From: LaJfA@aol.com
Date: Sat, 9 Sep 1995 01:45:53 -0400
Subject: special from c.c.watch 9/8

DIRECT FROM THE WASHINGTON HILTON

To:  The c.c.watch Internet Network
Subject: Report from the CC Road to Victory Conference (Day I) 
Date: September 9, 1995

All day long the parade of high-ranking politicians and conservative leaders
appeared before a record crowd of 4,164 participants at the annual Christian
Coalition conference. At the end of the day, there was one thing everyone
could agree upon: the boss of the now very powerful, 6-year-old political
machine is still Pat Robertson--described as "a hero of the faith" and a
"modern Renaissance man." Robertson gave the keynote address just hours ago.
He talked about the "phenomenal growth" of his organization and the reasons
for it...and called upon his followers to redouble their efforts. Robertson's
goals are 10 trained workers in every one of America's 175,000 precincts,
dominating the Republican Party in every state, a conservative in the White
House in 1996, and, ultimately, "one nation under God." Still, he acts
incredulous that critics call the Christian Coalition "power-mad."

Today's speakers' list included: Bill Bennett, former PA Governor Bob Casey,
Rep. John Kasich (OH), Rep.Tom Delay (TX), Gov. David Beasely (SC), Dr. Gary
Bauer, Elliot Abrams, Sen. Dan Coats, Star Parker, Kay Cole James, Rep. Dick
Armey (TX), Jeane Kirkpatrick, Jay Sekulow, Sen. John Ashcroft, and Rep. Bob
Dornan. Presidential candidates Senators Phil Gramm and Bob Dole also spoke.
Speaker Newt Gingrich looked for all the world like a candidate in his before
lunch star turn.

Senator Dole's appearnace caused CC staff extra angst as they scurried around
the room with walkie-talkies and later confiscated signs saying "Vietnam
Veterans for Dole." Such signs jeopardize the CC's 501(c)(4) status as a
non-profit and non-partisan organization that is not allowed to endorse
candidates.

The gathering heard from two rabbis--Daniel Lapin of Toward Tradition and
Yechiel Eckstein from the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews. In
his remarks, CC Executive Director Ralph Reed was sure to say: "We are the
best friends that the Jews and the state of Israel have ever had. And we will
never retreat." The CC had been roundly taken to task by Senator Arlen
Specter, who was the only GOP presidential candidate not to have been invited
to speak to the conference.

Quote of the Day: "I wish that for the last 2000 years, Jews would have been
inflicted by the anti-Semitism of folks like you." --Rabbi Daniel Lapin

Copyright 1995 Public-Spirited Enterprises
("c.c.watch" is an independent newsletter that monitors the Christian
Coalition et al. For more information or to subscribe, call 305/751-5001.
Don't miss the full report on the Road to Victory in the October issue!)