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Monday, August 12, 1996 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Page: 1A 





The real party belongs to GOP's beautiful people &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Fireworks the color of blood, money and innocence erupted over Mission Bay &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Saturday to welcome Republicans to San DiegoSo long innocence. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Hello Republican National Convention. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 This is it. The long-awaited political coronation that bestows the Grand
Old Party's nomination on Bob Dole, a retired senator and jovial millionaire
who could be hospitalized any day for exhaustion. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 This explains why he chose feisty ex-jock Jack Kemp as his running mate, a
man most people here would likely prefer as president anyway. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 In the heart of the city Saturday night, poor people lined bridge railings
and sat on rusted lawn chairs in the park to catch one of the few free shows
of the week for the general public. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The Republican stuff is by special invitation only; mostly underwritten by
major corporations. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 It's all free. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 And legal, too! &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 I think. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Food, booze, shopping and much much more await the average convention
delegate. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 But you've got to belong and be approved in order to get your free stuff.
You've got to be in good standing. You've got to be connected. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 For example, tonight is a gala night for Northeastern Pennsylvania hero and
U.S. Rep. Joe McDade, who recently won acquittal by a federal jury on charges
that he accepted too much free stuff during his 34-year career of public
service. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 This "salute" to the "dean" of the state delegation will likely be a grand
affair. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 I have a party invitation. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 And I'm going. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 For the record, it is hosted by the Michael Baker Corp., The Franklin Mint,
Frank Fitzpatrick, Martin G. Hamberger Esq., General Dynamics Corp., Plato
Marinakos, QVC Network, Rockwell International Inc., Gary Sojka, Tenneco Inc.,
Tracor Inc./GDE Systems Inc., TRW Inc. and Union Pacific. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Like I said, it ain't what you know... &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Contrary to what we'd like to believe about America, a voter's registration
card does not qualify the holder to do much around this part of Southern
California for the next few days. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Not so, however, for the lucky stiffs in the Pennsylvania delegation. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Bivouacked at the Hilton Beach and Tennis Resort, they are truly fortunate. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 And I thank the Republican National Committee for dishing out the swell
digs as a way to woo our crowd. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The last thing Dole's people needed was for some wild renegade coalcracker
who was unhappy with the accommodations to start screaming "GO PAT GO!" during
the well-choreographed Dole welcome rally. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The point is to keep the Commonwealth GOP-ers happy because they are very
important in this year's race. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 I know I'm impressed. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Saturday night's color bombs bursting in air seemed to set the tone for a
good time to be had by all. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 At an outdoor table at the Cafe Picante, described by hotel staff as having
a Southwest flair, Susan Parrick Cox threw back her head and laughed. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The 33-year-old Hazle Township woman, who serves as the Scranton-based
regional representative for U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum, is also a delegate. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Seated at her table, two higher-level Santorum staffers also seemed to
enjoy the fireworks display. Overlooking the deep blue of a palm-tree shaded
swimming pool, they seemed to revel in the long road that had brought them all
to this fine place. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 After all, this is their finest season in a long time. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 To Republicans nationwide, Pennsylvania is a showpiece state. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 We boast a Republican governor, a Republican state legislature, two
Republican U.S. senators and, of course, McDade, who can make believers of
even the most cynical critic. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Indeed, they are powerful people. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 They have corporate events to honor them, too. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 This morning, Bell Atlantic hosts a breakfast to honor Gov. Tom Ridge. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Later, Rite Aid opens the hospitality suite at the lobby bar here at the
resort. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 On Wednesday, Arco Chemical hosts a breakfast for Santorum before buses
depart for the beach party, which is hosted by Pfizer, American Home Products,
Merck, Bristol-Meyers Squibb and Warner Lambert. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 We have to let the Connecticut, New York and New Jersey delegates join us
for the beach party but, what the hey! &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 That's what diversity is all about. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 I'm sure you get the picture: "We'll have fun, fun, fun, til her daddy
takes the food stamps away." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Now, they want the White House. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Dole/Kemp. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 That's the ticket. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Watching Parrick and her associates laugh and enjoy their good fortune made
me understand how seriously they believe that America needs Republican
leadership from top to bottom. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Their mission to beat Bill Clinton, however, is complicated by
non-believers like me. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Granted, San Diego, billed as "America's Most Conservative City," is a
lovely place. Still, homeless men and bruised hallucinating women wander side
streets and sleep under shiny marina docks until they are rousted by police
and private security guards. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Around here, they will surely be stopped. Around here, everybody must
belong. Around here, you're either hooked up or you're out. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 This is going to be a long week. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Talk about a racket club. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Steve Corbett &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

The Real Party Belongs To Gop's Beautiful People 
Fireworks The Color Of Blood, Money And Innocence Erupted Over Mission Bay 
Saturday To Welcome Republicans To San Diego.

The Real Party Belongs To Gop's Beautiful People Fireworks The Color Of Blood, Money And Innocence Erupted Over Mission Bay Saturday To Welcome Republicans To San Diego.