[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 81 (Thursday, June 23, 1994)]
[Senate]
[Page S]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: June 23, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
             RELIGIOUS BIGOTRY: GOP LETTER TO THE PRESIDENT

  Mr. DOLE. Madam President, with the increasing unpopularity of the 
Clinton health care plan, confusion over American leadership on the 
world stage, and a long string of Democrat electoral losses, it's 
becoming increasingly clear that some members of the Democrat Party are 
resorting to campaign tactics based on religious bigotry to divert 
attention from these failings. That's regrettable. The essence of 
democracy is participation, and using terms such as ``fire-breathing 
christian radical right'' to label Americans who happen to go to church 
and go to the polls--to question their participation on religious 
grounds--only cheapens our democracy. These are the kinds of comments 
that bring to mind the unpleasant attacks faced by Al Smith in 1928 and 
John F. Kennedy in 1960.
  As I said yesterday, the American people are much smarter than the 
Democrats who resort to these tactics realize. They care about where a 
candidate stands on the issues. They aren't concerned with whether or 
not a candidate is Catholic, Jewish, Episcopalian, Methodist, or 
Evangelical.
  In my view, the American people will reject these appeals to 
religious bigotry, and I hope the President of the United States will 
do so, as well. President Clinton has spoken eloquently about the need 
for tolerance in our Nation, and the importance of religion in the 
lives of Americans. Accordingly, all 44 Senate Republicans sent a 
letter to the President today asking him to join us in repudiating the 
remarks of those in his party who have resorted to this strategy of 
religious bigotry.
  Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the letter be printed 
in the Record at the conclusion of my remarks.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection it is so ordered.
  (See exhibit 1.)
  Mr. DOLE. Madam President, Republicans look forward to a healthy 
debate this campaign season on the challenges facing our Nation. The 
American people will cast their votes this November based on the issues 
and the quality of the candidates, not on manufactured political 
hysteria.

                               Exhibit 1


                                                  U.S. Senate,

                                    Washington, DC, June 22, 1994.
     Hon. William Clinton,
     President of the United States, The White House, Washington, 
         DC.
       Dear Mr. President: As the November elections draw closer, 
     Americans will be looking to Republican and Democrat 
     candidates to discuss their positions on the challenges 
     facing our country. And we believe that a frank debate of our 
     differences on issues like health care, taxes, crime, and 
     foreign policy is the essence of a healthy democracy, and 
     will be good for America.
       What is not good for America, however, is questioning a 
     candidate's fitness for office because of his or her 
     religious beliefs. And that is precisely what several 
     prominent members of your party have done in recent days, 
     making comments that bring to mind the type of attacks faced 
     by Al Smith in 1928 and John Kennedy in 1960.
       Mr. President, you have spoken eloquently in the past about 
     the need for tolerance in our lives, and about the importance 
     of religion in the lives of Americans. We write to ask that 
     you now join with us in repudiating the remarks of those who 
     use terms like ``fire-breathing Christian radical right,'' 
     and who cheapen our democracy through religious bigotry.
           Sincerely,
     Bob Dole.
     Paul D. Coverdell.
     Kay Bailey Hutchison.
     Conrad Burns.
     Larry E. Craig.
     Thad Cochran.
     Slade Gorton.
     Malcolm Wallop.
     Don Nickles.
     Phil Gramm.
     Daniel Coats.
     Dirk Kempthorne.
     R.F. Bennett.
     Jim Jeffords.
     Bill Roth.
     Jack Danforth.
     Arlen Specter.
     Ted Stevens.
     Larry Pressler.
     Frank H. Murkowski.
     Nancy Landon Kassebaum.
     Connie Mack.
     Kit Bond.
     Mitch McConnell.
     Richard G. Lugar.
     Alfonse D'Amato.
     Hank Brown.
     Bob Smith.
     Al Simpson.
     Pete V. Domenici.
     Judd Gregg.
     Orrin Hatch.
     Trent Lott.
     Jesse Helms.
     John H. Chafee.
     Bill Cohen.
     Lauch Faircloth.
     Dave Durenberger.
     Chuck Grassley.
     Strom Thurmond.
     Mark Hatfield.
     John McCain.
     John Warner.
     Bob Packwood.

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