Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, April 1, 1994 TAG: 9404010074
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: A1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: MARGARET EDDS STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: RICHMOND LENGTH: Medium
"John Warner is to the Republican Party what the Vichy government was to France," fumed GOP Vice Chairman Jim Ferreira of Abingdon, referring to the puppet Nazi regime imposed on France in World War II.
To have Warner lecturing Republicans on the meaning of party loyalty, Ferreira added, "is like asking Jeffrey Dahmer to teach you how to cook."
Without an attitude adjustment by Warner, "it's very unlikely he'll be the nominee of his party" in 1996, said GOP state Chairman Patrick McSweeney of Richmond. Warner is the top Republican vote-getter in Virginia history.
While fury with Warner was concentrated in the party's dominant conservative wing, even some activists with links to the more moderate faction voiced concern about Warner's willingness to bolt the party in the Senate contest.
"We've been friends forever and I'm very fond of him, and I'm sort of dismayed," said National Committeewoman Flo Traywick of Lynchburg. "He's certainly straining everybody's loyalty in the party."
Despite the outcry, a spokeswoman said calls to Warner's office were running 69-41 in the senator's favor. And some Republican moderates, as well as some non-Republicans, said the senator may have solidified his esteem among mainstream voters by opposing North.
Warner said Wednesday that he would vote for a credible independent in a race against North and U.S. Sen. Charles Robb, the Democratic incumbent. Asked what he'd do if the Democrats nominated someone other than Robb, Warner even refused to rule out backing the Democrat.
Thursday, however, Warner clarified that he would not support either a Democrat or an independent who caucused with the Democrats.
Warner's rejection of North is linked to North's admission that he lied to Congress about his Iran-Contra activities during the Reagan administration.
Michael Salster, an Amelia County newspaper editor and former Republican Party spokesman, said Warner's views are shared by many Virginians. In a popularity contest among Warner, Robb and North, "Warner wins in a landslide" because "he embodies something Virginians want," Salster said.
Arguing that "the extreme right wing is taking over the party and forcing others out," Salster said Warner is right to put principle above politics. "He's taking a page from Harry Byrd's book. . . . Men of honor reach for a higher standard," he said, referring to former independent U.S. Sen. Harry F. Byrd Jr.
The question of whether Warner runs as an independent or a Republican in 1996 could turn partially on an upcoming decision by Gov. George Allen. Allen, a Republican, must sign or veto legislation giving federal incumbents the right to choose between being nominated in a primary or at a convention when they run for re-election.
While Allen has carefully avoided taking sides in disputes between Warner and the party's right wing, the decision on that legislation will force him at least temporarily into one camp or the other.
Observers say Warner likely would lose a convention held by a relatively small group of party activists, but probably would win re-nomination in a statewide primary. Party conservatives are urging Allen to veto the bill.
A spokesman for Allen said Warner's statement "doesn't affect their friendship."
"I don't know that the governor is necessarily angry at Sen. Warner, but at the same time . . . without question, it's not doing a great deal to promote unity within the party," the spokesman said.
If Allen was noncommittal, some other Republicans said Warner finally has gone too far. National Committeeman Morton Blackwell of Arlington distributed a list of alleged Warner transgressions, including his refusal to back GOP nominee Michael Farris for lieutenant governor last year.
"I think he's betrayed the party," added 6th District GOP Chairman Donald Duncan of Troutville. Warner's statements on North, Duncan said, are "his official resignation from the Republican Party."
Nevertheless, Warner's suggestion that an independent candidate jump into the Senate race has fueled much gossip - and apparently some interest - in the state's political circles.
University of Virginia political analyst Larry Sabato - who is so widely quoted that he has become something of a clearinghouse for political intrigue - said nine people have talked to him about making independent bids, including three whom he said would be major candidates.
He declined to name them but said more of them are Republicans than Democrats.
The Associated Press contributed to this story.
Keywords:
POLITICS
by CNB