Buchanan May Have Role at GOP Convention

With Bob Dole’s blessing, the Republican Party chairman has offered Patrick J. Buchanan a role at the GOP convention in August and did not insist that Buchanan first endorse Dole for president, Republican sources said Sunday.

The overture contradicts repeated statements by convention planners, who have on several occasions said Buchanan would not be offered a role at the San Diego gathering unless he first endorsed Dole, the party’s presumptive presidential nominee.

Several GOP and Dole campaign sources, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Republican National Committee Chairman Haley Barbour spoke to Buchanan on Saturday and said the party wanted him to participate at the convention.

According to the sources, Barbour offered Buchanan the same role that was offered to Dole’s other major primary challengers: the opportunity to make a short video presentation to the convention and to appear for a show of unity on the podium with Dole after his acceptance speech on the final night.

Buchanan said he would consider the offer and get back to Barbour soon, the sources said. Buchanan spokesman Gregory Mueller declined comment on the discussions.