Christian Coalition Says Tate Is Finalist Ex-Congressman Among Two Considered To Replace Reed

Former U.S. Rep. Randy Tate of Puyallup is one of two people under consideration to replace Ralph Reed as head of the Christian Coalition.

Christian Coalition officials have discussed naming Tate, 31, to the position in meetings with GOP House leaders, Phil Bond, chief of staff for Rep. Jennifer Dunn, R-Wash., said Friday.

“He’s a perfect fit, and he’s well liked by the leadership, and he’s 100 percent on Christian Coalition issues, and he knows the politics,” Bond said.

Tate is one of two finalists for the position. The coalition, which has 1,900 chapters and nearly 2 million members, emerged in 1988 in the aftermath of broadcast minister Pat Robertson’s failed attempt for the Republican nomination for president.

As a freshman congressman, Tate quickly won recognition among House GOP leaders as a “whip” who helped to round up support for tight votes.

Though House Majority Whip Tom DeLay recruited 40 members to be whips, Tate was one of a handful who could be counted on to persuade members during the closest votes, said Tony Rudy, spokesman for the Texas Republican.

“There were times where we were down 15 to 20 votes an hour before a vote to pass a certain piece of legislation,” Rudy said. “When it comes down to crunch time, we always looked to Randy Tate as one who could turn a vote. He never used strong-arm tactics, just power of persuasion.”

The whipping job can be tough because it requires quick ability to understand arcane issues and to communicate them clearly and directly to busy members of Congress who might be unfamiliar with an issue. Those skills would help as head of the Christian Coalition, Rudy said.

Terry Holt, spokesman for House Republican Conference leader Rep. John Boehner of Ohio, said he was pleased Tate was under consideration. “This is a decision for the Christian Coalition, but we believe Mr. Tate was a terrific member of the (Republican) conference with proven abilities,” Holt said. “He was one of the smartest, best-liked guys in the conference.”

Tate’s connection to the leadership probably will be a plus in the eyes of Robertson, said Larry Sabato, a University of Virginia political scientist who has closely watched the Christian Coalition from its birth.

“Robertson would be attracted to Tate because he would be perceived as mainstream and would have had a great deal of experience working with the media,” Sabato said. “His closeness to leadership guarantees him a big seat at the table - in a nice comfy leather chair.”

Tate, who served one term as a Republican congressman, was defeated in November by former state Sen. Adam Smith.

While in office, Tate enjoyed strong backing from the coalition.

The other candidate to lead the coalition is Art Rhodes, chief of staff to U.S. Rep. Mike Parker, R-Miss., according to the Capitol Hill newspaper, Roll Call.