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Republicans tap Atkinson as chairman Party forces anti-abortion issue By PETER WONG LAKE OSWEGO -- Oregon Republicans elected Perry Atkinson of Medford their party chairman Saturday, then promptly overruled his stand against an anti-abortion resolution. On the second ballot, Atkinson defeated Joe Foxall of Portland, 77-48. Atkinson fell two votes short of a first-ballot victory when Carl Daughtery of Roseburg, a more moderate candidate, drew 19 votes in a last-minute challenge. Rep. Kevin Mannix, R-Salem, Atkinson's choice for the number two spot, was elected vice chairman on the first ballot. Dennis Richardson of Gold Hill was elected central committee treasurer. No sooner had Atkinson taken office than he was forced to oppose a resolution he might be expected to support. The party's central committee wanted to deny party backing to any candidate who wouldn't support a ban on so-called "partial-birth abortions." Atkinson opposes abortion, but he ruled the resolution out of order. He said the party's legal counsel had advised him of a potential conflict with a state law that says political parties must treat all members fairly. "No one is more passionate about this issue than me," Atkinson said. "So you have to understand that I am going to overrule this for legal reasons. But you can vote to overrule me." The central committee did just that, 58-47, then adopted the resolution, 67-42. Some delegates, including Larry Brown and George Trahern from Grants Pass, walked out after the first vote but returned for the final vote. "I feel that if we cannot take a stand on this, we cannot take a stand on anything," said John Leben of Beaverton, the resolution's co-author. The state party convention added the restriction to its platform last summer, but the central committee refused to add it to party rules. The restriction may be largely symbolic, intended to spur Republican legislative majorities to pass a ban on the late-term abortion procedure. Most money for GOP candidates comes from sources other than the party's central committee, and state legislators cannot accept contributions while the Legislature is in session. Daughtery, who is the Douglas County party chairman, said the resolution sends the wrong message. "Any time we make one issue so very important as to override all other considerations and issues, it makes us in essence a one-issue party," he said. Atkinson, 50, is a Christian broadcaster who founded Medford radio station KDOV in 1983. He was Jackson County party chairman and state party vice chairman the past two years, and sought the party's 2nd District congressional nomination in 1994, 1996 and 1998. During his nominating speech, Atkinson reaffirmed his opposition to abortion. "No bureaucrat, no government, no politician, no lawyer, no one can come between you and your rights because your rights come from God -- and that clearly includes the right to life for the unborn," said Atkinson, who was endorsed by Oregon Right to Life in two congressional campaigns. Atkinson also emphasized his own fund-raising and party-building skills. "As we work our way through the post-1998 election syndrome, perhaps the (national) leadership may have gotten what it deserved, but the country did not get what it needed," he said. "If we are not careful, we might interpret our narrow, eked-out victory as a time to lay back and coast, when actually it is time to roll up our sleeves and press on." The outcome of Saturday's election may have turned on Atkinson's more prominent role in party activities. Foxall, chief financial officer for Wittco Systems Inc. of Hillsboro, has been a fund-raiser and strategist for several campaigns and headed Pat Buchanan's Oregon presidential campaign in 1996. Atkinson was endorsed by the outgoing party chairwoman, Deanna Smith of Salem, who edged Atkinson for the top spot by one vote two years ago. "I hate to say it, but coming into this election, a lot of people were saying that Perry might be too conservative," said Smith, who's married to former U.S. Rep. Denny Smith. "He's not. He is a reasonable person and will be a good leader. We've worked hand in hand and I know for sure he will continue to do the things I've done." Mail Tribune Copyright � The Mail Tribune 1999, Medford, Oregon USA