PHILADELPHIA -- The Republican National Convention in Philadelphia this year is a lot different from San Diego in 1996 or even Houston in 1992. Republicans are unified and prepared to win back the White House, and their message proves that.
In 1996, the Republican Party had a national message that didn't show voters what they stood for, but rather what they stood against. In 1992, the message of Pat Buchanan fighting President George Bush and the ''cultural war'' in America turned people away from the party they voted for three elections in a row.
2000 is surely different.
Texas Governor George W. Bush and Dick Cheney are telling America from Philadelphia what they stand for and their vision for our country: a better educational system with high standards so no child is left behind, lower taxes and a strong economy, reforming Social Security so today and tomorrow's generation have a future, a strong national defense, and returning the proper respect and dignity to the office at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave.
Across the country, the Democratic Party is following the playbook of old and not the blueprint of today being forged by Bush in Philadelphia. Al Gore has continued his campaign of slash and burn politics that he developed into an art form during his primary against Senator Bill Bradley. In Philadelphia nary a word is mentioned about Al Gore, while Bush and all Republicans are talking about the Texas governor's strong record of accomplishment in the nation's second largest state and his positive vision and agenda for all Americans for tomorrow.
George W. Bush's popularity nationwide will help reap benefits right here in Massachusetts. Senator Bob Dole's 33-point loss to Clinton in Massachusetts was more than just a loss of 12 Electoral College votes in a presidential election; it resulted in the loss of two Republican congressmen, the failure to promote a popular Republican governor to senator, and losses at the State House level.
A strong and positive campaign nationwide by Bush and right here in Massachusetts will help our state's fortunes in November. While Massachusetts is still 12 electoral votes, our party's goal is not just to help win the White House, but to elect strong candidates up and down the ticket and secure the passage of an all important tax cut for Massachsuetts voters.
In 1988 Vice President George Bush ran strong in Massachusetts against favorite son Mike Dukakis causing the Bay State governor to come back home and devote valuable time and resources to stop an embarrassing loss in his home state.
George W. Bush can follow Reagan in 1980 and 1984 and win the state, or 1988 where Republicans were hugely successful in keeping Massachusetts a battleground state. Those three elections helped Massachusetts Republicans win office and set the stage for the beginning of nine-plus years of Republican governors in Massachusetts and the election of Republicans to Congress.
Why should Massachusetts Republicans, Independents, and even Democrats care what happens at the Republican Convention in Philadelphia? Because if Governor George W. Bush runs strong in Massachusetts, every person in Massachusetts will benefit for a stronger two-party system in our State House and Congress and better government for all.
When there is a strong two-party system and a positive debate with a vision of the future and a plan to get there, democracy with a small ''d'' will flourish.
Representative Brian M. Cresta is the chairman of the Massachusetts Republican Party.
