DES MOINES, Iowa (June 21, 1999) - Pat Buchanan pledged an intense
grass-roots campaign in Iowa this summer, saying a strong showing
in an August straw poll will derail the "coronation" of Texas Gov. George W. Bush planned by
Republican Party leaders.
Opening a five-day trip to Iowa, Buchanan said Monday that the
same Republican establishment jumping on the Bush bandwagon has led the party to defeat in the last two
elections.
"Now the establishment is telling us who we must nominate
again, and they had a coronation set up with George Bush,"
Buchanan said. "We're going to tell the people of Iowa 'take back
your caucus from the Republican establishment."'
Bush leads public opinion polls, though he's only campaigned
once in the key early states of Iowa and New Hampshire. A first
test of strength for the candidates will come Aug. 14 in a straw
poll that Republicans expect to draw 12,000 activists.
Buchanan finished second in Iowa's caucuses in the last election
cycle and he pledged a grueling schedule of grass-roots
campaigning, stumping through 15 cities during his current trip. He
has two more five-day trips scheduled before the straw poll is
held.
"I intend to have a very strong showing," he said. "Clearly
Bush is the front-runner; he is the one to beat."
Buchanan is telling activists that they shouldn't allow outside
forces to dilute their treasured first-in-the-nation status.
With Bush leading among Republicans and Vice President Al Gore
leading among Democrats, both have sounded general election themes
in hopes of courting moderate voters.
Buchanan said Bush was making "a mistake" by looking past the
GOP primary season. As a result, he said, GOP activists are more
likely to be swayed by the hard-line conservatism of candidates
like himself.
"I couldn't find a better foil," he said. "I really think
it's time we nominate someone from the heart and soul of the
party."
From trade to foreign policy to economic issues, Buchanan said
there's almost no difference between Bush and Gore.
"He agrees with Clinton and Gore on all these issues," he
said.
Buchanan opened his Iowa trip at a treatment facility for women
and children affected by drug and alcohol abuse and family
violence. He said the explosion in drug traffic is more evidence
that his tough line on trade is needed.
"Frankly, you've got to look at trade policies that allow
trucks to come almost uninspected into the United States," he
said.
