DOLE CHOICE OF CAPE COUNTY REPUBLICANS

JACKSON -- Although it initially appeared that Cape Girardeau County Republicans would be evenly split between Sen. Bob Dole and Pat Buchanan, the local party caucus ended up throwing most of its weight toward Dole Saturday.

Turnout was low for the caucus at the Cape Girardeau County Courthouse, one of 121 Republican caucuses held throughout the state Saturday, with only 48 people attending.

With 19 delegates up for grabs in Cape County, 13 went to Dole, four to Pat Buchanan with one to Steve Forbes with one delegate uncommitted.

Other county caucuses in the area put all of their delegates in one particular camp. Bollinger County's three delegates are undeclared; Perry County's five delegates are for Dole; and Stoddard County's seven delegates are for Buchanan. Scott County had not reported in to state GOP headquarters at press time.

Each caucus participant voted for a complete slate of nominees.

Those delegates will attend the party's 8th Congressional District Convention in Cape Girardeau April 13. Each of Missouri's nine districts will choose three delegates to attend the GOP National Convention in San Diego, Calif., from Aug. 10-16. Nine at-large candidates will be selected at the State Convention in Springfield May 17-18.

One Dole supporter said she feels the Kansas senator is the Republicans' best chance not only to unseat President Clinton but to help the party maintain its majorities in the Senate and House of Representatives.

"I think most people feel Sen. Dole will be able to bring more Republican senators and congressmen into the fold, so to speak," said Donna Lichtennegger of Jackson.

Thirty-seven of the 48 people attending the Cape County caucus were nominated as delegates, with 17 declaring for Buchanan, 16 for Dole and one for Forbes with three undeclared.

Mike Ballou of Cape Girardeau, the Buchanan campaign's coordinator for the 8th District, said Buchanan supporters likely surprised the caucus with their large turnout. Despite the fact that his candidate only came away with a handful of delegates, Ballou was not disappointed.

"The main thing is we have four delegates and an alternate going to the district convention," Ballou said. "We consider that good because we have only been organized for a week."

Despite claims from opponents that Buchanan's efforts only serve to divide the party, Ballou said he is more of a unifying force, pulling together the supporters of Ronald Reagan, independent voters, Ross Perot supporters and others.

While well-known area Republicans were out in force, it was the first time to directly participate in party matters for a great many of those attending.

"You see a lot of the party establishment of Cape Girardeau County here today, and a lot of other people who are not establishment," Ballou said.

"The caucus system is a great system," Lichtennegger said. "... A lot of people who will be delegates to the district convention have never been involved before. I think the caucus system is supposed to be kind of fun and a good way to break people in."