Republicans take over L.B.

By Ana Tintocalis , On-Line Forty-Niner

Tuesday, September 29, 1998

California gubernatorial candidate Dan Lungren and Republican heavyweights from every corner of the state came to Long Beach this weekend for the annual California Republican Party Convention.

During the three-day rally at the Long Beach Convention Center, Lungren - a native of Long Beach - joined a host of prominent Republican dignitaries including Gov. Pete Wilson, former Gov. George Deukmejian and former presidential hopeful Jack Kemp in emphasizing the importance of character.

Deukmejian was the first to address the issue on day two of the convention at a Saturday luncheon in Lungren's honor.

"This year we've been offered a valuable reminder that men and women of integrity are necessary in public life," Deukmejian said during his introduction of Lungren.

"With Dan Lungren there will be no stunning surprises after he's in office. There will be no reversals of promises. No trampling of pledges that he made to the people," he said. "Dan Lungren is a man we can trust."

With more than 500 supporters chanting "Go, Dan, go," Lungren praised the qualifications of his Republican candidates statewide. He predicted that 1998 will be a banner year for the party.

"Isn't it great to be a Republican today?" Lungren asked the cheering crowd.

The gubernatorial hopeful then rallied strong support for his own campaign as he addressed the key issues of his political platform for the year.

Lungren stressed his continued commitment to fight crime.

To illustrate his point, Lungren cited some of his past legislative achievements as attorney general. Issues cited include the implementation of California's death penalty, the sex-offender notification law known as "Megan's Law," the "Three-strikes-you're-out" law and the "10-20-Life" legislation, which adds ten years to criminals' sentences for using a firearm during certain felonies.

Another issue Lungren addressed was education reform within California's school system. His plan includes making reduced class size permanent, putting an end to social promotion within classes, giving merit pay for good teachers and investing in new textbooks.

Lungren said he plans to fight for local control and teacher accountability in schools by using the much debated "voucher system." Vouchers, which would be used like money, would be given to low-income families so they could pay to send their children to private institutions rather than public schools.

Lungren later met with former senator Jack Kemp at the convention's general session. Each discussed the importance of reaching out to ethnic groups within California.

"We want a party that proudly manifests a system of inclusion of progress and reform, of reaching out and moving our party forward to the ideas and ideals upon which this country was based."

"We've got to recognize that this is a party that has to campaign in every corner of Los Angeles, every corner of San Diego, every corner of the valleys, every corner of the state," Kemp said.

For the past year, there has been a great push by Republicans to recruit Latino, African-American and Asian voters who traditionally lean toward the Democratic party.

Lungren and Kemp emphasized that California's Republican ticket includes ethnically diverse candidates. Asian-American Matt Fong is running against Barbara Boxer for the U.S. Senate and Latino candidate Ruben Barralas is running for state controller.

"The Republican Party is committed to sending Dan Lungren to the governor's office with a broad base of support that reflects a changing California," CRP Political Director Mike Madrid said. Wilson added that he looked forward to the future under Dan Lungren, if he is elected.

"My fellow Republicans, this old Marine has no intention of fading away ... not until we've elected Dan Lungren," Wilson said to a crowd of more than 500 supporters. "Not until a new class of Republicans have taken oath next year to honor the ideal of California - forever a land of boundless promise and prosperity."

Wilson also had some strong words for Democratic gubernatorial candidate Gray Davis.

"Now, if you want to talk about a real nightmare, I'll give you one that keeps me up awake at nights," he said. "It's called a Democratic legislature and a Democratic governor working hand-in-hand to lead this state down a path of despair and disgrace.

Anthony Bell, a CRP communications director agreed. "I think the national scene is ripe for a Republican resurgence. We're motivated. The message is about unity and candidates of character, ethics, and morality. I think that's what people want."