Dole Plays 'Backup QB' At Kemp's 'Hometown' Rally

Backs Teachers; Attacks Labor Leaders

BUFFALO, New York (CNN, Aug. 18)--Galvanized by their convention in San Diego, Bob Dole and running mate Jack Kemp, returned to Kemp's adopted hometown of Buffalo Sunday with Dole gladly playing the role of backup quarterback at a rally of an estimated 10,000 cheering fans in a college football stadium.

"Welcome Back Jack," was spelled out in huge white letters on a slope behind the goal post as the presidential running mates swept into Buffalo, the city where Kemp quarterbacked the Buffalo Bills to two league championships in 1964 and '65.

He was also congressman in Buffalo and Western New York for 18 years.

With an explosion of mid-day fireworks and hundreds of skyward balloons, Dole and Kemp signaled the start of their drive to claim New York's 33 electoral votes.

Kemp, in a 15-minute speech, reiterated his moderate social views and his reputation for outreach in minority communities.

"Bob has said to all the country he wants the party of Lincoln to be inclusive. Outreach to all people," Kemp said. "I can't think of a better way to do it than to be in a city that taught me so much about America and the American dream."

Having apparently ignited their sputtering campaign with a dramatic economic plan, the republicans hope to recapture the White House with promises to stimulate the economy through a 15 percent tax-cut and a balanced budget.

Dole included in his speech, his customary play on the number 15, Kemp's old jersey number.

"He was nominated on the 15 in August," Dole said of his running mate. "I even added it up and president Clinton is going to get a 15 percent tax cut too, whether he wants it or not."

Polls show Dole running more than 20 points behind President Clinton in New York, but Buffalo, home to a sizable swing vote from so-called Reagan Democrats, remains fertile ground for the Republican ticket.

Off to Pittsburgh

Buoyed by the reception in Buffalo, the Republican ticket moved into Pittsburgh, a site selected specifically to get within soundbite distance of Ross Perot and the Reform party convention in Valley Forge. Perot's presence on the presidential ballot could take votes away from Republicans, as he did in the 1992 election.

"I would say to Democrats and Independents in Pennsylvania, we are the Reform party," Dole said to a crowd estimated at more than 8,000. "I say to Perot supporters come to us, we are the Reform party."

Dole, looking to clarify his statement last week at the Republican National Convention, insisted Sunday he is pro- teacher in this labor-friendly city, as Democrats booed in anger over Dole's recent bashing of teacher unions.

"Let me be clear," Dole said from a stage flanked by Pittsburgh's three rivers. "I'm on the side of the teachers. I'm not on the side of labor leaders who try to direct the teachers."

As the Dole-Kemp ticket flew down the east coast, the democrats were out trying to bring them down with the e-word: extremist.

But the Republicans are fighting back with heavy rhetoric.

"This time we are the democrats," Kemp said. "They are the elitists. We believe in people. Bob Dole believes in you. We're on the side of the people and that is what's going to make a difference in 1996."

Kemp, in Pittsburgh, spoke the first substantive words on abortion since last week's tightly scripted Republican National Convention.

"Wherever you stand on the issue of abortion. . . I can't imagine our nation being that city on a hill if we continue to allow the partial-birth abortion tragedy to continue in America," Kemp said.

Dole in his speech however, did not speak of abortion.

An eruption of cheers drowned out boos from a couple hundred Democrats in the back of the crowd waving signs reading "Four More Years" and "Stop Union Bashing."

Dole Plays 'Backup QB' At Kemp's 'Hometown' Rally

Backs Teachers; Attacks Labor Leaders

Off to Pittsburgh

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