On Politics
BY RICHARD BORRECA
Anderson puts on
his donkey suit
for the big partyCandidate for governor D.G. "Andy" Anderson would like to be teaching, but first he admits he's going to do some learning as a delegate to the state Democratic Convention.
"It will be the first time in my life that I have gone to convention as a working delegate," says Anderson, who as Republican Party chairman during much of the 1980s ran both the GOP and its conventions.
As a successful businessman and developer, Anderson may find it odd to be on the convention floor as a regular delegate, but he proudly says that he had to run and win his delegate slot by attending Democratic Party caucuses.
Anderson, a legislative veteran and mainstay of the Republican Party for decades, is now a Democrat on a mission. First he must prove his bona fides within the party, and then he must develop the critical mass to win the governorship.
After running and losing twice as a Republican, Anderson has to step up the debate and define the difference between the new and old Anderson.
Ever the adroit salesman, he is enjoying the challenge and making the argument that first, the Democratic Party is the place to be and second, he's the person best able to lead it.
"The one reason why I am so comfortable where I am now is that everything is on the table," Anderson says.
The GOP "would have gone ape," he figures, if he as a GOP candidate for governor had suggested -- as he has done in this campaign -- that the state sell gasoline cheaper than the local refineries as a way to force down the high price of gasoline in the state.
Anderson recalls that when he ran the Republican Party, the conventions were continually bedeviled by fights with the conservative Christian wing, whose members wanted a strong anti-abortion stand. Republicans at their last convention backed off from a pro-choice plank and decided to leave the issue alone.
"The reason why I am getting back into politics is because the issues of the day aren't being addressed. I was disappointed with the last GOP convention," Anderson said.
As much as Anderson likes being a new Democrat, the question as he goes to his first party across the aisle will be: Who wants to dance with him?
Anderson reports he is making progress and expects to go into the convention with strong support. In comparison, his Democratic opponents, Mayor Jeremy Harris and Rep. Ed Case, are established Democrats, but their support is less than solid.
All that just brings a grin to the face of Anderson, the master salesman.
"I'm looking to a good, fun convention," he says.
Richard Borreca writes on politics every Sunday in the Star-Bulletin.
He can be reached at 525-8630 or by e-mail at rborreca@starbulletin.com.
