Bookmark: MAP's link to shadow convention items:
http://www.mapinc.org/shadow.htm

Note: Shadow Convention websites:
http://www.drugpolicy.org/
http://www.shadowconventions.com/

CAMPBELL SLAMS DRUG WAR, INTOLERANCE

Moderate Republican Addresses `Shadow Convention'; McCain Praises Onetime
Rival Bush To Boos And Hisses

PHILADELPHIA -- Taking a cue from Sen. John McCain's onetime insurgent
presidential campaign, California GOP Senate candidate Rep. Tom Campbell
made a strident appeal Sunday for Americans to "dare to challenge
authority'' and "demand a government that doesn't subsidize failure.''

The Republican from Campbell, who is waging an uphill battle for Sen. Dianne
Feinstein's seat, addressed a fringe convention of noisy students and
protesters about the need to end the "failed drug war'' before moving on to
a well-heeled reception for pro-choice Republicans where he chided his own
party for failing "the most basic tests of tolerance and inclusiveness.''

The GOP platform holds hard-line anti-abortion views, advocating no
abortions under any circumstances and calling for the appointments only of
judges who believe that as well.

A moderate Republican who has run afoul of party leaders, Campbell spoke at
the "shadow convention'' -- a creation of advocates of campaign finance
reform and former conservative columnist Arianna Huffington. He was
introduced as a politician "who dares to puncture those sacred cows,
especially when they're running office.''

"I'll take any forum,'' said Campbell, who trails Feinstein badly in
independent polls. He dismissed criticism that was only using the media
frenzy of Philadelphia to gain headlines in advance of Bush's arrival later
in the week. He will address the California delegation this morning but has
no allotted speaking role at the convention.

At the alternate gathering at the University of Pennsylvania, Campbell was
preceded by McCain, who made it abundantly clear that he has jumped full
speed ahead on the Bush election train.

"I am obliged not by party loyalty but by sincere conviction to urge all
Americans to support my party's nominee, Gov. George Bush of Texas,'' the
onetime arch-foe of Bush told the audience.

But audience members booed and hissed. In what had been billed as the
kickoff speech of the "shadow convention,'' the crowd had been hoping to
hear a reformist message from the popular Arizona senator. McCain instead
praised his former primary opponent's desire to reform education, the
military, Social Security and other entitlement programs, as well as rein in
government spending and support faith-based charities.

"This isn't why we're here,'' yelled a woman in the back of the balcony.
Others interrupted with loud comments about the United States' aggressive
incarceration of drug offenders and the relocation of American Indians from
northern Arizona so a mining company could operate on their land -- policies
they said McCain backed.

Minutes later, Campbell launched into his blistering critique of the U.S.
government's drug strategy to "interdict supply and put people in jail.''

"Incarceration for drug use increased tenfold since 1980, number of drug
overdose-deaths fivefold since 1980, proportion of high school seniors
reporting that drugs are readily available, double since 1980. This is not
victory, this is failure,'' he told a half-filled auditorium to applause.

He criticizes Congress' recent passage of a $1.3 billion appropriation to
help the Colombian government combat the production and trafficking of
cocaine. He said the money would be enough to treat half the nation's
untreated drug addicts, about 1.3 million, according to his estimates.

At the pro-choice rally at one of Philadelphia's swankiest hotels, Campbell
was also greeted enthusiastically.

"On the issue of choice, we have been compromised,'' he declared.

Pro-choice advocates failed during the weekend to change the GOP platform
and have all but given up on introducing a motion when the convention opens
today.