WDBJ 7 morning news AM cutins for 09/05/00

[7-11Senate-Race]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]

[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=00-29;TC1:13:19]
[GRAPHIC=Campaign 2000]

Former Governors Chuck Robb and George Allen are shifting their Senate campaigns into high gear.
Both men visited Buena Vista yesterday for the city's Labor Day celebration.
Joe Dashiell reports they sparred over competing claims.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Buena Vista's Labor Day tradition]
[SUPER=203-Buena Vista; :00]
[SUPER=201-Sen. Chuck Robb/(D) Virginia; 1:02]
[SUPER=201-George Allen/(R) U.S. Senate Candidate; 1:15]
[SUPER=219-Joe/Dashiell; 1:32]
[RUNS=1:40]
[OUT Q=JD News 7 Buena Vista]

((Buena Vista's labor day tradition was hard labor on a hot and humid holiday.
But Rockbridge County turned out for an annual event that has become a regular stop for candidates seeking statewide office. [NAT SOUND OF ALLEN]
George and Susan Allen lead the charge through downtown... Chuck and Lynda Robb were a few blocks behind. [NAT SOUND OF ROBB]
With recent polls giving Allen the edge, the Republican former Governor says he is pleased, but not complacent.

[SOT 23:06:48]
[IN Q=We're now in the 4th quarter]
[RUNS= :05]
[OUT Q=have to keep pushing hard.]

The Democratic incumbent says he's confident the tide will turn...
[SOT 23:23:19]
[IN Q=If I just get my message]
[RUNS= :08]
[OUT Q=over a long period of time.]

And both men say they hope the voters will disregard what they describe as lies and distortions in their opponents' campaign ads.
[SOT]
[IN Q=Credibility]
((CREDIBILITY HAS BECOME A SERIOUS ISSUE, BECAUSE IN THE UNITED STATES SENATE, IT'S EXTREMELY IMPORTANT THAT YOU HAVE CREDIBILITY WITH THE OTHER SENATORS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE AND IF YOU CONSISTENTLY MISREPRESENT YOUR OPPONENTS' RECORD OR MISREPRESENT THE FACTS, THAT'S VERY DIFFICULT TO GET BACK.)) ((AND WE'VE ALREADY SEEN SINCE MAY, THEY'VE BEEN RUNNING THESE DISTORTION CAMPAIGN ADS UP IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA. THEY'LL BECOME MORE DESPERATE. THERE WILL BE MORE DISTORTIONS, MORE FALSEHOODS AND SCARE TACTICS, TRYING TO PUT FEAR INTO PEOPLE'S MINDS.))
[RUNS= :32]
[OUT Q=fear into people's minds.]
[STAND-UP CLOSE]
With nine weeks left in the campaign, the candidates will meet again. They have one debate behind them, but three more scheduled before election day.
Joe Dashiell News 7 Buena Vista))

[7-11Corporal-Punishment]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=jmc]
[TAPE#=00-35; TC 20:23]
[GRAPHIC=None]
Lawmakers hear from the public on corporal punishment. The state plans to hold a hearing about whether foster parents have the right to spank, shake or pinch children in their care.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Richmond/August;]

The social services board approved the idea a few months ago-
The public had no chance to comment before the board voted on the changes.
Some lawmakers thought that was wrong.
At least 25 people have signed up to speak.

(------------)[7WEATHER]

[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#none]
[GRAPHIC=none]

Shifting gears now to weather--
An improving forecast... partly cloudy skies with a chance of showers...look for highs in the lower 70s.
[SUPER=X5000; SET DISSOLVE]
[SUPER=314-Partly Cloudy/A.M. Showers?/70-74/Cloudy/Cool/52-56;]
[SUPER=#555;RESET]
[ESS C] (EXTENDED)

[45-81-Ax]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=rle]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=Accident]
A two-car accident is tying up traffic on interstate 81 in Salem. State Police say the accident happened around 7:15 this morning just north of exit 137 in the southbound lanes. There's no word on extent of injuries, but Lifeguard 10 was called to the scene. Police say one lane of traffic is open, but advise to take an alternate route to avoid delays.

[45-11Clement]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=equ]
[TAPE#=00-31; TC 34:31]
[GRAPHIC=Whitt Clement]

Danville Delegate Whitt Clement says he might not pursue a bid for Lieutenant Governor.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

After front-runner Emily Couric was diagnosed with cancer, and dropped out of the Democratic field,
[SUPER=03-Richmond/August 21;]
Clement was one of several potential candidates to express interest.
Here's what he said two weeks ago.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 10:43:48]
[IN Q=I have been]
((DEL. WHITT CLEMENT/D-DANVILLE: I HAVE BEEN VERY FLATTERED, I HAVE GIVEN IT SOME THOUGHT. BUT I AM IN NO POSITION AT ALL TO MAKE A DECISION.))
[SUPER=@Clement;]
[RUNS=:09]
[OUT Q=a decision.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

