WHITE HOUSE BULLETIN
7/31/00

Reform Party Faces Legal And Political Battle
Over Buchanan Disqualification.

Sources told the Bulletin this morning that, in the aftermath of Pat Buchanan's disqualification from the Reform Party's primary process by that party's executive committee, both pro and anti-Buchanan forces are gearing up for the August 8th National Committee meeting, and for a legal fight that
most view as inevitable. An anti-Buchanan source told the Bulletin that "legal counsel has been consulted," and that a "long-term strategy" is in place, the ultimate purpose of which is to deny Buchanan either the nomination or the $12.5 million in matching Federal funds.

Both sides now believe that a legal battle is sure to take place. A Washington election expert told the Bulletin this morning that, even if the Reform Party or members of the party take Buchanan to court over alleged violations of party ballot rules, "that in itself would not work" to stop the FEC from releasing the matching funds. Buchanan opponents would "need to open a second front" designed to deny Buchanan the actual nomination. The source added, "Even if there's a lawsuit, if the appropriate official in the party certifies Buchanan's nomination" the FEC "will have to release the funds from the US Treasury." On the other hand, "If that certification is challenged, then the FEC will probably resolve the issue by emergency channels."

Joe Sandler, an election law attorney, said that the "determination" of which "account should receive the funds" can be challenged in court, but "it probably could not delay" the disbursement for long. Sandler noted that the court "would resolve it quickly one way or another, because if one of the
parties doesn't get the money in time for the election the case is moot," and there would be "irreparable harm."

According to another knowledgeable source, once within 60 days of an election, the FEC is required to provide an advisory opinion within 20 days of a request. A convention is considered an election, said the source, so if either side of the Reform Party struggle asked for an opinion, the FEC staff
would prepare one quickly, and the commissioners would have to approve this opinion through a vote.

Meanwhile, the Buchanan forces are preparing for a National Committee meeting, to be held on August 8th, just two days before the party's National Convention is Long Beach, CA. The Buchanan campaign pushed for that meeting, and some in that camp hope for sweeping national committee endorsements of their positions, even a two-thirds vote of all committeemen and women, which would allow them to undo the executive committee's actions and even remove hostile national party officials. However, much controversy is expected to arise with regard to who is and is not a legitimate member of the committee. At the panel's last gathering, in Nashville, the pointed confrontations and scuffles were also caused by this type of credentialing issues. Making matters more difficult for the Buchanan camp, moreover, party rules and even a judge's order last spring put the party's national secretary in charge of
credentialing. The national secretary is Jim Mangia, one of Buchanan's iercest foes within the Reform Party. In addition, Buchanan opponents actually think the breakdown of the national committee is "just about even. It could go either way."