Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, May 24, 1994 TAG: 9405240094
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: A-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: By MARGARET EDDS STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: WASHINGTON LENGTH: Medium
In her most outspoken criticism to date, Clute acknowledged that she has no proof Robb's vote on Thomas was linked to the Justice Department's unusual willingness to give Robb a second opportunity to testify during a grand jury investigation involving the senator's office.
But she termed Robb's explanation for the controversial 1991 vote as "pathetic," and said: "There's no reasonable explanation for him to have cast that vote ... It was against his own interests as a politician. It was contrary to his historic position on [freedom of choice] on abortion.
Evidence of an under-the-table deal with U.S. attorneys under the Bush administration may be "circumstantial," but it's "far more compelling evidence than the explanation he has given us," said Clute, a Richmond lawyer. "It seems to make sense to me."
Former Gov. Douglas Wilder voiced similar charges in a news conference about a year ago, but they had not surfaced prominently in the Democratic primary race.
Robb's campaign chairman dismissed Clute's remarks as "ludicrous," and said the senator's support for women speaks for itself. He has "a solid record in support of women's rights, of equal rights," said Susan Platt, noting Robb's record-setting pace in appointing women to prominent positions as governor from 1982 to 1986.
In 1991, Robb explained his vote by saying he empathized with what Thomas had gone through at his confirmation hearing. He said he followed his instincts about Thomas' core values and his trust in those who ardently supported Thomas.
At a news conference highlighting her endorsement by several women's political groups, Clute said allegations that Robb may have had sexual relationships with several young women when he was governor say more about his regard for women than his votes.
Robb has acknowledged socializing that was "inappropriate for a married man," but says that is a matter between him and his wife, not voters.
Flanked by supporters from the National Organization for Women and the National Women's Political Caucus, Clute called the timing of the grand jury probe and Thomas vote "disturbing."
Thomas was confirmed in October 1991, about three months after the Justice Department began investigating the handling of an illegally recorded tape of a telephone conversation between then-Lt. Gov. Wilder and a supporter. Robb first testified to the grand jury in August 1991.
The tape, in which Wilder commented on Robb, wound up in Robb's office, and three Robb aides pleaded guilty to minor infractions involving its distribution to the press. The grand jury failed to bring any charges against Robb, however, after he sought and received permission to testify a second time in December 1992.
"You or I wouldn't" get such a chance, Clute said. "That doesn't happen to ordinary people."
Clute, who has repeatedly refused to criticize Robb's personal conduct, said she doesn't intend to make the charges a staple of the campaign's last month. She raised them Monday, she said, because the news conference involved women's groups and women's issues.
Keywords:
POLITICS
by CNB