Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, November 9, 1995 TAG: 9511090062
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: A-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: DAVID M. POOLE AND MARGARET EDDS STAFF WRITERS
DATELINE: RICHMOND LENGTH: Long
Hours after losing his go-for-broke bet on a Republican General Assembly, Allen sounded willing to modify his confrontational style and extend a hand to Democrats.
``The people have spoken,'' he said at a morning news conference. ``It's time we put aside partisanship and we work together for the good of all the people of the Commonwealth.''
It remains unclear, however, whether Allen has the political skills, or the inclination, to build bipartisan coalitions.
``He goes too quickly to ideology and slogans,'' said Emory & Henry College President Tom Morris, a political scientist. ``He's still got some political maturing to do.''
Allen, 43, showed singular promise during his first year in office. As he pushed through parole reform and laid out an ambitious agenda to reduce the scope of state government, some analysts suggested that he might become Virginia's most celebrated governor since Harry Byrd Sr., who served from 1926 to 1930.
The only thing in Allen's way was the Democratic legislature, which at first slowly and then with a vengeance began to resist his agenda. The coup de grace was the rejection earlier this year of Allen's $2 billion tax cut, which Democrats said would have taken money away from schools and social services.
Instead of salvaging his tax plan with a compromise, Allen accepted defeat and vowed to get even at the polls. It was a high-stakes gamble, with Allen seeking to transform assembly elections into a statewide referendum on his policies. He showed up at more than 100 rallies for Republican candidates, appeared in television commercials and raised $1.2 million to finance a GOP takeover.
Allen gave Democrats no quarter, and often resorted to rhetoric so strident that it rallied Democratic faithful.
His predecessor, Democrat Douglas Wilder, said, ``He reached the limits of being somewhat mean-spirited.''
Wednesday, Allen refused to accept the notion that his tactics and policies might have hurt GOP candidates in some parts of the state. ``Had I not made such an effort in it, I don't think the results would have been as good as they are,'' he said.
Democrats retained control of the House of Delegates and dodged an expected GOP takeover in the Senate with a 20-20 tie.
Other than saying that both he and Democratic leaders are pledged to work together, Allen gave few indications of what he'll do differently as a result of falling short of his goal. He hinted that he might be less rigid. ``I'm not one to think that you crash against walls for the heck of it,'' he said.
But the thrust of Allen's message was that the majority of Virginians approve of his agenda. ``The majority of people who voted were voting for Republicans,'' said Allen, noting that 57 percent of the ballots cast in Senate races and 52 percent in House contests were for Republicans.
``I looked at it as a majority of the people agreed with our philosophy and our stand on various issues. That's the only way you can look at it,'' he said.
Allen said his administration holds a ``functional, philosophical majority'' in the Senate when conservative Democrats combine with Republicans on policy matters. The governor gave no clue, however, about how much he will compromise to create that majority.
An adviser to Allen said Wednesday that it will be difficult for the governor to seek another tax cut, but that the administration will try to return lottery proceeds to localities as promised during the campaign.
Some of Allen's chief advisers are urging him not to make major changes in his course, despite the election results.
Del. Vance Wilkins Jr., the House minority leader from Amherst County, said he would urge Allen not to reach out to Democrats, but to ``go over their heads'' and sell his programs directly to the public.
``If he does that, then the public will apply enough heat that the Democrats will have to go along,'' Wilkins said.
State Sen. Kenneth Stolle, R-Virginia Beach, said he would be disappointed if Allen changed his style.
``George is the product of the Democratic arrogance in Virginia,'' Stolle said. ``They've created the kind of governor that George is, and I don't expect that to change. I'm absolutely convinced that George will not change his style.''
Democratic leaders - particularly those in the House - said they will have to see proof that Allen has changed before they're willing to do business with him.
``He's going to have to be a governor, not a campaigner,'' said House Speaker Thomas Moss of Norfolk.
House Majority Leader Richard Cranwell of Roanoke County said that Allen still has a chance to salvage his legacy if he can learn to build coalitions. ``The only impediment to this happening,'' he said, ``is George Allen.''
IT TAKES 21
Most state laws can be enacted by a simple legislative majority, but some matters in the 40-member state Senate must be approved by at least 21 of the elected members - a point that could give Republicans unprecedented sway. Among them:
Taxes: Any new tax or change in the rates of old ones.
Borrowing: Any time the state sells bonds.
Spending: The state's biannual budget.
Judges: All of the state's judicial appointments.
chart by staff
by CNB