Convention at a Glance

Republicans got a taste of 1996 on Tuesday as four potential rivals for a future presidential nomination spoke to the convention, attacking Democrats in the process. But one of them, Massachusetts Gov. William F. Weld, had some choice words about the GOP’s conservative platform as well. Taking issue with the party’s opposition to abortion, Weld said: “I happen to think that individual freedom should extend to a woman’s right to choose. I want the government out of your pocketbook and your bedroom.” The other three set off no such verbal fisticuffs. Sen. Phil Gramm of Texas, the keynote speaker; Housing and Urban Development Secretary Jack Kemp and House Minority Whip Newt Gingrich sang the praises of President Bush and bashed Bill Clinton.

In other news . . .

* The California Divide: It’s an era of transition for the GOP in the Golden State, and the convention could presage years of infighting and bitterness. The moderates and conservatives give each other no quarter in their efforts to control the party. “It really is a battle for the heart and soul of the party,” attorney Robert Naylor of Menlo Park said--predicting that conservatives might challenge moderate Gov. Pete Wilson in the primary in 1994.

* ‘Bar’ Takes a Beating: First Lady Barbara Bush traditionally has been portrayed as sweet and supportive, sort of the nation’s grandmother-in-chief. But these days, the press is looking for another side of her. Recently, she’s been described as a Nancy Reagan with impeccable manners, a “caustic and judgmental woman,” even as a tormentor of her childhood playmates. But opinion polls still show that she is enormously popular.

* Willie Horton Is Baaaaaack: California Atty. Gen. Dan Lungren invoked the name that may have cost Democrat Michael S. Dukakis the White House in 1988 and George Bush his reputation with civil rights groups--and did so with pride. Horton, a black man and a convicted murderer, raped a woman while on furlough from a Massachusetts prison. The GOP blamed Dukakis, then the state’s governor. Lungren told the convention that Democrats “just don’t get it” when they cite the ad as racist.

TONIGHT’S SCHEDULE

All times Pacific Daylight

5:08-5:11 p.m.: National Anthem, Wynonna Judd

5:25-5:40 p.m.: Pat Robertson

6-6:10 p.m.: Pete Wilson (by satellite)

6:27-6:32 p.m.: Marilyn Quayle

7:16-7:29 p.m.: Barbara Bush (includes remarks by a grandchild)

7:45-8 p.m.: Labor Secretary Lynn Martin nominates George Bush

8:26-8:36 p.m.: William J. Bennett, former education secretary and drug policy director, nominates Dan Quayle

8:50-9:45 p.m.: Roll call of states

9:45 p.m.: Announcement of nominee

TV COVERAGE

C-SPAN: Gavel to gavel

CNN: 5 to 8:30 p.m.

PBS: 5 to 8 p.m.

CBS: 7 to 9:15 p.m.

NBC, ABC: 7 to 8 p.m.