Bob Dole’s keynote choice is leaving conservatives in different camps. He’s tapped Congresswoman Susan Molinari of New York to be the keynote speaker at the Republican convention. For that reason, her selection doesn’t please Christian Coalition head Ralph Reed. Susan Molinari is pro-choice. He warns that Dole shouldn’t turn his back on conservatives. But Pat Buchanan congratulates Molinari. Buchanan is strongly anti-abortion and says Molinari and he disagree deeply over that issue, but he calls Molinari an articulate, passionate voice for a diverse party. Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott says Molinari is a great choice, and he says the party shouldn’t be nitpicking on every issue.

President Clinton is talking up his record on fighting crime and reforming welfare. Clinton spoke to the National Governors Association yesterday in a satellite hookup to their meeting in Puerto Rico. The president acknowledged the government can do more to fight rising juvenile crime and drug use. He promised to cut red tape and work with industry to create economic opportunity. On welfare, Clinton said he’s fostered more experimental programs than the two previous administrations combined.

And a major monetary boost. House Speaker Newt Gingrich has transferred a quarter-million dollars of his reelection campaign funds to the national GOP. He’s also pressing other Republicans to donate as much as they can to the party. Gingrich made the unusually large but legal transfer during the last week of June. The money went to the Republican National Committee, which is helping to promote Bob Dole’s presidential bid, as well as GOP congressional candidates.

And say hello to Team Dole. Eight of the men defeated by Bob Dole in the Republican presidential primaries are teaming up to campaign against President Clinton. The eight joined Bob Dole for an exclusive lunch at the City Club of Washington. Conspicuous by his absence was Pat Buchanan. The conservative commentator declined the invitation and reiterated his intent to stay in the race until the convention. And Richard Lamm may be ready to debate his rival for the Reform Party presidential nomination, but Ross Perot says he hasn’t really considered the prospect. Perot said yesterday on PBS’s “NewsHour with Jim Lehrer,” “If that’s a good idea, we’ll consider it.” Lamm is the former governor of Colorado. He has said he would welcome a debate with Perot, who founded the Reform Party that Lamm wants to lead into the November presidential race.