Morning news AM cutins on WDBJ 7 11/07/95

08:25-01

7Voting

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=Cutin
WRITER=cro
TAPE# none
GRAPHIC=Election 95

Voters are heading to the polls at this hour.
Registrars report good voter turnout -- as much as 50 to 60 percent.
doublebox=mel/beth

Beth Myer is at the polls at William Byrd High School.
Beth, you said earlier it was very busy this morning. Are people still streaming in?
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LIVE=beth/full
SUPER=@Beth1;
SUPER=05-Vinton;
(beth ad lib)

7Campaign-Money

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=Cutin
WRITER=equ
TAPE# 95-81
GRAPHIC=Election '95

This could be a very historic election.
Republicans are seeking to take control of the General Assembly for the first time since reconstruction.
And with so much on the line both sides aren't taking any chances when it comes to campaigning.
Candidates have taken in a record number of contributions despite their questionable origins.
Ellen Qualls has that story.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=The last thought
SUPER=@file; :00
SUPER=01-Larry Sabato/UVA Political Analyst; :15
SUPER=03-Smithfield; :32
SUPER=@Ellen1; 1:07
RUNS=1:20
OUT Q=Qualls, News 7, Richmond.
(( The last thought George Allen would like to leave you with is Tamoil.
That's a New York oil broker that admits previous ties to the Libyan government -- and is helping fund Democratic ads like this with a hundred thousand dollars of possibly terrorist linked money. ((LARRY SABATO/UVA POLITICAL ANALYST: IN VIRGINIA, YOU HAVE A WILD WEST SYSTEM OF CAMPAIGN FINANCE WHERE ANYTHING GOES. THERE ARE NO LIMITS. WE'VE HAD GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATES IN THE PAST WHO'VE TAKEN UP TO A HALF A MILLION DOLLARS FROM A SINGLE PERSON. AND IT'S NOT GOING TO CHANGE BECAUSE IT SUITS THE POLITICIANS WELL.))
On the other side of the fence: Smithfield Foods.
The company is under state and federal investigation for a dizzying number of recent pollution violations.
Governor Allen's PAC has taken 125- thousand dollars in pork packing money.
Sabato says it's wrong.
But legal in Virginia. ((LARRY SABATO/UVA POLITICAL ANALYST: WHAT I FIND INCREDIBLE ABOUT VIRGINIA, AND I'VE BEEN WATCHING IT FOR 25 YEARS, IS THAT PEOPLE DO NOT DEMAND THE OBVIOUS. THEY DO NOT DEMAND A CHANGE IN WHAT IS PERCEPTIVELY A CORRUPT SYSTEM.)) ((AS PUBLIC AWARENESS OF WHO PAYS FOR CAMPAIGNS AND WHO BENEFITS INCREASES, LET THERE BE NO DOUBT, SO DOES THE MONEY. THIS WILL HAVE BEEN BY FAR THE MOST EXPENSIVE GENERAL ASSEMBLY ELECTIONS IN VIRGINIA HISTORY. ELLEN QUALLS, NEWS 7, RICHMOND.)) ))

7weather

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=cutin
WRITER=nle
TAPE#
GRAPHIC=

Turning now to weather -
Today is going to be a wet one with periods of rain throughout the afternoon.
Temperatures will be in the mid to upper 50s.
Tonight, expect temperatures to drop into the upper 30s.
Skies will be clear, and the rain will be ending.
Tomorrow will be sunny and cold, with highs only in the 40s.

55VOTING

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=cutin
WRITER=mel
TAPE#=edit
GRAPHIC=Election 95

The polls are open in Virginia as voters statewide choosing members of the House of Delegates and state Senate
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Vinton/This Morning;
as well as voting on local representatives and issues.
Republicans are seeking to take control of the General Assembly for the first time since Reconstruction.
Voter registrars estimate turnout today could e as high as 55 or 60 percent.
SUPER=03-Richmond/Yesterday;

Governor Allen spent yesterday at a series of campaign stops for Republican candidates.
He also accused democrats of taking contributions from an oil company with ties to Libya.
A Democratic spokesman says the allegations area a smokescreen for the G-O-P's contribution from Smithfield Foods.
The polls close at seven p-m.
(----------------)

55Monday-Night

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=morn
WRITER=kmc
TAPE#95-92
GRAPHIC=Election 95

With 140 general assembly seats up for graps, Republicans are already celebraing a G-O-P takeover.
But Democrats say not so fast.
They are also predicting victory today.
Kimberly McBroom reports.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=Many local Republicans
SUPER=03-Roanoke/Last Night; :00
SUPER=01-Sen. Brandon Bell/(R) State Senate Candidate; :07
SUPER=01-Jeff Artis/(R) House of Delegates Candidate; :19
SUPER=01-Newell Falkinburg/(R) House of Delegates Candidate; :32
SUPER=01-John Edwards/(D) State Senate Candidate; :51
SUPER=03-Vinton; 1:00
SUPER=@Cranwell; 1:09
SUPER=@Woodrum; 1:29
SUPER=@Kimberly2; 1:39
RUNS=1:44
OUT Q=McBroom, News 7

