Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, March 4, 1992 TAG: 9203040142
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: A-12 EDITION: STATE
SOURCE: PAUL DELLINGER SOUTHWEST BUREAU
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
So far.
President Bush and Arkansas Gov. Bill Clinton are the visible favorites of party leaders in an informal poll last week, although not all Clinton supporters are wildly enthusiastic.
Based on calls to several Republican officials, the momentum generated by GOP challenger Pat Buchanan hasn't made its way here.
So far.
Jeff Garnett, the Louisa County lawyer heading Buchanan's effort in Virginia, said about 2,000 people statewide have volunteered to work for Buchanan's candidacy. He said they have not been organized yet.
Roanoke GOP Chairman Al Thomason, though, sees no strong Buchanan support.
"I see a lot [of support] toward Bush. I do not see any toward Buchanan, none, at this time. Of course that doesn't say there won't be later."
Pulaski County Republican Chairwoman Sybil Atkinson said, "I'm definitely supporting Bush, most definitely." Those sentiments were echoed by Wythe County GOP Chairman Carl Stark, Smyth Chairman Harold Slemp, Radford Chairwoman Joan Jett and others.
"I don't know of anybody who's going to put any faith in Buchanan," said Garner Dobyns, head of Salem's GOP. "I'll use my influence to get the vote for Bush."
George Bell, Montgomery County chairman and one of three people seeking the GOP candidacy to challenge 9th District Rep. Rick Boucher, D-Abingdon, said his personal feeling is "we have a standing president and I support him."
"I support President Bush," said Giles County GOP Chairman Phillip Steele. "I think Pat Buchanan doesn't have a chance of winning." But he does feel Buchanan's challenge may have helped push Bush back toward the platform he ran on.
`I'm kind of glad he [Buchanan] is there to pull Bush back and do a little bit, especially on taxes," he said.
Clinton's support among Democrats was almost as pervasive, though the degree of enthusiasm varied.
"Our present system discourages truly qualified candidates from coming out," said Salem Democratic Chairman Ross Hart. "There's something to be said for smoke-filled rooms."
He said he was disappointed that none of the Democratic candidates has embraced the health-care issue, as people pay high health costs with money that could be spent elsewhere if a health program existed.
"You look at the health-care situation and the national economy and how they're entwined . . . and I haven't seen a single national [candidate] figure it out."
Hart said he was leaning toward Clinton, but just barely.
Warren Campbell, Roanoke County party chairman, said, "I believe, as of today, I will probably support Governor Clinton."
"I'll have to say I'm a Clinton supporter," said Wythe County Chairwoman Linda DiYorio. She said she was impressed by him when he came to Abingdon several years ago for a Young Democrats state convention.
As for allegations from a woman who claims to have had an affair with Clinton, DiYorio said, "I can't say I'm not bothered by it. I guess I looked at it, all of us, nobody's perfect." She said Clinton is a proven public servant.
Smyth County Democratic Chairwoman Joan Armstrong said, "Personally I like [Bob] Kerrey, but I don't think he has a chance." She made that comment before Kerrey won the South Dakota primary, however. "I'm not real fond of [Paul] Tsongas." She leans toward Clinton, sort of by default.
Armstrong is less bothered by the accusions of Gennifer Flowers that she and Clinton had an affair for years. "I'm very upset with the newspapers on that, to tell you the truth," she said. "We've got to get beyond all that and be concerned with the issues. . . . Her story wasn't holding water at all, and I think they're being blown way out of proportion."
Keywords:
POLITICS
by CNB