But now, Clement's expressing reservations about the demands of a statewide campaign.
That's despite political analyst Larry Sabato's analysis of his chances in a Democratic primary next spring.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 13:16:31]
[IN Q=In a four]
((LARRY SABATO/U.VA. POLITICAL ANALYST: IN A FOUR OR FIVE WAY RACE, YOU CAN WIN THE ELECTION WITH 20, 25, 30 PERCENT OF THE VOTE. YOU CAN PUT TOGETHER CONSERVATIVE, RURAL COALITIONS FROM JUST THE WESTERN HALF OF THE STATE AND POTENTIALLY WIN.))
[SUPER=01-Larry Sabato/U.Va. Political Analyst; ]
[RUNS=:14]
[OUT Q=potentially win.]
(-------------)
[TALENT=Shannon]
[SS=None]

The other Democrats who are still expressing interest in a bid for Lieutenant Governor are all from urban areas: Norfolk Delegate Jerrauld (GERALD) Jones, Newport News Delegate Alan (DI-mon-steen) Diamonstein, Richmond Mayor Tim Kaine, and Fairfax County Supervisors' Chairman Kate Hanley.

[45-11Blood-Donations]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=tha]
[TAPE#=00-24;TC 1:14:42]
[GRAPHIC=Red Cross]

The American Red Cross says blood reserves are at dangerously low levels.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke;]

The organization says fewer people donate blood during the warmer months because of vacations and other summer activities.
And local Red Cross officials say this year is no different.
The local American Red Cross, which serves 43 counties, is below emergency levels.
The organization's goal is to have a three day supply of blood on hand... right now less than a one day supply is in stock.
Other factors have also contributed to the shortage.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 04:51:00]
[IN Q=Some of ]
((BOB LUTJEN/AMERICAN RED CROSS: SOME OF OUR BEST DONORS OVER THE YEARS ARE THE OLDER FOLKS THAT ARE MILITARY VETERANS, WITH MANY OF THEM UNABLE TO GIVE BLOOD NOW, WE HAVE TO LOOK TO THE YOUNGER FOLKS TO STEP UP AND DO THEIR PART AS A VOLUNTEER IN THEIR COMMUNITY.))
[SUPER=01-Bob Lutjen/American Red Cross;]
[RUNS=14]
[OUT Q=in their community.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

Several blood drives are scheduled throughout the viewing area this week... including at Virginia Tech.
You can donate at Squires Student Center Tuesday through Thursday.
For details on other locations... call 1-800- GIVE-LIFE.

(------------)[45WEATHER]

[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#none]
[GRAPHIC=none]

Let's take a break from the news to check the Tuesday forecast...
Partly cloudy with morning showers possible.
Highs this afternoon reaching the lower 70s..
[SUPER=X5000; SET DISSOLVE]
[SUPER=314-Partly Cloudy/A.M. Showers?/70-74/Cloudy/Cool/52-56;]
[SUPER=#555;RESET]

[ESS C] (EXTENDED)[8-81-Ax]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=rle]
[TAPE#=]
[GRAPHIC=Accident]
A two-car accident is tying up traffic on interstate 81 near Salem. State Police say the accident happened around 7:15 this morning just north of exit 137 in the southbound lanes. There's no word on extent of any injuries, but Lifeguard 10 was called to the scene. Police say one lane of traffic is open, but advise to take an alternate route to avoid delays.

[8-11Senate-Race]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=jda]
[TAPE#=00-29;TC1:13:19]
[GRAPHIC=Campaign 2000]
Chuck Robb and George Allen visited Buena Vista for the city's Labor Day celebration, as the fall campaign season shifts into high gear.
Joe Dashiell has more.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Buena Vista's Labor Day tradition]
[SUPER=203-Buena Vista; :00]
[SUPER=201-Sen. Chuck Robb/(D) Virginia; 1:02]
[SUPER=201-George Allen/(R) U.S. Senate Candidate; 1:15]
[SUPER=219-Joe/Dashiell; 1:32]
[RUNS=1:40]
[OUT Q=JD News 7 Buena Vista]

((Buena Vista's labor day tradition was hard labor on a hot and humid holiday.
But Rockbridge County turned out for an annual event that has become a regular stop for candidates seeking statewide office. [NAT SOUND OF ALLEN]
George and Susan Allen lead the charge through downtown... Chuck and Lynda Robb were a few blocks behind. [NAT SOUND OF ROBB]
With recent polls giving Allen the edge, the Republican former Governor says he is pleased, but not complacent.

[8WEATHER]

[ANCHOR=Shannon]
[NEWSCAST=Mornin]
[WRITER=kmc]
[TAPE#none]
[GRAPHIC=none]

Time once more to check the forecast...
Partly cloudy with showers possible today and highs in the lower 70s...
[SUPER=X5000; SET DISSOLVE]
[SUPER=314-Partly Cloudy/A.M. Showers?/70-74/Cloudy/Cool/52-56;]
[ESS C] (EXTENDED)[SUPER=#555;RESET]