Just hours before Vice President Al Gore is expected to concede the 2000 presidential election to George W. Bush on Wednesday night, Republicans in the territory have called a press conference to map out their plans for the incoming administration’s transition into office.
Holland Redfield, chairman of the Bush campaign in the territory, said local Republican officials have scheduled a transition meeting for Thursday with Bush officials. Scheduled to be there are Steve Kupka and Michael Govan, political liaisons for the Bush campaign.
"The purpose of this meeting and the visit of these high-ranking Bush advisors is to establish a clear structure for the Virgin Islands to participate in the transition of the Bush-Cheney administration," Redfield said. "There will be a discussion of federal appointments, both locally and nationally, plus, critical policy issues."
Redfield, Jim Oliver, vice-chair of the local Bush campaign committee, and representatives of the Republican Party of Puerto Rico traveled to Austin, Texas about eight months ago to meet with Bush. Redfield said they discussed issues important to the territories.
With the Virgin Islands being a traditional bastion for the Democratic Party, there has been much speculation that a Bush victory would not bode well for the territory. Redfield, however, dismissed that notion. He said local Democrats and Republicans will have to work across party lines to solve the territory’s problems.
He said issues such as Social Security Insurance, the return of gas excise taxes and greater autonomy in general are non–partisan. The "even-minded" Republicans in the territory shouldn’t have a problem working with Democrats, Redfield said.
"It will be my responsibility to reach out to Democrats across party lines," Redfield said. "It’s going to do my very best to access the administration in Washington."
The press conference is scheduled for Thursday at 11 a.m. at Gertrude’s Restaurant.