Plains

Gary Porter
Minot, ND

The Republican National Convention is getting ready to close with a bigbang. The goals that were set going into this week are going to beaccomplished. First was to avoid any battle over the Platform ...Second was to present a Convention that the American people could relateto. I think the Convention has also been a great success in conveyingthe message of the Republican Party....

Third was to choose a candidate for Vice-President that would help unitethe party behind Bob Dole, and a candidate who would be able to help BobDole articulate the Republican message. The choice of Jack Kemp tookcare of all those needs.

Finally the goal of the Convention was to revitalize the RepublicanParty behind Bob Dole. When Bob Dole gives his acceptance speechtonight, I think the Republican Party is going to be ready to do battlewith the Democrats.... Today there is no question Bob Dole's candidacy is strong andvibrant.

John Korsmo
Bismark, ND

Jack Kemp continues to be the story at the National RepublicanConvention in San Diego. Kemp kept a previous commitment to address aluncheon focusing on small business issues sponsored by the NationalFederation of Independent Business and Koch Industries of Oklahoma. Removing his jacket and talking far longer than his handlers hadanticipated, Kemp ignited his audience of small business men and womenwith his vision for creating and expanding the American Dream to assurethat all Americans are included. Citing his own family's story andthose of others in the audience, Kemp emphasized the need to praiseambition and open the doors of opportunity to every man or woman,regardless of race or ethnic background, who has "an idea in the headand faith in the heart". Comments after the speech mirrored those heardincreasingly around the convention hall: that the addition of Kemp tothe ticket, who promised to be "a strong right arm for Bob Dole", hasenergized the Republican faithful and given new hope that the GOP canrecapture the White House in November.

Christopher Miller
Lawrence, KS

The platform was passed during the first session on Monday. The party is united behind the platform and we are working now on moving forward with the election. The national liberal media would have loved to have seen a floor fight over the platform, but that was not to be. However it is a disappointment that some of our party leaders don't think that the platform is important enough to take the time to read it.

On Wednesday night we nominated Bob Dole to be the Republican candidate for President of the United States. Our delegation was allowed the great honor of putting Bob Dole over the top in delegate votes for the nomination.

A great improvement would be to limit the voting speeches to 30 seconds. The microphone at the delegation's stand would be live for 30 seconds, then go dead whether they had voted or not. If they get the speech and the voting in, fine. If not, they lose the opportunity to cast that state's votes. Period.

A side bar to the above comments--I was looking at taking my family to Alaska for a vacation. After that extremely long-winded speech by the Alaskan delegate, I won't be going to Alaska until after the next GOP convention...if ever.

Tonight, Bob Dole and Jack Kemp will give their acceptance speeches. I hope they are both able to hit home runs.

Dwight Adams
South Dakota

The South Dakota delegation is finding the convention to be very memorable. Not just because of the truly inspiring speakers but because of the closeness we feel to Senator Dole and Jack Kemp. Senator Dole has always been referred to as South Dakota's third Senator. He loves our state and our people. Most importantly, he understands South Dakota and the challenges facing our state.

Bob Dole understands agriculture and the problems facing our farmers and ranchers. He understands the challenges of growing up in a rural state and the problems we face in the areas of rural medicine, educating our children, taking care of our elderly, and attracting new and better jobs.

South Dakota delegates will return home at the end of the week with a simple message. By electing Bob Dole as President of the United States, we will truly restore the American dream. It is a dream of more opportunities for our people--young and old alike--smaller, more effective government and stronger families. This week, we have come to know a better man who will make a better America. | New England | Mid-Atlantic |
| The South | The Plains | The Southwest |
| Great Lakes | The Mountain | The West |

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yesterday's delegate letters
from the Plains States.