|
Bush Stands Firm on Interleague Play
|
MILWAUKEE, WI - A battle may be brewing within the Republican ranks that may create fireworks at this year's Republican National Convention in Philadelphia. At issue is the fundamentalist stance against interleague play and the more moderate pro-interleague play faction that is seeking to mold the party into one that is less divisive and more inclusive.
Bush re-iterated his stance on the issue while campaigning in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The all-but-nominated Republican Candidate for President, George W. Bush III, has maintained all along that he has no problems with interleague play and that he sees no reason for government involvement in the issue.
That stand rankles some of the more conservative members of the party, such as Steve Largent, "The principle of interleague play simply is not right. League mixing simply does not work. It is not fair, creates unbalanced schedules, and dissolves away at the very basic structure of the American pastime."
Interleague play proponents are quick to counter, "There is nothing fundamental about anything they are saying to go against interleague play. They are trying to use the rhetoric of fear to further their agenda," complained New Jersey Governor Christine Whitman.
"We are trying to win back the party from a reactionary right wing that is terribly out of step with the needs of today's baseball world."
Indeed, this battle over interleague play is less about baseball and more about who will control the heart and soul of the Republican Party. For decades the more right-wing factions have controlled the agenda, especially on social issues. This worked well through the eighties when Ronald Reagan used the message of hope and morality to try and unite the party and the country.
But in the eight years since Clinton was elected that wing has been pressured from within the party by a growing line of Republicans who remain fiscally conservative but tend to be more moderate on social issues, such as interleague play.
While Bush seems unlikely to change his stance on Interleague play, there is talk of him choosing a Vice Presidential candidate who will be able to placate the far right wing of the party.
|
Other Stories From This Issue:
©2000 Copyright David Oliver, All Rights Reserved
DISCLAIMER: These stories are not true. No really. It's all just a joke, you know for fun.
|
|
|
