Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: WEDNESDAY, September 7, 1994                   TAG: 9409070118
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: B1   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: DAVID M. POOLE STAFF WRITER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

CAMPAIGN COLLECTIBLES: A LEAGUE OF THEIR OWN

The colorful U.S. Senate race has spawned a set of trading cards featuring the four candidates and a host of supporting characters - including the former Miss Virginia U.S.A. who gave Charles Robb a nude massage in a New York hotel.

There's U.S. Sen John Warner sounding defensive (in made-up quotes) about his hand-picked candidate, Marshall Coleman: "Why should I strain to name an office he hasn't sought, or an abortion stance he hasn't taken? The point is: Marshall isn't Ollie."

There's conservative talk-show host Rush Limbaugh assessing the race: "The choice in Virginia is simple. You've got a stained, lap-dog liberal, a bleached and petulant liberal, a fair-weather conservative, and a genuine, world-class hero."

There's political pundit Larry Sabato reporting the latest poll results: "Fifty-one percent said the race is so embarrassing they plan to leave the state."

The "Campaign Inkbites" are the brainchild of F.T. Rea, a Richmond artist who a decade ago issued a similar deck of cards commemorating a major death-row escape at Mecklenburg Correctional Center. The set of 15 Senate cards is available at Biff's bookstore in Richmond for $12 a pack, or by calling Rea at (804)359-4864.