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

DATE: MONDAY, February 14, 1994                   TAG: 9402140088
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C-3   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

POLL SHOWS ROBB AHEAD OF NORTH

Sen. Charles Robb leads Republican Oliver North 53 percent to 37 percent in a poll of Virginia voters, even though fewer than half of them believe Robb should be re-elected, according to a poll published Sunday by The Washington Post.

Six in 10 Democrats and half of Republicans interviewed said they wish other candidates were running for the Senate this year.

"It would be nice if we had some other selections," said Hazel Ocheltree, 34, who is raising two children in Staunton. She was a "strong supporter" of Republican Gov. George Allen last November. "I'm strongly against Oliver North because of his past. I don't know if he's clean or not. Robb hasn't done anything I've found offensive."

North has said he lied to Congress during its investigation of the Iran-Contra arms-for-hostages deals. Robb has been damaged by a feud with former Gov. Douglas Wilder and allegations that he had an extramarital affair and attended parties where drugs were being used while he was governor in the 1980s. Robb has denied the allegations.

Among registered voters, Robb led North 53 percent to 37 percent. He has a somewhat smaller advantage, 14 points, among voters who say they are certain to vote Nov. 8.

When asked whether Robb should be re-elected, 48 percent of those polled said no and 43 percent said yes. But when Robb is pitted against North, his support jumps to 53 percent.

The poll is based on interviews with 748 registered voters done Jan. 30 through Feb. 3. The margin of error is 4 percentage points.

Keywords:
POLITICS

by CNB