For the Record

As Bob Dole’s overwhelming lead in delegates leeches drama from presidential nomination contest, attention turns to possible vice-presidential picks. Colin Powell again enjoys a boomlet. Pat Buchanan warns Dole against choosing the pro-choicer: “Bob Dole is undefined and if he picks Colin Powell, it will define him that he’s going to take the party in the direction of Rockefeller Republicanism and we’re not going in that direction.” Dole advisor (and American Conservative Union head) David Keene also sounds cautionary note: “Powell’s supporters tend to diminish Dole in an extraordinary way because they argue that he can’t win without Powell.” In his book Power, Pasta, and Politics, current Powell-booster and national co-chairman of Dole campaign Al D’Amato criticized Powell over Persian Gulf crisis, gays in the military: “I wonder whether Colin Powell has either the courage or convictions needed to lead the country.” The comment drew sharp response from Powell. . . . Newt Gingrich, urging Dole to pick a mainstream conservative, calls Michigan Governor John Engler and California Attorney General Dan Lungren “perfect examples of the kind of people who would be terrific.” . . . Arianna Huffington floats House Budget Committee Chairman John Kasich, “who has the youth, the passion, and the ability to speak in ways that connect to people’s lives.” Also mentioned as possible Veep nominees: New Jersey Gov. Christine Todd Whitman, Ohio Gov. George Voinovich, Wisconsin Gov. Tommy Thompson.

Buchanan continues to fuel speculation he could bolt from the party after San Diego convention. Bay Buchanan says if Dole “were to take a pro-choice running-mate, I almost can guarantee a movement to a third party.” . . . Dole gets advice on how to handle Buchanan. One Dole strategist calls Buchanan “our Sister Souljah.” Says Phil Gramm: “I don’t think losers can make demands.” But Dole camp also wants Buchanan brigades’ votes. Bay Buchanan says, “The ball is in his court. He has really done a personal assault against my brother that no one’s seen in the last 25 years of politics. He has got to figure out his way of bringing Pat Buchanan and those people he represents home. That’s his problem. I’m going to have a hard time helping him.” . . . Newt Gingrich adds his two cents: “The longer Pat campaigns, the less effect he’s going to have. He’s made his point, people understand his message. Now it’s time to be part of the team.” . . . Steve Forbes’s exit from campaign—after winning 71 delegates at cost of roughly $400,000 each—came a week after endorsement by Jack Kemp, which led Gingrich to tell friends he never wanted to speak to Kemp again. . . . Calif. Gov. Pete Wilson tells U.S. News he’ll try to kill the GOP’s anti-abortion platform plank. But Lungren, number two in state Dole operation, vows to preserve it. . . . Bill Clinton becomes the first full-term Democratic incumbent since FDR to win renomination without a fight. But Democratic strategists becoming less cocky about his chances of beating Dole. Says James Carville: “I’ve detected too much Democratic glee for my taste right now.” … At meeting with television executives, Clinton confesses, “I’m someone who has a deep emotional attachment to Starsky and Hutch.” . . . No-you-can’t-copyright-a-proverb-but Dept.: A librarian brought to Rush Limbaugh’s attention a volume called It Takes a Village—by Jane Cowen-Fletcher, published in 1994.

As Bob Dole’s overwhelming lead in delegates leeches drama from presidential nomination contest, attention turns to possible vice-presidential picks. Colin Powell again enjoys a boomlet. Pat Buchanan warns Dole against choosing the pro-choicer: “Bob Dole is undefined and if he picks Colin Powell, it will define him that he’s going to take the party in the direction of Rockefeller Republicanism and we’re not going in that direction.” Dole advisor (and American Conservative Union head) David Keene also sounds cautionary note: “Powell’s supporters tend to diminish Dole in an extraordinary way because they argue that he can’t win without Powell.” In his book Power, Pasta, and Politics, current Powell-booster and national co-chairman of Dole campaign Al D’Amato criticized Powell over Persian Gulf crisis, gays in the military: “I wonder whether Colin Powell has either the courage or convictions needed to lead the country.” The comment drew sharp response from Powell. . . . Newt Gingrich, urging Dole to pick a mainstream conservative, calls Michigan Governor John Engler and California Attorney General Dan Lungren “perfect examples of the kind of people who would be terrific.” . . . Arianna Huffington floats House Budget Committee Chairman John Kasich, “who has the youth, the passion, and the ability to speak in ways that connect to people’s lives.” Also mentioned as possible Veep nominees: New Jersey Gov. Christine Todd Whitman, Ohio Gov. George Voinovich, Wisconsin Gov. Tommy Thompson.

Buchanan continues to fuel speculation he could bolt from the party after San Diego convention. Bay Buchanan says if Dole “were to take a pro-choice running-mate, I almost can guarantee a movement to a third party.” . . . Dole gets advice on how to handle Buchanan. One Dole strategist calls Buchanan “our Sister Souljah.” Says Phil Gramm: “I don’t think losers can make demands.” But Dole camp also wants Buchanan brigades’ votes. Bay Buchanan says, “The ball is in his court. He has really done a personal assault against my brother that no one’s seen in the last 25 years of politics. He has got to figure out his way of bringing Pat Buchanan and those people he represents home. That’s his problem. I’m going to have a hard time helping him.” . . . Newt Gingrich adds his two cents: “The longer Pat campaigns, the less effect he’s going to have. He’s made his point, people understand his message. Now it’s time to be part of the team.” . . . Steve Forbes’s exit from campaign—after winning 71 delegates at cost of roughly $400,000 each—came a week after endorsement by Jack Kemp, which led Gingrich to tell friends he never wanted to speak to Kemp again. . . . Calif. Gov. Pete Wilson tells U.S. News he’ll try to kill the GOP’s anti-abortion platform plank. But Lungren, number two in state Dole operation, vows to preserve it. . . . Bill Clinton becomes the first full-term Democratic incumbent since FDR to win renomination without a fight. But Democratic strategists becoming less cocky about his chances of beating Dole. Says James Carville: “I’ve detected too much Democratic glee for my taste right now.” … At meeting with television executives, Clinton confesses, “I’m someone who has a deep emotional attachment to Starsky and Hutch.” . . . No-you-can’t-copyright-a-proverb-but Dept.: A librarian brought to Rush Limbaugh’s attention a volume called It Takes a Village—by Jane Cowen-Fletcher, published in 1994.