Big tent refers to the recruitment of so-called moderate party members.
It also calls for a constitutional amendment banning abortions. Political insiders say that Pataki, who describes himself as an abortion-rights proponent, is hoping to broaden his national appeal for a possible presidential run in 2000. The Republican Party is clearly the party of life and will remain so. GOP presidential candidate Pat Buchanan said defeating the pro-life plank would rip the heart out of the party. With increasing numbers of GOP leaders pressing for a liberalized abortion platform for the party, many Republican voters will look to the current presidential frontrunner George W. Bush to reestablish a party-line for abortion.