((Many local Republicans spent the night before elections-- wearing their party hats. ((SEN. BRANDON BELL/R-STATE SENATE CANDIDATE: THIS IS A MATTER OF TELLING-- WE THANK THE VOLUNTEERS FOR WORKING SO HARD FOR CAUSES THAT WE CARE ABOUT VERY DEEPLY.))
But Republicans say Tuesday night is when they're planning their real victory celebration. ((JEFF ARTIS/R- HOUSE OF DELEGATES CANDIDATE: I THINK WE'RE GOING TO SUPRISE A WHOLE LOT OF PEOPLE. THERE'S AN ASSUMPTION OUT THERE THAT THE REPUBLICANS HAVE BEEN PLAYING DIRTY POLITICS-- THAT WE'RE NOT PRESENTING THE FACTS ACCURATELY. BUT I THINK THE PEOPLE UNDERSTAND WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO DO. )) ((NEWELL FALKINBURG/R- HOUSE OF DELEGATES CANDIDATE: I THINK THAT THE FACT THAT THEY'RE A LITTLE BIT DOWN IN THE DUMPS-- AND I DON'T THINK THEY'RE VERY HAPPY-- AT LEAST MY SENSE WHEN I SPEAK TO THEM IS THAT THEY AREN'T HAPPY. I THINK THEY'RE VERY, VERY WORRIED AND RIGHTLY SO. ))
But local democrats say that couldn't be further from the truth-- as some kept busy at their downtown headquarters. ((JOHN EDWARDS/D-STATE SENATE CANDIDATE: WE'RE GETTING GEARED UP. WE'RE GETTING THE SIGNS READY TO TAKE OUT TO THE POLLS. THE SAMPLE BALLOTTS-- WE'RE GETTING ORGANIZED AND I THINK EVERYBODY'S VERY EXCITED ABOUT HAVING A BIG VICTORY. ))
The forecast is calling for a rainy Election Day-- but Delegate Dick Cranwell dismisses the theory that rain often brings a black cloud over democrats. ((DEL. DICK CRANWELL/D- HOUSE OF DELEGATES CANDIDATE: I DON'T THINK THE WEATHER IS GOING TO HAVE ANY IMPACT ON THE OUTCOME OF WHAT HAPPENS TOMORROW. PEOLE IN VIRGINIA TAKE GOVERNMENT SERIOUSLY AND THEY TAKE VOTING SERIOUSLY.))
And no matter where they spent the eve before elections-- both Democrats and Republicans agree that for the most part, the campaigning is over. ((DEL. CHIP WOODRUM/D-HOUSE OF DELEGATES CANDIDATE: MERCIFULLY, THAT'S THE WAY, DEMOCRACY WORKS. IT'S THEIR TURN. IF FEEL VERY GOOD AND VERY CONFIDENT ABOUT THE RACE, BUT NOW'S THE TIME FOR THE PEOPLE TO SPEAK AND IT'S TIME FOR US TO BE QUIET. ))
And come Tuesday-- time for the voters to have the last word. Kimberly McBroom, News 7. ))

55Allen-Gilmore

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=morn
WRITER=jda
TAPE# 95-85
GRAPHIC=REPUBLICANS

Meantime, state Republicans, facing criticism for accepting the Smithfield donation, are now taking aim at Democrats for their own questionable contributions.
And Governor Allen in leading the attack.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Roanoke/Yesterday;

Yesterday he rallied support for Republican candidates during a state tour.
He told reporters the contribution from TAM-OIL should raise concern among Virginia voters.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=I don't believe
((GOV. GEORGE ALLEN: I DON'T CARE TO AND I DON'T THINK MOST VIRGINIANS WANT LIBYAN MONEY OR THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION SOMEHOW INFLUENCING ELECTIONS HERE. THESE ELECTIONS ARE TO BE DETERMINED BY VIRGINIANS. THE DEMOCRATS ARE DESPERATE. THEY'LL GET MONEY WHEREVER THEY CAN I RECKON.))
SUPER=@Allen;
RUNS=:16
OUT Q=wherever they can I reckon.
ANCHOR=Melanie
SS=Democrats

A Democratic spokesman calls the allegations hogwash and claims it's just a smokescreen for the G-O-P's controversial contributions.

