Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, March 31, 1992 TAG: 9203310078
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JOEL TURNER MUNICIPAL WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Five weeks after the Democratic Party's mass meeting, some people still are angry that Councilman David Bowers beat Vice Mayor Howard Musser for the party's nomination for mayor.
Musser and Councilman James Harvey have refused to endorse Bowers. And they say they won't.
"Under no circumstances will I endorse him," Musser said Monday.
Still, the healing process has started and the Democrats are beginning to rally behind Bowers, party leaders say.
The Rev. Carl Tinsley, chairman of the city Democratic Committee, predicted Monday that Bowers' campaign won't be hurt because of Musser's refusal to endorse him.
"I think most Democrats feel that [Musser and Harvey] are not acting in the best interests of the party," Tinsley said. "They may as well be independents, or maybe Republicans."
Bowers "will lose two votes, but Musser and Harvey won't have much influence with Democratic voters," Tinsley said.
Musser and Harvey are displaying a childish attitude, Tinsley said.
"I am sorry this has happened the way it has. It is a disappointment to me and to the people who have supported them in the past," Tinsley said.
Most Democratic officeholders who endorsed Musser for the mayoral nomination now are backing Bowers. This includes Rep. Jim Olin and state Dels. Victor Thomas and Clifton Woodrum.
Tinsley said he expects the Democratic officeholders will have a news conference soon in a show of support for Bowers. "I think there will be solidarity," he said.
Musser said Monday he will sit out the election and won't work for either Bowers or Republican Willis "Wick" Anderson. Musser wouldn't say who he will vote for.
The other two Democrats on council - Beverly Fitzpatrick Jr. and William White - are supporting Bowers. Fitzpatrick, seeking a second term on council, is on the Democratic ticket with Bowers.
White, who won't face re-election until 1994, has become a close adviser to Bowers.
Fitzpatrick said Monday he hasn't seen any indication of a major split within the party as a result of the fight for the mayoral nomination.
Fitzpatrick supported Musser for the nomination. But he is now working with Bowers and the rest of the Democratic ticket. As long as Bowers stays focused on what is best for the city, Fitzpatrick said, he can work with him.
Fitzpatrick said he doesn't agree with Bowers on all issues, but that shouldn't prevent them from working together.
Asked if Musser and Harvey would hurt his campaign, Bowers said that question will be better answered after the May 5 election.
Bowers refused to criticize Musser and Harvey for withholding support, saying he respects their right to disagree with him.
"I like both of them and have worked well with them over the years. I look forward to working with them in the future," he said.
"I would ask for their support and certainly would welcome it. But I understand if they choose not to do so. There may be pockets of discontent in the broad and diverse Democratic Party, but I don't sense any acrimony or major dissension within the party."
Bowers is looking ahead and knows he will have to work with Musser and Harvey if he becomes mayor because they have two years remaining in their terms.
Musser, who considered running as an independent, is not backing Bowers because of what he describes as fundamental differences with him on political philosophy and the role of mayor.
Musser said he has been a Democrat all of his life, but there are "some things that transcend party politics."
He has suggested that Bowers would undermine the city's council-manager form of government and the city charter by interferring with the daily administration of city government. But Bowers has denied the accusation.
Bowers characterizes the criticism of him by Musser and Harvey as "just politics" that won't necessarily cause any lasting break between them.
Harvey is afraid that Bowers' close ties to organized labor and his attitude toward influential business leaders could frighten away business and industrial prospects.
Keywords:
POLITICS
by CNB