Buchanan Warns Against A Pro-Choice Running Mate

WASHINGTON (AllPolitics, July 18) -- It's not easy to figure out Pat Buchanan these days. One day he sounds conciliatory, the next he's thundering about walking out of the GOP convention. If he's trying to keep Bob Dole off balance, Buchanan's doing one fine job.

On CNN's "Larry King Live" Wednesday night, Buchanan suggested anti-abortion GOP delegates might walk out of the San Diego convention if Dole picks a pro-choice running mate.(160K WAV sound)

If that happens, Buchanan said, the Republican Party "ceases to be my party."

"I'm not going to walk away from the unborn," said the TV commentator and never-say-die Republican presidential candidate.

As he has in the past, Buchanan said he's going to San Diego as a Republican and hopes to leave as a Republican. But he warned that Dole would take a big risk if he picks a pro-choice running mate and sets that person up as a future GOP presidential candidate.

"The right-to-life movement, which is a vital part of our party, would likely break, and part of it would leave the convention," Buchanan said. "I don't think that's even arguable."

Earlier this week, Buchanan was surprisingly conciliatory after Dole named Rep. Susan Molinari (R-N.Y.), who is a supporter of abortion rights, to deliver the convention's keynote address.

In a written statement, Buchanan warmly congratulated Molinari. "While we disagree, deeply, over the issues of life and social policy, Susan is an articulate, passionate voice inside our great and diverse party -- against the high taxes, big government policies of the national Democrats," Buchanan said then. "And we are in full accord and enthusiastic agreement with Rep. Molinari over the need to replace Bill Clinton."

But Buchanan also annoyed Dole this week by skipping a "unity luncheon" where the presumptive nominee met with most of his former rivals for the Republican nomination. GOP sources told the Associated Press the snub all but ended any chance of a major, official role for Buchanan at the convention. That could mean one of Buchanan's classic "peasants with pitchforks" speeches on the streets of downtown San Diego.

"I am an active candidate," Buchanan told King."The debate and argument is not over. It will be over at the convention."

Dole spokesman Nelson Warfield said he believes the party will unite to defeat President Bill Clinton and predicted that after San Diego, Buchanan "will be part of the team dedicated to taking back the White House."

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Buchanan Warns Against A Pro-Choice Running Mate

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