of abortion rights, or should there be other issues included, as well - other issues on which there are gaps in the party?

PATAKI: Oh, I think there are issues where Republicans have a range of difference - not just abortion. Term limits is another, and there are many others. And I think what we should do is be not only seen but in reality be a tolerant and inclusive an open party. There are issues that unite us, the issues like welfare reform, having a tough approach to crime, reducing the size and the cost of government and trying to give people more freedom and more responsibility for their own lives. And on those areas, we should have a very strong consensus and very strong opinions. But on issues like abortion, on some of the other issues where there is this broad range of opinion within the Republican Party and the country, I think we do have to be inclusive, I think we do have to be a tolerant party, and have a platform that reflects that.

PATAKI: I'm confident the wording of the language can be worked out. It has to be language that is inclusive, that is tolerant, and that does recognize that there are many pro-choice Republicans who share the common values of the party but have disagreements with those who are pro-life within our party. We have no litmus test, we are not going to say that you have to be pro-choice or you have to be pro-life. And I'm confident that the language can be worked out so that all of us who share the Republican philosophy but have a broad range of opinions and diversity on the question of abortion can unite behind Senator Dole this fall.

RANDALL: Governor, 30 seconds - what's the down side here of not reaching a compromise and agreement before the convention and this being carried over to the floor? What's the danger of that?

PATAKI: I'm confident we can reach agreement on this language prior to the convention. The important thing here is to focus on the issues that unite us - welfare reform, reducing the size and cost of government - and not allow those issues where we have a broad range of opinion within the Republican Party to divide us. We have to be a tolerant, inclusive party. I believe Senator Dole has said that that's exactly the party he wants to see. It's a rejection of the narrow Buchananism of some within the Republican Party-

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