Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, January 14, 1994 TAG: 9401140356
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B-1 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: ROB EURE STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: RICHMOND LENGTH: Long
Beyer said he talked with Robb on Thursday morning and may endorse him soon.
"Robb has an overwhelming advantage over" Richmond lobbyist Sylvia Clute, who has been actively campaigning for months, and 11th District Chairman Dan Alcorn of Vienna, who has been exploring the race, now that Gov. Douglas Wilder is out, Beyer said.
He added that he would like to see the primary become "moot" for lack of challengers.
In moving to discourage new challengers to Robb, Beyer reminded Democrats that the campaign they've been dreading as a blood bath suddenly appears much more winnable.
The Senate race is shaping up as a battle between Robb and Oliver North, the Republican who became known for his role in the Iran-Contra scandal. Both are ex-Marines and Vietnam veterans.
The Democratic Party's decision last month to hold a primary, hailed as a boon to Wilder against Robb, has become the incumbent's ally. With his organization in place and fund-raising well under way, lesser-known candidates are long shots.
Wilder threatened to pull sizable Democratic blocs - blacks and labor - from Robb in the primary. And his personality and stature guaranteed Wilder publicity in a fight with Robb.
Robb escapes both problems in a contest with just about any other potential candidate. Alcorn and Clute have been fashioning strategies as alternatives to the feuding of Robb and Wilder.
Longtime Wilder adviser Paul Goldman argued Thursday that Robb remains vulnerable.
"To run a primary, you need three things: money, issues and organization," Goldman said. "But I think issues are most important, and against Robb, you have all the issues in the world."
Among the names being floated as dark-horse possibilities Thursday were state Democratic Chairman Mark Warner and Rep. Norman Sisisky of Petersburg. Each is wealthy enough to erase Robb's lead in fund-raising.
Both were careful to avoid appearing too eager to enter the race.
"The situation changed dramatically," said Warner, who has been mentioned as a possibility for several races in the past three years but had signaled he would stay out of this one. "Candidly, I haven't had time to consider how it affects me."
Sisisky did not return telephone calls. He also has indicated in recent weeks that he would not enter this race.
Since the party's dismal showing in statewide races last November, some Democratic leaders had resigned themselves to a fractious battle between Robb and Wilder that might leave the winner too damaged to win in November.
Beyer argues that with that fight avoided, the party has the prospect of a unified spring and summer and a real prospect of keeping the seat for Robb.
Robb has been dogged by personal and legal problems during his first term in the Senate, including allegations of infidelity and attendance at Virginia Beach drug parties while he was governor in the early 1980s. He and his office also were investigated by a federal grand jury for holding and leaking to a newspaper an illegal tape recording of a telephone conversation between Wilder and a supporter. Three Robb aides pleaded guilty to wiretapping-related charges.
While Wilder toyed with the race, he threatened to spend his campaign reminding voters of those troubles.
"It remains to be seen whether Wilder has done enough damage [already] to keep Robb from being re-elected," said Emory & Henry College President Thomas Morris.
\ THE DEMOCRATIC FIELD
SYLVIA CLUTE-ALREADY RUNNING
Age: 50
Residence: Richmond
Occupation: Lawyer
Political background: First run for office
The morning line: "I'm No. 2!" she said after Wilder's withdrawal, but Clute will have to try a lot harder if she's to overcome lack of statewide political connections and money.
\ CHARLES ROBB-ALREADY RUNNING
Age: 54
Residence: McLean
Occupation: Incumbent senator. Serving first term.
Political background: Governor, 1982-86; Lieutenant governor, 1978-82.
The morning line: Was badly wounded by scandals involving his personal life and his staff's intrigues with Wilder, but the governor's withdrawal makes him an overwhelming favorite for renomination.
\ DANIEL ALCORN-POSSIBLE FUTURE ENTRY
Age: 38
Residence: Vienna
Occupation: Lawyer
Political background: 11th District Democratic chairman. This would be his first run for office.
The morning line: Has seriously explored the race, but success depended more on Wilder than Robb. With the governor out, his prospects suffer.
\ NORMAN SISISKY-POSSIBLE FUTURE ENTRY
Age: 66
Residence: Petersburg
Occupation: 4th District congressman; former soft drink distributor.
Political background: Former delegate now in sixth term in House of Representatives.
The morning line: He's previously shown little interest in a fight with Robb, but Sisisky is a savvy, proven vote-getter who could pay for the campaign out of his own pocket. Age could be a problem, but Sisisky looks and acts younger than his years.
\ MARK WARNER-POSSIBLE FUTURE ENTRY
Age: 39
Residence: Alexandria
Occupation: Principal in a communications investment firm.
Political background: State Democratic chairman; managed Wilder's campaign for governor in 1989.
The morning line: Has never run, but has the personal wealth and political smarts needed for a credible candidacy.
Keywords:
POLITICS
Memo: shorter version ran in the Metro edition.