Buchanan Snubbed in San Diego but a Hit in O.C.

ANAHEIM —  Frustrated in his quest to address the Republican National Convention, Patrick J. Buchanan received a hero’s welcome Saturday from a cheering antiabortion audience.

Claiming credit for keeping an antiabortion plank in the GOP platform, Buchanan vowed to continue his crusade after the convention, which opens Monday in San Diego.

“Because we stayed in the race and would not drop out, because of the Buchanan brigades . . . we kept our promise and kept the Republican Party pro-life once again,” he said.

Buchanan did not mention Bob Dole’s choice of a running mate, Jack Kemp, who also opposes abortions. He refused to speak to reporters who pressed him for comment afterward.

Buchanan appeared at a rally at the Anaheim Hilton sponsored by the American Life League Inc., a Washington-based antiabortion group.

During his speech, Buchanan made a brief reference to his snub by Republican convention planners.

“I am delighted to be at this convention. It’s the only convention I think I’ll be speaking at this year in California,” he said.

Buchanan, who won several small-state primaries early in the year, had sought a prime-time speaking slot at the convention. The party said no, but offered time for a videotaped message. Buchanan turned that down.