Discord shadows leadup to Reform Party's nominating convention
By LAURIE KELLMAN
Associated Press Writer

08/09/2000
Associated Press Newswires
Copyright 2000. The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.

LONG BEACH, Calif. (AP) - Two days before its nominating convention, the Reform Party split loudly Tuesday as supporters of founder Ross Perot walked out of a closed meeting, leaving backers of Pat Buchanan inside and the party's future in question.

"We have won," declared Buchanan's sister and campaign manager, Bay, who saw the walkout as a defeat for opponents of the Buchanan camp. "It's Pat Buchanan's nomination."

But the disputes had only just begun. Though the meeting they left was chaired by a man who controls the party's finances, leaders of the Perot faction said they would be presiding over the real National Committee meeting at a hotel a block away. They are considering a lawsuit against the Buchanan faction aimed in part at blocking the conservative commentator from the party's $12.5 million in federal campaign funds if he wins the nomination.

Longtime party members said the split also means two sets of delegates could be facing off at the nominating convention that opens here on Thursday. It was unclear which faction, if any, wins the standoff and the millions of dollars in taxpayer funds.

The Buchanan group said it had resolved one lingering question by rejecting a charge by the Perot faction that Buchanan should be disqualified from the party primary. But the Perot group simultaneously took the opposite action, disqualifying Buchanan on the charge that he had broken party rules in the primary.

More disputes were expected on Wednesday as both groups attempt to credential separate delegates to the convention that starts Thursday.

Asked about the prospect of the Perot group establishing its own convention, chairman Gerry Moan replied, "Yay for them. It's not gonna be recognized by the" Federal Election Commission.

The shouting and shoving that accompanied Tuesday's events underscored the intensity of the problem.

"This is illegal!" shouted Perot supporter Jim Mangia, the party's national secretary, who objected to the meeting being closed in contrast to Reform Party tradition.

Mangia and Perot aide Russell Verney, communicating over walkie-talkies, led a walkout of about half those inside the meeting, guiding them down the street to another hotel where they planned their own proceedings.

Buchanan dismissed the uproar as sour grapes from the old guard as its grip on the party weakens. The Buchanan campaign has amassed a formidable majority of delegates to this week's convention.

"This is a last desperate effort on the part of the Perot (supporters) to somehow hang on to the power in this party," she said. "They have lost. It is over."

Moan had closed the meeting, with the Buchanans' blessing, to avoid distractions.

But as Mangia conducted an additional meeting outside in an adjoining parlor, a Buchanan supporter named Johnnie Jackson shouted profanities.

And when private guards tried to keep Verney out of the closed meeting, Verney told them, "You're going to have to arrest me, I am going in." Shouting ensued, with Buchanan supporters drowning out the others by chanting "Go Pat Go!"

Finally, Mangia and Verney led the walkout.

Such was the tone as delegates began streaming into this oceanside town for the four-day presidential nominating convention, the party's third since Perot founded it eight years ago.

Perot, meanwhile, was staying away and silent. Convention organizer Judy Duffy invited him by letter, but got no response.

Threats flew in all directions. If the national committee disqualifies Buchanan or if little-known challenger John Hagelin wins the party primary, Buchanan's delegates might nominate him anyway. If that happened, Perot's supporters could seek an injunction to prevent Buchanan from receiving $12.5 million in federal matching fees.

Buchanan says he is saving the party, rather than tearing it apart. He has toured the country lining up convention delegates, ousting hostile state party leaders and installing new chapters. But his presence in the party and his outspokenness on social issues have offended some party members, particularly leaders loyal to Perot.