55weather

8Allen

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=Mornin
WRITER=equ
TAPE#=95-77
GRAPHIC=Allen

Governor George Allen kicked off a rainy election day by writing in candidates for the House and Senate.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Richmond;

There are only Democrats on the ballot in the Governor's Richmond voting precinct.
Allen says his votes will probably be obvious when the write- in ballots are made public.
The Governor chose his day in the national spotlight to wear his lucky Canadian cowboy hat.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 01:34:36
IN Q=You and the folks
((GOVERNOR GEORGE ALLEN: YOU AND THE FOLKS IN THE NATIONAL MEDIA WANT TO MAKE NATIONAL IMPLICATIONS OF IT...THAT DECISION TODAY.))
SUPER=@Allen;
RUNS=:18
OUT Q=decision today.
(----------------)
VO-NAT

Allen is urging Virginians to "make history" today by electing Republican majorities in both chambers.
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8polls-averill

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=cutin
WRITER=mel
TAPE#=95-75
GRAPHIC=Election 95

Folks are already heading out to the polls this morning in what could be a historic election.
Republicans are seeking to take control of the General Assembly for the first time since Reconstruction.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Vinton/This Morning;

One Republican who is hoping to be a part of that G-O-P sweep cast her ballot this morning in Vinton.
After weeks of campaigning Trixie Averill says she's optimistic about today's outcome.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT
IN Q=Excited, tired...
((TRIXIE AVERILL/(R) HOUSE OF DELEGATES CANDIDATE: EXCITED, TIRED, I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO IT. I THINK IT'S GOING TO BE A GREAT DAY. IT'S BEEN A TERRIFIC CAMPAIGN, AND AN EXPERIENCE I'D RECOMMEND TO EVERYONE. ))
SUPER=01-Trixie Averill/(R) House of Delegates Candidate;
RUNS=:11
OUT Q=to everyone
ANCHOR=Melanie
SS=Election 95

Incumbent challenger Dick Cranwell is expected to vote at the Vinton War Memorial this morning.

8Cobbs-Bryant

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=morn
WRITER=ssm
TAPE#95-89
GRAPHIC=Election '95

It was a hectic final day of campaigning in the Lynchburg area for Republican House candidate Preston Bryant and his Democratic opponent Gil Cobbs.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Amherst Co./Yesterday;

Both campaigns found themselves within shouting distance of each other on Colony Road in Madison Heights.
Cobbs and Bryant supporters spent about an hour greeting state employees on their way in and out of the Central Virginia Training Center.
Both say they're confident about their chances today.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 15:15:21
IN Q=I believe
((GIL COBBS/D- HOUSE OF DELEGATES CANDIDATE: I BELIEVE THAT WE'RE GOING TO BE VICTORIOUS TOMORROW WITH A COMFORTABLE MARGIN. WE'VE WORKED HARD, I THINK PEOPLE KNOW THAT I MEAN WHAT I SAY, I'M NOT GOING TO FORGET THEIR INTERESTS WHEN I GO TO RICHMOND.)) ((PRESTON BRYANT/R- HOUSE OF DELEGATES CANDIDATE: I FEEL LIKE IT'S GOING TO BE A HIGH- SPIRITED FINAL DAY. I THINK WE REALLY NEED TO GET OUR CONSERVATIVE BASE OUT, I THINK IT'S GOING TO BE CLOSE, BUT THIS IS A GOOD DISTRICT FOR REPUBLICANS.))
SUPER=01-Gil Cobbs/(D) House of Delegates Candidate; :00
SUPER=01-Preston Bryant/(R) House of Delegates Candidate; :12
RUNS=:27
OUT Q=district for Republicans.
(----------------)
VO-NAT

Bryant and Cobbs hope to fill the House seat being vacated by Republican Steve Newman, who's running for the Virginia Senate.
(----------------)

8Beyer

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=morn
WRITER=kmc
TAPE# 95-86
GRAPHIC=Democrats

Democratic party chairman Mark Warner agrees today's election may be the most important one in state history, but not for Republicans.
(----------------)
VO-NAT
SUPER=03-Arlington/Yesterday;

Before a rally in Arlington, Warner predicted a Democratic victory in the General Assembly elections.
(/////SOT/////)
SOT 15:48:00
IN Q=The truth is
((MARK WARNER/FORMER VA. DEMOCRATIC PARTY CHAIRMAN: THE TRUTH IS, WITH US, NO MATTER WHAT THE OTHER SIDE DOES WITH THOSE SCURRULOUS LIES AND RHETORIC AND LIARS AND EVERYTHING ELSE OUT THERE-- THE TRUTH WILL COME OUT IF WE GET OUR VOTE OUT THERE TOMORROW. ))
SUPER=01-Mark Warner/Former Va. Dem. Party Chmn.;
RUNS=:11
OUT Q=out there tomorrow.
TALENT=Melanie
SS=HOLD Dems

Senator Chuck Robb says this election resembles last year's-- saying victory will depend on strong Democratic turnout in Northern Virginia.

8weather

ANCHOR=Melanie
NEWSCAST=cutin
WRITER=nle
TAPE#
GRAPHIC=

Turning now to weather -
It's going to be a wet election day.
Expect peroids of the wet stuff throughout the afternoon.
Temperatures will be in the mid to upper 50s.
Tonight skies will clear and temperatures will drop into the upper 30's.
Looking ahead Tomorrow will be cloudy with continued mild temperatures.
The sun will shine on Wednesday but expect temperatures to drop a bit, with night lows in the mid 20's. temperatures. And the chance for rain returns by the weekend with slightly higher