Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: MONDAY, November 1, 1993 TAG: 9311010132
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: D1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: WARREN FISKE STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: ABINGDON LENGTH: Medium
The front-running Republican kept a surprisingly light campaign schedule, appearing at only three rallies. He found time to relax with his wife and appeared determined to avoid any last-minute gaffes, ducking the journalists covering his campaign through much of the afternoon.
"We've already been everywhere," spokesman Jay Timmons said when asked about the laid-back schedule.
The normally tireless Allen, who has been putting in 16-hour campaign days for months, began his Saturday at the civil hour of 10 a.m. with a campaign rally in Virginia Beach. He ended it at 6 p.m. with a speech in Abingdon. Allen campaigned with his running mates, Mike Farris and Jim Gilmore.
In between, Allen made a short speech in Rockingham County. He canceled a midday appearance in Northern Virginia to make time for a private meeting with Filipino leaders in South Hampton Roads.
The pace was relaxed enough to draw a jab from Democratic candidate Mary Sue Terry. "They're afraid you're going to ask him, one more time, `George are you pro-life or pro-choice?' or `George, tell us one more time where you are with the NRA,' " she told reporters.
If Allen was feeling confident, it may have been because he'd been told the results of a new poll, taken for the Richmond Times-Dispatch. The survey, published in this morning's editions, gives Allen a 19-point lead over Terry.
Another statewide poll released last week showed Allen with a 7-point lead, a result that officials in both campaigns said is close to what their own polls indicate.
At each of Saturday's rallies, Allen was greeted exuberantly by several hundred Republicans, who were chanting "George, George, George." His wife, Susan, remained at his side throughout the day.
Allen delivered short pep talks, urging supporters to "redouble their efforts between now and Election Day."
In Virginia Beach, about 300 cheering partisans attended a rally at the Roma Lodge. There, Allen denounced Terry as a "stolid, stagnant, status quo" Democrat who has shown little substance on issues.
As he has throughout the campaign, Allen stressed his plan to abolish parole for criminals. "There can be no leniency for the violent criminals who are murdering, raping and assaulting in our neighborhoods," he said.
Allen pledged to create 125,000 private-sector jobs if elected. And he said he would hold the line on rising college costs by forcing universities to sign contracts with parents assuring that tuitions would not increase by more than the rate of inflation during the four years their children are working toward undergraduate degrees.
"My opponent says we cannot do these things, but I say we must," Allen said.
Many in the crowd expressed confidence that on Tuesday, Allen would break a 12-year Republican losing streak in statewide elections.
David Candela, a student at Regent University, said he has grown weary of Terry's attempts to link Allen to religious broadcaster Pat Robertson, the school's founder. "Christians are entitled to support people, just like everyone else," he said.
"The Democrats have just gotten arrogant in power and are not responsive to the people any more," said the Rev. Joseph Gwynn, pastor of Kempsville Chapel. "People are fed up with them. This year's going to change that pattern for a long time."
Still, the candidate was taking no chances. At the end of the day, as he was about to climb into a supporter's BMW in Abingdon for a ride to the airport, Allen was teased by reporters who recalled how he's avoided foreign cars throughout the campaign.
"I haven't gotten in yet," he said. Looking around, Allen noticed that the second car in the line was a red Buick. He rode off in it.
Keywords:
POLITICS
by CNB