LEADERS SAY GOP MUST FOCUS ON ISSUES

The Republican Party must focus on America's issues instead of President Clinton's problems, GOP leaders said Saturday.

U.S. Rep. Steve Largent, R-Okla., told reporters in Cape Girardeau that the Republican Party spent the last two years "treading water" by focusing solely on Clinton's problems.

"We basically wandered in the wilderness for two years," Largent said prior to giving the keynote speech at the 29th annual Lincoln Day dinner at the A.C. Brase Arena Building.

About 500 party faithful -- including a number of elected officials -- turned out for the event, sponsored by the Cape Girardeau County Republican Women's Club.

The Southeast Missouri Pachyderm Club presented its first ever Tough Tusk Award to the Rev. Walter J. Keisker, a longtime Lutheran pastor who turns 100 this year.

Keisker was selected for his support and contributions to the Republican Party.

Keisker, who currently resides at the Lutheran Home in Cape Girardeau, was pastor of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Jackson from 1938 to 1968. He continued to serve the Lutheran church by visiting homebound members.

He has received numerous honors. The city of Jackson declared Nov. 17, 1988 as the Rev. Walter J. Keisker Day.

He received an honorary doctorate from Concordia Seminary in St. Louis on May 28, 1993.

Largent told reporters he was optimistic about the GOP's future.

"My message is one of hope," said Largent. "There is hope in America. There is hope for Republicans."

Fellow GOP members of Congress, Rep. Jo Ann Emerson and Sen. John Ashcroft, echoed Largent's message.

Emerson, R-Cape Girardeau, said the Republican leadership in the House failed to understand that it was futile for the party to run against a popular president in last fall's congressional elections.

Emerson said she hoped Republican politicians will unite rather than fight each other.

Ashcroft said the GOP focused too heavily on the president's problems instead of working to advance "the people's agenda."

Ashcroft, who considered but decided against running for president, said Republicans can take back the White House in 2000.

To do so, Ashcroft said, the GOP must focus on providing tax relief, returning more federal money directly to local schools, reducing crime and saving Social Security.

Largent said the November election showed that Republicans must put the impeachment issue behind them and focus on important issues such as tax reform and protecting Social Security.

"If we are going to stay in the majority, we are going to have to earn it," Largent said.

Even though the Senate didn't remove Clinton from office, Largent said the American people believe that character does matter.

Largent, a former National Football League Pro Bowl receiver for the Seattle Seahawks, said politics can be rough.

"I wish I still had my helmet sometimes," he said.

Largent said he was paid better as a football player, but that his job as a congressman is more satisfying.

Largent was elected to Congress in the 1994 election that put Republicans in control of the House of Representatives.