THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, December 23, 1994 TAG: 9412220019
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A12 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Opinion
SOURCE: By JOHN GOOLRICK
LENGTH: Medium: 74 lines
Everybody knows there is no way to avoid the Great Virginia Republican Shootout at the OK Corral in 1996, but for at least the time being party leaders are acting with a measured coolness many would not have thought possible.
The expectation was that in the wake of Oliver North's loss to incumbent Democratic Sen. Charles S. Robb, factional feelings would be so bitter and intense that any semblance of party unity would be completely fractured.
But instead, leaders of the so-called Regular Republican moderate-conservative element and the more rightist element have agreed, albeit sometimes grudgingly, to disagree in 1996 without hurting the party's chances of taking over both houses of the General Assembly next year.
Gov. George Allen played an instrumental role in that fragile agreement by calling together leaders on both sides for a round-table meeting in the Executive Mansion that included state Republican Party Chairman Patrick McSweeney, someone Allen unsuccessfully tried to replace.
Allen said he still felt the same about McSweeney but would not let it stand in the way of GOP gains in 1995 legislative races.
And a few days after that meeting, Mike Farris, the party's nominee for lieutenant governor in a losing 1993 race, announced he wouldn't seek the nomination for U.S. Senate against arch-enemy Sen. John Warner in 1996, although he would do everything possible to get Warner defeated. Warner promptly commended Farris for putting family considerations above political aspirations.
It appears that Jim Miller, who was the choice of the moderates against North in the nominating process earlier this year, may be edging closer to deciding to take on Warner who backed him for the nomination. And if he does so, it would probably be with the hearty backing of the party's right wing unless North decides to seek the nomination, which seems unlikely.
Some question Miller's motives in saying he may decide to take on Warner for the nomination. And yet such a run on his part would not be without logic.
The inescapable fact, though Warner has much seniority and powerful committee positions, is that he has failed to support party nominees in two consecutive elections and is going to be challenged by someone for the nomination in 1996. And though he continues to be the most popular politician in Virginia, he probably could not be renominated at a convention and may have a tough fight in a primary.
Miller, who is actually more conservative than North, could draw votes both from the so-called Christian Right and from a number of Republicans not aligned with that faction who feel Warner is too moderate for their tastes - a senator, for instance, who voted against the confirmation of Judge Bork.
Warner vs. Miller in a primary would give party members a clear choice of direction without muddying the waters with candidates such as Farris and North, whose close affiliation with the Christian Right causes problems even among many Republicans who think Warner too moderate and too cozy with Senate Democrats.
Warner has said he is prepared to take on all comers in a primary and he has proved time and again he is one of the best campaigners in the state's history. He could run on his long record of effective service and his ability to protect Virginia defense installations.
Miller, a former budget director under President Ronald Reagan, has impeccable conservative credentials and could use a proven fund-raising apparatus to make a primary matchup with Warner a real contest.
Forget the issue of Miller turning against someone who supported him. Warner did that in order to try to stop Oliver North. The 1996 shootout is coming, whether people want it or not. At least with Miller and Warner involved, it would mean the party would nominate a candidate with an excellent chance of winning election in November of that year. MEMO: Mr. Goolrick, a former political reporter, is now an aide to 1st
District Rep. Herbert Bateman. Opinions expressed are his own. by CNB