Republicans Launch Campaign to Convert 100,000 Democrats

Republican Party leaders Tuesday kicked off a campaign to convert 100,000 Democrats to the GOP in the next 100 days.

Frank J. Fahrenkopf Jr., chairman of the Republican National Committee, said that the campaign, dubbed Operation Open Door, will concentrate on Florida, Louisiana, North Carolina and Pennsylvania and will utilize telephone banks, direct mail appeals, television advertising and door-to-door canvassing.

Voters Tell Affiliation

He said that while the program would not be limited to those four states, they were selected for the most intensive work because they are among those where voters declare their party affiliation when they register.

Key Races in 1986

All four also have key 1986 races in the Republican effort to retain control of the Senate. Republican Sens. Paula Hawkins of Florida and John P. East of North Carolina are expected to face particularly tough reelection challenges.

Edward J. Rollins, White House political adviser, said that the GOP can offer “some role models that are out there, starting with the President himself.” Reagan changed his party registration from Democrat to Republican in the 1960s.

Other prominent converts to the GOP include former U.N. Ambassador Jeane Kirkpatrick and former Texas Congressman Kent Hance.

“We plan to switch 100,000 Democrats to the Republican Party in the next 100 days,” Fahrenkopf said. “We also plan to shine the national spotlight on the over 100 elected Democratic officials who have officially switched their membership to the Republican Party.”

‘Public Relations Blitz’

Democratic Party Chairman Paul G. Kirk Jr. said that the GOP campaign “is a transparent public relations blitz to attempt to salvage the remnants of an opportunity that is steadily going down the drain. It won’t work. Political opportunists who change their stripes will find themselves caught in a revolving door.”