GOP Struggles To Manage Buchanan, Perot

WASHINGTON (AllPolitics, March 25) -- Sen. Robert Dole (R-Kan.) is appealing to conservative commentator Pat Buchanan's Republican loyalty, urging the fiery pundit to "close ranks and bring this party together."

"We're down to two of us and I would hope that Pat Buchanan would find it in his heart -- as the good Republican I know he is -- to join forces... and reach out to more and more people," Dole said during a California visit.

Just Don't Expect Us To Reach Out To You House Speaker Newt Gingrich dismissed what could keep Buchanan from stalking out of the GOP: a prominent role at the party's August convention in San Diego. "It's sort of like asking a last-place team in the major leagues whether they approve of the Atlanta Braves winning the World Series last year," Gingrich told reporters in Orlando, Fla (297K AIFF or WAV sound).

Meanwhile, another potential Dole spoiler, Texas billionaire Ross Perot, continued his dance with the American electorate today, accusing Republicans and Democrats alike of "not wanting anybody to disturb the status quo."

Republican leaders dread a Perot candidacy, fearing the Texan would draw moderate Republican voters, as he did in 1992. Gingrich, hoping to keep Perot voters under the GOP tent, has said much of the Perot agenda was included in the Republicans' Contract With America. Perot evidently was unimpressed. "Both parties now are bought and paid for by the special interests," he told morning talk shows today. They "claim they would balance the budget...But we don't even have a budget for this year. We have train wrecks, government shutdowns and stunts."

Last week, Perot's promise to give a second White House run "everything I have" if his supporters summoned him sparked intense speculation over his intentions. But appearing on CNN's "Larry King Live" on Friday, Perot went no further than saying his party seeks "the most qualified individual."

AllPolitics home page