Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, February 26, 1992 TAG: 9202260193
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B3 EDITION: STATE
SOURCE: ROB EURE STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: RICHMOND LENGTH: Medium
WARNER PRESSED ON GOVERNOR'S RACE
U.S. Sen. John Warner may have an inside track to the Republican gubernatorial nomination, but he would serve the state better by staying in Washington, Del. Clinton Miller, R-Woodstock, said Tuesday.Warner, who has moved up his timetable for making a decision on the 1993 campaign to this spring, cannot expect the nomination without a fight, said Miller, a potential rival.
"The old-time anointing of candidates, that's gone in Virginia," Miller said. "The people lose if we don't have some kind of spirited dialogue."
Miller said Warner's value in the Senate will increase as cuts in military spending pinch Virginia's economy. Warner is the senior Republican on the Senate Armed Services Committee.
Miller also questioned whether Warner, who has served only in Congress, has the "knowledge and ability to govern Virginia." He suggested that before offering for governor, Warner should learn more about state issues.
"He should slap some backs, eat some Nabs [crackers] and drink a few Cokes" at the state Capitol snack bar, Miller added.
Miller has been in the House of Delegates for 20 years.
Miller said he has asked state GOP Chairman Donald Huffman of Roanoke to seek a meeting with Republican leaders on where Warner would be most effective.
Huffman said he would be happy to convene a meeting "to see if prospective candidates can work things out amongst themselves. But it is not the job of the Republican Party apparatus to decide who should seek office."
Miller said he called Warner's office Tuesday to convey the same message. Warner's office did not return calls.
In recent days, Warner has promised to decide on the race this spring rather than wait until next winter, as he had indicated last month he would prefer.
"I think we will hear something from the senator soon" on his intentions for 1993, Huffman said.
Miller has been openly frustrated at Warner's coyness about the race, saying it has frozen fund-raising and support for other candidates. He compares Warner's position with New York Gov. Mario Cuomo's reluctance to enter the Democratic presidential campaign.
Keywords:
POLITICS