Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, January 5, 1992 TAG: 9201050158
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JOEL TURNER MUNICIPAL WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
DISSENT LIKELY FOR BOWERS BID
When Roanoke Councilman David Bowers announced that he was going to seek the Democratic party nomination for mayor, he stood alone at the blue-and-white campaign lectern.Candidates usually are flanked by their families, supporters or party leaders when they announce they're running.
Not Bowers.
That announcement was symbolic of the kind of campaign he intends to run. He made it clear he's his own man, not afraid to take on the political establishment.
But it also focused attention on one problem Bowers faces within his party. His candidacy is likely to cause hard feelings and dissension among Democrats, although he hopes they are not lasting.
"It's definitely going to create problems for us," said one party leader who didn't want to be named. "Regardless of what happens, it's not going to help us."
Some Democratic officeholders urged Bowers to wait until Mayor Noel Taylor, a popular Republican, decided whether to seek a fifth term.
They don't favor the party nominating a challenger for Taylor, who has been on council for 22 years and mayor for 16.
They also think Bowers was out of line in not giving Vice Mayor Howard Musser the first opportunity to run if Taylor retires.
Musser, who has been selected vice mayor three times by receiving the most votes in general election results, has said he'll run only if Taylor doesn't. Musser has been on council for 10 years and a party worker for three decades.
"David is just 39. There was a feeling by some people that he should wait his turn, but he's determined to run," said another Democratic official who did not want to be identified. He said Bowers would have plenty of opportunities in the future to run for mayor.
But Bowers' supporters say he gave other potential Democratic candidates plenty of time to get into the race. Last summer, Bowers said potential candidates should make their decision known by Labor Day, but no other Democrats came forward to say they would oppose Taylor.
Democrats have been reluctant to put a candidate up against Taylor for several reasons, among them the friendship they have with the mayor and the respect they have for him. There also is fear among some Democrats of voter backlash - that running an aggressive campaign against a popular black mayor might lay a foundation of resentment among some voters, especially blacks.
Taylor has said he is awaiting the results of some medical tests before deciding whether to seek a fifth term.
Musser and Councilman Beverly Fitzpatrick Jr., another potential mayoral candidate, have cited their respect for Taylor as the chief reason they won't run against him.
If the Democrats are going to challenge Taylor, they should have a reason, Musser said. "But I don't see a reason," he said, adding that he has no disagreement with the way Taylor handles the job.
Most Democrats downplay the racial issue and the fear of a backlash by black voters, as well as some white voters, if the party challenges Taylor.
But some say privately that it is a factor the party must consider: They say a challenger must avoid making political attacks on Taylor with either personal or racial overtones.
"He's still the first black mayor and most of the black community - and many white voters - support him," one Democratic official said.
The black vote, traditionally Democratic, can be crucial in close elections in Roanoke. About 25 percent of city voters are black and they hold the balance of power in close contests.
Some Democrats say the party also has to consider a possible backlash from Taylor's supporters in the business and religious communities.
Bowers acknowledged that he faces political risks in challenging Taylor. Some party members think he is committing political suicide. Bowers has clashed with Taylor on several issues in recent years, but they have maintained a cordial relationship.
In an effort to avoid a backlash, Bowers has indicated that he'll run a positive campaign for the mayor's job - not a campaign against Taylor.
What still isn't clear is whether he can persuade voters to make the distinction.
"I think the danger of a backlash is always there when you have a very popular mayor, but I see that David said that he's not going to run against the mayor," said Councilman William White, a Democrat.
White, who is black, said that Bowers has "to be very careful how he handles" his campaign, but he applauds him for running. "It's his right and I don't have any problem with it."
White said he's offended that some Democratic officeholders discouraged Bowers from running. "It could be me next," he said.
The Rev. Carl Tinsley, chairman of the city's Democratic Committee, said he also has no problem with Bowers running, even though he's a friend of Taylor's.
Tinsley said he has no complaints about Taylor or his performance as mayor. "He has done an excellent job. There is no denying that. God made only one Taylor," he said.
And Tinsley said Taylor is a Republican only because the Democrats wouldn't nominate him when he first ran for council in 1970, a fact that Taylor confirmed several years ago.
Taylor had not been active in either party before his first bid for council. After the Democrats declined to nominate him, the GOP invited him to join their party and he won.
Despite his praise for Taylor, Tinsley said political parties exist to run candidates. He agreed with Bowers that the party has a duty to provide a debate on the issues and provide voters with a choice if there are candidates willing to run.
"I think maybe there is going to be some anger at first [about Bowers' candidacy] by some people, but I hope that it won't last," Tinsley said. "If there is a person willing to run and we won't support him, then we are in the wrong party."
Taylor has strong support among both Democrats and Republicans in the black community, Tinsley said. Some people will support him regardless of whether the Democrats have a candidate, he said, but there are others who will vote for a Democratic candidate.
If Taylor runs and no other Democratic candidates emerge, the party apparently will be hard-pressed to deny Bowers the nomination. He has promised to support whomever the party nominates, saying he won't run as an independent if he doesn't get the nomination.
Even if he gains the party's endorsement, there remains the question of whether Bowers will have enthusiastic and energetic party workers to knock on doors, make phone calls and work the polls on Election Day.
Keywords:
POLITICS