Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, December 8, 1993 TAG: 9312080239
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: BY WARREN FISKE STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: RICHMOND LENGTH: Medium
"If I were voting, I would vote for a primary," Robb said Tuesday, four days before state Democratic leaders will pick either a primary or a convention to name their senatorial candidate. "It's a more democratic process."
Ending his long silence on the subject, Robb said he agrees with Wilder and other black leaders that a primary would offer "greater opportunity for participation and less of a chance that people will be excluded."
The comments may blunt an expected showdown between Robb and Wilder supporters Saturday, when the 200-member state Central Committee is to decide the nomination process. Wilder, claiming that a convention would dilute his base of black votes, has threatened to run as an independent if such a method is used.
Robb's statement brings virtually all major Democratic leaders in accord on a primary. In addition to Robb and Wilder, the election has been endorsed by Lt. Gov. Don Beyer - who is not a candidate - and Sylvia Clute of Richmond and Dan Alcorn of Fairfax County - two lesser-known Democrats seeking the Senate seat.
The 13-member black caucus of the General Assembly also has called for a primary. Lawmakers said expenses, such as filing fees and staying at hotels during a convention, would discourage participation.
Several Robb supporters said they would continue to press for a convention, although they admitted the odds may have turned against them. Robb is thought to have an advantage in a convention, because he has better relations with party activists than does Wilder.
"It doesn't affect my thinking, because I don't care what the candidates think," said John McGlennon, chairman of the 1st Congressional District Democrats. "I'd rather have a convention and keep all the bloodletting between Wilder and Robb in-house than airing it across the landscape of Virginia."
Paul Goldman, Wilder's top political adviser, voiced disappointment that opponents of a primary will not end the fight. "All of the candidates and all of the major Democratic leaders have said they prefer a primary," he said. "How can the party take it upon itself to reject all of this and keep a system that discriminates?"
Last month, Robb declined to state a preference, saying it was solely up to party leaders.
He said Tuesday that he decided to air his view, first voiced in a Sunday night interview on WVEC-TV in Norfolk, because he was disturbed by rumors that his silence was a tacit endorsement of a convention. He stressed that he was merely stating a "personal preference" and willing to abide by any decision the party makes. He said he is not lobbying members of the Central Committee.
"I've said all along that if I did not believe I could win by a convention or a primary, I wouldn't be running," he said.
Robb acknowledged that he might have an easier path to renomination through a convention. "That is a reversal of normalcy," he said. "A governor, as titular head of the party, normally has the command and respect of the party faithful."
But he also acknowledged certain advantages to an election. Because state law prohibits the loser of a primary from entering the general election, a primary would end Wilder's threat to run as an independent in a three-way race against Robb and Oliver North, the front-runner for the Republican nomination.
And with many party leaders seeking a strong alternative to Robb or Wilder next year, the primary forces other candidates into the field early and precludes any last-minute draft.
"That's all part of the overall equation," Robb said. "That's part of my motivation, but not my entire thought."
Keywords:
POLITICS
by CNB