ASHINGTON - The official theme of this year's Republican National Convention is ''Renewing America's Purpose. Together.'' But the unofficial message could be: ''Lessons George W. Bush learned from his father's 1992 convention.''
Yesterday, the Texas governor unveiled a convention plan that seeks to avoid any repeat of the way his father was hurt by party infighting in Houston. The plan relies on quelling public dissension at the podium and presenting the Republican nominee in a relatively moderate light when the Philadelphia gathering begins on July 31.
''Ours will be a different kind of convention for a different kind of Republican,'' convention cochairman Andrew Card said in a telephone conference call yesterday. ''We will be talking about issues like education and Social Security, which have not been center stage at Republican conventions before.''
Eight years ago, the reelection hopes of President Bush suffered a major blow when he allowed some of his most bitter opponents, including conservative commentator Patrick J. Buchanan, to dominate the news at the Houston convention. Buchanan, whose allies already had helped put tough antiabortion language in the party platform, declared that a ''religious war'' was sweeping the country. Many commentators said Bush spent too much time at the convention appealing to conservatives and not focusing on wavering moderates.
If things go as planned, this year's convention speakers will not be focusing on differences among the delegates about issues such as abortion, which traditionally divides Republican gatherings.
Bush's former chief rival for the nomination, Senator John McCain of Arizona, will be given a prominent speaking slot, but he is expected to gloss over or ignore their disagreements, at least at the podium. McCain, a former Vietnam prisoner of war, will talk about the achievements of veterans and ''the greatest generation.'' Bush aides said they do not expect McCain to mention areas of contention, such as McCain's support for campaign finance legislation or his criticism of Bush's tax cut plan.
A McCain aide said the senator hasn't been barred from talking about tax cuts or campaign finance on the podium, but said it was much more likely that McCain would bring up the subjects at numerous events outside the convention.
Moreover, two other outspoken Bush rivals who focused significantly on antiabortion matters, Alan Keyes and Gary Bauer, have not yet been promised speaking slots.
Card said the convention will be ''unconventional'' and much more exciting than in the recent past, when the events received dismal television ratings and were widely viewed as a four-day advertisement for the respective parties. But the changes Card announced yesterday may appear to be nuanced differences to most of the public.
For example, Card said, the vice presidential candidate would give his acceptance speech on Wednesday instead of Thursday. He said the convention stage will be less like a castle and more like a regular stage. And Card vowed that there will not be a night devoted to ''whacking'' the Democrats, but the former Massachusetts legislator said that would not stop individual speakers from ''comparing and contrasting'' Republican and Democratic candidates.
The real news could come before the convention begins. There has been considerable speculation that Bush might announce his vice presidential pick just before the July 31-Aug. 3 convention.
As Card described the convention, it sounded strikingly similar to the campaign speeches Bush has made for months, with a heavy emphasis on actions ''with a purpose.'' Here is an outline of the convention schedule:
Monday, July 31. The night's message is ''Opportunity with a Purpose: Leave No Child Behind.'' The speakers include Bush's wife, Laura, and former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Colin Powell.
Tuesday, Aug. 1. The message is ''Strength and Security with a Purpose: Safe in our Homes and in the World.'' The speakers include McCain, former GOP presidential candidate Elizabeth Dole, and Bush national security adviser Condoleezza Rice. The night will also feature a tribute to former Republican presidents, but none is scheduled to speak.
Wednesday, Aug. 2. The message is ''Prosperity with a Purpose: Keeping America Prosperous and Protecting Retirement Security.'' The main speaker will be the vice presidential nominee.
Thursday, Aug. 3. Bush will give his acceptance speech.
