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The former majority leader, now minority leader, Gephardt is the most powerful Democrat in the House and once again a subject for Presidential oddsmakers. But not taking his front-runner status for granted, he has campaigned hard, emphasizing the Democrats' Families First agenda, and by midsummer, even against an inexperienced opponent, had raised more than a million dollars for his campaign.
THE ISSUES Budget NO Medicare NO Defense NO Abortion YES Guns YES Gays YES Bosnia NO NAFTA NO Welfare NO Medical Leave YES (For an explanation of these issues, see the front of this guide.)
QUOTE OF NOTE: "My goal at this time is to win re-election in the Third District and to win the House back."
DEBORAH WHEELEHAN (R) District 3
BORN: March 20, 1954, St. Louis EDUCATION: Southwest High School, diploma, 1972 FAMILY: Divorced; three children RELIGION: Raised Southern Baptist MILITARY: None OCCUPATION: Office manager POLITICAL CAREER: None ADDRESS: P.O. Box 270463, St. Louis 63127. Tel.: 314-487-8199
Wheelehan's challenge: to convince voters that Dick Gephardt, a 10-term incumbent, is the wrong man for the job. And she has had to do it with a war chest less than half as big as his. But for Wheelehan, who won her primary by a mere 24 votes, amazing things can happen, especially, she believes, if she can get her message out. She's against abortion, affirmative action and gun control--and for term limits and "returning government to the people."
THE ISSUES
Budget YES Medicare YES Defense NO Abortion YES Guns NO Gays NO Bosnia YES NAFTA YES Welfare YES Medical Leave NO (For an explanation of these issues, see the front of this guide.)
QUOTE OF NOTE: "As a woman, I recognize various minorities have been discriminated against in the past, but do not believe affirmative action to be the solution. I am proud to be a woman, but I ask for your support based on my qualifications, not my gender."
BILL PHELPS (R) District 4 (West central--Kansas City suburbs; Jefferson City)
BORN: April 5, 1934, Nevada EDUCATION: U of Missouri at Columbia, A.B., 1956, J.D., 1959 FAMILY: Wife, Joanne Ronchetto RELIGION: Episcopalian MILITARY: Army Reserve, 1956-59 OCCUPATION: Lawyer; public affairs executive POLITICAL CAREER: Missouri House, 1960-72; Missouri lieutenant governor, 1972-80; sought Republican nomination for Governor, 1980 ADDRESS: P.O. Box 1568, Blue Springs 64013. Tel.: 816-220-2455
Calling himself "Full-time Phelps" because of the enthusiasm and energy he says he would bring to the House, Phelps has come home to Missouri, after working in Texas for 15 years. The first Republican elected Missouri lieutenant governor in 44 years, Phelps still has name recognition, but it's hard for him to pin a charge of "tax and spend" on Skelton, who co-sponsored the balanced-budget amendment six times.
THE ISSUES
Budget YES Medicare YES Defense NO Abortion YES Guns NO Gays NO Bosnia YES NAFTA YES Welfare YES Medical Leave NO (For an explanation of these issues, see the front of this guide.)
QUOTE OF NOTE: "To me, Ike has become a professional politician. He's out of touch and it's time for him to go."
IKE SKELTON (D) District 4