Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, May 4, 1994 TAG: 9405060022
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C5 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: RICHMOND LENGTH: Medium
``I look forward to hearing from Sen. Robb at his earliest opportunity, because Virginians need to know how the candidates stand on the important issues facing all of us,'' the Rocky Mount legislator said Tuesday.
He suggested that the debates be held around the state and include questions from voters and reporters, with the candidates also questioning each other.
A Robb campaign spokesman said the senator is willing to debate if the events do not conflict with his Senate schedule.
``He said that's not impossible. We'd have to look at the schedule,'' said Bert Rohrer. ``I don't think there are six debates that have been scheduled or requested.''
He said Robb is campaigning Saturdays through Monday while the Senate is in session. Congress will be meeting every week until the primary, except for a break around Memorial Day.
Spokesmen for candidates Sylvia Clute and Nancy Spannaus also said they would be willing to debate.
``Sylvia will accept every single invitation to a debate,'' said Wink Lucas, a Clute spokesman.
The four candidates held their first joint appearance Thursday in Fairfax at a forum sponsored by the Virginia chapter of Ross Perot's group, United We Stand America.
The group plans weekly forums with the Senate candidates through May 19, but Robb said he would not be able to make any others because of his Senate schedule.
On the Republican side, Oliver North has declined to appear at any of the UWSA forums with Jim Miller. They are vying for the GOP nomination at a June 4 convention.
Rather than debating, Miller and North are spending much of their time wooing the 14,000 Republican delegates expected at the convention.
Even delegates who have promised to support one candidate or the other can change their minds anytime before the convention vote.
Keywords:
POLITICS
by CNB