Saturday, June 8, 1996

Democrats Hail Diversity as Convention Opens

By PEGGY FIKAC
Associated Press

DALLAS - First Lady Hillary Clinton touted the Democratic Party as "the true pro-family political party" and Lt. Gov. Bob Bullock blasted Republican extremists Friday as Texas Democrats opened their state convention.

"The new fight in this country is with extremism," Bullock told 10,000 delegates and alternates in Dallas.

"Extremists and the Republican Party, who think only they have the right to pray... a group of people who say a woman does not have the right to choose and if you disagree with their position then you don't love children. Ridiculous," he said.

Bullock said Democrats must "tell extremists that they have no patent on the American dream and they've got no copyright on our beliefs or on our religious preferences."

He called Rush Limbaugh "a disgrace to this country," referring to his frequent criticism of the Clintons.

Mrs. Clinton told the enthusiastic crowd, "The time has passed when people could just talk about family values. We must act in ways that value families, day in and day out.

"During the next five months and the four years after that, let's make sure that every American knows that it is the Democratic Party that is the true pro-family political party," she said.

She cited President Clinton's support for a multitude of programs, including Head Start and financial aid for students; his fight against tobacco advertising he says is aimed at children; and his economic plan, which she said has been a success despite opposition from "Chicken Littles."

Mrs. Clinton also predicted a win for U.S. Senate nominee Victor Morales, who earlier made the rounds of Democratic caucuses, relishing applause and taking shots at Republican rival Phil Gramm.

Gramm spokesman Larry Neal has called Morales a "student-loan deadbeat," referring to a delinquent student loan of Morales' wife, and said the Democrat hadn't explained himself on major issues.

Morales said Gramm "has abused our position" and fosters divisiveness "by his rhetoric and by his simplistic attacks." He said Neal "needs to get a job."

Neal stood by his criticism, saying, "It seems to me that that's another day's worth of evidence that Mr. Morales isn't discussing issues because he has none to discuss."

Morales, who's a featured speaker at Saturday's meeting before 10,000 delegates and alternates, visited caucuses including proponents of abortion rights; motorcyclists who oppose being required to wear helmets; and the 21st Century Democrats, a group formed to revitalize the party that spearheads its focus on mainstream, pocketbook issues.

Party officials continued to tout their mission of unity, even as meetings by a plethora of interest groups served to spotlight Democrats' diversity.

The Texas Christian Coalition, unlike 1994, had a meeting space. So did the Texas Freedom Network, touting a workshop to counter the religious right; the Lesbian-Gay Democrats of Texas; Democrats for Life; the Choice Caucus; and the Green Democrats.

There were ethnic caucuses, a Peace and Justice Caucus, one for young Democrats and one for women.

But the Christian Coalition's presence was particularly striking: Two years ago, the group accused the state Democratic Party of "religious bigotry" after being denied exhibit space at that convention.

This year, the group attracted about 100 people to a meeting where training director Cathe Halford, an alternate at the convention, said her aim is "to train Christians for effective political involvement."

While she opposes abortion, Ms. Halford said as a longtime, active Democrat and feminist she doesn't want to switch parties. She said her experience included Democratic former Gov. Ann Richards' campaign and the Dukakis-Bentsen presidential effort.

Democratic spokesman Joe Cutbirth said the group's inclusion is "one more indication of a broader, mainstream direction the Texas Democratic Party has taken since Bill White became chairman."