Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, October 30, 1993 TAG: 9310300047
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-2 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: By MICHAEL STOWE staff writer
DATELINE: CHRISTIANSBURG LENGTH: Medium
"This is the lowest form of campaigning I have ever seen in the New River Valley," Shuler said at a news conference. "My opponent has stooped to publishin win at any cost."
Rush, however, stood by the ad sent to county voters this week, saying that it only pointed out the differences between the two candidates.
"It's not a negative ad," he said. "Mr. Shuler is simply trying to change his position when people are told about it."
The flier - which features three shirtless, tattooed men at a jail - says Shuler opposes abolishing parole for major drug dealers and is against mandatory life sentences for criminals convicted three times for violent crimes. It also says that Shuler criticizes capitol punishment for first-degree murder.
"Each of these is a blatant distortion of the truth," Shuler said. The Blacksburg veterinarian said that all felons should serve their entire sentence and that Virginia already has "a three-time-loser" law that he supports.
Shuler said the issue of capital punishment for murderers - which he supports - has not been raised once during the campaign.
Friday's barbs were another example of how the 12th District race to replace Del. Joan Munford has heated up less than a week before the election.
An ad that attacks Rush for a Montgomery County Board of Supervisors vote involving state education-dispartity funds went out to voters this week. Shuler said that he never authorized the flier, which was sent out by the Virginia Democratic Caucus.
"The difference is that I had the integrity to try and stop that from going out - an integrity my opponent obviously does not have," Shuler said.
Rush said that he believes Shuler knowingly sent out the disparity ad and then tried to say he was sorry "after the damage was done."
Keywords:
POLITICS
by CNB